ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORY Programme for 2026.

The past is never dead. It’s not even past. All of us labour in webs spun long before we were born, webs of heredity and environment, of desire and consequence, of history and eternity.” William Faulkner - Requiem for a Nun.

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All lectures take place at The People Centre Raby Road 10.30 for 11.00 a.m. start, Field Trips details, will be notified nearer the date

It is your Group - If you have ideas for a field trip or hear of a lecture that would be of interest, please contact Chris McLoughlin.

JANUARY 8th 2026 Before the Ward Jackson Park area was developed the area of Hutton Avenue, was considered the place to live. Frances Wilson will give a talk on the development of the Avenue and the immediate area.

(Sunday - February 8th 2026) GREATHAM SNOWDROP DAY. The Grounds of the Hall will be open from 1.00 pm to 4.30 p.m. if you want to visit. The event is for National Gardens and fund raising is for the Community Home. Admission £3 children 1.50

FEBRUARY 12TH - "VIKINGS NORTH" - An exhibition is running at the York Museum on the theme of the Vikings in the North. Proposed train trip to York Museum, visit the Exhibition etc. and then free time in one of the various popular venues in York. Members have been emailed with outline details.

Saturday, 14^th February 2026. 1000 until Noon St Hilda's

Join in a chat over a cuppa at St Hilda’s meeting room if you are interested in supporting a “Friends of St Hilda’s” Group. “Friends of St Cuthbert Billingham” will be there to answer questions on how a Friends Group operates. No connection with Church or Worship necessary, an interest in local Heritage – yes -.

MARCH 12TH - Gary Bankhead returns to give a talk on Sunderland’s Missing History: Roman Discoveries in the River Wear Prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about Sunderland’s ancient past. Led by underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead, this talk reveals groundbreaking discoveries from the River Wear at Offerton—finds that are reshaping our understanding of the city’s role in Roman Britain and beyond.

Saturday 21^st March 2026. 1.30 p.m. St Hilda’s Church

“A Veneration” A presentation by Church guide Ian Lightfoot celebrating the Church artefacts and curiosities. Admission £5.00 – Complimentary refreshments.

Tuesday 24th March, 2026. St Cuthbert's Church, Billingham. Robin Daniels will give a talk at 7.00 p.m. on Anglo-Saxon Billingham & Norton, Admission free but donations welcome, all proceeds to Friends of St Cuthbert's

APRIL 9th -Derek Potter gave one of his fascinating talks this time on 1960's Gangland Newcastle = the murder of Angus Sibbett - and the night club/ crime scene here in the North East, which overlapped into our town.

ALL SAINTS STRANTON - Celebrating its 900th anniversary is open every Saturday during the summer between the hours of 10 and 12 p.m.

MAY 14th An away day to BOWES MUSEUM with a guided tour - plus a chance to see and hear the Swan with free time plus lunch & coffee restaurant available.

JUNE 11th. Gordon Henderson made a welcome return visit to talk on the Roman Fort at Binchester (Vinovia to the Romans) near Bishop Auckland, illustrated with many finds from the site and delivered in his own inimitable style, we covered the history of our time as part of the Roman Empire.

JULY 9th - An away day via train and Metro for a walk around the HAYMARKET area of Newcastle with Keiran Ann Keilty exploring the heritage and history of this area of Newcastle. We took in the Civic Centre, St Thomas The Martyr Church, City Baths and the City Hall on a gloriously hot and sunny day.

SEPTEMBER 10th - "A Tour Around the Lonsdale's" a talk by John Heckles on the work of sculptor Ray Lonsdale.

OCTOBER 8TH - A talk presently being arranged with Bernard Hope - details to follow.

NOVEMBER 12th Margaret Bozic returns to give a talk on the Crossing from Newcastle to Carlisle via trains, Roads, Canal(?) - more ddetails nearer the time.

DECEMBER 10th. A speaker needed to cover this date, who is penciled in Name & Subject to be revealed.

“Never let your schooling interfere with your education” (Mark Twain)-

• ST GEORGE
• Hartlepool History Then & Now
• Rugby Football History in the District
• Tees Archaeological Society
• Tees Archaeology

See below for a list of all groups