Christmas Parties were usually held in the Miners Hall, Ryhope Street, near the current Newsagents. Harry Beaney simply revelled in being Santa Claus!!     As the Church Building, which was located on the site of the Bungalows at the lower end of Western Hill, was, to say the least (!) very limited in its facilities - it had gas lighting (even in the sixties!!) and outside toilets - fund raising activities took place on a regular basis. One of these activities was the sale of Christmas Cards - and a visit to the home of Mrs Hutchinson, mother of Margaret (Thompson), in Esdale was a special occasion - she was so dedicated to this cause.   Jack and Lizzie Brown encouraged us to form an Intermediate Christian Endeavour Society. Jack, among other things, showed us how to make wicker work trays.

 

A Youth Club was formed and we used the International Order of Good Templars Building, which was located on the site of the current Doctors Surgery, adjacent to the Welfare Hall.   The Leaders were Tom Jobling and Olive Allard (nee Fowler).   We used to play football, cricket and other games on the old bowling green, which was next to the Church, the Bowlers having been relocated to their now majestic site at Welfare Park, Brick Row.   Thanks to the encouragement of the Durham County Council (Ryhope was part of County Durham at this time) Youth Service, the Youth Club was relocated to the Junior School in Nelson Street, where we could use of the School Yard and Hall.   During this time, we formed a football team and entered the Sunderland Amateur League, which was for players under 21 years of age. At the time, we were all about 18 years of age, so not surprisingly, we found it hard going in our first year and finished at the bottom of the League. We played on the Store Field. For a home game, Saturday morning meant a visit to R.G.Finlay Ltd., Builders, in the yard near the Forge Garage, at the Village for a bag of sawdust, then back to mark out the pitch. After dinner, we had to turn up early and go to the Blue Bell public house to pick up the goal posts, which were owned by Toll Bar United, managed by Douggie Smith, who also used the Store Field. The Landlord of the Blue Bell, Jack Smith,   was very accomodating and most helpful. With the goal posts safely (? today's 'Elf'n Safety would have had a 'field day'!!) in place, we would make our way to the Racing Pigeon Club Building, which was located at the rear of the Workingmen's Club to get changed.