2009 has been a successful year, our membership has increased to average 91+ every meeting. We have again taken part in the annual Gateshead Central Library History Month and other events held at St Mary's Heritage Centre Gateshead. I conducted a guided tour of Old Marley Hill and coal mine site for English Heritage Week. We have given on screen historical presentations at various libraries. The Whickham Library Garden is well used and still looks first class. I have attended AIRS (a service for the blind) and recorded two local history linked stories to send out on cassette to their clients.

We have produced our book/DVD 'Like Carrying Coals To Newcastle' The book is written and compiled by Society Chairman Colin Douglas and Vice Chairman Nick Neave, and the DVD produced by Noel Adamson and myself, our old friend John Cook narrated. The package is already a best seller in big demand.

The Society Committee members have once more worked hard on our behalf throughout the year. Social Secretary Sheila Gascoigne and Eleanor Baty have again been responsible for the success of our annual special events. The efforts of the Waggonway Sub Committee were also greatly appreciated.

Our website has continued to be a huge success, generating almost 2 million hits world wide. We must place on record our sincere thanks to Gateshead Council and Gateshead Central Library Officials Jacqui Thompson and Claire Iles for their continued support.

We have encouraged our members to join Sunniside Social Club, not only to ensure that we abide by the Licensing Laws but because we enjoy first class facilities. We are able to report that all of our Society members are also Club members.

We hope that the wide ranging programme for 2010 will be welcomed and enjoyed by all members.

F G Newman Secretary & Technical Administrator

The following agenda for 2010 may be subject to change due to extenuating circumstances

January 5th: 'The Years Ahead, A New Outlook’ 'Historic Yorkshire’

February 3rd: Mike Hallowell ‘The Peculiar History of Marsden Grotto’ 'No Stranger to Change'

March 2nd ‘A New Horizon’ ‘Historic Yorkshire’

April 6th Andrew Clark ‘A People’s History of the North East’ ‘The Building of the Panama Canal’

May 4th ‘The Collier’s Cathedral’ ‘A Turn For The Better’

June 1st Dr Nick Neave ‘The Whickham Survey’ ‘Fenland and Farm’

July 6th ‘When The Fires Went Out’ Courtesy of Billy Ellwood ‘A Whistle Stop Visit To Greece’

August 3rd Alan Morgan ‘A Victorian Panorama’ ‘Postcards around Old Gateshead’

September 7th The Annual General Meeting ‘Art & The Bowes Museum’ ‘Ravensworth Past & Present’

October 5th Ken Smith ‘Tyne Shipyards During WW2’ ‘In Search of Irish Gold’

November 2nd ‘Girls Allowed’ Pie & Pea Supper (Members Only) ‘Billy Elliott & The Pitmen Painters’

December 7th Christmas Party with Buffet (Members Only) Judith Murphy ‘Carbon Dated – Mining Songs Past & Present’ ‘Quick Quiz’

FOLLOWING ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR WE PRESENT THE AGENDA 2010. SUCH IS OUR SUCCESS THAT OUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS HAVE REACHED THE MAXIMUM FIGURE ALLOWED UNDER THE SAFETY RULES APPLICABLE TO OUR VENUE. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE HAD INTRODUCE A MEMBERSHIP WAITING LIST.

PROGRAMME ALTERATION ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CANCEL THE JANUARY MEETING. THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE HUGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS TENDERING 'APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE' DUE TO ILL HEALTH AND BECAUSE OF THE DREADFUL WEATHER CONDITIONS. All ROADS ARE IN POOR TRAVELLING CONDITION DUE TO SNOW AND ICE, WALKING IS TREACHEROUS AND THE WEATHER FORECAST PROMISES WORSE TO COME.

WE TOOK THE DECISION TO CANCEL THE MEETING WITH GREAT REGRET AND HOPE THAT WE WILL NEVER BE FACED WITH SAME SITUATION AGAIN.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

Gateshead’s heritage surrounds us every day.... but which is the building or landscape which is most important to you? Help us build a picture of Gateshead’s heritage by taking part in our photography competition, running as part of this year’s Local History Month. Take a snap of your favourite building or place and email it to us... why not bring your camera along to one of our Local History Month events and get snapping then?

What’s in it for me? • First prize winner will receive £50 of Eldon Square vouchers • Second prize winner will receive £25 of Eldon Square vouchers • Third prize winner will receive £15 of Eldon Square vouchers

We will add many competition entries to our new Flickr page for Gateshead’s local history and also to this web site. Your photograph may also be used in other publications and web sites from Gateshead Council and partner organisations, which could include leaflets, newsletters and Council News.

How to enter:

Please email us a digital photograph to: heritage@gateshead.gov.uk Please note that maximum file size for entries is 2.0 mb. Print copies are not accepted.

The competition runs from Saturday May 1st to Sunday 13 June 2010.

For more information please contact Simon Green on 0191 433 4699 or by email at simongreen@gateshead.gov.uk

Each year as a Society we take great pleasure in supporting Gateshead Central Library's 'Local History Week'.

This is our programmed events for 2010

Thursday May 6th, 7.15pm: Whickham Library - 'Pontop Pike To The Tyne'

Monday May 17th, 6.30pm: Old Marley Hill Walk

Friday 21st May, 2.00pm: Whickham Library - 'Life and Times of Catherine Cookson'

Wednesday 26th May, 2.00pm: Whickham Library - 'The High Marley Hill WW2 Air Crash & Ravensworth Past & Present'.

We will also attend The Family History Fair at St Mary's Heritage Centre which will take place on Saturday 15th May 10.00 to 2.00pm