Group marks 30 years with exhibition showcasing history of Jarrow and Hebburn

A history group is marking its 30th year with a special exhibition.
The Hebburn and Jarrow History Society, ahead of their 30th anniversary.The Hebburn and Jarrow History Society, ahead of their 30th anniversary.
The Hebburn and Jarrow History Society, ahead of their 30th anniversary.

The Jarrow and Hebburn History Society will be showcasing their work and their memories of bygone years in the two towns at a special week-long event.

Images and stories they have put together will be put on display for the public to view.

One of the founder members Kate Lindsay and course tutor Malcolm GradyOne of the founder members Kate Lindsay and course tutor Malcolm Grady
One of the founder members Kate Lindsay and course tutor Malcolm Grady
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Members will be on hand to speak to those wanting to find out more about the group, which was created by a group of students who had taken part in a WEA history course.

Malcolm Grady, a tutor with the WEA said: “I was asked to do a course on the history of Jarrow. We started in 1987 running a short course of around 10 weeks.

“We looked at the history of Jarrow, through old pictures and maps and from people’s memories of the town.

“People started to really engage with it and we ran two courses. At the end of it, the members decided they wanted to carry on and they took it upon themselves to establish a Jarrow and Hebburn local history society.

Celebrating 30 years of the Jarrow and Hebburn history societyCelebrating 30 years of the Jarrow and Hebburn history society
Celebrating 30 years of the Jarrow and Hebburn history society
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“The group have met every week for the past 30 years which is quite extraordinary.”

As well as the forthcoming exhibition, members met at the Sea Hotel in South Shields to celebrate the 30th anniversary with a meal.

Kate Lindsay, 98, one of the founder members of the group said: “It’s a great place for socialising and a nice place to meet people.

“We talk about the old times and see old photographs. It keeps you active.

One of the founder members Kate Lindsay and course tutor Malcolm GradyOne of the founder members Kate Lindsay and course tutor Malcolm Grady
One of the founder members Kate Lindsay and course tutor Malcolm Grady
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“We have guest speakers, outings to museums and art galleries, holidays twice a year.

“We are always having new people join us.

“When we first started we never thought we would still be here 30 years on.

“A lot of classes fizzle out after a couple of years, but we always have around 20-30 people attending every week.”

The exhibition will be held at Hebburn Shopping Centre from October 14 - 23, from 10am until 4pm.