Pittington Village Hall
Over the last year, Pittington Village Hall has continued to be a busy and welcoming hub for our community. From family events, markets and children’s activities to private bookings, fundraising events and local groups, the hall has brought people together throughout the year.
With the help of a small but dedicated group of volunteers, we’ve worked hard to keep the hall running, improve what we can and create enjoyable events for all ages. We also managed to hold a grounds tidy day to help keep the outdoor areas looking their best, alongside a full kitchen revamp which was much needed due to ongoing damp issues.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us by attending events, donating prizes, volunteering their time or simply spreading the word. Every bit of support helps keep our village hall going for the community to enjoy. Jodie Lisgo
Litter Picking
Our regular monthly litter picks continue apace. Following the purchase of new pickers and hoops, thanks to our councillor Rhys Burris, more people have joined the group and we have been able to extend our activities recently picking along the road to Littletown and Lady’s Peace. We have also been joined by a young man from the village, who has been picking on a Sunday as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award, he also says he would like to continue once he has completed the required hours for his award, it is lovely to see young people also getting involved. Kath Fall
St Laurence
Numbers at the church have been going up in recent months, with some more, younger people, joining the congregation. John Estall joined us last November as Priest in Charge and he is now firmly settled in to the job.
Cream Teas remain very popular, but we also have some exciting events coming up during the remaining months of the year, with Pittington Parish Remembered and Durham Harmonics in June, and later in the year Pittington Brass Band and the Teesside Male Voice Choir are both entertaining us at future events. See our Face Book Page St Laurence Church, Pittington. Kath Fall
Gardening Club
The gardening club has continued to purchase plants and bedding for the many planters and bedded areas around the parish. We have over 20 planters and 4 large bedded areas to attend. This is done with the help of myself and many other volunteers throughout the 3 villages. At the end of this year I would like to obtain a large quantity of daffodil bulbs to distribute as these always look beautiful in the spring. Melanie Toal
- Pittington Brass Band
- Since last May Pittington Brass have been very busy, entertaining at events throughout the County. We play at annual events as follows:
- Durham Botanic Gardens
- Durham Regatta
- Durham Big
- Beamish Open Air Museum
- Seaham Remembrance Day
- Marie Curie’s Daffodil Day
- Sedgefield Mayor’s Charity evening
Every November we celebrate the band’s formation in 1992 with an anniversary concert in the village hall. We usually play to a packed house of supporters, family members
In December we have three longstanding events:
- The lighting of Pittington’s Christmas tree.
- Playing carols around the village on a Sunday morning near Christmas.
- West Rainton an evening of carols in Jubilee Hall.
Whilst we enjoy our concerts we also have lively, hardworking rehearsals every Thursday evening. We’re fortunate in having around 40 players on our books, a very healthy number that many bands would be envious of. Our players have busy jobs, family commitments, other hobbies and we understand this.
With such a busy band life, there are times when our instruments require servicing, repair, or replacing, music needs to be purchased, uniforms replaced or added to.
Our learner/junior band is up and running again after a few month’s pause. New players of any age are welcome and we provide the free use of instruments and free tuition.
Lynn Patterson Chair. Pittington Brass.
Bingo Group
Over the last year we’ve had a broth afternoon, an afternoon tea, a meal and afternoons entertainment at Christmas at the Ramside, 2 stalls at the village fayres, bought an electronic bingo machine. Supported several members whom have been poorly sending them flowers, sweets or chocolate. The group is always expanding and very well attended, enjoyed by all who join us every week. Funding has been supported by County Councillor Rhys Burriss and Pittington parish Council who we are very grateful for allowing us to continue with such a successful group. Dawn Tate
Pittington WI Group
We started The Pittingtons WI in April of last year with just 18 members. We’ve now grown to 28 members with new visitors almost every month. It’s a lovely feeling to be among like-minded women – I’ve met neighbours I never knew I had in this village!
We meet on the last Wednesday of every month and we either have a speaker or we partake in some kind of craft, all accompanied with tea & cake 🙂. The support these women have shown each other through family bereavement, moving jobs and changes in relationships is astounding for a first year and I’m honoured to have met them.
We fundraise to pay for the speakers or for future excursions or events we’d like to take part in. You know about the garden we’re intending to build that will provide a peaceful space for villagers and we’d like to support the village more as we grow. Thank you. Teresa
Film Club
We’ve had success with the film Ballad of Wallis Island – had just under 30 paying audience members and we have also shown the films ‘Up’ and ‘Atonement’
There was quite low attendance for Up on 26th April. Seems then that family oriented films less popular, lost of competing options perhaps.
We will finish the season at the end of June with Song Sung Blue on June 28th. Daniel
Lunchtime Get Together Group
We started back enthusiastically in September 2025 after a short summer break. Sadly, we were to lose one of our faithful members, Dorothy Dick, before the end of the month. She is a great miss.
We always start the sessions with a look at the NEWS OF THE DAY and how it affects – or doesn’t affect our lives. We’ve discussed issues including
- the Tax threshold for pensioners
- reminder about vaccines
- information about bus services
- First Aid Courses
- Mobile Library Service
- TV License –
- grant from Parish Council from Rhys Burris Fund – very helpful. Thank you.
- people in the news, Peter Mandleson, Prince Andrew, President Trump etc.!!!!!!!
TOPICS STUDIED
- The History of the Handkerchief!
- How the humble turnip changed farming, allowing animals to be fed all year round.
- St Laurence in the 16th century and the arguments about who should sit where!
- Jack Lawson M P. Lord Lawson of Beamish.
- History of the postcard.
- Visit of the Duke of Wellington to Pittington in 1827.
- Mine managers in Littletown.
- Peter Lee and the making of a new town.
- Glen’s Flats
- The story of Gawin Wild of Littletown. From Miner to Soldier to Consul in France and USA.
- WWII, Make do and Mend.
- Preparations for Local History Exhibition in St Laurence 6th-7th June.
OUTINGS
Because not all of our members have access to a car, we need to hire transport.
So far we have enjoyed a Christmas Lunch at Ramside Hall.
We visited Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre and had a fascinating talk from Margaret Hedley, author of the “Women of the Durham Coalfield “books.
PROPOSED VISITS IN THE FUTURE
The Story – to look at items pertaining to our parish.
The new DLI museum at Redhills.
The group offers support and companionship. We would welcome more members and always have an invitation in the Parish Newsletter.
Thank you to the members of the Parish Council for your interest and support. Maureen Fisher Group Leader
Camera Club
The club has seen an increase in numbers recently, although more are always welcome., we are a small friendly non-competitive club, of people who just enjoy taking photos. Once again thanks must go to councillor Rhys Burrows for a generous donation to
enable the club to purchase a new projector to enable us to show the photos taken for various topics and projects. Kath Fall
