OPEN DAY 2004

2004 was the first Open Day held by the Friends of Houghton Hillside Cemetery.  It was held on 7th August 2004 and over 150 people attended.  The Group also hired a vintage hearse drawn by 2 horses.  Unfortunately when the day dawned and the horses arrived the entrance was not wide enough for the hearse to pass through.  Sadly the horses only attended and the hearse left on the back of its transporter!  The event was the first fund raising event held by the friends.  It was to become an annual event.

OPEN DAY 2005

Open Day 2005 provide to be as successful as the previous year despite the group not having enough funds in order to hire the hearse and horses.

OPEN DAY 2006

Open Day 2006 saw the launch of the Back to Life Project.  It was the biggest ever event that the group had hosted and was a huge success.  The group had secured a large sum of money in order to restore the Lych Gate and Railings at the entrance of the site and had also been awarded funds in order to purchase costumes to mark the event.  Once again the hearse and horses were hired but this time the hearse was able to pass through the gateway after several of its parts were removed to aid this!

OPEN DAY 2007

Open Day 2007 again proved fruitful.  The group had carried out a sponsored Graveyard Gallop earlier in the year in order to raise funds to pay for the hire of the hearse and horses.

GRAVEYARD GALLOP 2007

In May 2007 the group carried out a sponsored graveyard gallop.  The group visited 15 churchyards/cemeteries throughout Co Durham & Tyne & Wear in one day whilst dressed in Victorian Costume.  At each venue they were photographed to prove the visit.  The group members were sponsored in order to raise funds for the forthcoming open day as unfortunately they had not been able to secure any funding for that year.  The photo above show the group in the Municipal Cemetery on Durham Road, Houghton Le Spring.

OPEN DAY 2008

Open Day 2008 took place on 19th July 2008.  Over the past 4 years the event had always been held on the first Saturday in August however this year it was decided to bring it forward.  Despite the bad weather forecast the sun did shine until about 2:15pm before the rain came and forced the event to end early.

HERITAGE DAY 2008

Heritage Day 2008 took place on Saturday 13th September 2008.  The event consisted of an exhibition in the Houghton Le Spring Library on Newbottle Street followed by a tour of Houghton Le Spring which ended at Hillside.  Although the tour was not as well attended as previous years there was interest shown during the exhibition.  Heritage Day is a national event in which the group have taken part for several years.

LITTER PICK 2009

The Friends annual litter pick took place on Saturday 7th March 2009.  It was once again supported by Houghton Scouts & Beavers and also Brian Watson of CSV Action, Sunderland and his family.

                     

                     

                     

SPONSORED WALK - APRIL 2009

On Easter Monday, 13th April 2009 the Friends carried out an 18 mile sponsored walk from Durham Cathedral to St Peters in Sunderland.  The event was in order to raise money for the shortfall in the cost of the restoration of the memorial at Hillside.  The group left Durham at 10:15am and reached their destination at 5:25pm.  A distance of 18 miles having been covered.  The walk raised a total of £700.

                       

Pictured above:  Before the walk                            Pictured above:  The End of the walk

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CEMETERY FRIENDS AGM

In late 2008 the Friends became aware that the National Federation of Cemetery Friends (NFCF) would like the Friends to host their AGM in June 2009.  Initially the Friends thought that this event was to big of an event however after alot of deliberation the Friends agreed and the preparations got underway.  The secretary of the NFCF forwarded a list of guests to be invited and the ball started to roll.  No less than 92 invatations were sent around March 2009 out and soon the acceptances began to arrive. 

Several conservation days were organised to 'spruse' up Hillside ready for its guests, the Kepier Hall was booked for the welcome, lunch and also the AGM business.

Approximately 40 guests attended the event and the day included welcome tea and coffee, a buffet lunch and also a tour of Hillside and St Michael & All Angels Church.  Funding was obtained from the City of Sunderland to assist with the cost.  As an authentic touch several of the Friends dressed in their victorian costumes.

The event was a success, the sun shone throughout the day which made the day even better and also allowed the guests to see Hillside at its best, with the flowers and wildlife.

        

        

         

        

More pictures can be found in the Image Gallery



OPEN DAY 2009

On Saturday 18th July 2009 the Friends hosted their 6th Annual Open Day.   Preparations for the event began just after the conclusion of the NFCF AGM.  Over 3000 leaflets had been delivered by the group and other advertising had taken place via various other sources including the Sunderland Echo.   It was debateble whether or not the event would take place as it had rained non stop the day before.  As the day dawned the group decided to carry out a 'pitch' inspection at 9am and make a decision then as to whether or not the event should take place.  On arrival at the site the Friends were surprised to discover that although Hillside was still damp from the rain the day before it was not water logged as expected.  At 9:30am, after a full inspection the Friends decided that the event would take place and it was all systems go.  The tables were collected, gazeebo's errected and stalls set up. With only minutes to spare everything was set up by 12 noon!!!!

Open Day included a tombolla stall, raffle, tours, refreshments, talks by Dr Andy Lane and Doug Smith.  The newly set up group The Friends of Houghton Rectory Park also had a stall and members of the Copt Hill Group also show their support.

Despite a few heavy showers during the course of the afternoon the event was a success and was attended by many visitors.  The Friends send their thanks to all those who attended and showed their support. 

         

         

Pictured above is Vice Chair, Keith Williams as sells tickets for the tombola prizes.  Also above is Colin and Neil carrying out the tour of Hillside for the visitors to the site.

        

Pictured above are some visitors sheltering from the rain and also our Committee members Anne and Margaret looking at the stall relating to George Wheatley which even displayed the genuine wooden leg!!!!

        

                         

More pictures can be found in the Image Gallery

HOUGHTON FEAST 2009

Once again several members of the group took place in the parade at Houghton Feast on Saturday 3rd September 2009.