Cookies

We use essential cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our cookies page.

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. For example, the selections you make here about which cookies to accept are stored in a cookie.

You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Analytics Cookies

We'd like to set Google Analytics cookies to help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify you.

Third Party Cookies

Third party cookies are ones planted by other websites while using this site. This may occur (for example) where a Twitter or Facebook feed is embedded with a page. Selecting to turn these off will hide such content.

Skip to main content

News

  • Washington Home Guard 1940 to 1945

    Washington Home Guard 1940 to 1945

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    There are two excellent resources for researching the service of no less than the 1,391 men of the 23rd Home Guard Battalion of the Durham L...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 22 Nov 24
  • Usworth Schools Housewifery (sic) Duties Classes

    Usworth Schools Housewifery (sic) Duties Classes

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The History Society has recently received the attendance registers for six cookery classes (that were later labelled 'Cookery, Laundry a...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 15 Oct 24
  • Geoff Nicholson RIP

    Geoff Nicholson RIP

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Geoff on 28 June 2021. He was a founding member of the current Washington History an...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 27 Sep 24
  • Sunderland History Fair 18 May 2024

    Sunderland History Fair 18 May 2024

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Washington History Society will be exhibting at the Fair this coming Saturday 18 May, between 10am and 4pm. It takes place at the Bethany Ch...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 15 May 24
  • sent in wi' the big lads book

    sent in wi' the big lads book

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The History Society has published the memories of Usworth miner, Jim Tatters (1921 to 2013). He went down the pit shortly after his 14th bir...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 17 Apr 24
  • April meeting will now be on 15 April at 1:30pm

    April meeting will now be on 15 April at 1:30pm

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    This coming Monday's meeting has been put back to Monday 15 April at the usual time of 1:30pm In addition the May meeting has been canc...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 4 Apr 24
  • The Usworth Gestapo Spy

    The Usworth Gestapo Spy

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    When researching the History of RAF Usworth I came across the extraordinary story of Czechoslovakian pilot, Augustin Preucil, stationed at U...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 13 Dec 23
  • The History of RAF Usworth 1916 to 1962

    The History of RAF Usworth 1916 to 1962

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The airfield at Usworth was created in 1916 to defend the coast of the north east. It was deactivated in 1919 but re-opened and extended bef...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 29 Nov 23
  • Holy Trinity Usworth Graves

    Holy Trinity Usworth Graves

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    In the early 2000s History Society member, Bill Barker, recorded all the gravestones in Holy Trinity Usworth's graveyard.1,698 of his tr...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 30 Oct 23
  • Washington WW2 Diary

    Washington WW2 Diary

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The North East War Diary 1939-1945 records war-related events that occurred along the east coast from Berwick down to Kingston upon Hull. Wa...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 6 Sep 23
  • Washington: Fact, Fiction and Folklore

    Washington: Fact, Fiction and Folklore

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    CALLING ALL CREATIVE WRITERS AND LOCAL HISTORY RESEARCHERS – Help tell stories of Washington Fact, Fiction and Folklore Washington: F...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 24 Aug 23
  • Washington Carnival 16 September

    Washington Carnival 16 September

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Come and see us at the Washington Carnival at Albany Park NE37 1UP on Saturday 16 September where we will be exhibiting our extensive photo...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 23 Aug 23
  • The John Marley Tragedy

    The John Marley Tragedy

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    See out latest article about John Marley of Washington, who lost his life in 1966 tackling a shoplifter, and was posthumously awarded the fi...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 17 Jul 23
  • Bull Field Camp

    Bull Field Camp

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Take a look at a new article on this website about a World War One Training and Rest Camp that was located on Bull Field just over the cross...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 11 Jul 23
  • Washington Wikithon 6 July 2023

    Washington Wikithon 6 July 2023

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    An opportunity for anyone to learn how to provide pages for wikipedia on any matters to do with Washington, with a focus on the 60th anniver...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 15 Jun 23
  • No May meeting

    No May meeting

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Please note there will be no meeting of the Society in May 2023. The next one at the MIND Building will be at 1:30pm on 5 June 2023 when we...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 17 Apr 23
  • Pompey's Tank

    Pompey's Tank

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    There's a new article under the War Years and Military tag that tells the story of a dummay tank, constructed by a miner in Chester le S...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 17 Apr 23
  • The Jimmy Carter visit May 1977

    The Jimmy Carter visit May 1977

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Just added is the Washington Echo edition of 3 May 1977, marking the 1977 visit of President Juimmy Carter to Washington, with numerous arti...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 17 Nov 22
  • The Art of Cyrl Lomax

    The Art of Cyrl Lomax

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Click here for the catalogue of the Ocotber 2022 exhibition celebrating the Art of Cyril Lomax, Washington's longest serving rector

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 17 Nov 22
  • Updated Springwell ROC Bunker Article

    Updated Springwell ROC Bunker Article

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    History Society member, Ernie Guy, has updated and extended his article about the Royal Observer Corp bunker at Springwell, adding details a...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 5 Jun 22
  • Queen's visit July 1977

    Queen's visit July 1977

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    1977 was quite a year for Washington with high profile visits from the Queen and Prince Philip, President Carter and Prime Minister Jum Call...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 31 May 22
  • Sunderland History Fair

    Sunderland History Fair

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Washington History Society will be at the biggest history event in the regoin on Saturday 21 May at the Bethany Chuch Sunderland from 10am t...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 19 May 22
  • Washington Coats of Arms

    Washington Coats of Arms

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    We are fortunate in knowing about over 30 coats of arms associated with Washington. Twenty eight of these are in Holy Trinity Church, Washin...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 20 Apr 22
  • Reorganised website

    Reorganised website

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Regular visitors will notice this website has been reorganised to make it easier to navigate. Research articles have allocated to the follow...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 18 Apr 22
  • Village Green Library

    Village Green Library

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The popular tearoom, florist and gift shop 'The Green' in centreof Washington holds fond memories for generations of Washington resi...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 7 Apr 22
  • Working at RCA 1969 to 1981

    Working at RCA 1969 to 1981

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Researchers Gordon Minto and John Towson want to get in touch with anyone who worked at the RCA factory in Washington between the late 1960s...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 8 Feb 22
  • Can you help with storage of display panels?

    Can you help with storage of display panels?

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Do you have or do you know of a small area where the History Society could securely store its display boards? Currently they are in flat-pac...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 4 Feb 22
  • Home Life in Usworth Colliery

    Home Life in Usworth Colliery

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The home Life section has been considerably expanded with a series of John Suggetts memories and sketches of growing up in Usworth Colliery...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 18 Jan 22
  • Holy Trinity Burial Inscriptions

    Holy Trinity Burial Inscriptions

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Recently uploaded are the records of the inscritpions of the gravestones, mericulously recorded by History Society member, Doris William-Jon...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 26 Dec 21
  • Modern Place Names of Washington

    Modern Place Names of Washington

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Just published is the story how Washington Development Corporation named the residential villages, employment areas and major open spaces in...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 27 Nov 21
  • Next Members and Guests Meeting 6 December 2021

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Guests and new members are welcome to join us at 1:30pm on Monday 6 December to explore the fascinating history of our town. We are especial...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 12 Nov 21
  • Next Members and Guests Meeting

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Guests and new members are welcome to join us at 1:30pm on Monday 1 November to explore the fascinating history of our town. We are especial...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 19 Oct 21
  • The opening of the RCA factory  in 1970

    The opening of the RCA factory in 1970

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The company marked the official opening of the factory on 7 May 1970 with an LP-sized booklet, showing it's construction and operation, ...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 18 Sep 21
  • Worship in Washington 1851

    Worship in Washington 1851

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    In 1851 Washington had two Church of England and five Methodist places of worship. The only census of attendence ever taken occured in that ...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 13 Aug 21
  • Washington New Town Juniors

    Washington New Town Juniors

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    John Suggett has written an excellent article about the Washingon New Town Juniors under 18s football team he, and others, founded in 1978. ...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 18 Jul 21
  • The History Society is back!

    The History Society is back!

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    We can restart our monthly meetings! The first one will be on Monday 5 July 2021 at 1:30pm in the MIND Building, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 16 Jun 21
  • Home Life

    Home Life

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    We have created a new tab Home Life' to collect images and the memories that go with them of livng in Washington. The first set of image...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 10 Jun 21
  • Nissan's first visit in April 1981

    Nissan's first visit in April 1981

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Nissan first visited Sunderland Airport on 24 April 1981 in their search for a European manufacturing base, and held their first negotiation...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 12 Apr 21
  • Belgravia

    Belgravia

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Washington's Belgravia wasn't an area of grand houses but a neighbouhood of terraces in Washington Station for workers in the chemic...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 7 Mar 21
  • Belgravia

    Belgravia

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Washington's Belgravia wasn't an area of grand houses but a neighbouhood of terraces in Washington Station for workers in the chemi...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 7 Mar 21
  • The Victoria Bridge Inn

    The Victoria Bridge Inn

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Read the history of the Victora Bridge Inn and the family of inn keepers under the Research Enquiries tab

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 26 Jan 21
  • Usworth miner boxer john Edward McGuire

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Added to to our collection of Research Articles is the story of Usworth miner, John Edward McGuire and his exploits in the boxing ring, in t...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 21 Dec 20
  • The New Found Out Inn

    The New Found Out Inn

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Find out the history of the pub with an unusual name in Great or High Usworth that operated for at least 45 years up to the early 1930s.

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 11 Dec 20
  • Updated Research

    Updated Research

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    The research article on the Springwell World War II decoy has been updated with more photographic evidence The research article on Roy Harr...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 21 Oct 20
  • Cancelled meetings

    Washington, Tyne And Wear
    Article by: Chair

    Meetings of Washington History Society are cancelled until restrictions announced on 17 September are relaxed to allow members of different ...

    Washington History Society   |  
    Posted: 18 Sep 20