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****THE COMMUNITY CENTRE****

The Community Centre which was once the Memorial Institute was opened either in 1963 or 1964 by none other than the well known actress Wendy Craig who comes from Sacriston herself.


Pictured with her is Bill Graham who was Chairman of Chester-Le- Street Council, he was also the Head Master of Fyndoune Community College. Mr Joseph William Bickle (far left) who was the Treasurer of Sacriston Community Centre. The young girl getting an autograph from Wendy Craig is Bill Graham's daughter Glynnis.Below is a photo of the old Memorial Institute (with marble pillars) which caught fire in December 1961 destroying an extensive amount of the building. The photo in the middle is the day after the fire, and the next is how it looked Two years after the fire and re-named the Community centre.

The centre is open to all residents of the village and includes a disabled entrance. This is where it all happens, you know the sort of things I mean, you've got your dancing,your bingo, slimmers nights and a host of other stuff to keep you occupied for a while as well as having fun doing it! The facilities include a main hall with bar, meeting rooms, cafeteria and kitchen. You can pop in for a cup of tea or coffee and a sandwich or maybe you'd like a lunch. The choice is yours and it's all excellent value for money.

It is hoped that extensive refurbishment will take place this year (2001).Below is a list of the activities that take place every week at the centre and if you feel like a bit of activity yourself then why not pop in and give it a go.

MONDAY

9.30am PLAYGROUP

1.00pm BOWLS

6.30pm WEIGHT WATCHERS

7.00pm AEROBICS

TUESDAY

9.30am PLAYGROUP

1.00pm BOWLS

7.15pm KUNG FU

7.30pm LINE DANCING

8.00pm BINGO

WEDNESDAY

9.30am PLAYGROUP

9.30am MOTHER ANDTOTS

6.10pm DANCE CLASSES

7.30pm SLIMMING CLUB

7.30pm CAMERA CLUB

THURSDAY

9.30am PLAYGROUP

1.00pm BOWLS

6.30pm DOCTOR'S REFERRAL

7.00pm SEQUENCE DANCE CLUB

FRIDAY

9.30am PLAYGROUP

1.00pm BOWLS

6.00pm CHILDREN'S DANCE CLUB

(For all enquiries about activities please ring:)
TELEPHONE: 0191 3710601
My thanks go to the Community Centre for the use of the photograph of Wendy Craig, and to a village resident for his help in providing me with some old photos of the Institute and the Front street.I am hoping to add to my pages of Sacriston as soon as I can gather more information about the village. If you can help, then please e-mail me.
Send me an e-mail


© Helen Britteon (All rights reserved) 2001