Previous News & Articles
from 2020

"The Folk & Places in Normanby, Middlesbrough"
         - a Poem by Kenny Surtees
- 27 July 2020  

  Kenny Surtees from Jubilees Card Shop writes poetry and copious letters to the Gazette. This is one of his poems which was published in the Gazette minus a few verses. This is the full version which was written during lockdown. He has kindly given us permission to put it on our website.

  Do read Kenny’s Poem - you may be mentioned!

"Memories of VE-Day -
         - Victory in Europe 8 May 1945"
- 1 May 2020  

     8th May 2020 marked the 75th Anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe and was to be marked nationally in many ways.
  Regretably the pandemic situation meant that most of these events (including our local one) could not be held.
  Many families will have members who endured the war and this is an occasion to appreciate what their efforts have meant to this current generation.
  It is also an opportunity for those who have memories of VE-Day to share their joys (and sorrows) with others.

  So this new Article  is an attempt to record, show and publicise memories of that time from those who have or had associations with Normanby - wherever you were at that time.

  It is a work-in-progress - dependent on contributions from our members and from readers of this website - so please help.

  It would be wonderful to be able to share
any stories and photos you have -
- so please Contact  us (with Subject as VE-Day Memories )
with your stories and offers of photos.

URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT -
- NB NO LONGER APPLIES !!
   Cancellation of Meetings & Events
     for the foreseeable Future - 18 March 2020  

It is with great regret that (due to the Coronavirus Epidemic)
for the foreseeable future we have had to cancel all future
meetings of our group as well as our Annual Exhibition and
our Annual Group Outing.

Normanby Methodist Church where we normally meet has been closed till further Notice.  The Easter Fair has been cancelled along with church services and all activities in the Church.
[However our Church is now (15 October 2020) open for some services - see our Events  page.]

We will announce details of the resumption of our group’s activities as soon as this has been agreed
    - hopefully later in the year.

        Meanwhile this could be an opportunity for our members and website visitors (who may have more spare time than originally envisaged!) to start writing up those stories they have been meaning to write for years.
  Or dust down your photo albums, etc and write up or finish your research for future use.
  Our group’s transcription team are already working from home, so will not be attending the Archives as usual.

  Now is the time to have a good read of all the information we have put on our website - there is much more than you think!
  So - enjoy it and perhaps add to it by answering the many questions posed.

You can communicate with us via this contact page

VE-Day Victory in Europe Celebrations
   on Friday 8th May 2020 - 27 February 2020  

  URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT - EVENT CANCELLED
  But it is intended to hold the celebrations later in the year or whenever it becomes possible.

  Organiser Christopher Gallacher had sent us the following:-
  "8th May 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe and will be marked nationally in many ways.
  We have planned an event centred on the Woodland Centre Woodland Centre, Flatts Lane, Normanby as the venue for our celebrations and remembrance of that day, the cessation of hostilities in Europe.
  Many families will have members who endured the war and this is an occasion to appreciate what their efforts have meant to this current generation.
  Sign-posted car parking will be available in the NHS Office facility across the road from the Woodland Centre.
  It is free to come along and the organisers would appreciate your attendance in costumes of the period individually or collectively to recall those days.
  We will have games and entertainment for all so come and have a day out in the fresh air.
  I hope many of you come along and have some fun.
  As with all these events, there is a need for volunteers to support the day - so if you can help please get in touch.

Meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 18th February 2020
  to form "Friends of Eston Cemetery" Group - 7 February 2020  

  A meeting to gauge support to start a new group called
"Friends of Eston Cemetery" has been arranged for 6pm Tuesday 18th February at St Andrew’s Church Hall on Fabian Road.
  The preservation and promotion of the local history and heritage that is in the cemetery is a very important part of what a Friends group should strive to do.  [notification from Vince Smith]

[Click on image opposite for a larger display]

For information on the Cemetery
see our Normanby History Group’s article:
St Helen’s Churchyard and
Eston & Normanby Cemetery