together
Welcome from Ali Turner – Team Leader, Horden Together
Hello everyone,
Over the moon to be asked to open this edition of the community newspaper and I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to all who contribute to village life. Whether you’re involved in local projects, volunteering your time, supporting neighbours, or simply sharing a smile on the street – you are part of Horden Together. We really are one big team.
Since we began our journey here in September 2021, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside so many passionate and dedicated individuals. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together so far, and I’m equally realistic about the work still ahead. Now is the time to keep building on our progress, strengthening our community, and supporting one another. I’ve been inspired by some of the acts of kindness I’ve seen while working on this project from people who have been here a long time and people who have just recently made Horden their home or workplace.
A few people have said to me that if was a stick of rock, I’d have the word Horden running right through the middle. My own path into community work was inspired by my parents, who ran youth projects in Horden for over 40 years. Their commitment to the village shaped my values, and my dad continues to be a daily presence through his work at Victory Church and The Ark. I’ve also served on the Parish Council, played rugby for the women’s team, and now enjoy playing basketball with the East Durham Lions. When I need to recharge, you’ll often find me swimming in the North Sea – it’s my way of looking after my mental health. Horden is full of people who care deeply, act generously, and make a difference every day. Thank you for being part of this community. Let’s keep moving forward Horden.
Ensemble ‘84: Transforming Horden into a World Class Theatre Destination
A new theatre company based in Horden is quietly transforming the village’s cultural landscape. Since forming in October 2024, Ensemble ’84 has turned the former Methodist Church in Horden into a welcoming theatre space a place where professional, world class theatre meets local stories, voices and audiences.
The company has staged two acclaimed productions, both playing to full houses and receiving four-star reviews from The Guardian The Times and The Stage They’ve also now been shortlisted for Best Newcomer, Performance of the Year and The Arts Council England Award at this year’s North East Culture Awards.
Their debut show, Mother Courage and Her Children, opened in May and marked a bold beginning. Created in collaboration with South Africa’s award-winning Isango Ensemble, translated by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, Rocketman), and directed by Mark Dornford-May, the production brought international energy to Horden before transferring to Live Theatre Newcastle for a second run this October.
This August, the company premiered Pits, People and Players, their first original play inspired by Horden’s mining heritage. Drawing on local memories, testimonies and research spanning over a century, it
celebrated the village’s 125th anniversary and told the story of Horden through humour, music and heart. The result was a moving and entertaining portrait of community, identity and pride a production that resonated deeply with audiences from across the North East.
Ensemble ’84 is building something lasting. Their work puts belonging at the centre – inviting local people to see, take part in and feel ownership of what’s happening on their doorstep. At a time when Horden often appears in the news for difficult reasons, the company is helping to change the story, shining a positive light on the village as a place of creativity, resilience and imagination. Their work has attracted national attention with major newspapers and broadcasters covering their rise showing that powerful, original theatre can happen even here in Horden!
The company have plans already developing for 2026 and beyond. Ensemble ’84 aims to keep growing its roots in the local community while continuing to produce theatre that speaks to and from the North East work that is ambitious, generous and proudly Horden.
To find out more about their work or join their mailing list, visit www.ensemble84.com.
together
Back in October 2025, the Horden Hope Grows Resident Group led a wonderful spring bulb planting project on the grassed area at Langley House Care Home, opposite Thirteenth Street.
With support from young people at Creative Youth Opportunities and residents, an impressive 1,000 bulbs, including crocus, daffodils, and tulips, were planted to bring vibrant colour in Spring 2026.
Keep an eye out in March and April to see the results of these efforts and enjoy the beautiful blooms!
If you’d like to learn more about the group or share a project idea, feel free to call, text, or WhatsApp: 07880010217.
Residents of Horden now have round-theclock access to four newly installed defibrillators, thanks to a communityfocused initiative aimed at improving emergency response capabilities in the area.
The devices have been strategically placed at East Durham Medical Group, Roseby Road Wellbeing Centre The Bell Hotel and Londis on Beaumont Crescent. Their installation was made possible through funding provided by former County Councillors Ian McLean and June Clark. Horden Together Partnership coordinated funding, purchasing and allocations.
The defibrillators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering vital support in the event of cardiac emergencies. Local organisations have stepped up to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative by agreeing to power and maintain the units.
Langley House Spring Bulb Planting
It’s been busy for CYO this year!
It’s been a buzz of activity in Park House this year as Creative Youth Opportunities (CYO) have been working with children and young people from across Horden and beyond.
CYO, based in Park House, Horden Welfare Park, have been delivering youth work in Horden since 2014 and this year, like many others, has been a busy one!
The organisation was founded by local youth worker/artist Michelle Harland, supported by a local board of trustees and over the years has employed many local people, particularly young people, supporting them on their journey into employment and helping them to gain real life experience and qualifications.
CYO kickstarted the year by completing a HUGE project called Breaking out of Expectations’ where young people wrote and recorded their own songs, created poems about life growing up in Horden and they created an amazing piece of artwork titled: The Desk of Expectations, that explored experiences of school.
This was followed by an amazing top prize win at the County’s High Sheriff Youth Awards Scheme, for Horden Young People and their amazing Kindness Project, which saw them carry out 8604 random acts of kindness – one to represent each person living in Horden. They attended a fantastic awards ceremony at Kynren and were blown away when they we recognised as the best example of youth work doing what it should in the county!
Following the success of the first anti-social behaviour film that the young people helped plan, write, film, act and direct alongside an amazing homegrown talent and film maker Carl Joyce of Coalfield Studios, CYO managed to secure further funding from the Home Office with thanks to PCC Joy Allen. This led to a fantastic trilogy of films being created and a movie premiere was held in September at The Lubetkin Theatre in East Durham College. You can watch the films and others created by the groups over the years on Creative Youth Opportunities YouTube channel.
Throughout spring and summer CYO continued to work in partnership with Horden Parish Council to bring the park to life with some fabulous free family events, they supported the design workshops for the
Horden flag, designed to commemorate 125 years of Horden, brought in additional funding for a series of holiday activities and a free family trip and they most recently created the ‘Pom Pom Poppies’ as their gift to Horden, as part of the annual remembrance service.
Young people from CYO have a special place in their hearts for the amazing residents at Langley House, visiting throughout the year they have created handmade gifts and artwork as well as spending time with the older generation chatting about Horden and what it used to be like. These chats became the focus of the 10 pieces of artwork that can now be seen in community venues across Horden, a project funded by The Coalfields Regenerations Trust.
To round the year off CYO received a whopping seven nominations at the NE Youth Awards, our amazing volunteer of five years, who recently retired at just 74 years young, walked away with the NE Volunteer of the Year award –well done Christine Nicholson!
CYO are bringing back the Lantern Parade as part of the Christmas Tree Lighting Service at Horden Memorial Park Wednesday 3rd December.
Thank you to Horden Residents Association who kindly allocated us some spaces on their trip to Lumiere.
We can’t wait to see what 2026 holds for the children and young people of Horden.
If you have a child or young person who would love to be involved in regular, positive, creative activities that make a difference in the community and give them something to be proud of then pop into Park House or get in touch:
Facebook/creativeyouthopportunities admin@creativeyouthopportunities.co.uk 0191 7160900
The Basement
Barbers: More Than Just a Haircut
Horden’s new community barbershop is creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.
A basement space in Horden Youth and Community Centre has been transformed into something truly special, The Basement Barbers, a brand-new local business built on community, compassion, and inclusion.
“We’re not just here to cut hair,” said one of the team members. “We want people to know they can come in for a chat, have a cup of tea, and just feel comfortable. Whether it’s for a trim, a chat, or a bit of company — our door is always open.”
The Basement Barbers has a fully equipped sensory room, designed specifically to support children and adults with additional and sensory needs. The space includes gentle lighting, sensory tools, and a calm, quiet atmosphere that helps make what can often be a stressful experience into something positive and comfortable.
“It’s our passion to help people with additional needs feel safe, supported, and relaxed,” said the team. “We take things at each person’s pace there’s no pressure and no rush. For some, even just sitting in the chair is a big step, and we celebrate every bit of progress.”
In just a few short weeks, The Basement Barbers has become a friendly hub for locals. There’s always laughter, conversation, and the comforting smell of coffee filling the air.
The Basement Barbers is open Wednesdays 10am–5.30pm and Fridays 10am–5pm, offering affordable prices, sensory-friendly cuts, and a welcoming environment for all.
Located to the side of Horden Youth and Community Centre, Fifth Street, Horden, Peterlee, SR8 4LH. Message on WhatsApp 07475257573 or visit The Basement Barbers on Facebook.
Celebrating 125 Years of Horden – Horden Hub House Street Party
What a milestone! This year, Horden turned 125 years old, and what better way to celebrate this iconic anniversary than with a big, brilliant street party right outside the Hub House.
It was a truly fantastic event, and we had an absolute blast seeing so many residents and local organisations come together. The feedback was tremendous! One resident even told us it was the “best organised event since the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977”. It was especially lovely to see residents from the local care homes join in the festivities.
As a permanent reminder of this special year, we were also lucky enough to secure funding for a stunning community mural on the side of the Hub House.
Meet Zeela: CRT Horden Hub House New Community Connector
We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Zeela Lloyd to the team as our new Employability and Community Connector for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust! She’s settled in wonderfully, and we’re so pleased to have her on board, adding even more energy to the Hub House.
Zeela’s role is all about supporting the residents of Horden and the surrounding villages. Here’s a little snapshot of the amazing work she’s doing to build up our local talent and community:
● Job Support: Zeela runs a weekly Job Club every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm at Horden Hub House. She offers a tailored, one-on-one approach to help residents get job ready, from sprucing up your CV, polishing application forms to brilliant interview technique practice. She even gives you access to a private job page!
● Volunteering: She’s passionate about helping residents turn their skills and passions into rewarding volunteering roles within the community. This isn’t just about giving back; it’s about empowering people to live a richer, more meaningful life right here in the place they love. With support from CRT Engage, we’re even seeing new support groups being set up by our fantastic volunteers!
● Connecting You to Help: Zeela works with loads of different professional organisations, making sure residents get the advice and guidance they need. Whether it’s support with debt management, housing worries, health and wellbeing, or finding relevant activities, she’s the person who can connect you to the right help.
Horden Together
Evaluation
Horden Together is being evaluated by a research team from the University of Edinburgh. With residents actively involved throughout they’ve helped shape the aims and methods, taken researchers on a walk around the village, and provided feedback on emerging findings.
One of the residents, shares her experience “As a resident, I’ve always seen the benefits of Horden Together, so being part of the PHIRST Elevate evaluation felt important. The team is looking at whether Horden Together improves health and quality of life and how it does so. We’ve joined workshops to share our views and even helped develop the evaluation questions. It’s great to have a voice in something that affects our community.”
“From the start, our input was valued. The team wanted to understand Horden’s history and character, even asking us to show them our favourite spots. They’ve kept communication open and made sure findings will be accessible to everyone. For Horden, this evaluation matters. It shows whether Horden Together is making a real difference and helps more people learn about its work. Personally, hope it secures its place in our community for years to come.”
Final findings are expected in Spring 2026. Read more: https://phirst.nihr.ac.uk/evaluations/horden-together-partnership/ For a copy of the Interim Update, you can contact Horden.Together@durham.gov.uk.
Walking for Wellbeing
Looking for a gentle way to boost your wellbeing and enjoy some fresh air? Why not join one of Horden’s weekly wellbeing walks!
Whether you fancy a relaxed, gentle stroll with Gentle Steps in Horden Welfare Park every Wednesday at 1.30pm, or prefer the Thursday walk from Horden Hub House at 1.30pm, there’s something for everyone. These walks are a great way to get moving, meet new people, and enjoy a friendly chat — plus, every walk ends with a well-earned cuppa! Everyone is welcome, so come along and take a step towards feeling better.
If you are interested in joining one of our walks please e-mail enquiries-move@sport.durham.gov.uk or call 03000 262539. You can follow us on Facebook at Move County Durham.
Horden Artwork
125 years
Horden Together Partnership is delighted to have received not one, but two incredible pieces of community artwork as part of Horden’s 125-year celebrations.
The first piece, Horden Storyboard was created by our talented resident artists @pippa_rook_art and @mishmacdraws. Commissioned for the CRT Horden-Hub House Street Party, this collaborative artwork invited residents to add their own touches and splashes of colour, making it truly a community masterpiece. We’re honoured that the board has been gifted to Horden Together and it sits proudly in our office space.
Pigeons
Pigeons were an absolute MUST for both groups, they felt whether its pigeon racing or ‘fancying’ from the allotments or the cheeky wild ones form the parks and streets, pigeons are a big part of Horden.
The second piece, Horden Art Project, was funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in the summer of 2025.
As part of the project, young people from Creative Youth Opportunities visited residents at Langley House Care Home, where they listened to stories of reminiscence shared by older adults.
Inspired by these conversations, the group first developed a proposed design for the Hub House wall mural and later created ten original artworks reflecting the memories and experiences they heard.
This piece, Pigeons, is one of those ten artworks, each celebrating cherished memories of Horden during its 125th anniversary year.
Student Life from Horden to Durham: Why stereotypes shouldn’t hold you back!
Growing up in Horden, I never imagined I’d end up studying at one of the UK’s most prestigious universities. In fact, for a long time I almost talked myself out of applying at all.
Like many young people from workingclass northern towns, I had heard all the stereotypes: that Durham students were “posh”, “southern”, and wouldn’t include someone with my background or accent. worried I wouldn’t fit in or make friends, at a time when starting university is already nerve-racking enough.
But after my first day, it was clear those stereotypes were wrong!
Finding My Place
Durham’s college system plays a huge role in helping new students settle in. Each student belongs to a college – a bit like the houses in Harry Potter – which provides an immediate community. chose to live out to save money, which did give me a bit of FOMO at the start, but my college made sure I was included through social events and even free meals so could still join friends for dinner.
You also meet people quickly through your course. Whether it’s lectures or seminars, it doesn’t take long to find others studying the same subject who are just as nervous – and excited – as you are.
And then there are the societies. Durham has everything from football to the Aperol Spritz Society. This year I joined the equestrian society, to learn a new skill and meet more people. Weekly socials, bar crawls, craft nights and coffee chats all help you build friendships that make university life so much richer.
A Rewarding University Experience
Studying here is demanding (at least from a law students’ point of view) – but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You’re surrounded by supportive lecturers (some of whom literally wrote the textbooks we use) and students who are always ready to help.
Being part of a Russell Group university also opens doors: careers workshops, LinkedIn support, employer visits, and even financial awards sponsored by companies that regularly hire Durham students.
My Advice to Anyone Considering Durham
Don’t let stereotypes hold you back!
Don’t assume you won’t fit in! If had listened to those fears, I would have missed out on some of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life.
If you’re from Horden or anywhere in the surrounding area and are considering applying to Durham, do it! You might be surprised by just how at home you’ll feel!
A Century of Cheers at The Bell
This September, The Bell proudly marked 100 wonderful years at the heart of our community. Our centenary weekend was a huge success, filled with laughter, live entertainment, and plenty of memories shared among friends old and new.
We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to everyone who came along to celebrate this incredible milestone with us. Your support, warmth, and community spirit made it a truly unforgettable occasion.
A special thank you goes to our fantastic team — both past and present — whose dedication and hard work helped make the weekend run so smoothly. We’re also deeply grateful to the talented entertainers who provided such outstanding performances and helped create a lively, joyful atmosphere throughout the celebrations.
To commemorate this once-ina-lifetime event, The Bell now has limited-edition centenary medals available for purchase at the pub. These special keepsakes are a perfect way to remember a hundred years of history, friendship, and community spirit.
Finally, to all our loyal customers, neighbours, and supporters — thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the next hundred years of great company, great times, and the community that makes The Bell truly special.
We are two Horden-based artists whose practices are closely linked to the area in which we live. We were delighted to hear Believe Housing were interested in funding workshops which would allow the local community to be involved with creating a display to coincide with Remembrance Day.
Working closely with Horden Together and the Hope Grows group we developed an idea for repurposing pop bottles to create a field of poppies on the green in front of Langley House on Sunderland Road. This prominent position would allow local residents who had participated to admire their creations as the parade on Sunday 9th November passed by.
The workshops were met with an overwhelmingly positive response, with residents of all ages and backgrounds enthusiastically participating to paint their poppies. We even had some friendly rivalry, with groups competing to see who could complete the most in their session. These workshops also gave us the opportunity to discuss with participants what Remembrance Day means to them. Residents of the retirement homes shared their memories with us and younger painters talked about how they hoped to see a more peaceful future.
Staff at Horden Together and Sainsburys Local collected sacks of empty bottles for us and we found ourselves regularly approached by residents who had heard about the project asking what the total number of poppies had reached.
We were honoured to have a dedication and blessing performed for the unveiling of the poppy field from Fr Kyle McNeil and Pastor Joseph Komolafe with a great attendance despite the blustery weather.
It is our hope that this project represents not only our respect for those who gave their lives in conflict but also the unity which exists in our village.
Horden Field of Poppies
Horden Activities for Children and Young People
THURSDAYS
SUNDAYS
teresa.ellis@coalfields-regen.org.uk
emma.thompson5@durham.gov.uk Parish
admin@horden-pc.gov.uk
horden@salvationarmy.org.uk
Youth Centre
info@hycc.uk
Allotment Group
Jen 07920644491 Linda 07730761547
Centennial Centre
help-hcc@outlook.com
Horden Library
horden.library@durham.gov.uk
The Ark
Robert 07960826141
MONDAYS
Horden Activities for Adults
THURSDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
Horden Community Welfare Football Club and Junior Academy
The Junior Academy continues to grow and develop. We have introduced additional football training and coaching sessions to keep up with demand from within our community.
The football club and Junior Academy is going from strength to strength and we are reaching out wider into our community with more school aged children and young people becoming actively involved in football, football training and coaching and physical exercise activities.
We know from experience it will help improve children’s fitness levels, physical health, and mental well-being. The training facility venues we use, provides a safe and secure environment where the school aged children and young people can enjoy their football training, coaching and physical activities.
As a Junior Section Academy we are committed to ensuring all school aged children and young people are made welcome whatever their personal circumstance, regardless of ability, gender, religion, and ethnic background.
Within the Junior Academy we have numerous children with special educational needs including children with moderate and severe learning difficulties, children with emotional and behavioural issues, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, children with autism.
We firmly believe, the football club, Junior Academy and charity provide school aged children and young people with a sense of community, something they want to belong to, to aspire, to achieve, to be part of a team, to take pride in what they do when they represent their local community within Horden.
At present we have over 150+ school aged children and young people within our Junior Academy setup with a further 10-150 children attending football training and coaching sessions on an ad-hoc basis. Over the last year, the Junior Academy has grown considerably and we have 13 junior teams established and playing competitive football matches in the Russell Fosters Youth League and the Durham Youth League. This includes a girl’s section comprising of 4 girl’s teams with a membership of 40+ school aged girls.
As from 1st October 2024 the 13 Junior Academy teams are training indoors or making use of 3G pitches with floodlighting at various locations within the Peterlee and the Wingate areas as Horden does not have any suitable indoor facilities or 3G pitches with floodlights. During April to the end of September the Junior Academy train every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday on the training field at Welfare Park, Horden
During *October 2025 to the end of *March 2026, the Junior Academy teams will be training every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
The Junior Academy football training and coaching sessions are delivered by our 22 volunteer FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coaches with support from 6 volunteer sessional support workers. As a Junior Academy we are continuing to offer volunteers the opportunity to obtain their FA Level 1 coaching qualification, so if you are interested in joining us and perhaps interested in creating a new Junior Team (5-to-15-year-olds) then please do not hesitate in contacting us.
E-mail: hordencommunitywelfarefc@gmail.com
The current 13 junior teams are as follows:
Under 6’s – Nathan Langley, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach
E-mail: n.langley@outlook.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/603076479454843/
*Training venue: East Durham College 3G pitch (outdoor facility) –Wednesday 5.30pm-6.30pm
Under 7’s – Scott Sibbit, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach
E-mail: scottsibbit@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1634856633865487
*Training venue: East Durham College sports hall – Wednesday 6pm-7pm
Under 8’s – Shaun Whittle, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach E-mail: shaunwhittle@hotmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579713719273
*Training venue: Dene House School (indoor sports hall) –Monday 6pm-7pm
Under 9’s girls (Ophelia’s) – Adam Bentley, FA Level 1 volunteer coach E-mail: ad.bentley@outlook.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564145139900
*Training venue: East Durham College 3G pitch (outdoor facility) –Wednesday 5.30pm-6.30pm
Under 9’s – John Butterfield, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach E-mail: johnbutterfield@sky.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093603281731
*Training venue: Dene House School (indoor sports hall) –Thursday 6pm-7pm
Under 10’s (Milan) – Daniel Crammen, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach
E-mail: crammen24@icloud.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550056066832
*Training venue: Wellfield School (3G Pitch) – Monday 6pm-7pm
Under 10’s (Inter) – Michael Finch-White, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach
E-mail: Mfinch84@hotmail.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/people/Horden-CW-Inter/61581038604010/
*Training venue: Dene House School (indoor sports hall) –Thursday 5pm-6pm
Under 10’s girls (Athena’s) – Stephanie Lyons, FA Level 1 volunteer coach
E-mail: steph_shannon@hotmail.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564145139900
*Training venue: Wellfield School (3G Pitch) – Tuesday 5.30pm-6.30pm
Under 10’s girls (Electra’s) – Kris Qualie, FA Level 1 volunteer coach
E-mail: kqdecoratingservices@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564145139900
*Training venue: East Durham College 3G pitch (outdoor facility) –Wednesday 5.30pm-6.30pm
Under 11’s – Keith Brown, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach
E-mail: kb1985keith@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566165365552
*Training venue: Peterlee Leisure Centre sports hall – Thursday 6pm-7pm
Under 11’s girls (Hestia’s) – Stephanie Lyons, FA Level 1 volunteer coach
E-mail: steph_shannon@hotmail.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564145139900
*Training venue: Wellfield School (3G Pitch) – Tuesday 5.30pm-6.30pm
Under 12’s – Lawrence Swallow, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach
E-mail: lswallow88@icloud.com
https://www.facebook.com/hordencwjuniors/
*Training venue: Wellfield School (3G Pitch) – Monday 6pm-7pm
Under 15’s – Nathan Langley, FA Level 1 qualified volunteer coach
E-mail: n.langley@outlook.com
https://www.facebook.com/HordenCWFCU12
*Training venue: East Durham College 3G pitch (outdoor facility) –Wednesday 5.30pm-6.30pm
Through grant funding, we have been able to hire external UEFA C licence qualified coaches to provide support and mentoring to our volunteer coaches and volunteer sessional support workers, as well as delivering bespoke coaching sessions to the school aged children and young people.
The football training and coaching sessions continue to support school aged children and young people to realise their potential, to inspire, to engage and to encourage them to develop their skills, building confidence and resilience as well as promoting respect.
As a football club, men’s team, women’s team, Junior Academy, and charity we are continually on the lookout for additional volunteer coaches, sessional support workers etc interested in football. If you are interested in becoming involved in the work, we do within our community then please do not hesitate in contacting us:
Men’s team: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61551384961172
E-mail: hordencommunitywelfarefc@ gmail.com
Women’s team: https://www.facebook.com/ HordenCWWomen instagram.com/hordencwwomen%20 -%20all%20social%20media%20platforms
Junior Academy teams: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1178856669372476/
News from St Mary’s Church
In June St Mary’s suffered a serious incident of theft from its roof–lead and a lightning conductor were stolen, and the bells damaged. Repairs are costing more than £60,000, and while most of this is covered by our insurers, it has left us with £18,000 to raise locally. We have been humbled by the generosity of the community, and around £4,000 has already been donated: thank you! Those who still wish to donate can do so at https://givealittle.co/c/ HordenStMaryRoofFund or scan the QR code here.
Christmas is now fast approaching, and our ever-popular Christingle Carol Service will take place as usual at 4pm on Christmas Eve. It’s the perfect Christmas service for children and families, and we’re sure we will see many of you there.
We also continue to have a later Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve each year. For several decades, this has taken place at 11.30pm. However, this year we’re going to try something different: Midnight Mass will be at 10pm. This isn’t just so that Fr McNeil can get to bed earlier! Older members of the community are finding midnight increasingly difficult, and what’s more, 10pm in the UK is midnight in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. We hope that the change of time will suit others in the community too.
Going Back Brockens – Lost Voices of East Durham Return Home in Powerful Exhibition
and Sound Installation
In August, St Mary’s Church provided a striking and atmospheric setting for the final stop of an ambitious county-wide art project exploring the legacy of the 1984 miners’ strike and its lasting impact on communities across County Durham.
One of the most poignant elements was a moving sound installation, built from real archival recordings of Horden and East Durham residents reflecting on life after the strike.
These voices were recorded in 1991-92 by writer Mark Hudson, who spent a year living in Horden. Until now, they had never been heard publicly. As part of the Going Back Brockens exhibition, the recordings brought these personal stories back into the heart of the community more than 30 years after they were first captured.
“These were raw, personal and unforgettable conversations. To bring them back to Horden, into this symbolic space, is quite emotional,” Hudson said. “I never expected to hear them again… They gave me deeply personal accounts of what they went through, and it’s moving to hear them now with the perspective of 30 years.”
The sound installation was shown alongside a new series of paintings by award-winning Hartlepool artist Narbi Price. His 40 works depict former County Durham colliery sites as they appear today, offering a quiet but powerful reflection on how the strike, and the industry that shaped the area, continue to live on in memory and landscape.
Visitors could also watch specially commissioned short films created by Horden filmmaker Carl Joyce. The
films explore the close relationship between people and place, sharing new stories about life in County Durham’s villages and how residents continue to shape their communities.
In addition to the exhibition being hosted at St Mary’s, a special version of the work was also prepared for the Jack Dormand Care Home, ensuring residents there could experience and share in the project.
The exhibition was kindly included as part of Horden’s 125th anniversary celebrations and following successful showings in Bishop Auckland and at the Durham Miners’ Gala, Horden was the perfect place for the project’s final County Durham stop.
Mark Hudson, whose father and grandfather were from Horden, reflected on the experience:
“It was a privilege to be able to bring the voices of Horden, Easington and Blackhall back to Horden, to St Mary’s Church, as part of the “Going Back Brockens” project. The sound clips played in the church were from interviews carried out in 1991 and 92, as research for my book about Horden “Coming Back Brockens”. Local people told the story of the 1984-5 miners’ strike, with particular reference to their own roles in the struggle, in frank and often emotional terms. Yet when I was told that St Mary’s would be the venue for the event, I wasn’t immediately convinced of its relevance. attended a service at the church early in my stay in Horden in the early 1990s, but didn’t otherwise pay it a great deal of attention, despite passing it just about every day.
But as soon as got back into the church, immediately knew it was the right place. Not only is St Mary’s a beautiful
building, but many of the interviews were recorded within a radius of couple of hundred yards around it. And most important, when you’re facing the altar, you’re looking in the direction of Horden colliery’s workings, with the roadways –many of them still there – stretching for miles under the North Sea. Hearing the old pitmen describing their work, often in broad Pitmatic, you were aware that all that was going on not far beyond the church walls.
I was very moved by the support we were given for the opening event. Almost 150 people turned up, and listening to old recordings some of them rendered blurry by time, for over an hour, must have been a bit of a challenge. So thank you to everyone who turned up and for responding so positively. Thank you to Father Kyle McNeil for welcoming us so warmly, and to the many people who are doing so much to make Horden a place to be proud of.”
Although the original County Durham run has now concluded, the exhibition has since been taken up by Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, where it will be on display until the end of January. Entry is free, and everyone is welcome.
You can also follow the project online as organisers No More Nowt and Building Culture continue to grow the archive and even contribute your own stories of place: nomorenowt.org/big-projects/going-back-brockens.
Horden Salvation Army Christmas Appeal 2025
It’s that special time of year again — the launch of our Christmas Toy & Food Appeal!
This year, we’re starting a little earlier, as we expect even greater need in our community. Our annual appeal helps bring joy and hope to children and families across East Durham, ensuring that no child wakes up without a present to open on Christmas morning.
Thanks to your incredible generosity last year, we were able to bless over 500 children with multiple gifts, as well as provide food parcels to families who needed extra support. With your help, we’re believing for an even bigger impact this Christmas!
Here’s how you can make a difference:
● Donate new toys and gifts for children and teenagers
● Give non-perishable food items to stock our food bank
● Share the appeal with friends, family, and colleagues
Amazon wish list give from the comfort of your home
You’ll find information on Horden Salvation Army Facebook page and on the web page Salvationarmy/horden or contact the centre on 0191 586 3208 mobile 07464 486997.
Horden Hope Grows: Train Station Hanging Basket Project
Back in July a group of like-minded residents decided to brighten up the train station adding splashes of colour with flowers.
Armed with compost, allotment grown flowers, and plenty of enthusiasm, volunteers gathered Monday 21st July to fill and hang over 30 baskets. The project, organised by Horden Hope Grows Community Group, aims to bring residents together while making the village look more welcoming for both residents and visitors.
“We wanted something simple but uplifting,” said one of the volunteers. “Hanging baskets are a lovely way to brighten up the place and show our pride in the village.”
The flowers were grown by volunteers in their own allotments and selected for their vibrant colours and ability to thrive in summer weather.
One resident said the baskets had already made a difference: “I left on the train and when I came back, I saw all the wonderful flowers, what a lovely idea!”
Horden Together Partnership funded the purchase of hanging baskets with supplies, and most importantly, time and effort supplied in abundance by residents.
The residents hope to repeat the project next year, with hopes of expanding it to more streets.
If you’d like to learn more about the group, or have a project idea, you can call, text or WhatsApp 07880010217.
From Couch to Community: Horden’s 5K Runners Transform Lives
The Couch to 5K running groups in Horden have made a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing. They’ve helped local residents get moving and feel more confident about being active, all through a welcoming and beginner-friendly programme.
Many participants have gone from little or no exercise to proudly completing their first 5K run and taking part in our local park run event at Cotsford Fields.
The group’s supportive, communityfocused vibe keeps people motivated and accountable, and the participants say they feel fitter, happier, and more accomplished. It’s a great example of how local fitness initiatives can boost both physical health and social connections.
If you are interested in joining a future programme, please e-mail enquiries-move@sport.durham.gov.uk or call 03000 262539. You can follow us on Facebook at Move County Durham.
Brewing Up Support for Macmillan
Throughout September, Horden Victory Church’s community hub, The Ark, dedicated each donation at their coffee mornings to Macmillan’s Coffee Morning campaign raising an impressive £300! A huge thank you to everyone who came along and donated. Horden Together also joined the effort, hosting a team coffee break that raised £76.
By taking part, they joined thousands across the UK in supporting Macmillan Cancer Support. Every pound raised helps Macmillan provide vital care, advice, and comfort to those who need it most.
A big shout-out to everyone who baked, brewed, and donated, your efforts make a real difference!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this edition and to life in Horden.
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