News updates.

Keeping you informed of what your local facility is achieving for our community.  If you are a local organisation in Easington Colliery and would like to have a message regarding your event or activity in this news page please contact us.

Local Books now on sale in the centre.

Keith Pattison's Photographs from the miners strike in the 1980's NO REDEMPTION £15 Easington Writers Group SHRUGGING OF THE WIND £3

 More funding to help develop the centre has been received from; The William Webster Charitable Trust (£2,000), Christ's Hospital in Sherburn (£3,000), The North East Miners' Social Welfare Trust Fund (7,200), The Rothley Trust (£600) and The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (£15,850) during the months of October 2009 to February 2010. Collectively this amounts to £28,650 and will be used to pay for renewing the Ground Floor Electrics and to upgrade the Fire Alarm System throughout the building.  Works will commence soon and see further improvements to the building.  The Trustee/Management Committee give thanks to all these funders for their financial support to undertake these works.

Are you over 50?  Do you want to be part of an informal singing group.  Come along to a performance and workshop by 'Going Platinum' on Tuesday 23rd February 10.30am to 12pm.  Regular sessions begin Tuesday 2nd March 10.30 - 12pm in a fun, supportive environment.  Only £2.50 a week.  No auditions or voice tests - all welcome.  Further information 0191 527 0224

Easington District Council through their Local Development Fund have provided £2,000 for the centre to upgrade the Gent's Toilets on the ground floor.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust in December 2008 provided a grant of £10,000 to contribute to the installation of a PA/DJ sound system to the Dance Hall.  The system in now installed and is being used by the centre.

The North East Area Miners Welfare Trust Fund provide a grant of £7,877 towards the renewal of 22 windows in the building.  Awards for All provided £5,251 also towards this project.  These works have made a further improvement to the building.

IT Training room now open.  The centre is seeking to use this facility to benefit our local community.  If you are interested in a particular topic/course please contact us as we would like to know what training you would like us to provide so we can organise it.  Computing For The Terrified is the first course we are running and this starts on 6th November 1pm to 3pm.  This first class is full and names are being taken for an additional class.

Secret Millionnaire Carl Hopkins (as seen on Channel 4 on the 26th August 2008) gratefully donated £12,000 for the centre to purchase new stage curtains and lighting back in May.  These works are now complete and add to the improvements previously made by other funders.  Our sincere thanks go out to Carl for his interest and belief in what we are aiming to achieve for our community.

July 2008.  10 Station IT suite now open.  The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) has provided the funding to develop the meeting room into a 10 station IT suite.  This facility will provide hireable IT facilities for new start-up businesses in the area.  If you are interested in using these facilities please contact our centre manager.

March 2008.  Funds provided by the Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder (Quick Response Intervention Scheme) has enabled the centre to erect a large screen TV system is the snooker hall.  This enables young people to come and meet and enjoy the music channels.  It is also linked into our satellite system and can show live football games also.

December 2007.  The redecorating of the dance is complete and the new hall curtains are up.  This dance hall is beginning to look rather grand.

February 2008.  Road works around the centre!  Don't worry that was just the new power cable being laid as part of our redevelopment process.  Works are now completed.

February 2008.  A boxing club for young people between the ages of 13 to 25 has started in the centre.  They meet on Wednesday and Friday at 5pm to 6.30pm.  A grant has been received to purchase equipment and a boxing ring.  A local coach is providing instruction to young people.  If you are interested please contact us.

October 2007.  New Lounge furniture. The centre has invested in new lounge furniture to make your evenings more comfortable.  All you have to do is come along and have a relaxing chat and a drink with your friends.

BE Enterprising Coaches are now working with clients inside the Welfare Centre.  If you have a business idea and want to start your own business please call us as we can put you in-touch with the local business coaches. 

• An grant of £61,883 from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to undertake electrical improvements to the upper dance hall, improve the stage electricity supply and to decorate the hall was made in early October 2007.  Therefore, further improvements to this venue will be made in the coming months with completion scheduled for March 2008.
• A grant for £10,000 was received from the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation to undertake essential elcetrical works in the Dance Hall. These works have improve the lighting in the dance hall and provide better control of light settings.
• A grant of £2,040 is received from the Local Childrens Network to support the Junior Drama Classes and a further pledge of £1,000 from The Shears Foundation is received to support this activity with the Barbour Trust donating £500, The Sir James Knott Trust donating £1,000 and the Garfield Weston Foundation donating £2,000.  Further funding is also being sought to compliment this pledge and donations in order to continue these classes for children.
• Members and volunteers have undertaken a local survey on behalf of the Easington and Horden Pathfinder project that has sought views from over 350 residents in Easington Colliery.
• A further application for funds to install more double glazing to improve our energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint has failed but we are still seeking other potential funders for these works.
• Work on developing the Youth Room in the centre is nearly complete and young people have started to come into the centre.  A additional Youth Worker has recently started work in the area and young people should contact the centre if they want to get involved.
• Two snooker tables have recently been re-clothed and a further table has now been installed.
• Premier League Football in now showing in the bar.
• A local joiner has made a splendid job rebuilding the Bar in the Dance Hall and the steps to the stage.  This work supports the dance hall improvements.

 March 2007.  The BIG Lottery Fund have provided £210,000 to employ a Centre Development Manager at Easington Social Welfare Centre from June 2007 to June 2012.