News

Our Annual General Meeting (members only) will take place on Saturday, 18 April 2026 at 10.00am—10.45am in the Bishop’s Dining Room, as part of a larger event at Durham Castle celebrating World Heritage Day. For more details see our January Newsletter.

2026 January Newsletter - click to download the latest newsletter for our news, articles and member's events/talks.

Message from the Chair - Marian Morrison
Well what a full year 2025 turned out to be and in keeping with that your committee have not eased up over the festive season. The training sessions offered to forum members from the Thorpe Thewles project have now concluded. These have been a wonderful asset to the membership, however I am saddened that although we were told such training opportunities were wanted there were unfilled spaces on most of the dates. Watch this space as it is possible that some more sessions may be advertised if the project requires.

Our social media and online footprint are still slowly progressing. I must accept responsibility for any delay as I feel it is essential when working with a team and groups that depend on volunteers there will always be the risk that we start something without considering how it will be sustained. I say better to have a lower level of profile than one that we are unable to support or keep interactive.

For 2026, our Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday, 18 April, and we are fortunate to be hosting it within a larger event at Durham Castle as part of World Heritage Day. This setting presents an excellent opportunity for those who wish to attend and exhibit. The anticipated visitor numbers are expected to be considerably higher than in previous years, meaning we will need to elevate the quality and presentation of our displays in order to stand alongside the professional organisations exhibiting at the event. Let us show-case our interactive strengths and ensure we capture the interest and curiosity of the wider audience. If you would like to reserve a table, please contact Margaret, who will provide further details regarding exhibition arrangements at this remarkable venue. See page 2 for further details.

For the rest of the year we are planning a couple of coffee catch up sessions as you have told us you found them useful, and they help us understand what we need to do to keep the forum fresh for you.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage recipients of our quarterly news-letters to circulate them widely among your respective committees and memberships. The newsletter serves as our principal medium of communication, and it is regrettable that some members within affiliated groups may not be given the opportunity to remain informed about developments across the region.

Cheers Marian.

Durham Museum Pop Up is located in 39 the High Street, Prince Bishops Place, near the Beamish Emporium. This Pop Up relocates some of the displays from Durham Museum, previously in the closed church of St Mary le Bow on North Bailey. The City of Durham Trust together with Beamish Museum, Durham World Heritage Site, and Durham County Council, are supporting this venture.
Durham Museum Pop Up is open Thursday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. No admission charge.
If you would like to volunteer at the Durham Museum Pop Up please email helenbarker@beamish.org.uk