A COMMUNITY centre which has been at the heart of two villages for more than 60 years will be recreated as part of a celebration of everyday 1950s life.

A replica of the Coundon and Leeholme Community Association centre at the Leeholme Welfare Hall, near Bishop Auckland, will be included in the new 1950s town at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

The museum, near Stanley, County Durham, is investing £17m in the Remaking Beamish project, which will also see the creation of an upland farm and the expansion of the Georgian area, including a coaching inn.

It follows the granting of a £10.75million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project.

The community centre was originally paid for from donations by the Leasingthorne Colliery Miners and opened in 1957.

Its replica will be used by community groups and will help tell the story of life in the decade.

Other buildings already announced as part of the project include moving a cinema from Ryhope, Sunderland, and pre-fabricated Airey Houses, from Gateshead, as well as replicas of artist Norman Cornish’s house in Spennymoor.

Richard Evans, Beamish Museum’s Director, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce that this community centre, with its fascinating history, is part of our Remaking Beamish project.

“We look forward to working with Coundon and Leeholme Community Association to celebrate their heritage and share their story with future generations.”

On Sunday, August 2, the museum will team up with the Association to host a Celebration of Leeholme Welfare Hall, at the community centre, from 2pm to 5pm.

This event will feature a tribute to the Leasingthorne Miners, 1950s music and fashion, refreshments and Wanda, the museum’s 1950s caravan.

Staff from the museum are also keen to meet anyone who would like to share their memories of Coundon and Leeholme in the 1950s.

Councillor Charlie Kay, chairman of the centre, said: “I think it’s fantastic that Beamish Museum has chosen our local hall as an iconic example of its type and that they intend to replicate it in their 1950s Town.

“It is a fitting tribute to the miners of Leasingthorne Colliery who paid for the hall out of their own wages with a community spirit that should never be forgotten.”