TWO celebration events will be held at Coundon and Leeholme Community Centre on Saturday ahead of the opening of Beamish Museum’s replica of the hall.

A free 50s Family Fun Day will be held at the community centre, in Leeholme Road, between 11am and 3pm, with 1950s games and crafts, explore Wanda the caravan, hear about the clubs and groups that meet at the centre, and find out about the opening of Beamish’s replica of the hall. At 1pm, members of the Kids 2gether Youth Club will read a poem telling the history of the hall.

On Saturday evening, people can get their dancing shoes on for a Rock and Roll night, from 8pm to 11pm, featuring live music from Davie T & The RazzBerries. The evening event is free, but tickets are required. For tickets, phone 07868-654604.

The events have been organised to thank the community of Coundon and Leeholme for their help with the museum’s Remaking Beamish project.

A replica of the hall, which opened in 1957 and was originally called Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall and Community Centre, will soon open its doors at Beamish – the first building in the museum’s 1950s Town. Beamish has been working closely with the community on the project.

Geraldine Straker, Remaking Beamish Community Participation Officer, said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with people in the local area on the project to build a replica of their hall. We’re really looking forward to this celebration to thank everyone involved.”

The recreated hall is the first building in The 1950s Town at Beamish, which will also include a cinema, shops, houses, café, as well as aged miners’ homes that will provide a centre for older people, including those living with dementia. The £18million Remaking Beamish project also includes a 1950s Farm, bus depot and expansion of the Georgian area, including a coaching inn where visitors can stay overnight.

Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players, the project has been awarded £10.9million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

For more information about the community events, contact Geraldine Straker, Remaking Beamish Community Participation Officer, on geraldinestraker@beamish.org.uk, or 0191-370-4060.