On the corner of Houghton Area Council offices:

THIS FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID BY COUN. J. MAWSTON, J.P., CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL 18TH NOVEMBER 1967 Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.

This stone was moved when the building was demolished. To find out where, click HERE.

Inside the Council offices:

THIS PLAQUE COMMEMORATES THE OPENING OF THESE OFFICES ON NOVEMBER 1ST 1968 BY COUNCILLOR E. KELLY, J.P. CHAIRMAN OF HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING U.D.C. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.

This plaque was moved when the building was demolished. To find out where, click HERE.

On a bench within the grounds of Houghton Area Council offices and within the shadow of the old Rectory:

PRESENTED TO COUN. J. MAWSTON J.P MAYOR OF SUNDERLAND 1987/88 IN MEMORY OF HIS MOTHER AND IN RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICES TO THE HOUGHTON FEAST STEERING COMMITTEE

John Mawston is, of course, connected with the historic Houghton Feast and celebrated 50 years of involvement in 2005. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.

At Houghton Blind Centre, Thornhill Street, there are two commemorative stones, only one of which is still legible:

THIS STONE WAS LAID BY COUN. T.W. URWIN J.P. CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL ON 21ST MAY 1955

The eroded stone (left of the door) was laid by Lady Serena James. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.

Above the door to the old Royal Kepier Grammar School, a Latin inscription can be found, featuring a later addition by a Dr Hunter in 1724, which reads:

SCHOLA DE KEEPIER
AB ELIZ.ANGLIAE REGINA
AD MDLXXIV FUNDATA
EX PROCURATIONE J.HEATH, AR
ET B.GILPIN, RECT.ECCL. HOUGHTON
C.H.M.B. ALUMNUS POSUIT
AD MDCCXXIV Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.

A stone in the front of the Kepyer School-house records some considerable repairs and additions, made in 1779, at the expense of John Tempest Esq, of Winyard, the heir of Heath, and one of the governors. The inscription reads:

MUNICA__ATIA JOANNIS TEMPEST MDCCLXXIX Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.

Located on the north wall of Kepier Hall is this modern plaque which reads:

"O prosper the work of our hands" This stone was laid by the LORD BISHOP OF DURHAM 22 August 1991" Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.

The large piece of stone, which weighs one-and-a-half-tonnes, came from a local ASDA. Stonemason Ian Wood, of Hylton Road, Sunderland, prepared the stone and it now features the Gilpin Crest and following message:

WELCOME TO HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING Rotary Centenary Stone to Commemorate ROTARY INTERNATIONAL Founded 23rd February 1905 "Service above Self" ROTARY CLUB OF HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING Chartered 23rd April 1947

A small plaque can be found alongside a rose bed on the land opposite the Durham Road shops, near to the Old Brewery flats. It reads as follows:

Rotary Centenary “HEART of GOLD” Rose Bed To Commemorate ROTARY INTERNATIONAL Founded 23rd February 1905. “Service above Self”. ROTARY CLUB of HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING Chartered 23rd April 1947.

The new Houghton-le-Spring Methodist Church, Mautland Street, was officially opened on Saturday September 27th 1980. A plaque was unveiled inside the church and reads as follows:

THIS PLAQUE ACKNOWLEDGES WITH GRATITUDE THE GENEROSITY OF THE JOSEPH RANK BENEVOLENT TRUST, THE METHODIST CHURCH DIVISION OF PROPERTY, THE HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING CIRCUIT ADVANCE FUND AND THE GIFTS OF MANY FRIENDS. SEPTEMBER 27TH 1980.

Following the demolition of St Michael's RC Primary School, the Church was extended. The foundation stone reads as follows:

THIS FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID BY REV. WILLIAM O'GORMAN PARISH PRIEST ON 24TH JANUARY 2002.

JOICEY
AGED MINERS HOMES
BUILT
1906

The buildings opened in 1906 and were the first of their kind in County Durham. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009-2012.