This small glass is housed in the Parish Church and is etched with a message commemorating a disaster at Houghton Colliery:

Houghton Pit
Exploded 11 Nov 1850
28 lives lost.

The wording is accompanied by an etched leaf.

The explosion ripped through the Hutton seam at between 5 and 6 o'clock. 26 men and boys were lost, 20 of them under the age of 21. About 150 men were working underground at the time of the disaster. The survivors were rescued after 4 hours exertion and many were insensible Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

This match box and striker is branded with an advert for the Robinson Bros Brewery. The label reads:

DRINK ROBINSON BROS HOUGHTON ALES.
ROBINSON BROS CELEBRATED BOTTLED ALES AND STOUT.
HOUGHTON BREWERY.

The lid snaps open and shut. The base has a grid for striking the matches against. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

This double-sided tape measure featured ads for Houghton Ales and the Robinson Bros Brewery's bottled ales and stout. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

A prayer book which has the following message inscribed on the inner page:

E.L. Metcalfe
113 Newbottle St
Houghton-Le-Spring
County Durham
June 27/6/17 Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

Front and reverse views of this badge from Houghton Greyhound Stadium. Greyhound racing became popular at the Stadium when horse racing ended in 1938. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

A small pin badge for Dairy Lane Bowling Club, featuring the Gilpin Crest boar and oak tree. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

This watch belonged to Joseph Bland Pearson, an auctioneer from Nesham Place. It features a solid silver coined edged case, along with a diamond balance jewel.

Weighing at 132g and measuring 54mm, the watch was inscribed with the words:

The watch was sold for $202 (about £136) in 2008. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

A cutlery set from Houghton Primitive Methodist Church. The knives were made by 'Joseph Rodgers & Sons, cutlers to His Majesty'. The teaspoon is made out of nickel silver. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

This small pot, which measures about 2 1/2 inches in height, features the family crest of Bernard Gilpin, along with the motto:

It dates from around 1900 and moved with its owner to Somerset. In 2010 it was returned to the area when it was given to Paul Lanagan. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

This Arcadian crested china ornament is a field gun featuring the crest of Bernard Gilpin.

It measures around 10.5 cm and dates from circa 1919. The ornament's price tag was £42.00. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

This is the base of stoneware jam jar, produced for W.P Hartley jams and preserves. The jar dates from around 1890 and was made in Scotland.

The words read:

This remnant was found in the Moors Burn, Houghton-le-Spring, in April 2011. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

Thought to be a Codd or popally bottle produced for Margaret Sutheran's mineral water business on Hopper Street, Houghton-le-Spring.

The bottle features one of Sutheran's trademark sunflowers and the words:

The bottle's seal can still be found inside. Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.

This trophy is from Houghton Golf Club, which was founded in 1908, and is inscribed with the following:

Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club
Challenge Cup Winner
John B. Hall
1923

The trophy sold at auction for £12.50. Does anybody know who John B Hall was? Article Copyright © Books of the North 2009 - 2012.