Houghton Feast programme brochures were introduced at the 1967 'Feast Revival' and typically featured a welcome message from the Chair of Houghton Urban District Council, programme details and a map of Houghton.
In 1971 adverts from local traders were introduced and the programmes started to feature more content, such as heritage articles, and a message from the Rector.
Details from past programmes can be found below. Copies missing from the Houghton Feast Archive include:
If you have copies of past Houghton Feast programmes which you would like to donate, please get in touch by email.
 Booklet |
YEAR: 1967
DATE: October 6th to 15th October 1967
FOREWORD BY: Cllr J. Mawston, Chair of Houghton UDC (see also 1987)
OX CARVED BY: Cllr J. Mawston
NOTES: The first copy of the Houghton Feast brochure. The cover was yellow.
COPY NEEDED: Can you help by donating a copy of the 1967 programme?
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1970
DATE: September 26th to 11th October 1970
FOREWORD BY: Cllr M. Elizabeth Porter, Chair of Houghton UDC (see also 1975)
OX CARVED BY: Cllr M. Elizabeth Porter
NOTES: The Feast started on Friday October 2nd, but the programme included details of a Son et Lumiere in St Michael's Church from Sept 26th.
COPY NEEDED: Can you help by donating a copy of the 1970 programme?
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1971
DATE: October 1st to 17th 1971
FOREWORD BY: Cllr Eric Bramfitt, Chair of Houghton UDC (see also 1995)
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Eric Bramfitt (tbc)
NOTES: The Feast started on Friday October 8th, but the programme included details of a Festival of Flowers in St Michael's Church from Oct 1st.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1973
DATE: October 5th to 14th 1973
FOREWORD BY: Cllr G.Elliot, Chair of Houghton UDC
OX CARVED BY: Cllr G.Elliot (tbc)
NOTES: The last programme to feature a sole Houghton UDC crest, as Sunderland Borough was formed the following year.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1974
DATE: October 4th to 13th 1974
FOREWORD BY: Cllr A.Burgham JP, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr A.Burgham JP (tbc)
NOTES: The first programme issued under the newly formed Council of the Borough of Sunderland.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1975
DATE: October 3rd to 12th October 1975
FOREWORD BY: Cllr M. Elizabeth Porter, Mayor of Sunderland (see also 1970)
OX CARVED BY: Cllr M. Elizabeth Porter
NOTES: This was the second official Houghton Feast for Cllr Elizabeth Porter, who carved the ox for a second time.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1976
DATE: October 7th to 17th 1976
FOREWORD BY: Cllr Charles Slater, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Charles Slater
NOTES: The night of the opening ceremony was changed from the usual Friday to Thursday to accommodate Mayor Charles Slater's Jewish faith.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1977
DATE: October 7th to 16th 1977
FOREWORD BY: Cllr Tom Bridges, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Tom Bridges
NOTES: Billed as 'Houghton Silver Jubilee Feast' to mark Queen Elizabeth II's own Silver Jubilee. The programme also featured an essay on the Feast by Rev Peter Brett, Rector.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1978
DATE: October 5th to 15th 1978
FOREWORD BY: Cllr A. Lumley, JP, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr A Lumley, JP
NOTES: A return to the plain style programme cover, following three years of illustrated covers. A more prominent Gilpin Crest featured, along with a small Borough of Sunderland logo.
This was the first programme to bill the "cutting of the first slice of ox" on Feast Monday, as previous programmes simply advertised the preparation of the ox on the Sunday.
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 Leaflet |
YEAR: 1987
DATE: October 2nd to 11th October 1987
FOREWORD BY: Cllr John Mawston JP ISM, Mayor of Sunderland (see also 1967)
OX CARVED BY: Cllr John Mawston JP ISM
NOTES: This was the second "official" Houghton Feast for Cllr John Mawston, who carved the ox for a second time. In addition to being Mayor of Sunderland, John was also Chair of the Feast Steering Committee. A special programme was issued, with watercolour illustrations in the narrow, folding pamphlet.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1992
DATE: October 2nd to 11th 1992
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR: Cllr William Craddock, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr William Craddock
NOTES: This programme also featured a welcome statement from Cllr W. Scott, Chair of City of Sunderland Leisure Committee.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1993
DATE: October 8th to 15th 1993
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Bryan Charlton, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Bryan Charlton (tbc)
NOTES: The programme again featured a welcome statement from Cllr W. Scott, Chair of City of Sunderland Leisure Committee.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1994
DATE: October 7th to 16th 1994
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Denis Whalen, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Denis Whalen (tbc)
NOTES: The programme again featured a welcome statement from Cllr W. Scott, Chair of City of Sunderland Leisure Committee.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1995
DATE: October 6th to 15th 1995
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Eric Bramfitt, Mayor of Sunderland (see also 1971)
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Louise Bramfitt, Mayoress, as Mayor was unwell
NOTES: The programme again featured a welcome statement from Cllr W. Scott, Chair of City of Sunderland Leisure Committee.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1996
DATE: October 4th to 13th 1996
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Ian Galbraith, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: No ox roasting took place as the spit vanished!
NOTES: The programme again featured a welcome statement from Cllr W. Scott, Chair of City of Sunderland Leisure Committee.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1997
DATE: October 3rd to 12th 1997
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Gowan Scott, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Gowan Scott
NOTES: The programme again featured a welcome statement from Cllr W. Scott, Chair of City of Sunderland Leisure Committee, and an article on the return of the ox roasting. Reg Vardy Cars took out a full page advert on the reverse.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1998
DATE: October 2nd to 11th 1998
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Wally Scott, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Wally Scott
NOTES: This programme also featured a welcome message from Cllr John Mawston, Chair of the Houghton Feast Steering Committee. The Reg Vardy advert was present on the reverse cover.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 1999
DATE: October 1st to 10th 1999
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Ross Wares, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Ross Wares (tbc)
NOTES: This programme again featured a welcome message from Cllr John Mawston, Chair of the Houghton Feast Steering Committee. The Reg Vardy advert was present on the reverse cover.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 2000
DATE: October 6th to 15th 2000
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Brian Dodds, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Brian Dodds
NOTES: This programme again featured a welcome message from Cllr John Mawston, Chair of the Houghton Feast Steering Committee. The Reg Vardy advert was present on the reverse cover.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 2001
DATE: October 5th to 14th 2001
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr J. Ken Murray, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr J. Ken Murray
NOTES: This programme again featured a welcome message from Cllr John Mawston, Chair of the Houghton Feast Steering Committee. The Reg Vardy advert was present on the reverse cover.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 2002
DATE: October 4th to 13th 2002
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Peter Gibson, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Peter Gibson
NOTES: This Golden Jubilee programme featured a welcome message from Cllr Brian Dodds, Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Culture, Arts, Sports & Leisure. The Reg Vardy advert was present on the reverse cover.
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 Booklet |
YEAR: 2003
DATE: October 3rd to 12th 2003
MAYORAL WELCOME: Cllr Juliana Heron, Mayor of Sunderland
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Juliana Heron
NOTES: The programme again featured a welcome message from the Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Culture, Arts, Sports & Leisure, Cllr Mel Speding. The Reg Vardy advert was present on the reverse cover. This was the last programme to feature a Mayoral Welcome.
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 Booklet |
 Leaflet |
YEAR: 2007
DATE: October 5th to 14th 2007
INTRODUCTION & FOREWORD:
John Mawston and Ron Young
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Leslie Scott, Mayor of Sunderland
NOTES: A special commemorative programme based on the original 1967 edition was released to mark the 40th anniversary since the Feast revival of 1967. The folding leaflet was of the same style as in 2006.
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 Booklet |
 Leaflet |
YEAR: 2008
DATE: October 3rd to 12th 2008
WELCOME & FOREWORD: Foreword from John Mawston and Ron Young, congratulating John Murphy on his 60 years of Houghton Feast. Welcome message by John Murphy.
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Mary Smith, Mayor of Sunderland
NOTES: Another special programme, this time based on the 1976 edition, was released to celebrate the Houghton Feast fairgrounds.
The folding leaflet's layout changed slightly, with the programme text being larger and in place of a poster.
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 Booklet |
 Leaflet |
YEAR: 2009
DATE: October 2nd to 11th 2009
WELCOME & FOREWORD: Foreword from John Mawston and Welcome message from Rev Peter Brett, Houghton's Rector 1972 - 1983.
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Dennis Richardson, Mayor of Sunderland
NOTES: Another special brochure was released to mark the 60th anniversary of the Community Hymn Singing. The format of the leaflet was changed to half the size of the previous years, with different folds.
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 Booklet |
 Leaflet |
YEAR: 2010
DATE: October 8th to 17th 2010
WELCOME & FOREWORD: Foreword from John Mawston, Chairman of the Houghton Feast Steering Committee; Welcome from Paul Lanagan.
OX CARVED BY: Cllr Thomas Martin, Mayor of Sunderland
NOTES: A special brochure was produced to acknowledge the mystical date of Houghton Feast 2010 (10/10/10) - the tenth of the tenth of the tenth! Another leaflet was issued, with the same design as 2009.
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 Booklet |
 Leaflet |
YEAR: 2011
DATE: October 7th to 16th 2011
WELCOME & FOREWORD: Ron Young (oldest surviving past Chairman of Round Table) and Philip Vosper, present Chairman.
OX TO BE CARVED BY: Cllr Norma Wright, Mayor of Sunderland.
NOTES: A special brochure was produced to help celebrate the Round Table's 45th Carnival Parade at Houghton Feast.
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1967 (yellow cover)
1968
1969