All village groups are entitled to have a link here to their own webpage or Facebook page
VILLAGE GROUPS
Click on the name of the group that you are interested in. If you need information that does not seem to be covered here, please email the Partnership
VILLAGE PARTNERSHIP
The 'umbrella' organisation to which the village groups can send a representative.
Because we are properly constituted and have banking facilities, we are able to help groups with funding applications and hold their funds for them. We act as liaison with other bodies such as Durham Council and as a point of contact for outside interests.
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We publish the Village Newsletter 4 times a year (wrlvpeditor@gmail.com,) maintain this website and Facebook page, hold the monthly Craft Fair, maintain flower tubs, co-ordinate events between groups and organise the Annual Village show.
PARISH COUNCIL
Local residents looking after the local community
A very active and responsible Parish Council looking after the infrastructure of our community. Always interested in hearing from residents. Click the link below to visit our website.
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
The Jubilee (Village) Hall
The Community Association are in charge of the Jubilee Hall (the village hall.) You can hire the hall for parties and events. It is popular for regular events and houses a community gym.
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Checkout their Facebook page (link below) to see what is happening. Also the latest edition of the Village Newsletter.
ST MARY'S PARISH CHURCH
A lay-led and lively Church of England Church. Services are normally held at 10.45am on Sundays but this sometimes changes to 10am if we are sharing with our Sister Church, St. Cuthbert's at East Rainton. The Church is currently raising funds to replace a worn-out sewer system!
We are the local Parish Church for West Rainton & Leamside. We are a little different from many other CofE churches because we are 'lay-led'. This means that we do not have a Priest and that the Parochial Church Council is Chaired by a member of the congregation. We still have regular Eucharistic (Communion) services for which we 'hire in' a guest Priest. We also hold combined services with our sister church, St. Cuthbert's at East Rainton. We also hold 'Cafe Church' on the 5th Sunday of every month that has 5 Sundays. This is a relaxed family service with no Communion or sermon!
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Our Facebook page is great place to find out about services and what is going on!
PINS & NEEDLES
Meeting every Wednesday am in St Mary's Church
This extraordinary group of craft enthusiasts is responsible for altar frontals, huge quantities of knitwear for refugees, an amazing embroidered map of the Parish hanging in Jubilee Hall and very many other creations.
HISTORY GROUP
Small but incredibly well informed local-knowledge group
Led by Gail Hudson, our local history group have an amazing knowledge of our village and it's inhabitants. From Commonwealth War Graves though to our local mining heritage, they store a wealth of photographs and documents. Recent involvement with the 'Churchyard Project' had led to the placement of 3 information panels in the Churchyard giving fascinating details about the Village's heritage.
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The History group also produce a local calendar each year featuring old photographs of the village and it's residents.
FOOTBALL TEAM
Successful and in the finals this year!
Our local Sunday League team are an enthusiastic bunch of lads who reached the finals of the Alan Smith competition last season.
WEST RAINTON PRIMARY & NURSERY SCHOOL
Our Village School
GREEN GROUP
The Green Group meet in the Jubilee Hall at 7-30pm on the first Thursday of each month.
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Since the group formed more than 10 years ago we’ve cleared footpaths, created walks leaflets, planted up flower tubs, obtained funding to upgrade a public footpath, and organized ceilidhs.
We have planted trees to create a small woodland and organize regular litter-picks around the village. We monitor a local beck each month in partnership with the Wear Rivers Trust, and established a Sunday cycling group, Cycle West Rainton which is supported by Durham County Council.
WEST RAINTON YOUTH GROUP
Strongly supported by our Parish Council and local Councillors and professionally run.
The youth group meets each Monday in the Jubilee Hall.
5.30 to 7pm for under 14's
7pm to 8.30pm for over 14's
ARDEN HOUSE
Arden House is a centrally- located building owned by Durham Housing. With let flats upstairs and a large meeting room downstairs with full kitchen.
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Arden House is used mainly for community events for elderly residents and for meetings of the Partnership.
If you would like to book the meeting room please contact us.
CYCLE WEST RAINTON
We meet at the container on the Adventure Lane football pitch at 10-30 every Sunday.
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We cycle every Sunday come rain or shine except when gale force winds or ice make it unsafe.
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We like to head off towards a café, and try to vary the routes as much as possible. We have bikes and helmets to lend out. We are a sociable group who ride at the pace of the slowest rider and also adjust the distance accordingly.
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We have riders of all ages and abilities, including some who use electric bikes.
We would love to have you join us!