Bowes Railway

18/06/2026

Archive photo of the week: Could you, or someone you know, be the "Coal Queen of Britain". It refers to the glamorous national beauty contest held between 1969 and 1983. Small local competitions were held for decades at miners' picnics and local galas to find local Coal Queens. In 1969, these were elevated to a massive nationwide event known as the National Coal Queen of Great Britain. Winners won impressive prizes, including cars, money, glamorous trips abroad, and even their weight in beverages like Babycham. Rose McLachlan was crowned the first National Coal Queen and Rose represented the Durham regional coalfields (Westoe Collery).
The competition ended in 1983 as the reign of the final National Coal Queen was cut short by the 1984–1985 miners' strike.

14/06/2026

The fun has just begun at Bowes Railway for the 2nd day of the annual Springwell Village 1940s Weekend event!

Free children's crafts
Minerva craft workshop
Food & drink vans
Living history displays
Firing display (11:30am)
Battle re-enactment (2:30pm)
Local stalls selling wonderful items
Free face-painting (12pm-3pm)
And much more!


Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Springwell Village Community Venue
Washington Sunderland Community

Event is on today 10am-4pm, pop along! 🎉

13/06/2026

The fun has just begun at Bowes Railway for the annual Springwell Village 1940s Weekend event!

Free children's crafts
Minerva craft workshop
Food & drink vans
Living history displays
Firing display (11:30am)
Battle re-enactment (2:30pm)
Local stalls selling wonderful items
Free face-painting (12pm-3pm)
And much more!

Pop along for 11:15am ready for the Mayor of Sunderland unveiling our bi-centenary replica tub! With a surprise visit from 'Winston Churchill'

Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Springwell Village Community Venue
Washington Sunderland Community

Event is on today 10am-4pm and again tomorrow, same time! 🎉

12/06/2026

Only one more sleep until the Springwell Village 1940s Weekend event gets underway! 😃🎉

Springwell Village Community Venue
Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Washington Sunderland Community

12/06/2026

We've had a fantastic group of young people from the local Springwell Village youth groups at Bowes tonight meeting the re-enactors who will be taking part in the weekend's Springwell Village 1940s Weekend event. They held some of the weapons and got to try on some of the wartime uniforms before finishing off with hotdogs in the Kip & Dish. They really enjoyed learning about Britain's rich history and it's been a pleasure to host them!

Hope to see you all at the event, free entry throughout Springwell Village. Follow the event page for more information 😃

Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Springwell Village Community Venue
Washington Sunderland Community

12/06/2026

Join us tomorrow, Saturday 13th June, at the Springwell Village 1940s Weekend event where none other than 'Winston Churchill' will be giving wartime speeches!

Springwell Village Community Venue: 12:45pm speech
Bowes Railway Museum: 2:20pm speech

Hope to see you there!

Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Washington Sunderland Community

12/06/2026

A great start to the 1940s Weekend at Bowes Railway. We welcomed children from Springwell Village Primary School to the Bowes site to meet the re-enactors, explore the grounds and get creative. Some fabulous work completed so well done to all!

We hope to see everyone over the weekend at our FREE Springwell Village 1940s Weekend!

Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY
Springwell Village Community Venue
Washington Sunderland Community

11/06/2026

Saturday 13th June - Get the date in your diary! Springwell Village 1940s Weekend kicks off at 10:30am with pipers welcoming the Mayor of Sunderland to open the event at Springwell Village Community Venue. Then straight to Bowes for 11:15am ready for the Mayor kindly unveiling our replica tub celebrating our bicentenary! We hope to see you there 🥳

The pipers will play across the village during the day 🎼

Saturday 13th June....get that date in your diary! Springwell Village 1940s Weekend kicks off with our very own pipers welcoming the mayor of the city of Sunderland to open the event!
The pipers will play across the village during the day.

Springwell Village Primary School Springwell Village Residents Association Springwell Village - Your Village The Guide Post Bowes Railway Springwell Village Community Venue Springwell Social

10/06/2026

The countdown has begun!

🇬🇧✨ We’re looking forward to a fantastic Springwell Village 1940s Weekend on the 13th and 14th June! ✨🇬🇧

Join us as we step back in time for a weekend of vintage charm, community spirit, entertainment, and 1940s nostalgia.
Whether you’re dressing up in period costume, enjoying the attractions, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
We can’t wait to welcome you all for what promises to be a wonderful weekend!



Washington Sunderland Community
Springwell Village 1940s Weekend
Springwell Village Community Venue
Community Opportunities - YOUTH & PLAY