The North East Religious Learning Resources Centre has evolved over many years but our aims have remained the same: to support religious and theological education across the North East of England.
1974
A small collection of books housed in St Hild’s Chapel, Durham and issued by volunteers is established as:
- A place where people may come to see and use materials suitable for educational use in youth groups, Sunday schools, adult day training etc.
- A base from which materials may go out to churches, schools and any kind of meeting to demonstrate and if funds allow to lend material to suitable persons in groups.
- A place for meetings and for exchange of ideas which regard to media resources in this context.
1975-1983
The operating budget is £450. A series of centre managers develop and support the growth of the centre: Mr Robin Minney, Deaconess Anne Dixon and the Revd. Michael Ranyard.
1984
The resources moves to Carter House, Durham as the ‘Durham Religious Education Resources Centre’ with a stock of 2000 books, 200 audio visuals aids and 560 posters. Loans are healthy with 5-6 items per week going out on the A/V loan service.
1985-1995
1985 Mrs Anne Lindsley is appointed Librarian. In 1993 Ms Karenza Passmore appointed to manage the Centre. In 1995 the second site of Centre opened in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.
1996
The two site Centre, under the name The North East Religious Learning Resources Centre Ltd, is registered as a Charity and a Company Limited by guarantee. The Objects of the new charitable company, also known as the ‘Religious Resources Centre’ (RRC), are:
- the establishment and maintenance of a resources centre or resources centres containing books, papers, video and audio tapes, computer data and other materials available for reference or loan to those involved in religious education in the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle
- the provision of advice, guidance and assistance to those involved in the teaching of religious education in the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle
- the provision within the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle of training by means of courses, seminars and otherwise of those involved in religious education
2002 – today
In 2002 the Jesmond site moves to Church House, North Shields. In 2015 the Carter House site moves to Cuthbert House, Stonebridge Lane, Durham. In 2019 the RRC is two sites with over 1,300 members, 37,000 individual resources for loan and 8 members of staff (all of whom are part-time). The operating budget is in excess of £110,000.
Thank you
None of this would have been possible if it were not for the founding, and ongoing annual, financial and spiritual support of the St Hild and St Bede Trust. For the encouragement, fellowship and support of our members and partners who have worked with and alongside us over the years. For this we offer heartfelt thanks and much gratitude.
Annual Reports & Accounts
As a Limited Company and a Charity, our annual accounts are available through both the Charity Commission and Companies House websites.
Our most recent Annual Reports are available here.
