Our History

Durham Association of Boys Club is established.

Durham's first annual report lists seven clubs that make up the Association including St. Mary's Boys Club, Gateshead, St. Joseph's Boys Club, Sunderland and Consett Boys Club

First Annual Report - Since 1934 to the current day, generations of the Nicholson family have been on the board of Durham County Association of Boys Clubs and have supported us through their company Vaux Breweries.

Handicrafts at Jarrow Boys Club.

Helmington Row percussion band in 1937.

Mixed drama group rehearses in a disused railway cutting.

Stockton Boys Club at the County Camp in 1938.

This map shows the spread of clubs across the county in 1942.

Activities at Knitsley Camp in 1950.

Girls are invited to join and form clubs in Durham.

Chess Championship with D. Gregory of Gateshead BBC.

The Duke of Gloucester presenting flags to Durham Boys in London.

Outdoor Boxing Championship 1953.

Duncan Gibson our County Organising Secretary welcoming Frankie Vaughan a life long loyal supporter and patron of Boys Clubs over many years.

‘Getting In Focus’ a photography course for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in 1961.

Football captain Peter Robinson of Bowburn Boys Club lifting the Gillete Cup in its first year, 1962.

The Duke of Gloucester visiting Lions Boys Club, Hetton.

Durham Association of Boys Club changes its name to the Durham Association of Clubs for Young People to fall in line with the change in the national organisation

Durham Association of Clubs for Young People becomes Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs and the National organisation changes its name to Ambition.

Our geographical area remains the old County Durham area incorporating South Tyne and Wear and North Cleveland and has around 70 clubs including general youth clubs, boxing clubs, athletics clubs and football clubs.