THE first meeting of the Bishop Auckland and Shildon Methodist Circuit has taken place at a railway museum.

Members from 15 Methodist congregations met at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon.

They first gathered in the former home of railway engineer and Methodist Timothy Hackworth last Sunday. (August 31)

The group of more than 350 worshippers, along with the Shildon Salvation Army Band, then moved to the museum’s Collection building for a service.

Reverend Ruth Gee, the chairwoman of the Darlington Methodist District and ex -president of the Methodist Conference, was the preacher.

The service was conducted from a historical railway carriage at the museum.

Reverend Graham Morgan, of the group, said: “We’ve being working towards a merger for a while and it will make us stronger.

“There will only be one group, instead of two, chasing resources and the service at Locomotion went very well.”