Northumbrian Cambridge Association's winter visit in 2023 is to the National Glass Centre (NGC) in Sunderland. The centre was opened in 1998 close to the site of St Peter’s Church, and it was here that Bishop Biscop introduced glass making in to Britain by hiring French glaziers to make windows for the Priory. There was a major expansion of glassmaking from the 18th century due to the abundance of cheap coal and high-quality sand. The Pyrex brand of glass was manufactured in Sunderland but in 2007 the last two remaining glass firms closed.

We will meet at 10.30am and will have coffee followed by a private glass blowing demonstration at 11.15am. This will be followed by a light lunch in the Pod and we will then be able to look round the exhibitions and shop at our leisure (there is a 10% discount). Following this, depending on the weather there may be an optional short walk along the river to the beach.