What
The Heritage Centre, Bellingham, presents the history of the North Tyne and Redesdale Valleys in north-west Northumberland. Visitors take a short immersive walk through the area’s farming, mining and railway heritage.
Further information is provided through chatterboxes and three-minute recordings of local people played inside an old telephone box. Binding all this together is the archive of local photographer WP Collier, whose images can be viewed on a database.
Opened
The centre started life in the village high street in 1994 before relocating six years later to a redundant council vehicle depot in the old Station Yard. It was expanded in 2008.
Collection
The Heritage Centre follows the history of two local railway lines – the Border Counties Railway from Hexham into Scotland, and the Wannie Line across the Wanney Hills to Morpeth. Farming is the mainstay of the local economy and many locals have loaned or donated objects or collections.
A central feature is the Stannersburn smithy owned by Arthur Grimwood. A temporary exhibition gallery hosts frequently changing exhibitions on local themes such as world war two air crashes, Roman heritage and churches.
Help at hand
It is managed by volunteers, from whom a board of trustees is elected. The Tourist Information Office shares the building, acting as a reception and admission point. The Northumberland National Park Authority has also been a strong supporter.
As part of a recent Heritage Lottery Fund grant, the centre is benefiting from educational and curatorial input for three years from consultant David Walmsley.
Budget
The centre relies on admission income (£4 adults) and sales of its local history books, CDs and DVDs. There is a small but loyal Circle of Friends. Selling images from its extensive photographic archive adds to the centre’s income.
Highlights
The recent purchase of two historic railway carriages that were restored to provide additional exhibition and learning space in one, and a tearoom in the other. This restoration project galvanised local people and forged new volunteer support.
Visitors
Steadily rising to 4,200 a year. With the opening of the tearoom, the centre hopes to increase numbers through the lucrative coach tour market. A new flexible learning space and a partnership with a nearby National Scout Camp are increasing the centre’s profile.
Sticky moments
Early in January, an advert appeared in the local press wrongly stating that Christmas trees could be left at the centre for recycling. Two volunteers who arrived after the Christmas holiday had to cut their way through a forest of resinous trees to gain entry.
Survival tip
“This is my first experience of working with volunteers,” says Walmsley. “It’s important to keep everyone informed. Running a volunteer heritage centre is a team effort.”
Current project
Agricultural shows are an important part of the area’s heritage. The centre is collecting material for a temporary exhibition, which it hopes to later integrate into its permanent farming gallery.
The surrounding area has connections with the first world war through the Territorial Force, which the Heritage Centre also wants to highlight.
www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk
The Heritage Centre, Bellingham, presents the history of the North Tyne and Redesdale Valleys in north-west Northumberland. Visitors take a short immersive walk through the area’s farming, mining and railway heritage.
Further information is provided through chatterboxes and three-minute recordings of local people played inside an old telephone box. Binding all this together is the archive of local photographer WP Collier, whose images can be viewed on a database.
Opened
The centre started life in the village high street in 1994 before relocating six years later to a redundant council vehicle depot in the old Station Yard. It was expanded in 2008.
Collection
The Heritage Centre follows the history of two local railway lines – the Border Counties Railway from Hexham into Scotland, and the Wannie Line across the Wanney Hills to Morpeth. Farming is the mainstay of the local economy and many locals have loaned or donated objects or collections.
A central feature is the Stannersburn smithy owned by Arthur Grimwood. A temporary exhibition gallery hosts frequently changing exhibitions on local themes such as world war two air crashes, Roman heritage and churches.
Help at hand
It is managed by volunteers, from whom a board of trustees is elected. The Tourist Information Office shares the building, acting as a reception and admission point. The Northumberland National Park Authority has also been a strong supporter.
As part of a recent Heritage Lottery Fund grant, the centre is benefiting from educational and curatorial input for three years from consultant David Walmsley.
Budget
The centre relies on admission income (£4 adults) and sales of its local history books, CDs and DVDs. There is a small but loyal Circle of Friends. Selling images from its extensive photographic archive adds to the centre’s income.
Highlights
The recent purchase of two historic railway carriages that were restored to provide additional exhibition and learning space in one, and a tearoom in the other. This restoration project galvanised local people and forged new volunteer support.
Visitors
Steadily rising to 4,200 a year. With the opening of the tearoom, the centre hopes to increase numbers through the lucrative coach tour market. A new flexible learning space and a partnership with a nearby National Scout Camp are increasing the centre’s profile.
Sticky moments
Early in January, an advert appeared in the local press wrongly stating that Christmas trees could be left at the centre for recycling. Two volunteers who arrived after the Christmas holiday had to cut their way through a forest of resinous trees to gain entry.
Survival tip
“This is my first experience of working with volunteers,” says Walmsley. “It’s important to keep everyone informed. Running a volunteer heritage centre is a team effort.”
Current project
Agricultural shows are an important part of the area’s heritage. The centre is collecting material for a temporary exhibition, which it hopes to later integrate into its permanent farming gallery.
The surrounding area has connections with the first world war through the Territorial Force, which the Heritage Centre also wants to highlight.
www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk
