Barnard Castle Witham Hall

Barnard Castle Witham Hall - Main Shot

The Town
Barnard Castle is a market town and has a unique historical character. It has been recognised nationally as one of the 51 most historically and architecturally important towns in Great Britain. The town is named after the 12th century castle that was founded by Bernard Baliol. The castle was protected by the River Tees and the ruins attract many tourists to the town. Other attractions in the town include the Butter Market and the Bowes Museum.

The Hall

The Witham Hall is named after Henry Witham of Lartington. He was a benevolent and generous person and withdrew to Edinburgh where he became a distinguished geologist pioneering the study of fossils under the microscope. In 1832 on the death of his mother Henry and his family returned to Lartington and he founded the Barnard Castle Mechanics Institute and assisted in the provision of a Dispensary Society. He died in 1844 and in 1854 the Witham Hall was built by public subscription as a testimonial to him to house Barnard Castle Mechanics Institute and the Dispensary Society. The architect was ‘Green of Newcastle.’ In the beginning the Hall was managed by Trustees, with two other separate management committees for the Mechanics’ Institute and Dispensary. This was complex and ultimately unworkable. Declining income prevented the Trustees from repairing the building. In the early 1980s, the hall was repaired with help from the local authorities, while use was managed first by the YMCA and then by a Witham Hall Community Association, with financial assistance from Durham County Council. The historic organisations still existed. In the late 1990s, all parties merged into one organisation, called The Witham, while ownership of the Hall building passed to the Charity Commission. The Witham is now a registered charity, with individual and group membership.
The size and layout of the Witham Hall makes it an ideal choice for private and business functions.

The hall is available for hire for:

• Meetings/Seminars
• Social Events
• Fairs and Sales
• Rehearsals
• Training
• Functions
• Parties
• Stage Productions/Concerts
• Sports Classes
• Dances

Regular activities ongoing at the hall include concerts, talks, art exhibitions, sales and fayres.

Features

Rooms: This large building contains a number of rooms:

Main Hall (ground floor): This room is suitable for dances, theatrical performances, large meetings, exhibitions and sales of work. It is 57’ x 38’ and has windows with blackout and some stage lighting. Maximum seating capacity is 150

Castle Gallery (ground floor): This room is available on a weekly basis for exhibitions. The room is 27’ x 13’ with a hanging space of 600 square feet. Seating capacity up to 30.

Snack Bar (ground floor): This room is suitable for small meetings and education classes. Seating capacity up to 30.

Kitchen (ground floor): This is suitable only for the preparation of hot and cold drinks and any other catering has to be externally sourced by arrangement with the Administrator.

The Witham Room (first floor):This room is ideal for business or private meetings/workshops and small scale performances. The room is 34’ x 27’ and has curtains for blackout and will have a drop down projection screen. Seating capacity up to 50 people theatre style or 24 in conference style.

Hall Street Meeting Room (first floor): This is available as a meeting room or as temporary office space. This room is 28’ x 18’ and has a seating capacity of up to 20.

Heating: Available throughout hall

Facilities: The hall has a large stage suitable for productions and concerts and the sprung wooden floor in the main hall, the best in the North East, make it an ideal venue for dances.

Equipment: The hall has adequate chairs and tables and there is ample crockery and cutlery available. There is also a variety of sports and play equipment. Stage lighting and a PA system are also available.

Parking: No designated car park. Parking is available on the main street or at the town car park. There is access for all to the main hall from Hall Street for drop off but parking is not permitted here.

Hire Charges: Contact the hall directly

Registered Charity Number: 1076111

Contact

The Administrator - 01833 631107 Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk

Barnard Castle Witham Hall - Alternate Shot
The Front Entrance

Barnard Castle Witham Hall - Alternate Shot
Stained Glass Window

Barnard Castle Witham Hall - Alternate Shot
Craft Group

Barnard Castle Witham Hall - Alternate Shot
Tea Dance

Barnard Castle Witham Hall - Alternate Shot
The Witham Room

Facilities

WC WC

Parking On Street Parking


Ramp Down Ramp (down)

Ramp Up Ramp (up)

Wheelchair Access to Side Wheelchair Access to Side (by prior arr.)

What's On at Barnard Castle Witham Hall

Coming Up Contact Notes
On Thursday the 25th of June 2009 until 25 July 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Stitch in 9
An exciting exhibition of textile art from a group of skilful artists and friends.
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 02nd of July 2009 until 08 July 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Rachael Bates and Kim Seymour
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 09th of July 2009 until 15 July 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Jeanette Pook
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 16th of July 2009 until 22 July 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Mary Gilbertson
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 23rd of July 2009 until 29 July 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Janet Orme
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 30th of July 2009 until 05 August 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Andrew Jenkin
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 06th of August 2009 until 12 August 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Trevor Woods
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 13th of August 2009 until 19 August 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Vervey
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 20th of August 2009 until 26 August 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Copley's Painting for Pleasure
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 27th of August 2009 until 02 September 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Four Dimensions
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 03rd of September 2009 until 09 September 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Christine Mason
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 10th of September 2009 until 16 September 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Barry Lawson
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 17th of September 2009 until 23 September 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Lee Hutchinson
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 24th of September 2009 until 30 September 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Mary Fishburn
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 01st of October 2009 until 07 October 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Jill Hirst
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 08th of October 2009 until 14 October 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Geoff Hewitt and Ray Landon
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 15th of October 2009 until 21 September 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Gina Morton
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 22nd of October 2009 until 28 October 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Suzanne Herbert
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Monday the 26th of October 2009 until 04 November 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Barnard Castle and Teesdale Arts Society
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 05th of November 2009 until 18 November 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Glass Engraving Exhibition
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Tuesday the 10th of November 2009 until 16 November 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Jeanette Pook
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 19th of November 2009 until 02 December 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: John Pickering
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 03rd of December 2009 until 09 December 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Geoff Hewitt and Ray Landon
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
On Thursday the 17th of December 2009 until 23 December 2009
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Teesdale Artists' Network
Chris Best
01833 631107
Email: thewitham3@tiscali.co.uk
Weekly Contact Notes
Mondays
13:30 to 15:30 Carpet Bowls
Chris Best
01833 631107
Mondays
15:45 to 19:15 Ballet Classes
Chris Best
01833 631107
Mondays
19:00 to 22:00 Castle Players
Chris Best
01833 631107
From September 2008
Mondays
20:00 to 22:00 Badminton
Chris Best
01833 631107
Tuesdays
09:30 to 11:30 Parent and Toddler Group
Chris Best
01833 631107
Tuesdays
12:00 to 13:00 Pilates
Russell Turner
07951 782657
Tuesdays
14:00 to 16:00 Craft and Chat
Chris Best
01833 631107
Tuesdays
16:00 to 21:00 Ballet/Dance Classes
Junior to Adult
Chris Best
01833 631107
Tuesdays
19:30 to 21:00 Yoga
Helen Tait
01325 466478
Wednesdays
15:45 to 18:45 Ballet Classes
Chris Best
01833 631107
Wednesdays
16:00 to 21:00 Turrets - Junior Drama Group
9 - 16 year olds
Jill Cole
01833 631838
From September 2008
Wednesdays
20:00 to 22:00 Black Sheep Morris Dancers
Chris Best
01833 631107
Thursdays
10:00 to 12:00 Art Forum
Geoff Hewitt
01833 650174
Thursdays
10:00 to 11:00 Keep Fit to Music
Chris Best
01833 631107
Thursdays
16:00 to 21:00 Turrets - Junior Drama Group
9 - 16 year olds
Jill Cole
01833 631838
From September 2008
Fridays
14:00 to 16:00 Community Tea Dance
Maurice Forster
01833 638962
Fridays
14:00 to 16:00 Craft Group
Chris Best
01833 631107
Saturdays
10:00 to 11:30 Turrets - Junior Drama Group
10 and 11 year olds
Jill Cole
01833 631838
From September 2008
Fortnightly Contact Notes
Every other Thursday
14:00 to 16:00 Afternoon Club
Chris Best
01833 631107
Monthly (last of a month) Contact Notes
The last Wednesday of every month
11:00 to 14:00 4 C's Refreshments
A friendly cafe - proceeds go to charity.
Chris Best
01833 631107

LOCATION

Directions

The Witham Hall is situated in Horsemarket in the centre of Barnard Castle.
Hall Postcode: DL12 8LY