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: thewitham@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 Up Ramp (up)

Steps 2 Steps

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 24th of July 2008 until 30 July 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: 4 Dimensions
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Thursday the 31st of July 2008 until 06 August 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Trevor Woods
Chris Best
01833 631107
On Saturday the 02nd of August 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Table Top Sale
Chris Best
01833 631107
On Saturday the 09th of August 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Craft Fair

01325 354964 (evening)
On Thursday the 14th of August 2008 until 20 August 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Christine Mason
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Saturday the 23rd of August 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Yorkshire Craft Fair

01423 545377
Visit the website at www.yorkshirefairs.co.uk
On Thursday the 28th of August 2008 until 03 September 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Jeff Beaumont
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Thursday the 04th of September 2008 until 10 September 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Copley Painters for Pleasure
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Saturday the 06th of September 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Table Top Sale
Chris Best
01833 631107
On Sunday the 07th of September 2008
19:00 Barnard Castle Rich Heritage - talk by Denise Charlton
Chris Best
01833 631107
On Thursday the 11th of September 2008 until 17 September 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Barry Lawson
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Saturday the 13th of September 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Craft Fair

01325 354964 (evening)
On Thursday the 25th of September 2008 until 01 October 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Lee Hutchinson
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Saturday the 27th of September 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Yorkshire Craft Fair

01423 545377
Visit the website at www.yorkshirefairs.co.uk
On Thursday the 02nd of October 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Quartz
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Saturday the 04th of October 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Table Top Sale
Chris Best
01833 631107
On Thursday the 09th of October 2008 until 22 October 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Teesdale Glass Engraving Exhibition
Joan Staley
01833 640545
Visit the website at www.teesdaleglassengravers.co.uk
On Saturday the 11th of October 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Craft Fair

01325 354964 (evening)
On Saturday the 18th of October 2008
10:00 to 14:00 Friends of Richardson Hospital Autumn Bazaar
Traditional autumn bazaar with annual prize draw, tombola, home produce, books, bric-a-brac, games and refreshments.
Iris Hillery
01833 690860
All proceeds benefit the Richardson Community Hospital
On Thursday the 23rd of October 2008 until 29 October 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Barnard Castle and Teesdale Arts Society
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Saturday the 25th of October 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Yorkshire Craft Fair

01423 545377
Visit the website at www.yorkshirefairs.co.uk
On Thursday the 30th of October 2008 until 05 November 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Judy Brown
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Thursday the 06th of November 2008 until 19 November 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: John Pickering
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Thursday the 20th of November 2008 until 26 November 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Mr and Mrs Whitely
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Sunday the 23rd of November 2008
19:00 Talks Programme: Hay Time
Learn from John O'Reilly about the Hay Time project being run by the North Pennines AONB Partnership.
Chris Best
01833 631107
£3.50 members, £4.00 non members including refreshments
On Thursday the 27th of November 2008 until 03 December 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Jill Hirst
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Thursday the 04th of December 2008 until 10 December 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Ray Landon and Geoff Hewitt
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
On Thursday the 11th of December 2008 until 17 December 2008
10:00 to 16:00 Castle Gallery Exhibition: Megan Childs
Chris Best
01833 631107
Free admission
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 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
Tony Craig
01833 690098
Not on from mid July - beginning September
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