THE Weardale Museum is currently closed while work continues to completely refurbish the adjoining High House Chapel but the work of the trusty band of volunteers continues around the north of the country – both east and west.
This weekend, for instance, they have been to Gateshead promoting Weardale through their exhibitions, which are proving very popular. Last month they were at Chester le Street and next month, Blanchland, Ushaw College, Allenheads, and Hexham.
Last year they promoted not only the museum and chapel but Weardale itself in the South Lakes, Carlisle, Roker and Bishop Auckland. And it doesn’t stop there with a full programme of exhibitions planned for next year and next year in Ilkley and Darlington.
David Heatherington, former Head Teacher, former Curator and long-serving volunteer of the Weardale Museum, said, “The Arts Council and Heritage Lottery, which has donated large grants to the Museum and High House, require us to demonstrate community involvement and its offer to new audiences. This is challenging because is a rural community like Weardale new audiences have to be sought from further afield.
“As a small volunteer organisation without the rich resources of a big organisation or benefactor I think we go above and beyond their requirements. There is a lot going on behind that seemly untidy worksite at High House Chapel.”
The Weardale Museum, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, provides a sense of place for those who live and visit Weardale by telling the stories of its history and heritage. Attached is High House Chapel, which was the oldest Methodist Chapel in continuous use until it closed down s few years ago. It was used continuously for 250 years and is a constant reminder of John Wesley, the father of Methodism who visited Weardale many times. The Trustees acquired it but it was in need of a full refurbishment for which they managed to gain funding.
The Museum also specialises in providing family history research for people who have ancestors from Weardale.
The photographs used in this article illustrate the activities in The North East but not the eleven exhibitions in the South Lakes, Carlisle and Halifax last year plus projected talks lined up in Alnwick and Dunbar later this year. Trustees, of course, are deeply involved in trying to manage the refurbishment of the Chapel and the complexities of satisfying the criteria laid down by the funding bodies. It is no easy task but they don’t shirk from it and despite being a small group, they continue to fly the flag for Weardale around the area and beyond.
“We are, of course, very grateful to our funders but it is not always straightforward and our teams are small,” added David who is always ready to welcome new volunteers. “People always ask where we are from and we are proud to tell them about Weardale and implore them to visit. We need to have our trumpet blown more widely.
If you are interested in helping out at the Weardale Museum, you can visit the website at Weardale Museum & High House Chapel where an email address and telephone number can be found.
