Yarm Town Hall renovation plans hope to bring new visitors
It's hoped plans to transform Yarm Town Hall into a heritage centre will help restore the town and bring in more visitors.
It's hoped plans to transform Yarm Town Hall into a heritage centre will help restore the town and bring in more visitors.
Work on the historic building is due to begin on January 4th, and it could be open by the Spring.
The centrepiece attraction of the centre will be an exhibit of a 10th Century Viking helmet - which was unearthed in Yarm in the 50's, and was the first ever Viking helmet found in Britain.
It was discovered in Chapel Yard by workmen - and is currently on loan from Yarm Town Council to Preston Park Museum in Stockton, where it's been on display since 2012.
Peter Monck, who is leading the project for the town council, says;
"That's a fantastic bit of history,
“It was pretty fragile. We arranged for the Preston Park Museum to exhibit it. It’s been backwards and forwards to Durham University a few times where they’ve done various tests on it and preservation work.
“It’s now been confirmed as 10th-century. The story behind it is absolutely fantastic.
“In the interim we’re going to get a 3D model put in place. The 3D model’s going to be the centrepiece of the heritage centre.
“We’re hoping to get the original back at some point, but it’s complicated because it needs a special cabinet to put it in. Long-term we’d like it in the heritage centre but it’s not straightforward.
“Prior to the town hall there was a toll booth on the High Street, on top of it was a fire and flood bell, from about 1600. We’ve actually got that and that’s going on display as well. It will have been used many times.
“We’ve got a ceremonial sword belonging to Thomas Meynell, who was the lord of the manor. We’ve got a grandfather clock that was made in Yarm in about 1800.”
He said opening up six of the town hall’s arches and installing new glazing would create a display for artefacts, with an audio-visual specialist coming in to enhance the landmark’s displays.
Cllr Monck added: “We’re going to make the centre accessible to everybody. For a long time there’s been no access to the historical aspects of the town. This is an opportunity to tell residents and visitors about the history of Yarm.
“It’s going to be an attraction for the town to bring more people in. It’s an opportunity for people to learn about Yarm’s history, bearing in mind the town hall goes back to 1710.
“It’s not just about creating a heritage centre. It’s about restoring the town hall for future years and make it the focal point for the town.
“They’re going to take the weather vane away and get it working, which will be a treat. That’s never worked for 50 or 60 years because it’s been rusted solid.
“We’re going to showcase Yarm’s history. We’re trying to help the community get involved right from day one.
“We’re going to be working with some young people from Yarm School. Upstairs is going to be a meeting room and also an opportunity for schools to bring children in.
“It’s a big step forward. I’ve been involved in this for the last four years on behalf of the town council and it’s taken so long to get funding in place.
“I’ll be happy when I see the hoardings go up in January. I’m delighted. I can’t wait for it to start.”
Stockton Council worked in partnership with Yarm Town Council to develop proposals for the refurbishment, funded as part of the council’s successful application for £20m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund with contributions from the council’s Town Centres Investment Programme and the town council.