What’s Happening Under the Tent……..
Our Latest Update
— Aug/Sept 2018 —
Building Work Update
Work will start again on the chapel at the beginning of September. Walker Conservation Specialists Limited made a successful bid to complete the restoration work and their tender has been approved by the Heritage Lottery Fund. You may recognise the faces – Marcus and his brother Adrian have set up their own company and this is their first big job. We’re looking forward to working with them and wish them every success.
Heritage Open Days
On Sunday 9th and Sunday 16th September Nenthead is taking part in the national Heritage Open Days scheme. The Chapel and the Mines will be open for tours to the public. There will be demonstrations of Heritage Crafts on each day and on 9th September Wrights Bros.’ vintage bus will be running free trips between the South Tynedale Railway train station, Alston and Nenthead. See the Heritage Open Day posters or search Nenthead at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk for more information.
Annual General Meeting.
Nenthead Chapel Enterprise Limited’s well attended Annual General Meeting took place on Sunday 8th July in Nenthead Village Hall. We were joined by Alice Wharton of Co-ops UK, who gave a lively talk about the benefits of being a Community Benefit Society. Peter Davidson then updated everyone on project progress. Three Directors had to stand down and two chose to stand again. Our thanks go to Simon Tisdall and Jackie Carnell, directors who have served on the Board. Our current Directors are: Sandra MacKenzie (Chair), Sian Griffith-Jones (Company Secretary), Peter Davidson, Tom Beattie, Brian Aves, Ian Taylor-Lynch and Alison Baker.
If you have shares in the chapel and would like the opportunity to have a direct input into the development of the new business, then we’d like to hear from you. Please feel free to contact Kim for more information (link at the end of this update).
Photograph Appeal
Thanks to those who have sent in Nenthead photographs – here are a selection of some of the lovely images we’ve received so far. Our thanks to Mike Knowles and others.
If you have any photos you would like to share, please email low resolution images to Kim by clicking on this link. The pictures, with your permission, may be used on the new website, in marketing material, as retail items and potentially in the local press.
JOB OPPORTUNITY; ACTIVITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work with the board of Nenthead Chapel Enterprise Ltd to deliver our Heritage Lottery Funded Activity Plan for the up and coming Nenthead Arts & Visitor Centre. This is a key role and it is vital that the Activity Plan is progressed at the same pace as the renovation project to ensure a successful opening programme in 2019. This position is offered on a self-employed basis, 2 days per week, 12-month fixed term contract, commencing September/October 2018.
For further information, please contact: our Project Manager - Kim
Tel: 0777 152 1592
Restoring glory and telling the story….
What's it all about?
The chapel will become;
-
Before the Restoration:
Nenthead Chapel's Past
Nenthead Chapel sits in the middle of one of the foremost mining villages of the North Pennines. The village of Nenthead was designed by the London Lead Mining Company as a ‘model’ village and was at one time at the forefront of social reform. Nenthead was the first village in Britain to have electric street lighting and the ‘Reading Rooms’ were the first free public lending library in the UK. Nenthead has a fascinating story to tell……..
The former Methodist Chapel, a Grade II Listed Building, stands on a site close to where John Wesley held his outdoor sermons. At one time the entire population of Nenthead (close to 2,000 people in its heyday) would have worshipped in the Chapel regularly. They had to, or else thy didn’t get paid! Services ceased in 2002 and in the intervening years the building has been closed to the public and fallen into disrepair. -
Present:
Modern Day…….
The community of Nenthead are working together to save this important landmark. They plan to bring the Chapel back to life in the heart of the village. The Chapel now belongs to Nenthead and work is underway to open the chapel doors again, with a new look and as a place where locals and visitors can enjoy a little bit of history, meet up and take a well-earned rest.
Under the banner of ‘Nenthead Chapel Community Project’ a Heritage Lottery Grant of £1,699,500 has been secured. Matched funding has also come from Eden District Council, Cumberland Building Society, The Hadfield Trust, various Quaker organisations and individual members of the local community. -
The Future
Securing the Future
The Chapel will provide a warm welcome for locals and the many visitors who spend time here. Ambitious plans include a café, local shopping experience, exhibition space and workshop space.
Explore this site to find out how you can be involved and to watch the progress
Video about the Nenthead Chapel Project
Work will start again on the chapel at the beginning of September. Walker Conservation Specialists Limited made a successful bid to complete the restoration work and their tender has been approved by the Heritage Lottery Fund. You may recognise the faces – Marcus and his brother Adrian have set up their own company and this is their first big job. We’re looking forward to working with them and wish them every success.