Volunteer Heritage visit to St Hilda’s area, Middlesbrough, 03.10.24
As part of a tour organised by Bobbie Bailey for Navigator North, I was very interested in seeing these important buildings. I have an interest in historical buildings and also my family lived over the Border, probably from the late 1840s.
The Captain Cook pub (exterior – image above, interior – images below) looks fantastic from the outside. I must admit I was expecting the interior to be in the state it was when it was a pub. It was stripped back to bare walls. There were some fantastic fireplaces and the staircase was amazing. The Council representatives, Claire Bell and Jack Walton explained that the building was made waterproof and that they are in the process of finding tenants for the building.
I always prefer that a building reverts back to its original use if it is at all possible. Otherwise as long as the building is kept in the original condition on the outside, I accept that sometimes a building needs to find a new use.
p.a. morbid
“For me what was most interesting was the look inside the Captain Cook, stripped back as it was. It was also very interesting hearing the plans for the old town hall and previous plans for the area.”
We then visited the Old Town Hall (image above). This visit was only on the outside. We were shown the plans (images below) for the building and the surrounding area by Lisa McFarlane of Seven Architecture. They were impressive, although it would mean demolishing the Healthcare centre of the extended building, which I was hoping would be kept.
We were told the building would not be accessible to the public, which we thought was a mistake. It was pointed out that some photos and information in the building about it’s heritage would enhance the building and suggestions included making that part of the building accessible to members of the public. Lisa made a note of it and said she would take that back to the people concerned.
Hopefully, this will be a new start for the area, as it deserves to succeed.
To make comments on the planning application, comments can be sent via email to MDCplanning@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
Volunteer Arts visit to Redcar, 10.10.24
After the group met at Middlesbrough Railway Station and travelled together to Redcar, we had a slow wander through the town, before arriving to the sea front and Redcar Palace – an arts venue ran by Tees Valley Arts.
We were welcomed by the volunteer coordinator, Dee Stevens who offered us hot drinks whilst James Beighton, the director, explained where they had come from and how long they had been there. Dee explained what she does and their work with volunteers. Then staff member and exhibiting artist Aphra O’Connor, talked to the group about her work which was on display. I was very impressed with the artwork.
While we were there most had a fish and chip lunch, which was very nice. Before we had to leave, I went for a walk on the beach and collected a few things. We left Redcar Palace at 1:30pm and most of the group had a Lemon Top, sitting in the shelter eating our ice cream. The starlings were taking an interest in us.
Bethan Turner
“I really enjoyed the trip to Redcar, getting to know the artist community in the town at the Redcar Palace and Redcar Contemporary Art Gallery which was great to know about for maybe for a possible exhibition to display my portraits.”
We then went to the Redcar Contemporary Art Gallery, where we were met by the owner Miyoko Yamashita who explained what they had done with the building and their opportunities for local artists.
Miyoko talked about the artwork by David Venables in the ground floor gallery and I was very impressed (image below).
Sarah Elizabeth Falconer
“I was inspired to make some art after the visit and I’ll be displaying some of this in the upcoming exhibition at Redcar Contemporary Art Gallery in December.”
There was another art installation by Bobby Benjamin upstairs, which Miyoko explained the meanings behind (image below).
I will visit both these art galleries next time I am in Redcar. With our time finally up we took a short walk to the railway station, where we didn’t have to wait long for our train. The weather stayed fine. Everyone had a lovely time.
Blog post by Navigator North volunteer, Paul Andrew Boden about the ‘Go See’ visits supported through Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund with Know Your Neighbourhood funding.
Photos by Vicky Holbrough unless credited otherwise.