News

March 2025

At last the scaffolding has gone up and protection for the Hall's lancet windows is being installed by Iona Art Glass of Amble. This is to stop water ingress in times of storms - see October 2023 below.

£29,000 has been fundraised from charities including the Burgage Holders of Alnmouth, the Barbour Foundation, the William Webster Charitable Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Bernard Sunley Foundation.

2024 AGM

The Hindmarsh Hall AGM took place on Tuesday May 28th.

The Chairman reported that

The Hall is working well
Financially it covers its costs
With help from funders including the Burgage Holders it has purchased storage cupboards, new tables and trolleys and a noticeboard for the top of the village.
The footfall for 2023/4 was over 10,000 and on average the hall is used 6 times a week.
During Storm Babet and other winter storms, water came in through the east windows and protection is needed to prevent this in future.
We’re looking for volunteers to help catalogue the Bettess Collection – do get in touch if you’re interested.
The current Trustees all sought and gained re-election: Maureen Bickerdike, Bill Bourne, Nikki Brierley, David Denton, Sean Hammill, Jonathan Letchfield, Elaine Stead, Sally Wilson and Judy Woodford.
‘Be a Friend of the Hindmarsh Hall’ initiative was launched. The Hall needs lots of man power. Volunteer with a friend and have twice the fun! Only sign up for the tasks you enjoy.

View the full minutes and Chairman's Report HERE

October 2023

Storm Babet wreaked havoc at the Hall. The sealant on the roof of the extension was found wanting and remedial action was needed.

Upstairs the lancet windows again proved leaky under storm conditions. We will have to consider installing protective coverings on them if we can source the funds.

2023 AGM

Elaine Stead submitted her report (Appendix 1) in which she reported that another very successful fundraising effort had paid for the lift to be replaced and the storage extension to be built. A number of small, tidying up jobs will complete the current schedule of works. The Hall is busy with more than 150 users each week. Feedback from both regular and new hirers is very positive. The trustees have a prudent financial strategy, but would very much welcome new volunteers with a few hours to spare.

View minutes and Chair's report here

April 2023 - Our Extension/Storeroom is complete

We just need a few more funds to fit it out but already its wonderful to be able to store our tables and chairs and other equipment out of the way.

We are grateful to the following funders who have supported the project:

Northumberland Freemasons
Sir James Knott
Joicey Trust
Northumberland Estates
Garfield Weston
The Barbour Foundation
The Burgage Holders of Alnmouth
NCC Community Chest
Alnmouth WI
William Webster
Bernard Sunley
The Foyle Foundation

2022 AGM

The 2022 AGM was held on Monday May 30th. Chair, Elaine Stead, reflected on a successful year to 31st March 2022 in which the refurbishment of the upper hall was completed and the Hall re-opened in August. Bookings since then have excellent and a programme of events has been well attended. Elaine continued to explain that the Trustees are now moving on to raise funds for the much needed storage extension in the yard at the back of the Hall. Plans and computer images of the extension were shown. Full minutes and text of the Chair's report can be seen here.

Coffee Morning for Ukraine

The Trustees threw the Hall open on March 12th for a 'free' coffee morning. Donations were invited for Ukraine and a massive £1,582 was raised with more donations promised. A wonderful effort from Jill and her team.

2021 AGM

The 2021 AGM took place on September 7th. Chairman Bill Bourne reported on a very successful 12 months spent raising funds for and completing the renovation of the Upper Hall. The Covid pandemic gave an opportunity for the work to be done while the Hall was closed. Jill Bourne and Shian Hartshorne stood down as Trustees. Bill was thanked by residents and trustees for his unstinting work and vision through the renovation process.

At the subsequent Trustees' meeting Hilda Blythe replaced Bill as Chair. Lucy Frost was welcomed as a co-opted member of the Trustees.

Grand Re-opening
31st July 2021

Our refurbished upper Hall was re-opened by County Councillor Gordon Castle