Goals for mining centre
it’s our ambition, through The Common Room, to ensure it continues to inspire and engage the next generation of innovators and engineers.”
The aim is for The Common Room to serve as a hub for education and training, inspiring recruits to the engineering and manufacturing sectors in the North East and providing a forum for industrialists. It will also preserve the Grade II*-listed building in Westgate Road, with its church-like Wood Memorial Hall and semi-circular 1902 lecture theatre, and digitise its collections.
Dr Rick Smith, institute president, said: “It’s fantastic to enter the final phases of a hard-won strategy to revitalise Neville Hall and secure its future, as well as that of our valuable collections.
“Our founders would have approved wholeheartedly of The Common Room Project and its charitable objectives.”
In November 2016 the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £600,000 to the institute to work on plans for its future, and gave a further £4.1m in August last year. Liz Mayes said: “Despite having secured the Lottery grant, fundraising is still key to the success of this project. We don’t have all the money we need to realise our vision for The Common Room so we’ll be reaching out to private-sector partners, and further trusts and foundations to support us on our exciting journey.” ■ For more information about sponsorship and fundraising opportunities, email liz.mayes@ thecommonroom.org.uk. PICTURES: CRAIG CONNOR, NORTH NEWS & PICTURES (NORTHNEWS.CO.UK)
The Mining Institute has a long and proud history in Newcastle and its legacy will be protected and celebrated