'Pitman's Parliament' under new ownership
The North East’s historic ‘Pitman’s Parliament’ has been handed over to the people.
Durham Miners Association (DMA) has handed over ownership of its historic home – honouring the pledge it made when it launched its plan to secure the future of Redhills, Durham Miners Hall.
The Grade II-listed building was purpose-built as the headquarters of the DMA in 1915 – a Pitman’s Parliament, from where delegates created a pioneering social system across County Durham before the advent of the national welfare state.
The DMA has spent four years working to secure the future of Redhills as a centre of heritage, culture, and education and, earlier this year, was awarded £4.5m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – pledging to hand over ownership to the communities in the former Durham coalfield.
It did that by creating a charity to serve as stewards of the Miners Hall on behalf of the public and ownership of Durham Miners Hall has been transferred to Redhills Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
The historic building will be fully restored, with modern facilities to enable Redhills to offer a wide-ranging programme of activities and resources to community groups.
Building work is due to get underway early next year.
Alan Mardghum, Secretary of the DMA, said: “This is an historic day for the DMA as we return Redhills to the people.
"Our thanks go to the CIO board members who have stepped up to serve as the stewards and we know that Redhills will be in safe hands and will serve our people for generations to come.”