Miners Hall, Redhills
The Heart of the Mining Community
Durham should be deeply grateful for the recently completed conservation and refurbishment of the Miner’s Hall. It has enabled the building to continue as a symbol of collective workers action and organisation and an important part of Durham’s townscape.
The award is principally for the achievement in preventing the deterioration of the building and its important parliament chamber and also to celebrate the hard work of the team in delivering the project. This required substantial effort in dealing with the usual practical and financial issues that spring from a major conservation project. The exterior and interior have been conserved without losing the essential character of the building. New additions to enable new educational and display functions have been handled with care to avoid impacting on the original building’s architecture. The contemporary additions remain true to themselves while complementing this exemplar Edwardian building.
The Hall opened in 1915, constructed after the original Hall on North Road became too small for its meeting and Union functions. It is the headquarters of the Durham Miner’s Association (DMA) and created through their determination to properly represent the miners of Durham. At mining’s peak It was the democratic hub for the 200,000 members of the union. The welfare functions were especially important, and the DMA is continuing with its social ambitions. The ties for people living in Durham are extensive through the living members of DMA and widespread family connections. It not possible to view the architecture divorcing it from the building’s social role. The connection lives on. This has been made crucial as mining has ceased across Durham and tangible reminders of its presence were removed from the coalfield settlements and communities.
Historic England summarises its historic role as:
- a powerful symbol of the emergence of a social reform movement, which laid the groundwork for the welfare state that would later be enshrined in parliamentary statute;
- in a national context, Redhills is considered the most outstanding example of trades-union inspired architecture in England.
Appropriately, Historic England has recently raised its listing status form Grade II to Grade II* and this should be seen as an appreciation both of the building’s importance and also the care taken in conservation and new build together.
English Heritage List Entry Number 1161184
Although reduced from the original vision due to financial restriction, the new extension and adaptions enable the display of the important Miner’s Banners and educational functions. The broader offer is as a venue for cultural events, conferences, and exhibitions and visitor attraction. All these are important in ensuring the future of the building and continuing the mining legacy.
As with all major refurbishments a great deal of thought and construction is devoted to upgrading its energy solutions. This been successfully achieved utilising , perhaps appropriately, ground source heat pumps as an energy system. Incorporating all the necessary adaptions such as access and fire escapes, without heavily impacting on the original essence of the building and its internal features is a challenge. Tying this to the necessary conservation is a major success. When the Pitman’s Parliament was stripped back to bare earth it was a reminder of just how extensive conservation work can be.
The importance of the building nationally and internationally is gaining greater recognition. This is partly linked to the grouping of workers assembly halls in Copenhagen, Ghent, Melbourne and Broken Hill that are seeking World Heritage status. While the Miner’s Hall is the equal of these, the nomination does not yet include it.
This architectural award is a tribute to the team and its hard work securing and delivering this major project and recognises the significance of the building and its roots in Durham’s mining communities.
Acceptance Speech
Historical Background
