Work starts on HLF-funded restoration as plans for relaunch are also announced
The £1.2 million Heritage Lottery Fund (“HLF”) funded restoration of the Grade II listed Barrow Hill Roundhouse near Chesterfield is now well underway and the Roundhouse team is also delighted to be able to confirm the initial details of its grand re-opening which will take place in September 2017.
Contractors T&C Williams of Sheffield started work on site in January and their first job was to remove the 1960s flat roofed kitchen extension. This area has now been cleared and levelled ready to be replaced with a larger, light and modern new entrance building incorporating a new kitchen, eating area and toilets. The design of the new building will allow the original doors and windows on this side of the Roundhouse to be revealed for the first time in over 50 years.
Work has also started on vital conservation work in the Roundhouse itself as the steel structure of the roof is treated and repainted. In other parts of the Roundhouse false ceilings have been temporarily removed to reveal the unique roof structure of the building whilst it is re-wired. The original blue brick flooring has also been taken up so that an underfloor heating system can be installed before the bricks are carefully replaced. Work is also taking place on the Coal Stage – the Roundhouse’s viewing area during special events – to provide an improved walking route and viewing area with new safety railings for visitors.
Although work is expected to continue until August 2017, there will be a break in activities in May to allow Barrow Hill’s renowned Rail Ale Festival – the most atmospheric beer festival of the year – to take place on 18th, 19th and 20th May. This will provide visitors with an opportunity to have a sneak preview of the works that have been taking place at the Roundhouse.
With work due to be completed at the end of August, this will give the Barrow Hill team a few weeks to prepare for the September 2017 relaunch event: the highlight of a four day celebration will be the visit of three icons of steam – A3 60103 Flying Scotsman, A1 60163 Tornado and Rocket.
This will be the first visit to the Roundhouse by Flying Scotsman since the Barrow Hill Open Day in 1974 and the return visit from the Rocket 12 years after it took part in the celebration of George Stephenson’s connections with Chesterfield in 2005.
Although Flying Scotsman has been seen in Derbyshire since the completion of its overhaul in 2016, this will be the first opportunity for many in the region to get up close to the locomotive alongside her sister East Coast racehorse Tornado, seen against the unique and authentic backdrop of the Roundhouse.
The four day celebration is taking place from Thursday 21st September 2017 to Sunday 24th September 2017. Thursday 21st September will see the premiere of a specially commissioned play funded by the Arts Council celebrating the incredible survival story of the Roundhouse with live steam adding an exciting backdrop. The play will continue on the evenings of Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September.
During the day on Saturday 23rd September and Sunday 24th September the Roundhouse will open its doors to the general public for a truly special steam gala with visitors able to see for the first time the comprehensive but sympathetic HLF-funded restoration.
Mervyn Allcock, General Manager of Barrow Hill Roundhouse, said:-
“It has been amazing to see a building that I and many others have worked so hard to preserve now having work done to it to give it a new lease of life. Our September relaunch promises to be a fabulous celebration of all the hard work that is going on at the Roundhouse at the moment and will mark the start of the next exciting chapter in the story of this amazing architectural survivor in the most appropriate way.”
More details of the ongoing restoration project and the September relaunch will be announced over the coming months.
