The Brancepeth Archive and History Group was formed in 2006 with the aim of gathering, recording and sharing the history of the ancient Parish of Brancepeth.
Over the past 15 years, its collection has grown significantly with many items now recorded digitally.
The catalogue now contains some 27,000 items but has been dependent on members to house the records. The group has always dreamed of finding a more publicly accessible home for the archive.
Then, in late 2019, the trustees of Brancepeth Castle offered the use of the splendid former Billiard Room in Lord Boyne’s day, which was an offer the group could not refuse!
Refurbishment
A significant part of the work undertaken to get the room ready to receive the archive was the refurbishment of a number of bookcases that had originally been in Lord Boyne’s library.
A government Covid Recovery Grant enabled a commission from Mike Davis for new stained glass in the room’s two windows. The preparatory work was knocked well off-course by Covid. However the group is now able to open the doors to the archive.
“To a very large part this is due to the generosity of many charities, trusts and individuals,” says group volunteer, Vivienne Lowe, “including the Mid Durham Area Action Partnership, the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust and the Skinners’ Company Lady Neville Charity which awards small grants to local grassroots organisations.”
What’s in the Archive Room?
The Archive Room contains a large collection of documents, maps, pictures, photographs, books and artefacts, all relating to the history of the ancient parish.
Together they tell the story of the people who have lived and worked in the parish, the buildings they occupied and the organisations they belonged to.
The Brancepeth Archive Trustees welcome queries from anyone wanting to know more about either their own family history or taking a more general interest in the history of Brancepeth.
The Archive Room is open to visitors on the first Saturday of every month between 9am and 1pm.
Arrangements can be made to visit the room at other times.
Anyone wishing to make an appointment or wanting further information should make contact via email at brancepeth.archive@outlook.com.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
