A County Durham cultural hub has secured a major funding boost to help it celebrate its past and plan for the future.
The Witham in Barnard Castle has been awarded £229,800 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a heritage project marking its 180-year history.
The funding will support We Are Witham: The Witham past, present and future, which aims to strengthen the centre's future while honouring its role in arts, culture, and community life.
Amy Hughes, director of The Witham, said: "We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
"Thanks to National Lottery players, we can celebrate The Witham’s 180-year story, involve more people in our heritage, and put in place the tools we need to secure a sustainable future for this historic venue."
The Witham, housed in Grade II listed Victorian buildings including an 1860 music hall, has served as a cultural cornerstone for generations.
The new funding will enable the centre to work with Dig Ventures to co-create a heritage programme with residents and volunteers.
This will include community-led activities, new displays, events, and digital storytelling.
Behind the scenes, the project will also focus on upskilling staff and training volunteers, developing audience engagement strategies, upgrading marketing, and investing in a new customer relation management system and website.
Liz Bromley, chair of the trustees, said: "The award of this grant is testimony to the hard work of the Witham team, and friends, who have worked towards safeguarding our future by celebrating our past.
"The Trustees are deeply grateful to everyone involved, and to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, for believing in the Witham."
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The funding will also help strengthen The Witham’s fundraising efforts to support long-term financial sustainability.
By improving skills, systems, and income streams, the project aims to ensure the historic venue continues to serve the community for generations to come.
The new funding will help secure its place at the heart of Teesdale’s cultural landscape for years to come.
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