Memorial Hall 1914-18 1939-45 Roadside

Otterburn Memorial Hall

a. 1914-18
b. 1939-45

a. Opened April/May 1923 by the Duke of Northumberland.

Sandstone from Blaxter quarry.

About £1,200

The land was given by the Morrison-Bell family who owned the Percy Arms Hotel.
Vaux Breweries contributed towards the cost and also the Duke of Northumberland, who officially opened it.
Funds were raised by public efforts.

Builder, Tinlin of Kirkwhelpington.
Designed by C. Franklin Murphy of Morpeth.

Otterburn Memorial Hall
1914-1919

Memorial Hall.

A carved sandstone lintel over the door gives the name of the hall and dates in raised sans serif capitals, surrounded by the names of nine men who died in 1914-18 incised in sans serif capitals.

A plaque to the left of the lintel bears the single name from 1939-45, incised in sans serif capitals.

Two carved inscriptions on either side of the door gives the names of those who served in 1914-18, listed in two columns on each stone, using incised sans serif capitals.

1. The Hall was built to replace a former ‘rifle range’ and wooden hall which served as a reading room, library and billiards room. The sandstone was brought from the Blaxter quarry, 6 miles away. The stone was sold cheaply by the quarry owner and brought in ex-army lorries. The drivers, Joseph Forster and Mr. J. Potts of Otterburn and Mr. R. Luke of Elsdon provided their services free. The hall seated 100 people.

2. In order to keep costs down, stone was led by locals from Blaxter Quarry free of charge.

3. Among fund raising efforts was a Wireless Concert and Dance.

4. At the Opening ceremony, the Duke of Northumberland was given a gold pencil.

Photos: J. Brown; P. Thirkell; old postcard: Tony Harding

Alnwick & County Gazette
30/09/1922 reports 9 tenders received, and Mr. Tinlin’s accepted etc.;
13/01/1923 reports Wireless concert;
05/05/1923 reports unveiling.

Illustrated Chronicle
04/05/1923 reports unveiling with photos.

Morpeth Herald
30/01/1920 reports on fund raising event;
29/09/1922 reports on tenders and other matters;
12/01/1923 reports Wireless Concert;

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
27/06/1919 reports fund raising sports event.

In private hands
Deeds and photographs are held by Mr I.L. Hedley, Overacres, who, as a small boy, presented an official programme of the opening to “a stern Duke”.

Morpeth County Library
Postcard collection.

Redewetter No.6 Magazine of the Redesdale Society.

Redesdale Society;
Philip Thirkell;
Ken and Dorothy Southern;
Janet Brown;
Colin N. Dallison;
Raymond Ion;
Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk