Memorial Hall 1914-18 Castle Street

40 Castle Street.

On the street is an arched entrance which has “War Memorial Hall” over the top, and it leads to a building through the back.

1914-18

Re-opened as War Memorial Hall and Institute on 1st February 1921.

Stone with brick extensions.

£850

Public subscription.

None

Memorial Hall of two storeys.

1. The building was originally built in 1866 as a Dissenters’ meeting house and school. It became a Reading Room and Lecture Hall, and was also used as Drill Hall for Percy Volunteer Artillery. It was bought by public subscription in 1920 as a war memorial hall, with the hopes of being extended.

2. A free library commenced on 5th February 1921.

3. Mr. Deuchar of Shortridge Hall had offered to pay the bank whatever the percentage over 4% was due on the loan.

4. The adjoining property had been bought for the purpose of extending the premises, and the vendor had refunded £25 towards the cost of the scheme.

5. For the 2014 commemoration, the building was attended to and a new name plate placed over the entrance.

Warkworth War Memorials

Photos: Tony Harding

Alnwick & County Gazette
20/03/1920 contains proposals for the memorials in the village;
29/01/1921 reports proposed re-opening on 01/02/1921;
12/02/1921 reports opening of free library.

Illustrated Chronicle
09/09/1920 reports bazaar to raise funds for the hall.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
09/09/1920 reports opening of fund-raising bazaar by the duchess of Northumberland.

Newcastle Daily Journal
19/03/1920 reports proposal to convert building into a village memorial hall;
09/09/1920 reports fund raising bazaar for the institute, in which there would be a reading room etc. A mortgage of £1,000 had been arranged.

War Memorial Hall Committee
Deeds relating to the building itself.

David Wood, former Secretary of War Memorial Hall Committee, Warkworth;
Janet Brown;
Michael Newrick;
Tony Harding;
June Watson;
Dorothy Hall

See the Warkworth Memorial website