Rain-battered 17th Century village hall at risk

Repair works to Gosforth Public Hall are to be carried out over the winter period, Historic England says

A Grade II* listed hall which is almost 400 years old has been added to the latest at-risk register published by Historic England.

The 17th Century Gosforth Public Hall, in Seascale, Cumbria, is one of 13 North West sites to make the list after it was found to be severely "degraded" by rain water accumulating in the walls.

Originally built in about 1628 for residents Robert and Isabel Copley, the hall was gifted to the village in 1930 and has a library, meeting rooms and a hall-sharing space.

Historic England says it has committed £425,000 from the government's heritage at-risk capital fund, for repairs including a new roof and re-rendering of weather-exposed parts of the building.

The hall's beamed ceilings and inglenook fireplace are notable points of heritage interest.

However, a building survey revealed mortar and render on the outside had been replaced in the past by concrete render, which does not allow the building to "breathe".

Peter Barlow, north west architect for Historic England, said the hall faced significant structural challenges with driving rain from the west coast penetrating the roof and walls.

The hall has a library described as "essential" for village life

Jacqueline Williams, Gosforth Parish Council clerk, said for decades rain water had been collecting within a "concrete sandwich" so the fabric of the building had been completely degraded.

She said: "We are in quite a remote part of the country, and although beautiful we really don't have much around us so the hall is used by many."

The hall also houses a costume collection for the village's amateur dramatic performances

Groups including amateur dramatic societies, university groups as well as the Women's Institute use the hall which Ms Williams says is essential to village life and helps "combats social isolation".

Mr Barlow added that the "vital community hub" serves a "far wider area" than just the village.

He said the works, which will "ensure the long-term resilience of the cherished rural building", will be completed over the winter period.

Ms Williams said the listed part of the hall was currently closed and although the repairs were causing disruption, villagers were supportive of the work.