The Cumbria Record - Alston Hub of North Pennines

Scene of Activity at the Hub

Alston's vision for a permanent heritage site Hub of the North Pennines, has been so successful that despite the original concept having been achieved they are now looking to develop the project further.

The aim of the project was to turn a modest temporary local transport exhibition into a permanent heritage and transport museum. It was hoped that the museum would be open for at least 150 days a year free of charge, although donations would be welcomed. The plan was to improve the quality of exhibits and increase the relevance of the museum to its locality.

A large group of enthusiasts, all with diverse interests and abilities but biased towards transportation and local history, were the founders of the project. They then approached the sponsors of the current exhibition and the owners of the old goods shed in which it was housed, to put forward their proposal.

A vintage car on display The next step was to become a registered company and to find a group of trustees and a secretary to co-ordinate the task ahead. They then became a registered charity, a custodian was employed and all the basic legal requirements such as insurance, were put in place.

The Hub of the North Pennines is now in its third year and has received over 12,000 visitors, with many complimentary entries in the visitors book. Almost every exhibit now has a true or fanciful local story attached to it collected by or from Alston residents.

"By talking to and listening to our visitors (from wherever), we enrich our knowledge and understanding and give it back too. All of our stories have come from Alston Moor people, so it's the property of us all". This quote speaks for itself and tells us why Hub of the North Pennines has been such a success.