A former Catholic Seminary is looking to attract dozens of volunteers to help make its public spaces and grounds open and attractive to visitors.
Ushaw College, to the west of Durham City, has recently established a very fruitful relationship with Durham University. With the Trustees of Ushaw College, the University is exploring the possibility of a long-term future for this extraordinary group of buildings with a history going back 200 years.
At the same time Ushaw is looking to open up many of its historic rooms, chapels and gardens to the public with music, concerts, exhibitions, open days, lectures and an exciting year-long programme of events which will be launched at the Heritage Open Weekend on 13th and 14th September.
The buildings – many of which were designed by the illustrious Pugin family – are set in extensive grounds, a large part of which was laid out as formal gardens, with trees and shrubs giving a glorious display of rhododendrons and until fairly recently boasting a small lake. The gardens have declined and suffered over the last few years. Some of the former students of the college, members of St Cuthbert’s Society of Ushaw College, have done a valiant job in keeping the Cemetery at the rear of the college in good condition and have also worked on the formal gardens in front of the main building, which are still in need of significant work. Ushaw College now hopes to restore the grounds and the elegant network of paths to their former glory and make them more widely available for people to visit and admire.
Roger Kelly, who is Chair of the Cultural Engagement Group at Ushaw College, said: “To do all this, we are looking for volunteers! The concert and events programme will need volunteers for “front of house” to meet and greet visitors, act as tour guides, assist with refreshments, steward the venues, to collect tickets and sell programmes. If you cannot attend Ushaw on a regular basis we are also looking for on-line supporters.”
The Garden Project seeks anyone interested in gardens and the outdoor life to come along and get involved. Initially digging, weeding and planting will be the aim, to recover the herbaceous borders and formal planting areas. While this is being done a scheme will be considered for the longer-term development of the gardens and landscape, which may include cutting-back some of the overgrown trees and opening up views, perhaps even the restoration of the lake. Finally, if you would like to help but are not able to get involved physically we will also need financial help to buy equipment, hire-in professional help for pruning and cutting back the trees and training. If you would like to make a financial contribution please contact info@ushaw.ac.uk or alternatively call on 07421035240.
Anyone interested in helping regularly or on a one-off basis is invited to attend a tour of the College buildings and gardens and a meeting at Ushaw on Saturday 13th September at 11.00am. Alternatively potential volunteers can attend on Wednesday 17th September between 4.00pm an 7.00pm. If you have access to email we would be grateful if you could let us know which event you can attend; message to info@ushaw.ac.uk or call on 07421035240.
Monsignor John Marsland, President of Ushaw and Professor Paul Murray, who is directing Durham University’s explorations at Ushaw, issued a joint statement saying: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for people of all ages to come along and make a real difference, by helping to open up to the public one of the most important and largely unknown architectural and cultural gems in the region. We hope it will be a rewarding and life-enhancing experience for all. Please come along whatever your skills and join this wonderful project.”