Latest news from Redhills - Chief Executive appointed, and work begins on restoration

FIRST REDHILLS CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED

A chief executive has been appointed to lead the restoration and renewal of the historic Redhills, Durham Miners Hall.

Nick Malyan will oversee the £8 million redevelopment of the Grade II-listed hall, and its future operations as a vibrant centre for culture, heritage and education.

The 37 year old from Durham city steps up into the newly created role after four years developing the project as the programme manager at Redhills.

Before joining the Redhills development team, Nick was a founding director of regeneration organisation Empty Shop CIC, and held cultural development roles with Durham County Council and New Writing North. His experience in the culture and heritage sectors also includes work with the Lumiere Festival, the regeneration of Hartlepool’s historic Church Street and the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in Durham.

Nick, who holds a masters degree in cultural regeneration, grew up in Durham city in a family with a long history of coal mining. His association with the Miners Hall began when his mother, then pregnant with him, packed food parcels in the Committee Room at Redhills.

He said: “Redhills is a beacon for working people and a symbol of our collective worth. The heritage it represents is of regional, national and international significance.

“My role now is to put the Durham miners’ proud heritage of collective endeavour to work, and ensure that Redhills is once again an engine of positive change for the Durham coalfield area and beyond.”

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LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE BEGIN THE RESTORATION OF THE MINERS HALL

Local young people got hands on with their heritage as they began the restoration and renewal of Redhills.

The removal of the famous seats in The Pitman’s Parliament at Redhills is the first stage in the multimillion-pound project, clearing the way for vital underground structural work. The seats, including the embedded tokens sponsored by Redhills supporters, will be restored and returned to the historic home of the Durham miners.

Working on the project are more than a dozen young people from social enterprise Woodshed Workshop. The organisation works with socially and economically disadvantaged young people as well as adults with additional needs and isolated older people. Based in the old Co-operative buildings in Sacriston, it provides opportunities and support in developing skills and confidence and gaining qualifications.

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The work began following our Christmas Concert - our final event before the restoration and renewal of Redhills.

The Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band treated us to a wonderful performance, joined by the brilliant soloist Lili Banev. We were also treated to poetry recited by our friend, the actor Charlie Hardwick, and we heard from Chris McDonald, chair of the Redhills charity about the future we are building at the Miners Hall.

Our thanks to everyone who joined us to say ‘farewell’ - for now - to the Miners Hall.

With the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Durham County Council and others, the Miners Hall will become a vibrant centre of culture, heritage and education for the Durham coalfield area and beyond.

Redhills will be back, greater than ever, in 2023.

Our thanks as always for your support.

The past we inherit; the future we build.

The Redhills team

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