Villagers take lonely fortress

Aug 18 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A CASTLE opens to the public this summer for the first time in five years, thanks to local people.

Before the foot-and-mouth epidemic of 2001, English Heritage’s Norham Castle in Northumberland was open every Sunday from Easter until the end of September, staffed by a paid warden.

But once the disease had receded, visitor numbers and the money they brought in entry fees was so low the castle’s owners decided it was uneconomic and closed it.

Businesses in Norham noticed a fall in visitors to the village, while complaints were received from people who visited the castle only to find it closed.

Just under 70% of those questioned for Norham’s parish plan deemed it unacceptable that a major visitor attraction should be closed over the tourist season.

Norham’s history society and parish council lobbied English Heritage and last year the parties struck a deal. Volunteers from Norham would open the gates to the castle and its car park on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays from 10am to 5pm, with no entry fees.

English Heritage would continue to be responsible for the site’s upkeep.

At a meeting earlier this year, 20 villagers volunteered to help out on a rota basis.

The system came into force at Easter and the castle will continue to open until the end of September.

Norham Parish Council chairman Doug Ewart, one of the castle keepers, said: “A lot of people have come and said they have been really disappointed. The local businesses, shops and things, were keen for the castle to be open, as were the local residents. It brings tourists in and it keeps the businesses viable. There have been quite a few people at the castle at weekends. I think they will come down into the village and use the shops. It seems to have worked pretty well.”

An English Heritage spokesman said: “It was at their request that this has been opened. It was for the benefit of the village because they wanted to attract more people into the shops. I am sure that they are delighted with the situation at this point in time.”

Villagers will also open the castle for booked school parties or history society visits on weekdays.