Barnard Castle arts centre to celebrate influence of travellers

A PROJECT to promote Teesdale’s cultural diversity has won praise from town councillors.
The Witham, in Barnard Castle, is preparing a “Diversity in the dale” project celebrating the influence of travellers on and within Teesdale life.
A photo exhibition is being planned.
Katy Taylor, from The Witham, told town councillors the centre was seeking funding for the scheme.
She said: “The idea is we look at what different people bring to the dale.
“From the Romans and Vikings to our art heritage, it’s looking at where people have come from and  people who travel through the dale in a more holistic way.
“What we have been doing is moving on and absorbing all of these ideas.”
Working with Durham County Council traveller liaison group, The Witham aims to use historic photographs and interactive displays to mark where visitors’ families have come from.
“We will create a community work of art from all around the world and start conversations,” added Ms Taylor. 
“Teesdale is a melting pot even though it does not look like it on the surface.”
A two-week trial in April will test the project alongside
two schools yet to be decid-ed.
Cllr Emma Rowell thought it was an idea with a future and asked whether it could be integrated with the town council’s 1940s weekend.
Partnership committee chairperson, Cllr Sandra Moorhouse, also liked the idea of the project being “an experience”.
She added: “We have vehicles on the cobbles very close to The Witham during the 1940s weekend – it would
be ideal to capture people there.”
Cllr Moorhouse asked Ms Taylor to keep the town council informed.