Plans to put Barnard Castle castle back at the heart of town

EFFORTS to forge a closer relationship between castle guardians and dale residents are being redoubled. 

More events inside the castle walls such as the 1940s weekend and firework displays were on the table at the latest Barnard Castle Town Council meeting.

Gayle Rafferty, from English Heritage, began her tenure overseeing the castle in February and was keen to see it working more closely with other groups.

She said: “It does feel like the town and the castle have lost touch slightly.

“I will take ideas to my managers – they will either say ‘yes’ or ‘no, can we do it this way’.”

The castle is owned by Lord Barnard but English Heritage act as its custodians.

Ms Rafferty, who is also site manager at Richmond Castle, revealed meetings about the grounds had been held with Lord Barnard.

She added that no events were on the horizon for this year but she did unveil some other ambitions.

“I would love to have a community day and get more people in as we are a bit hidden around the town,” said Ms Rafferty.

English Heritage is three years into an eight-year project to separate itself from the government. Ms Rafferty said procedures were being revised and looked over with the potential for more power in the hands of site managers.

She added: “In English Heritage nothing happens overnight – we are still very much under the government which we would like to change”.

In the past, residents of the town could get into the castle free of charge but English Heritage says times have changed in that respect.

But Cllr Judi Sutherland said she’d had an “interesting chat” with Ms Rafferty about how the town and the castle could be brought closer together.

She added: “We talked about all sorts of ideas – I know there are certain priorities in guided historic tours and volunteers.

“It would be great to look at things for next summer.”

A more active party of volunteers has also been discussed by the group.

“Volunteering is something new to English Heritage and, as with everything at the organisation, there is a department which deals with that,” said Ms Rafferty. “It would be nice to have local volunteers.”

Cllr Rima Chatterjee asked if performances could take place in the site given the Castle Players had done so in the past. Cllr John Blissett, who is on the 1940s weekend committee, was also keen to incorporate the castle in vintage festivities.

Ms Rafferty added: “I have done concerts in Richmond Castle – they are treated as third party events so we can discuss venues.”