Resource entry for file: ACS News 2023Q1.pdf
An exterior view of Northumberland Hall, a large building of three storeys and 10 bays on the south side of Market Place, showing the west and south elevations, with people sat under the arches on the south side, and a partial view of the market in the background
Mr Barnfather came to Alnwick about the year 1825 as resident architect to the Duke of Northumberland. His first undertaking of any magnitude was the preparing of plans for the present Assembly Rooms in the Market Place. Upon the site there originally stood an old Gothic structure which was of a quaint but artistic character. An engraving of this erection will be seen in Davison’s History of Alnwick. Previous to the erection of this building, there was no place in the town su fficiently large and suitable for any great gathering; the only room available for balls, amusements and public meetings was the Town Hall, and it was here that John and Stephen Kemble gave their dramatic entertainment when they visited Alnwick. With the exception that the building contributes in no small way to form a noble square, there is nothing about its exterior appearance which shows any great skill in architecture and it sadly lacks the grace and elegance which a public structure, in one of the principal parts of the town, should possess.
The building of the Assembly Rooms was followed a few years later by the erection of a new Parsonage House in Northumberland Street. This was about the year 1843. About this time the living of Alnwick passed from the Bishop of Durham to the Duke of Northumberland and, almost simultaneous with this, the Parsonage Houses ay Lucker and Longhoughton were built. These were followed by Barndale House and Barnyard’s Cottage, both of them being carried out under his auspices. The whole of these building are good specimens of particular periods. It was during this time that nearly the whole of the cottages in the pretty, rural village of Denwick were erected and the few then standing entirely remodelled.
We have also upon the Northumberland estate, especially inn the parks and the immediate neighbourhood, several very good examples of cottages, house &c. which tend to show the taste and skill which the deceased possessed in this particular line of his profession.
In his private character Mr Barnfather was an estimable man and during the time that he resided in Alnwick was held in high respect, not only by those in his employment but also by a wide circle of friends. He took a great interest in trying to promote the comfort and happiness of those around him, and the best instance we have of this was the great care and concern he at all time evinced for the old and infirm workmen under him.
He had a family of three daughters and one son. The latter was brought up in the profession of an engineer and was engaged in the survey that was made about the year 1843 as to the route of the Newcastle and Berwick section of the North Eastern railway. Since then we believe he has been connected with similar engagements, both within this country and on the continent.
Mr Barnfather senior, after spending upwards of thirty years in the employment of two Dukes of Northumberland, removed from Alnwick and settled down in his native place inn the south of England. He died a year or two ago. Alnwick Mercury February 1876.
EVACUEES FROM NEWCASTLE on their way to Northumberland Hall before being billeted in various parts of the district.
Historic England listing: Northumberland Hall (Assembly Rooms)
Hydrant Marketplace by Barbara Woodhouse
Keys to the past: Northumberland Hall (Assembly Rooms)
New Shambles by Barbara Woodhouse
Northumberland Hall by Barbara Woodhouse
From 1996 street survey
Shambles by Barbara Woodhouse