Mini Golf
‘A Journey through Teesdale’ – Replacement Mini Golf Course
Visit the Photo Gallery to view images of the work in progress.
The Town Council operates a 9 hole Mini Golf course situated on Scar Top adjacent to The Castle. The course, which has been in operation since the late 1980s, is well used by residents and visitors to the Town however, over recent years and despite annual repairs, the facility had begun to ‘show its age’.
The large-scale redevelopment of the Scar Top area by the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership and the resultant award of funding via the Heritage Lottery Fund (£20,000) provided the catalyst to kick-start the replacement project.
Work began in earnest to cost a replacement course. Our aim was to provide a good quality outdoor recreational facility for the Town suitable for all ages and abilities. The course, in the conservation area of Scar Top and close proximity to the Castle itself, should promote the natural, cultural and heritage values of the local area and raise awareness of local visitor attractions.
In July 2012, the total funding necessary was secured with additional funding being obtained from North Pennine Dales Leader (£37,350), The Teesdale Action Partnership Neighbourhood Budget (County Councillor Mrs Harrison) (£5,000) and Barnard Castle Town Council (£7,243).
The procurement process then commenced to appoint contractors for a 9-hole British Mini Golf Association course, which includes carved stone monolith features representing local landmarks such as The Market Cross, The Witham Hall, The Bowes Museum, Egglestone Abbey, County Bridge and of course The Castle. The remaining 3 holes will depict the River Tees, Hills and Dale and the Forces of Teesdale – ‘A Journey through Teesdale’.
Those contractors have now been appointed: Urban Crazy (Mobile) Ltd will design and construct the course and Phil Townsend of Eggleston will design and create the six carved stone features which will form part of the course. Both contractors will work closely together to achieve a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing design.
Groundwork North East has been the delivery partner for the Town Council on numerous play area projects in the past and is once again working with the Town Council to deliver this project. Groundwork’s staff will also be assisting with community engagement through the organisation of an artist workshop involving local people, groups and schools. Details of this will be announced once confirmed.
Work to demolish the existing course and kiosk and prepare the new site and footpath commenced on Monday 14 January. Other design and preparation work is continuing ‘behind the scenes’ however, Urban Crazy Ltd, the specialist course constructors commenced preliminary work onsite on Monday 11 February including mapping and marking out holes, pathways and drainage work.
Designs for the course and stone carved monoliths (which represent six of the Dales best known landmarks) have now been finalised. Formal approval to the designs was given by full Council at its meeting in January 2013.
The nine holes will be as follows:
Hole 1 – River Tees
Hole 2 – Market Cross (Monolith to be on hole)
Hole 3 – The Witham (Monolith beside hole)
Hole 4 – The Bowes Museum (Monolith on hole)
Hole 5 – Hills and Dale
Hole 6 – Forces of Teesdale
Hole 7 – Egglestone Abbey (Monolith beside hole)
Hole 8 – County Bridge (Monolith on hole)
Hole 9 – Barnard Castle (Monolith beside hole)
Each of the stone carved monoliths will include a tile showing the landmark it represents and using blocks of Dunhouse Buff sandstone from the Dunhouse Quarry at Staindrop, they will depict the following:-
The weather vane on the Market Cross
The ornate lamp over the door of The Witham Hall
The Silver Swan at The Bowes Museum
The White Rose of Yorkshire and Rampant Lion of Durham for the County Bridge
A Decorative Grave Slab of one of Egglestone Abbey’s Bishops
The White Boar from the Flag of Richard III for The Castle
More information on the replacement course ‘A Journey through Teesdale’ will be given as the project progresses.
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