Thanks to National Lottery players, Central Lodge at Stewart Park (once part of Henry Bolckow’s working estate) has been renovated into Askham Bryan College’s key North East campus, a facility specialising in animal and land based education.

Over 240 members of the public attended hard hat tours to see the renovation process in person and learn more of the history of the estate. The college were also able to host two internships, two heritage construction apprenticeships and six work experience placements throughout the period.

Activities and talks were developed and delivered to over 50 schools and community groups on the history of Stewart Park, from Captain Cook’s birth to the present date. Education packs on industry, the First World War and Victorian Middlesbrough were produced and digitised on the project website, alongside a heritage trail and photo archive showing the restoration process.

The opening ceremony was attended by 80 people and the building was officially opened by local MP Simon Clarke, with words from College CEO Catherine Dixon and HLF North East’s Ivor Crowther. The public opening was attended by hundreds at Stewart Park’s annual Frost Fair, with talks on the history of the park being delivered in the restored dairy.

Nick Barnes, Director of Regional Centres at Askham Bryan College, said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund and Askham Bryan College have given the Central Lodge a new lease of life and we are so excited to be able to share the building and its history with the public.”