Dearne Playhouse and Welfare Park transformed through Towns Fund investment

Major works have been carried out to deliver a thriving community and cultural hub at the Dearne Playhouse and Welfare Park in Goldthorpe.

Funding from the Goldthorpe Town Deal, a £23.1 million investment in the Dearne area, paved the way for the transformation of the historic theatre, formerly Goldthorpe Miners’s Welfare Hall.

We have also completed improvements to neighbouring Welfare Park, including:

• New playground equipment for Dearne children to enjoy.
• Car parking for more than 70 vehicles just a few minutes from Goldthorpe’s high street.
• Gateway arches featuring miner’s lamp and theatrical mask motifs, which were designed by students from nearby Astrea Academy Dearne.
• Road and pathway resurfacing and new fencing throughout Welfare Park.
• New CCTV cameras to improve public safety.
• Welfare Park also now boasts two inspiring new artworks.

In the middle of the park is The Rainbow Spiral, a vibrant ground painting which brightens up the space in front of the Playhouse.

This has been designed by local young people with the support of Dearne Valley artist Dan Jones.

Dan also worked with young people at the Dearne I Know I Can centre in Goldthorpe to design and create a colourful mosaic inlay added to the steps in front of the Playhouse’s main entrance, known as the Positivity Steps.

Cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, Cllr Robin Franklin, said: 

“I am delighted with the scale of the impact our investment through the Goldthorpe Town Deal.

“The £3 million community and cultural hub project has brought forward new high-quality rehearsal, music recording and meeting spaces at the Playhouse and greatly enhanced its surroundings.

“We’ve also commissioned uplifting and inspiring artwork, added much-needed car parking and improved public safety.

“We are committed to enabling everyone in Barnsley to enjoy memorable cultural experiences and I look forward to this community hub playing a major role in that mission.”

The restoration and remodelling of the Dearne Playhouse was led by local firm O&P Construction.

It included:

• Transformation of the basement from a storage space into rehearsal rooms and a modern, soundproof music rehearsal studio.
• Redecoration of the auditorium, bar and public areas, including sensitive repainting of the Playhouse’s distinctive gold detailing.
• Installation of a new stage floor and updates to dressing rooms and backstage areas.
• Fitting of energy-efficient LED lighting and a new boiler to reduce running costs.
• Restoration of stonework by professional masons to preserve the building's historic character.
• Installation of a new basement entrance and walkway to ensure the facility is fully accessible.

Last October, the Playhouse hosted video games tournament, Game on Dearne, supported by the Towns Fund as part of the Dearne Youth Legacy project (link).

Theatre manager Julie Medlam said:

“The Playhouse is in high demand from community groups using the space on a weekly basis, including the Dearne Playhouse Youth Theatre and Dearne Playhouse Musical Theatre Company.

“We also have a range of weekend bookings including local dance school showcases and competitions, pantomimes, tribute acts and other community events.

“The theatre’s transformation under the Towns Fund programme is amazing and we are busier than ever.”

Matthew Stephens, chair of the Goldthorpe Town Board, said:

“The Dearne Playhouse and Welfare Park have a proud place in the history of Goldthorpe of the Dearne and it is wonderful to see how they have been conserved and improved for future generations to enjoy.

“The Playhouse is going from strength to strength thanks to this investment, with local groups making the most of the top-class facilities on offer.

“The addition of inspiring new artwork and car parking, along with resurfaced roadways and safety improvements has also greatly enhanced Welfare Park.

“I hope everyone in the Dearne will make the most of these upgraded facilities and look forward to seeing the Dearne flourishing as a hotbed for the arts in years to come.”

The community and cultural hub project is part of a major package of projects under the Goldthorpe Town Deal, which is funded by the UK Government’s Towns Fund.

It has already delivered the Horse and Groom Square at the heart of Goldthorpe and created jobs through the funding of extensions to the premises of local firm KMS Transport.

A spring market and Towns Fund celebration event is being held at the Horse and Groom Square from 10am on Saturday 28 March to mark the achievements of the Goldthorpe Towns Fund programme.

Find out more about how Towns Fund investment has revitalised Goldthorpe and the Dearne at barnsley.gov.uk/Goldthorpe.

To see what’s on at the Dearne Playhouse, visit https://www.dearneplayhouse.co.uk/.