The History of Whiteburnshank

In 1993 the Whiteburnshank Trust was set up to provide a centre for young people in the county. The house had been left in an uncared for state. A big clear out and bonfire was had in 1993.

Over the past ten years a complete renovation of the building has taken place including the rebuilding of the tool shed which now the control room. The centre now sleeps up to 20 people in the main house with up to 6 in the barn adjoining the building.

Among other improvements a new woodburning stove has been put in which heats radiators in the bedrooms upstairs. Loft insulation has been installed and the kitchen fitted out with a gas cooker. The original floor in the sitting room has been cleaned - even after the sixth wash the water was still as black as the first wash. Two new flushing toilets and basins were put in the bathroom.

More recently batteries have been installed that are trickle charged by a device situated in the nearby White burn.

The barn provides basic accommodation with the old hayloft as the sleeping platform with table and chairs below. It is often used as the drying room when it is wet. With the stove on it can be quite cosy and warm even when it is blowing a gale outside.

The centre was originally used mainly by Morpeth Duke of Edinburgh's Award Unit at the High School for training but many other groups also use the centre.

Every year there used to be a fundraising walk held in June to raise money for improvements and general maintenance. This was a popular walk ending with a barbeque and entertainment in the Rose and Thistle, Alwinton.

In 2000 the estate was bought by Mrs Bliss and she wishes the centre to remain open and commended the work that had gone in to its renovation.

A Fuller History of Whiteburnshank is found here, written by Susan Barber who researched the cottage for her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.