PLANS have been unveiled for a museum to celebrate Teesdale’s Hannah Hauxwell, whose solitary life on a remote farm captured the imagination of people far and wide when she became the star of a TV documentary.
Miss Hauxwell was featured in the 1973 programme Too Long A Winter, which followed her daily struggles at Low Birk Hatt Farm, in Baldersdale. She died aged 91 in February.
Details of a museum celebrating her life and work
were outlined to members
of Barnard Castle Town Council.
Town clerk Michael King said he had received an email from a correspondent called Andrew Snell.
It reads: “Following the death of Hannah Hauxwell, I feel it is so very important that a fitting memorial to this inspirational lady who, in my opinion, is on a par with Beatrix Potter when it came to the love and preservation of the land and Baldersdale.
“I’m therefore planning to open a museum about the life of Hannah and the way of live she fought so hard to preserve.
“I would, therefore, like the council to endorse the idea.”
No details of Mr Snell’s background or any connection he may have to Hannah Hauxwell were included on the email.
Cllr Judi Sutherland said it was a “lovely idea” and wondered where such a museum might be situated.
Cllr Roger Peat pointed out that it was not really relevant to Barnard Castle.
“She did not really visit us in her heyday,” he added.
He also pointed out that there was already Hannah’s Barn and Hannah’s Meadow Nature Reserve, the upland hay meadow and grazing pasture at Low Birk Hatt Farm, which was taken on by the Durham Wildlife Trust on Miss Hauxwell’s retirement in 1988.
Part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and now a site of special scientific interest, the area is considered to be among the least improved and most species rich in upland Durham.
The old barn in the top meadow has been converted into an unmanned visitor centre containing displays on Hannah’s life, the importance of the pasture and the work of the trust.
Town mayor Cllr Sandra Moorhouse said there was not enough information in Mr Snell’s email.
“If we were to endorse it, they may come back with some financial request,” she said.
Cllr Sutherland agreed. “It would be interesting to know more.”
Councillors agreed to reply to Mr Snell and ask for more details about his proposed Hannah Hauxwell museum.
