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This scale model of Hexham Abbey was made
in 1957 by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson
Ltd, the famous Tyneside shipbuilders, to launch
a restoration appeal for the Abbey. It was taken
around various agricultural shows and was put on
display in Fenwick's department store in Newcastle.
Bring the Abbey
model to life
Insert a coin to light up the stained glass
windows of the model, and to listen to the
Abbey's bells and music.
1975: It was agreed that the place for private prayer would be in the Sunday School corner in the North Transept. The children will move to the recess where the model now stands. Curtains will be hung between the prayer chapel, war memorial chapel and children's corner. … Possibility of putting model with Restoration Committee display behind Acca Cross to be referred to Standing Committee. [PCC Minutes 21/10/1975 — subsequently approved]
1984: Song-School added above the former St Cuthbert's Chapel (now the Abbey Shop).
1995: “Model of Abbey – on permanent loan to Hexham Border History Museum.” [Churchwardens Record HEXAB9535 p73]
2007: “Hexham Abbey Model. A scale model in wood was made in the 1950s and presented to the Restoration Appeal by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson [see HEXAB9371]. The interior was illuminated and incorporated a recording of the Abbey bells. It afforded excellent publicity for the Appeal and raised money when on display at Fenwick's, Newcastle and when taken to various agricultural shows. It had raised some £5,000 by 1976. In the 1970s and 1980s it stood in the north transept or the nave. It was dismantled in the 1980s because it took up so much floor space. It was lent to [given to her by Canon Nelson?] Tynedale Museums Officer in the Moot Hall for storage but has never been re-assembled.” [CND] By about 2010 the disassembled model was stored in the Abbey at the east end of the south chancel aisle.
2010: “… It was my father, Brodie Cochrane, then a rector's warden for Bill Hardie, who painted the windows. He spent hours sketching the windows in the Abbey before starting the task, and even produced one of his own as the model somehow had an extra window. It took him many weeks, but he thoroughly enjoyed the project.” [Alison Stephenson in Hexham Courant 22Oct2010]
2014: refurbished for exhibition in new Visitor Centre, including coin-operated internal lights & sounds: organ or choir or bells.
