Billingham Forum is an iconic Teesside venue, and was commissioned by Billingham Urban District Council in the early 1960s. After construction was completed, it was opened in 1967 by the Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.
At a cost of around £1,000,000 the Forum was intended, like the town itself, to provide a ‘meeting place for community, leisure and recreation.’
It has indeed provided a space for many activities, particularly swimming and ice-skating competitions, art displays, theatrical shows and music concerts, amongst other things, for close on 60 years now.
What might be less well-known is that Head Wrightson (a giant amongst local iron & steel makers) constructed parts of the frame, including the structure to support the futuristic-looking, ice-rink roof canopy.
This image shows that striking canopy profile, viewed from the north east corner of the site.
Location: Billingham, UK
