Welcome to The Cornerstone, an innovative exploration of the town’s rich history and its people through an extensive collection of artefacts, exhibitions, learning programme and events based within The Alfred East Gallery, Kettering Library and Manor House Gardens.

Currently under major renovation, the Cornerstone buildings are Grade II Listed and are currently having the roof on the library replaced with a Collyweston Slated Roof to suit the protected requirements of the building and the conservation area it sits within. With an expected site opening date in late summer 2026, this unique opportunity to engage with such a historical site is not to be missed.

Working in partnership this exciting project brings together Messenger, North Northamptonshire Council, Members of the Alfred East Gallery as well as support from the Collyweston Historical and Preservation Society to deliver a unique opportunity to delve deep into the historical and future architecture of this cultural cornerstone of Kettering.

Join them in the Manor House Gardens at 9.45am where the teams from Messenger, Alfred East Gallery, and North Northamptonshire Council will be on hand to show you what is happening at such an important cultural and heritage asset for the people of Kettering and beyond.

Messenger will have slate and iron workers on site to be able to explain, demonstrate and encourage members of the public to get involved in dressing the slates and play a part contributing to this exiting project. This will happen under marquees and will run throughout the day. The teams from Kettering Library, Alfred East Gallery and will be on hand to deliver information about services on offer.

They will be offering on a fully ticketed basis tours of the scaffolding where members of the public under supervision of the team from Messenger can go up onto the gantries and get a unique view of this changing architecture. The team will be on hand to answer any questions about the re-slating process.

These tours will happen at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm and a maximum of 10 participants per session will be able to go up. These tickets will be given on a first come first serve basis and are available by emailing matt.taylor@northnorthants.gov.uk indicating your time preference. The tickets will be limited to two per person.

For those who are unable or do not want to go up onto the roof, there will be a screen on the Cornerstone balcony overlooking the Manor House Gardens that will play throughout the day a virtual tour of the work and the project film displayed on www.cornerstone-kettering.co.uk

Furthermore, they are delighted to welcome Collyweston Historical and Preservation Society to The Cornerstone so that people can get a better understanding of the village, its slate history and the tales of the lost Tudor Palace.

Additional Information:

On Site Facilities: