Whalton Manor gardens Northumberland will be open to the public June 1 and 2.

St Oswald’s Hospice have launched a brand new fundraising event, St Oswald’s Open Gardens, which enables you to view amazing gardens across Northumberland during the weekend of 1^st and 2^nd June.

Visitors can access the hidden gems in the area, discover the secrets and meet the people behind the county’s best gardens whilst supporting the Hospice.

Whalton Manor Gardens, Meldon Park house and gardens, Chipchase Castle grounds, Chillingham Castle gardens, Kirkley Hall gardens and Mindrum garden will all be open for viewing as part of the Open Gardens weekend.

Danielle Neighbour, Fundraiser at St Oswald’s, said: “We’re thrilled that these fantastic venues have offered to open up their gardens for a weekend to support St Oswald’s.  There will be special events including a special look inside MeldonPark house and a tour of the gardens at Kirkey Hall.

“The OpenGardens weekend is a lovely way to see some of the most beautiful spots in the region while supporting the Hospice.”

For more information and to buy tickets please contact Danielle Neighbour on 0191 246 9123 or email danielleneighbour@stoswaldsuk.org

Tickets are £10 and a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) is £20.

St Oswald’s Hospice provides specialist care for North East adults, young people and children with life limiting conditions.  Annual running costs are now £9.5 million, of which over £6.5 million must be raised through voluntary giving. No charge is made for the services provided ensuring hospice care is available to all.

For more information about St Oswald’s please call 0191 285 0063 or visit: www.stoswaldsuk.org

The Tour of Britain – cycling in the Scottish Borders in previous years

Saturday, September 14, will see a celebration of cycling in the Scottish Borders with The Tour Ride Scotland sportive getting amateur cyclists onto the road just 24 hours before the professional teams get underway.

Ahead of the event, professional cyclists Rob Partridge and Marcin Bialoblocki from Team UK Youth joined local riders at Drumlanrig Castle ahead of the ‘Grand Depart Weekend’ of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

Stage One of the 10th Tour of Britain will depart from Peebles towards Drumlanrig Castle on Sunday 15 September featuring some of the world’s top riders. The 2012 Scottish stage from Jedburgh to Drumfries was won by the Manx-Missile Mark Cavendish, with the newly crowned Tour de France and Olympic Champion Sir Bradley Wiggins part of the Team Sky lead out.

Riders from Team UK Youth joined Race Director Mick Bennett and representatives from event partners EventScotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council to launch The Tour Ride Scotland route, with the help of The Scottish Cycle Museum based at the castle.

The Tour Ride Scotland sportive will kick off the weekend with up to 1,000 riders tackling two exciting routes in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. The 100-mile Pro Ride will run from Peebles in the Scottish Borders to Drumlanrig Castle along some of the roads the professionals will race on 24-hours later.

Cyclists also have the choice of a 50-mile ride, which starts and finishes at Drumlanrig Castle, where riders will experience the exciting build up to The Tour Grand Depart.

The 100-mile route features the beautiful Tweed and Ettrick Valley’s with some testing climbs on peaceful roads during the route through to Dumfries & Galloway.

The shorter Challenge Ride gives amateur cyclists the chance to experience the closing kilometres of the opening stage of The Tour of Britain, and be a part of the weekend’s activities in and around Drumlanrig Castle.

Riders on both routes can look forward to support from Tour partners Maxifuel, Specialized, Costa Express, Highland Spring and Soreen plus many others on the day.

“The Tour of Britain celebrates its tenth anniversary this September, so we are working to ensure a Grand Depart to remember in Scotland”, said Race Director Mick Bennett.

“We look forward to as many people as possible joining us to ride The Tour Ride route on the Saturday and get the weekend off to a spectacular start.”

The UCI Continental team, Team UK Youth, is owned and underwritten by Nigel Mansell CBE, and raises awareness, and the profile, of the charities projects across the UK, at no cost to the charity whatsoever. You can see, and support the team at all of the major cycling events in the UK, including The Pearl Izumi Tour Series and The Tour of Britain.

David Povall, Team Manager of Team UK Youth said: “The Tour Rides are a fantastic opportunity for the cycling community and the wider general public to experience, some or all, of a Tour of Britain stage.

“If any motivation is needed to undertake these well-organised, challenging, sportive events – raising money for the 102 year old National Charity – UK Youth – would be much appreciated.”

To find out more and to enter The Tour Ride Scotland, please visit www.thetour.co.uk/tourride

‘Life in Geordieland’ blogger Rachel Kershaw getting to grips with the ‘Geordieland’ Twitter map

NewcastleGateshead Initiative, one of the UKs most successful destination marketing organisations, is at the at the forefront of visitor information provision in the digital era with the launch of a Twitter-powered online map called ‘Geordieland’ (www.geordielandmap.com).

‘Geordieland’ plots Twitter content from venues, attractions, shops, bars, restaurants and individuals on an illustrated map of NewcastleGateshead. It is designed to inspire visitors and locals alike and is available online from Monday (20 May) via mobile platforms like smartphones and tablets, as well as desktop computers.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive at the destination management and marketing organisation, said: “Geordieland is a unique website that really allows visitors and residents to immerse themselves in the vibrant personality of the place and make the most of the time they spend in NewcastleGateshead. The map allows us to harness the power of social media, and brings together all the fascinating information already shared on Twitter across the destination in one easy to use platform.”

‘Geordieland’ was designed by Newcastle-based creative agency, Drummond Central. It allows users to search for inspiration by filtering content by themes covering food & drink, accommodation, nightlife, shopping and things to see & do.

The platform also pulls through live Tweets from users who have their Twitter location services switched-on, Sarah added: “We’re encouraging Twitter fans to use #Geordieland in their posts. By incorporating live Tweets from members of the public, as well as venues and businesses in the city, we can ensure content is always dynamic and recommendations are available to Geordieland users from the people who know the place best, our local residents.”

Geordieland is the latest in a series of digital advancements by NewacstleGateshead Initiative which have included launching one of the UKs first destination smartphone apps, and website developments that have seen a growth in unique visitors at www.NewcastleGateshead.com to more than a million in 2012, an increase of +71% versus the previous year.

The organisation is also working with VisitEnagland’s ‘Fan in a Van’, Rachel Kershaw (31), who last year spent ten weeks travelling the length and breadth of the country following the Olympic Torch. Now back home in Fenham, Newcastle, Rachelwho works as a creative writer for Bauer Media at Metro Radio, has partnered with NewcastleGateshead Initiative to launch a new destination blog, www.lifeingeordieland.com.

Rachel said: “I had such a fantastic time travelling the length and breadth of the country during the Olympic Torch relay and blogging about my experiences for VisitEngland. Many of my most memorable were right here in the North East, in particular seeing Bear Grylls zip-wire off the Tyne Bridge and I’ve just recently followed in his footsteps!

“Although I’m from Lancashire I feel like a Geordie at heart and love the place I’ve called home for the past 10 years. I am sure ‘Geordieland’ and my blog will help inspire locals and visitors to really explore all the brilliant experiences I’ve truly enjoyed jumping into over the last few weeks.”

Blyth Battery Northumberland re-enactment event is set for May 18 and 19.

On 18 and 19 May Blyth Battery goes to war. Northumberland’s premier re-enactment or living history event is set for war.

There will be vintage vehicles and displays exhibiting not only the military way of living, but how the public lived and made it through the war years of both WW1 and WW2.  Re-enactors from all over England and Scotland will be taking part to give a full weekend of family fun.

A key feature of the weekend were scenes played out by re-enactment groups including a ‘beach assault’ each day with blank firing weapons which will provide some huge bangs and spectacular scenario.

Groups travelled from the west of Scotland, all over the north of England to take part in the re-creation of events of the time, and also featured are the artillery, mortars and grenades, as well as machine guns, living history displays and military vehicles including an original 1944 American M24 ‘Chaffee’ light tank.

There will be weapon talks and firing displays, and a mine clearance demonstration for the family to enjoy. There will also be a display each day by 1914 Gordon Highlanders, culminating in a short attack scenario in the Amphitheatre.

Mary Allison, Blyth battery volunteers said: “We are all very excited about this year’s event. It will be truly spectacular with what we and the re-enactors have planned. I am especially looking forward to the Beach battles and the Musical entertainment, with Colin Bourdaic and his tribute to George Formby and local girl Chloe Watson keeping everyone entertained throughout the weekend.

“I hope the weather is kind to us and people are able to come along and enjoy a really great weekend.”

Entry and car parking for the event is free, with extra event parking within easy walking distance (5 minutes or under), please look out for the event parking signs. Event parking on the rugby fields just off links road is especially for this event.

Arthur Cranson, Northumberland County Council’s coastal warden for South East Northumberland said: “The event has been run between the Northumberland County Council and Blyth Battery Volunteers. The battle scenes, in particular are going to be spectacular to behold I hope that everyone enjoys.

“The Blyth Battery event has been made possible because of the big success of last year and this year is going to be bigger and better! All the re-enactors and living historians who come along with their weapons and displays do so voluntarily so please respect them and their possessions and be careful whilst going around.”

More details can be found on the Blyth Battery website, or below.

Cyclists climb to the top of Lyham Bank, Northumberland, in the Wooler Wheel

Making the Wooler area the cycling capital of north Northumberland is behind this year’s extended programme of events organised by Wooler Cycle Hub.

With thousands of riders, supporters and their families expected to visit the area to attend the main events in May and October, the organisers have urged local businesses to take advantage of the increased footfall in the area.

After the hugely successful Wooler Wheel 100km cycle ride last October, the requests from entrants for a ride earlier in the year has prompted the organisers to set up a three new events this May.

On Saturday, May 11 the first Wooler Wheel 160 will take place, extending last year’s 100km route southwards to Coquetdale and into Northumberland National Park. There will also be a 100km and 80km route on offer too.

Beth Mills, chairperson of Wooler Cycle Hub, said: “Last year’s event brought in 350 riders to the area, and all their families, so the events are a great opportunity for local businesses to get on board and generate increased footfall through their doors.

“The events in May and October are an opportunity to showcase the region, our businesses and the friendly welcome people receive in north Northumberland. If we can do that successfully then people will come back to Wooler and the surrounding area again and again of their own accord.”

Beth added: “We have already had some support from local businesses, in terms of items and discount vouchers for the riders’ goody bags. The events are the perfect vehicle for local firms to generate increased business around the actual events themselves, and subsequently, and we would love more businesses to get on board.”

A simple 10 per cent voucher off accommodation, a meal or a shopping bill could be just the thing to tempt riders and their families to spend money at local businesses, stay for a weekend later in the year, or recommend a great pub or restaurant to friends.

The events have attracted a high-profile sponsor in the form of Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative, but more are always welcome to join them.

With a website (http://woolerwheel.com), a Facebook page and Twitter, the events also offer online promotional opportunities for businesses actively supporting the rides.

Also in this year’s programme are free on and off-road guided leisure rides, including ones tied in with the Glendale Festival, the exhibition of the Lindisfarne Gospels at Durham Castle and the Flodden 500th anniversary.

The Wooler Wheel 100 and 50 events will again take place in October.

The not-for-profit Wooler Cycle Hub and the Wooler Wheel events have already gained the backing and support of Northumberland National Park, VisitNorthumberland and Northumberland County Council.

For more information on the events programme see http://woolerwheel.com

Climbing tree at the National Trust’s Wallington, Morpeth, Northumberland

A 45-foot-high Nootka Cypress evergreen has been chosen as the best tree to climb in the whole of the National Trust.

The National Trust is following last year’s success, when 40,000 kids signed up to the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ initiative. It has drawn up a new list of outdoor adventures, including fifteen new experiences recommended by children.

Armed with the new list of activities, the National Trust then set about finding the ultimate places where each of the 50 things activities could be enjoyed at their places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. According to the conservation charity, two of the 50 activities are best experienced right here in the North East including climbing a tree at Wallington and camping out in the wild at Gibside.

The tree came at the top of the list, as its trunk height and branches make it ideal for mini adventurers.

The conservation charity then asked more than 1,700 kids to vote for their top 10 activities from the list of 50, and set about finding the ultimate National Trust places in the North East where they could be enjoyed.

Over half of the children questioned (63 per cent) chose tree climbing, den building and bike riding as the top three activities, with half (51 per cent) agreeing that tree climbing was one of their favourite activities as it is the most challenging.

The top ten activities and best places in the North East to do them include:
1. Go on a really long bike ride – Cragside, Rothbury

2. Build a den – Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, Bardon Mill
3. Climb a tree – Wallington, Cambo
4. Cook on a campfire – Cherryburn, Stocksfield
5. Hunt for fossils and bones – Northumberland Coast
6. Discover what’s in a pond – Washington Old Hall, Washington
7. Track wild animals – Gibside, Rowlands Gill
8. Hold a scary beast – Souter Lighthouse, Whitburn
9. Go bird watching – Farne Islands, Seahouses
10. Go on a walk barefoot – Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island.

Jessica Swales, National Trust Kids Council member and tree climbing ambassador (aged 8), commented: “I have completed every activity from the 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ list and tree climbing is my favourite thing to do outdoors, so I’m really glad other children really like it too. I love playing outside and climbing this big tree at Wallington with my friends was great fun. I can’t wait to get outside and start ticking off the new 50 things list!”

Julie Tucker, Events and Promotions Manager at Wallington said:
“We are passionate about getting children outdoors and we want to encourage kids everywhere to play outside and connect with nature, so we’re thrilled at how many under 12s have been engaging with the 50 things initiative. This inspired the Trust to source the nation’s best place to climb a tree and we’re delighted that Wallington’s Nootka tree has been chosen. To find out what you can do and where, either as part of an event or under your own steam, you can download a planner from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northeast”

To help kids tick off their list, over the summer the National Trust has over 7,000 50-things-inspired activities taking place around the UK, with hundreds of events happening over this bank holiday weekend. In the North East you can go on a dawn chorus Ramble with a Ranger at Gibside, enjoy kite making at Souter Lighthouse or head over to Wallington for their Spring Outdoors Fayre, as Julie explains:

“Our Spring Outdoors Fayre this bank holiday weekend is a great chance to get started with the new list of 50 things do to before you’re 11 3/4 activities, and to have a go at climbing our Nootka tree of course. We’ve got lots going on for adults as well as children.”

A Kielder osprey

Great news for Northumbrian wildlife fans and osprey fans in particular – the birds have returned to Kielder Water & Forest Park.

Already two eggs have been laid. The birds will have returned all the way from Africa to breed and raise young chicks. The birds were first spotted in 2009 and have been returning ever since.

In total Kielder has produced 12 young ospreys over the last four years.

Two nests have are established. Volunteers and staff from Northumberland Wildlife Trust say that they believe some of the Ospreys have been to Kielder in previous years. They may not be on the same nests, however.

Ospreys are birds of prey and eat mostly fish. They have created an incredible amount of interest in the North of England.

The two nests have webcams taking close-up pictures. There is a at Kielder where people can watch the eggs hatch and the young grow and make their first flights.

Malte Iden, Forestry Commission recreation ranger at Kielder Water and Forest Park, said the ospreys’ return had been met with “great enthusiasm” and he was “hopeful the chicks will soon be on their way”.

You can get regular updates here on the official Kielder Osprey blog.

A Kielder osprey is ringed in 2012

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is seeking volunteers to help with the fifth Kielder Osprey Watch at Leaplish Waterside Park, Kielder this summer, 2013.

Breeding pairs of ospreys have arrived in Kielder for the last few summers between April and September and activity on the nest tends to be mainly throughout July and August as the chicks hatch, are fed, learn to fly and hunt.

The wildlife charity is looking to recruit a large team of volunteers to spend weekends, including Bank Holidays and Wednesdays from the end of May until August, between 10.30am and 4.30pm, to staff an information area complete with information boards and telescopes setup for visitors to view the birds at their leisure. It is a very busy day but very rewarding and a great opportunity to meet new people.

Don’t be put off getting involved if you are not an expert as full training will be given at the 2013 season induction session on Thursday 25 April at Leaplish Waterside Park, Kielder and all new volunteers will be in a team of three with members who have volunteered in previous years.

Last year, some visitors had never used a telescope and knew little about birds whereas others arrived with their own kits and had been touring all the reserves in the region; whatever the level of knowledge, everybody appreciated the help from the volunteers and the opportunity they were given to view the osprey nest.

If you are interested, please contact Lou Chapman, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Volunteer Co-ordinator on: 0191 284 6884 or via email at louise.chapman@northwt.org.uk

Kielder Osprey Watch 2013 is organised by the Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, the RSPB and Northumberland Wildlife Trust. The partners are working hard to ensure that the ospreys are here to stay by maintaining a high quality habitat in Kielder Water & Forest Park and safeguarding and monitoring the nest site. To find out more go to www.visitkielder.com.

Promoting the British Science Festival 2013, set to be held in NewcastleGateshead in September

Newcastle will come alive with a celebration of its world-class science, engineering and technology when Europe’s largest and longest-running public science event sets up in the city from 7-12 September. It will bring innovation and creativity together in one of UK’s stand-out cultural destinations.

 It welcomes hundreds of the UK’s top scientists in a programme that offers everything from lectures, debates and hands-on activity for schools and families, to comedy and theatre.

British Science Festival facts and figures:

• Six days
• 200+ events
• Around 100,000 attendees
• Over 350 world-leading scientists
• Over 100 members of the world’s media
• 62 million people reached through media coverage

The Festival is to be hosted by Newcastle University with Northumbria University and Newcastle City Council as associate partners.  The British Science Festival will bring together families, academics and school groups with the UK’s top scientists, science presenters and journalists to enjoy an exciting programme of activity featuring exhibitions, science shows, comedy, drama and science street buskers – plus debates and lectures on the latest scientific breakthroughs. Be the first to find out about Festival news by signing up for newsletters at www.engage-ne.org.uk

Ideas Take Flight (www.ideastakeflight.org) is a Newcastle University led campaign to enthuse and involve people regionally to help shape the British Science Festival ahead of its arrival in September 2013. The campaign will encourage the public to send back questions they want answered, ideas for events, and issues they want to discuss. The campaign design has been delivered by Roots and Wings, a local design Community Interest Company and former graduates of Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. #ideastakeflight

Speaking on the year-ahead, Carol Bell, head of culture and major events at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “NewcastleGateshead is the perfect place for science and culture to come together. We have a strong heritage in both, and creativity is often at the heart of life-changing scientific innovation, it’s especially significant that British Science Festival has chosen Newcastle in the anniversary year that Armstrong became president of the Association, 150 years ago.

“NewcastleGateshead is responsible for the world’s first locomotive engine thanks to Robert Stephenson; Joseph Swan invented the incandescent light bulb and demonstrated it for the first time to Newcastle’s Literary and Philosophical Society; and most recently, Centre for Life has been at the forefront of stem-cell research. With many famous inventors having lived, worked and studied in the city – leading to some of today’s favourite technologies including the iPod – it’s fantastic that scientists, inventors, and artists continue to flock here to showcase their sometimes wacky, and always wonderful, ideas to colleagues, peers and the public.”

Year-round the city is home to several major science attractions, with highlights including the award-winning Life Science Centre, Discovery Museum and the Great North Museum. Events in the city throughout 2013 such as The Late Shows (May), a special ‘culture crawl’ returning for its sixth year, will give visitors a unique chance to experience these inspiring attractions after dark when the city’s museums, galleries and entertainment venues reopen their doors after closing time.

Heritage Open Days (September) will also give visitors a chance to bring local engineering history to life as they experience some of NewcastleGateshead’s most important and influential spaces not ordinarily open to the public. Venues such as the Stephenson Works, the original locomotive works opened by Robert Stephenson in 1823, will open their doors for four special days, allowing visitors to stand in the very spot where history was made 190 years ago, with the invention of the first steam powered locomotive engine.

As well as showcasing it’s scientific credentials, NewcastleGateshead’s annual programme of festivals and events will animate and inspire the place throughout the course of the year, featuring an enviable line up including the Evolution Festival (May) and BUPA Great North Run (September), as well as EAT! NewcastleGateshead (August), Juice Festival (October), and NewcastleGateshead’s Winter Festival (December) – all of which are produced and delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative.

The Kielder Observatory looking NE with
the Sir Patrick Moore Observatory in the
foreground

Presenters from legendary BBC science programme The Sky at Night and members of the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society have named the largest facility at The Kielder Observatory ‘The Sir Patrick Moore Observatory’, in honour of Sir Patrick who died on 9th December 2012.

The dedication ceremony at the UK’s leading public observatory which enjoys England’s darkest skies in Kielder, Northumberland was conducted as filming of a new episode of the programme began at Kielder Observatory.

Jon Culshaw, the famous UK comedian and impressionist who has appeared on many Sky At Night episodes and is a keen amateur astronomer, unveiled a plaque on Kielder’s largest observatory with founder director Gary Fildes. Many of the Sky at Night’s presenters including Chris Lintott and the full production team were on hand to witness the ceremony before filming began.

Chris Lintott, lead presenter on the Sky at Night and an Oxford University cosmologist said: “It’s wonderful to have a chance to visit the Kielder Observatory. It’s a much loved and important facility, and I know that Patrick would have loved to have visited himself.

“I’m sure he would be proud to know that the observatory had been named in his honour. He was, after all, first and foremost a lover of the skies, and would have enjoyed the idea that the astronomers of the future would be thinking about him while enjoying some of England’s darkest skies.”

Kielder Observatory has dedicated its largest ‘turret’, home of one of the biggest public telescopes in the UK, (a 0.5m Newtonian reflecting telescope), to Sir Patrick. It is one of two permanently mounted telescopes at Kielder each housed in separate facilities at the the Observatory, and part of its large telescope collection which is regularly used by the public.

Gary Fildes, founder and director of Kielder Observatory said: “What a huge privilege this is. When I started work on Kielder Observatory I knew how important astronomy was to the public but not how successful it would become. In our first four years we have had over 40,000 visitors and I bet every one of them was here in one way or another, because of Sir Patrick and the Sky At Night. To be recording new programmes here is special enough, to have the opportunity to recognise a giant of public astronomy more so.

“The new Sir Patrick Moore Observatory is home to our largest, most hands on and perhaps our most romantic telescope. It’s one of the few places in the world where the public get their hands on a professional standard telescope and directly observe the wonders of the universe, under real dark skies. It’s amateur astronomy in professional facilities.

“The whole team here has been inspired by Sir Patrick. Kielder Observatory may not have happened if I hadn’t watched Sky At Night all those years ago and I think all of us would say the same thing. We’re very proud to carry on Sir Patrick’s work and to welcome many hundreds of thousands more people to his observatory and the subject he devoted his life to.”

The Sky At Night recorded its March episode at Kielder which will feature observations of a large asteroid DA14 as it travelled, closely but safely, past earth. DA14 is 45m across and passed closer to the earth than the moon, and closer than some satellites orbit.

The main programme will be about ‘The Moore Winter Marathon’ a challenge to see 50 of the winter sky’s most striking objects, a challenge that was devised by Sir Patrick Moore. Objects that will be observed by telescope, binoculars and the naked eye include supernova remnants, areas of star formation, star clusters, distant galaxies and Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system.

Both events took place with a number of amateur astronomers and members of the public that had booked to visit the Kielder Observatory present. Anyone wishing to visit the Kielder Observatory must book via its website www.kielderobservatory.org.

The Kielder Observatory was built in cooperation with the Kielder Partnership and Forestry Commission.