See inside Whitley Bay s new bookshop which is a hit with Vera creator Ann Cleeves
It s a new chapter for Forum Books as the Corbridge institution launches a new bookshop at Whitley Bay
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Northumberland is open for business and we’re raring to go! That’s the message behind a new Shop Local, Shop Northumberland campaign launched by the county council. Helping to shine a light on the wide choice of independent businesses in the county, the campaign will showcase the diversity and quality of retailers and will encourage us all to discover what is on our doorstep. We know that many of you have been continuing to support your favourite local business during lockdowns. For others you may have discovered in the last year what’s on your high street and perhaps you have come to rely on this service during these challenging times.
A CAMPAIGN encouraging Northumberland residents to shop locally is to be launched ahead of Monday’s easing of restrictions. Northumberland County Council’s Shop Local, Shop Northumberland campaign will go live on Monday, encouraging residents to support the wide choice of local independent businesses in the county. Two of the shops involved in the campaign include Forum Books in Corbridge and clothing company Ivy & Rigg in Newbrough. Amie Nevin, co-founder of Ivy and Rigg, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. Before doing Ivy and Rigg I had a massive underappreciation for small businesses - not only for the work that they undertake, but also in terms of showing the characteristics of Northumberland and what unique things are on offer up here. After Covid particularly, there’s been a real renewed sense of local areas appreciating what is on the doorstep and what they bring to their area.”
Helen Steadman has just published her third historical novel, The Running Wolf, through Impress Books. As part of her research, Helen decided to go the extra mile and trained as a blacksmith, and managed to hand-forge her own sword under the supervision of historical blademaker and TV consultant, Rod Hughes. She said: “I grew up knowing about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers because we had a copy of The Consett Story by the Lions Club at home. “It was full of local legends of witches, giants and swordmakers, and I loved reading it when I was little. In particular, there was a tale about one swordmaker who’d bet he could make the finest sword.