Passionate People, Passionate Places: the North East s 10 best painters
We pull together some of the greatest artists the region has produced
Thomas Bewick
The wood-engraver was born in Mickley, near Prudhoe, in 1753 and became famous for his engravings of natural scenes.
He is best known for his A History of British Birds and for his illustrated editions of Aesop’s Fables throughout his life. His admirers included the poets Wordsworth and Tennyson, and the novelist Charlotte Bronte.
The work of Bewick is celebrated at the Cherryburn National Trust site - located at his birthplace - and there is a bust at the location of his former workshop behind Newcastle Cathedral.
WITH many families staying home, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that schools are still open for key workers. Teachers up and down the country are continuing to put themselves at risk of contracting coronavirus by coming to work - and many are going above and beyond to teach their pupils in these difficult times. The Hexham Courant launched its bouquet of the week feature in April to recognise the achievements of people helping others in their community. This week, the award goes to the staff team at Shaftoe Primary School in Haydon Bridge. The school was nominated by the Haydon Bridge Covid-19 Community Care Group. Hayley Turner explained why they chose to shine a light on the team.
THE owners of a rural holiday let have reacted with fury at plans to infill a former railway bridge at the bottom of their garden. Highways England has announced plans to demolish or infill more than 100 structures on disused railways, where safety concerns have arisen. One of those facing major changes is a bridge found at Staward Station near Allendale. The bridge carries traffic on the road from Catton to the A686, and can be found at the bottom of Allan and Alison Park s garden. The couple operate The Waiting Room holiday cabin, created from an authentic Victorian station ticket office on the old platform of the Staward Station on the disused railway line that used to run between Haydon Bridge and Allendale.
NOTHING is more important than health and welfare during a pandemic. And while every business has been affected in one way or another, the role of local pharmacies has increased considerably. Haydon Bridge Pharmacy has long been a one-stop-shop for a wide range of medical needs. But now it s 27-strong team of staff, which includes specialists who offer private consultations to residents about their medical needs, are continuing to work flat out to cater for the needs of the community. And it s not just in Haydon Bridge, for the business’s eight delivery drivers travel across the district, reaching out as far afield as Brampton, West Denton, Otterburn and Consett.
FROM street parties to giant stotties and Guinness World Record attempts. That s the legacy of an event which has made such an impact on the Tyne Valley and beyond over the past half decade. The annual Northumberland Day has become a leading event on the county s calendar, celebrating the county s culture, heritage and people. And while it couldn t take place as normal due to the coronavirus pandemic last spring, Northumberland Day proved it could still be a real hit with a host of online activities. The celebration was the brainchild of Dr Stuart Madnick, the American businessman who grew to love the Tyne Valley and Northumberland as a whole.