News and information
Find out here what people have been up to so far ...
Craster (July 9th, 2009)
The last event for 2009 was at Craster. A lovely summers evening visit to Mick Oxley's studio, a walk along the coast led by Tom Cadwallender from the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a buffet supper provided by the Black Olive Cafe.
A great chance to view Mick's beautiful seascapes, and hear a little about the story behind his move into painting. Mick gave the group an insight into his ambitions for his very stylish gallery and told the group about his approach to working collaboratively with local business.
People were able to pick up information for visitors from both Fiona Knox, Northumberland National Park and Tom Cadwallender, Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The summer evening event was a lovely way to round off 2009 and introduce the new events programme for 2010. For those who couldn't make it please go to the Programme for 2010 to find out what is in store for the new season.
We love feedback at Coast and Country and encourage you to drop us an email about what you have enjoyed, what you would improve and suggestions for the future Please go to the Contact us page and get in touch.
Copying Nature – The landscapes of ‘Capability’ Brown and veteran trees (February 12th, 2009)
The second event for Coast and Country, Copying Nature unfortunately caught the last heavy snow fall. Nick Owen provided a thoughtful and gentle introduction to the life and work of ‘Capability’ Brown who was born at Kirkhale and worked on estates in Northumberland.
Nick gave a real insight in to what Capability Brown was striving to achieve with his landscapes and planting schemes offering people framed views of the beautiful Northumberland Countryside.
Steve Lowe of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust gave a passionate talk about the veteran trees, the real old timers that we share our own backyards with. Trees that have seen a lot of history and have stories to tell are national monuments. He talked of his aspirations for the Wildlife Trust to map (with the help of the public) veteran trees local to us in Northumberland. In the meantime he directed us to the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt which you can connect with and input into right now, a great one to share with visitors especially if you have a favourite ancient tree local to you. www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk
Unfortunately due to snow, the buffet was stranded so we missed the delicious home cooking of The Pantry at Overacres, Nr Otterburn, www.thepantryatoveracres.co.uk.
Holy Island - Early Christianity, Northumberland's Golden Age (January 15th 2009)
On a cold January morning a hardy bunch of tourism business people gathered in the car park at Holy Island ready for the first Coast and Country event of the year.
Derek Sharman pitched his morning walk around the village and priory perfectly, he took the group to some little known tucked away places with amazing views, perfect insider knowledge to share with visitors. The morning was rounded off with a visit to the beautiful local church and then across the way to the Priory which had been specially opened by English Heritage for Coast and Country.
By the end of the morning the cold was starting to take its toll and people were glad of the warm welcome, hot drinks and wonderful buffet food (courtesy of the Crown and Anchor) at St Cuthbert’s Centre.
In the afternoon, Derek filled in the gaps in othe group's knowledge with an illustrated talk entitled ‘Northumberland’s Golden Age’ with great suggestions of where to send your visitor. Linda Carroll, graphic designer and skilled calligrapher from Hexham offered people an insight into the techniques of calligraphy and illuminated text behind the Lindisfarne Gospels.
There was an opportunity at lunch and at the end, for businesses and organisations to informally network and exchange information.
People left with attractive new Coast and Country folders in which information from the events and elsewhere can be collated and used by both business and visitors. Derek Sharman had prepared notes for people to take away and the Northumberland Coast AONB had publications available, free, as a taster for tourism businesses. The Northumberland Coast AONB is able to do a ‘cost price’ deal with businesses attending Coast and Country.
Hay Time Walk (June 19th 2008)
Barrowburn Farm and Camping Barn, Coquetdale in Northumberland National Park
Hay meadow visit
The summer field visit took a group of 25 up the Coquet valley to Barrowburn Farm and Camping Barn and the surrounding hay meadows. It was a superb evening and the lower rolling slopes of the Cheviots were a fantastic backdrop for the event. Shaun Hackett, Seeding Change Officer for Northumberland National Park, guided a group through the hay meadows helping people discover the nature of the meadows and the stories behind individual plants and hay making. He was able to tell people the best time to visit and where to go.
After the walk everyone piled in to Barrowburn Camping Barn where a delicious supper had been laid on by Ian and Eunice Tait. While everyone was together there was an opportunity to chat about Coast and Country and what is coming up in 2008/09. The group was welcomed to the Barn by Ian Tait who manages the Camping Barn and adjacent Deer Hut. It was a great chance to see the Barn and Deer Hut and appreciate the potential for directing your visitor there for a night or more as part of their stay with you. They will love the ‘wilderness’ experience and welcome returning to you for hot showers and cooked breakfasts. This year Eunice is cooking for the visitor serving home cooked food and ice creams from the farm. To find out lots more visit www.barrowburn.com.
