Appreciating the hills
Alongside the practical works, an extensive programme of community consultation and communication took place, beginning with a campaign to ensure that everyone living and working around the hills, and indeed in the region, was aware of exactly what was happening on the hilltops and why.
Alnwick Castle Consultation
Underpinning the project, an event was held at Alnwick Castle on 13th February 2008 to inform and engage a wide range of people about the opportunities that investment in Simonside could yield. The aim was to encourage local people to take ownership of this precious and sensitive asset and to act as ambassadors for its future enjoyment and protection. Over 100 people took part in the consultation event, and a third of these opted to be involved in future activities to look after Simonside. Following lively discussion, some strong themes emerged including the need to encourage families and young people to experience the hills on their doorstep, and the importance of remembering the less abled.
Ideas from the consultation were incorporated into a valuable five-year interpretation plan which researched and identified the factors that made the culture and nature of the hills so significant.
Downloadable walks
From April 2008, community engagement and communication activity was continued. First, a number of walks were developed for Simonside – including one especially for children - and made into walk cards downloadable from both National Park and Forestry Commission websites. Information panels on the hills and a comprehensive map-guide covering the nature, history, folklore and community have also been created.
WI ephemeral art
During the Summer on a rare dry day in July, the Northumberland Women’s Institute celebrated their 90th Anniversary and commitment to the environment with a massive ephemeral artwork.
Children from five local schools helped to make and display the 90 metre banner featuring felt footprints of WI members and local children which was carried up the 90 steps of the path sponsored by the WI.
Simonside Familly Day
The culmination of the first year’s community activity took place during the August school holidays with a Simonside Family Discovery Day, in which the National Park worked with local partners to provide a day of outdoor activities for all ages.
As well as walks, craft-making and storytelling for youngsters, geo-cache treasure hunts were run by a local business.
Activities for all ages included themed walks for various abilities and the National Park ecologist, biodiversity officer and archaeologist were on hand to talk about the wildlife and important of the site, as well as the Rangers who had undertaken the footpath improvements.
Local potter, Graham Taylor made replica prehistoric pots and the Forestry Commission had a workshop making woodland animals.
A Landrover Safari enabled the less able bodied to go up to a high point to relive fond memories. Close to 60 elderly people enjoyed the safari making use of Northumberland National Park’s Landrovers, and the Forestry Commission’s minibus, driven by respective Rangers.
Participants came from Rothbury Over 60s Club, Rodsley Court in Rothbury, Rothbury House (RAFA) and Age Concern. The groups saw prehistoric pots being made by local potter, Graham Taylor, (and joined in themselves), as well as visiting the Forestry Commission’s car park to enjoy the hive of activity going on there, and partake of a cup of tea or coffee provided by the local Scout group.
Running this day in conjunction with National Parks Week and the Year of Food and Farming, a picnic of locally-produced food was provided.
Simonside Family Day was extremely successful, drawing some 300 people into the hills to learn about and enjoy its views, nature, history and folklore. Many people expressed the hope that it would become an annual event, and there are many opportunities to take forward for the future.
