Northumberland Heritage Open Days 2009
The nation's largest annual celebration of architecture, history and culture, Heritage Open Days takes place over four days every September, as part of European Heritage Days, which sees 49 countries throw open the doors of thousands of historic places for people to explore for free! In 2008, over 1,600 organisers staged a total of 3,717 property openings and events across England. It was the biggest Heritage Open Days programme ever, attracting around 1 million visitors over four days. In 2009, more buildings and events than ever before took part in Northumberland, many of which are either not normally open to the public, or usually charge an entrance fee.
Heritage Open Days is not just for the heritage enthusiast, and there were lots of family and children's activities on offer, and the chance to discover some of Northumberland's hidden gems. Events ranged from historical re-enactments in Berwick Town Hall to a Woodhorn at War tour, an ecological self-build at Belford using local timber and sheep's wool insulation, a talk by John Grundy in Morpeth Chantry, performances by Ellington Colliery Band at the newly restored Blyth Bandstand, a fantastical tea at Whalton Manor Gardens and a guided walk through the woods at Bothal.
And all of these fantastic events were free!
NECT co-ordinated this county-wide event together with Northumberland County Council, Northumberland Heritage Forum and English Heritage, with sponsorship from The Sir James Knott Trust, Northumberland County Council and Heritage Lottery Fund.
WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK YOU MAY HAVE, GOOD OR BAD, ABOUT THE 2009 EVENTS, AND ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU HAVE FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, IS THERE A BUILDING THAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE TAKING PART? AN ACTIVITY THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE ON OFFER?
PLEASE EMAIL: admin@nect.org.uk WITH YOUR THOUGHTS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED THIS YEAR, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW FOR DETAILS:
Northumberland Heritage Open Days 2009 leaflet
