County day marked with rescue tribute
EVENT BACK FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING
Reporter AN event celebrating the best of Northumberland has been launched with a tribute to legendary Grace Darling.
The second-ever Northumberland Day is set to take place on May 27, though events celebrating the county will run from May 18 to the end of the month.
Organisers this year kicked off the festivities with a trip to Longstone Island in the Farne Islands, where a heart-shaped red and yellow flower arrangement was place in tribute to the famed lighthouse keeper’s daughter who rescued stranded sailors from rocks in the area in 1838.
The first Northumberland Day took place last year, championed by local businesses including the team behind Langley Castle – and it’s set to get even bigger this year, with a full programme of events.
Northumberland Day organiser Jane Hunt said: “Community is at the very heart of Northumberland Day and great Northumbrians like Grace Darling have helped shape the community of today, so it is only fitting that we celebrate her legacy in our launch activity.
“We have some fabulous events to enjoy over 13 days so far, some of which are experiences you cannot usually buy into, so the message has to be to celebrate all of these, give them support and become inspired for Northumberland Day 2019.
“If people do nothing else this Northumberland Day, we would ask them to decorate their home or business with a flag, or wear the county’s colours. If they are on Twitter, please also use the hashtag #NorthumberlandDay to share what you are doing to celebrate. It’s easy to do and a great way to demonstrate that Northumberland is one community and a proud community.”
This year, revellers in Northumberland will be able to enjoy everything from the launch of new Northumbrian beers and gins at Taste of Northumbria in Alnwick; a special Northumberland Day race evening at Hexham Racecourse, and a walk along The Pilgrim’s Way to Holy Island with Footsteps in Northumberland, to Northumbrian foodfocused menus in pubs such as the Angel at Corbridge and Melanie’s Tea Room in Newbiggin-by-theSea; a disability sports’ taster session day in Alnwick, with Paralympian Stephen Miller, and ‘Ashington Rocks’ – a rock festival featuring local bands and taking place on May 27.
Schools from Newsham Primary in Blyth to Allendale Primary, near Hexham are planning a week of class activities that will give their children insight into past and present-day Northumberland and great Northumbrians. The day will also see the presentation of the “Northumbie Awards”, sponsored by Hexhamshire Brewery, Newcastle International Airport, Langley Castle Hotel, Catapult PR and the Helen Grierson Glass Studio, rewarding the Most Passionate Pub, Restaurant, Café or Tea Room, the Most Passionate School, the Best Designed Event, the Best Foodie Event or Initiative and the individual most worthy of the ‘Above and Beyond’ Special Recognition Award. At Langley Castle, the Marvels, Massacre and More! event on May 26 will feature a re-enaction of the Hexham Massacre of 1761 by the Time Bandits, falconry, Northumbrian piping and more.