Follow a heritage trail of free events on Wednesday 14 June to discover the culture and history of South Tyneside
From Jarrow Hall to Souter Lighthouse, heritage sites in South Tyneside are opening their doors to the public to reveal the heritage of the area and the impact that National Lottery funding is making.
Taking place throughout the 14th June, the South Tyneside Stories heritage trail will include family history workshops, walks in the park, free entry to Souter Lighthouse and fairytales at The Word.
All have received funding made possible by National Lottery players. In fact, through grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), more than £12million has been invested into projects sharing and saving South Tyneside’s heritage.
However, with fewer National Lottery funding awards and applications compared to the rest of the North East, South Tyneside is currently a priority area for funding for HLF. This means that staff work closely with organisations to develop strong applications and to ensure South Tyneside’s heritage stories get the recognition they deserve.
Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF North East, said: “This fantastic heritage trail alone demonstrates just how diverse and important South Tyneside’s heritage is – and why we are so keen for more groups to come forward with their ideas! From creative inspiration in iconic Souter Lighthouse to a walk in the park with a heritage twist, these events offer a unique opportunity to see how National Lottery players’ money is helping to tell South Tyneside’s stories and a fantastic chance to get involved in those stories.”
South Tyneside Stories heritage events
On Wednesday 14 June, heritage sites and community groups across South Tyneside are holding events for the public to reveal their stories and celebrate the impact that National Lottery funding has had for the area.
Places to take part include:
- Begin at St Aloysius Church in Hebburn where you can take a closer look at vital restoration work happening to secure the future of the 130 year old church. Tours take place at 11.30am and 12.30pm with a performance at 12noon by organist Peter Kennedy.
- Runes, riddles and Anglo Saxon crafts at Jarrow Hall between 10am and 3pm. Admission is reduced from £5 to £2 per person and free for under 5’s on Wednesday 14 June, from 10am to 3pm, to all National Lottery players and their families – just show a valid National Lottery ticket for the period between June 7th and 21st upon entry. The valid ticket will admit up to 6 people at the reduced rate.
- Speak to artist Jackie Sewell at Customs House between 11am and 4pm about her current work made entirely of recycle carrier bags – you can even have a go yourself!
- Take a trip to The Word where three different groups are hosting activities.
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- Discover the stories of the 7,000 South Tyneside men who fought during the First World War and even research your own ancestors with South Tyneside Libraries. (10am to 3pm)
- See costumed volunteers from Women’s Health in South Tyneside (WHIST) re-enact the lives of suffragettes and explore the role of women during the First World War.
- Hear forgotten folk-lore and fairy tales from different cultures, thanks to the women from Compact for Race Equality in South Tyneside (CREST).
- Take an exclusive guided tour of the art store at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery between 11am and 11:45am. Booking is essential, call 0191 211 5599.
- Learn the secrets of the Arbeia Roman Fort with a guided tour between 4pm and 5pm. Booking is essential, call 0191 277 1410.
- Celebrate 150 years of the South Tyneside Volunteer Life Brigade with a tour of the group’s base at Watch House on South Pier, look back at its history and see modern day search and rescue equipment in action (10am to 4pm)
- Explore the life and history of a South Shields town house at Age Concern Tyneside South’s base at 29 Beach Road, between 10am and 12noon. Get in touch with your own past with a free taster family history workshop from 11am to 11.30am.
- Join the Friends of South Marine Park for a mystery heritage trail between 10am and 12noon. Space is limited so please book your place by contacting the Friends group on friendsoftheparksouthshields@yahoo.com
- Finally, take your National Lottery ticket along to get free entry to South Tyneside’s iconic landmark, Souter Lighthouse. Admission is FREE on Wednesday 14 June, from 11am to 5pm, to all National Lottery players and their families – just show a valid ticket for the period between June 7th and 21st upon entry. The valid National Lottery ticket will admit up to 6 people.
Practice your creative writing skills at a workshop to explore the story of the people who protected the East Coast war channels during the First World War and the shipwrecks which can be seen from the lighthouse. (10am to 4pm, numbers are limited and booking is essential. Contact Kate Devlin, Lighthouse Steward, at Kate.Devlin@nationaltrust.org.uk)
Workshops to reveal all about National Lottery funding
On 15 June 2017, workshops for current and prospective National Lottery grantees will be held at The Word.
Whether you want to sow the seeds of a project idea, get top tips on how to apply for funding or take part in ‘heritage speed dating’ to meet groups who have been through it all before, the Heritage Lottery Fund team will be on hand to help.
Tickets are free and lunch and refreshments will be provided. Book your place now!
For more information about the events and how to get involved, visit South Tyneside Stories on the HLF website bit.ly/SouthTynesideStories (Link goes live on 9 May)
Share your own stories using #SouthTynesideStories at @HLFNorthEast