ANCIENT artefacts, contemporary ceramics, music and family fun are just some of the treats on offer at South Tyneside this summer.
South Tyneside Council has once again joined forces with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Bede’s World, Jarrow, to announce its second annual Treasures of South Tyneside programme.
This packed schedule of events, running from May to September, will include displays, exhibitions and interactive activities for people of all ages and the chance to see some of the region’s greatest historical treasures.
These will include the stone head of a Roman goddess, possibly Brigantia, goddess of the Brigantes tribe that ruled northern Britain during the Roman occupation.
Brigantia was said to have been worshipped in South Shields and the stone head will go on display at Arbeia Roman Fort, where it was unearthed last year, ahead of the Gods and Goddesses event onSaturday 23 May.
In addition, visitors to Arbeia this summer will be able to see a replica WW1 tank on 20 June and take part in a Roman army boot camp on 1 August, when Roman soldier Victor the Veteran will introduce them to life on a military campaign.
They will also be able to enjoy a seaside holiday from days gone by with Seaside Shields; a colourful exhibition celebrating the town’s holiday destination heritage at South Shields Museum from 13 June to 2 November.
Meanwhile, at Bede’s World, the summer season kicks off with Clay’s Journey, a new exhibition by York-based ceramicist Loretta Braganza, which is partly inspired by the river and maritime cultures of Jarrow. The exhibition is supported by a full programme of activity including a Salon with the artist on 17 May.
Then, in June, the human body will come under the microscope as the Bede’s World Skeleton Science exhibition unlocks the secrets of our long dead ancestors, using clues from just the bones left behind.
Visitors will be able to trace the life of a skeleton from excavation right through to the laboratory; explore disease, injury, family relationships and discover how cutting edge science is helping to solve some of the greatest archaeological and medical mysteries.
Also in June, art lovers will have the chance to view contemporary Aboriginal prints, on loan from the British Museum, by four of Australia’s leading artists; Judy Watson, Butcher Cherel, Victor Motlop, and Dorothy Napangardi.
The museum will also be working with local artists and crafts people to produce work in their own style but using the Aboriginal art as inspiration, using the colours and themes of the Australian art.
The Treasures of South Tyneside 2015 programme will also feature music, with Arbeia holding Tunes in June on Friday evenings from 5 to 26 June, with a variety of musicians performing at its open-air arena. This includes a Rock the Romans event, with South Shields group Rivelino, on Friday 12 June.
Also in June there will be live music at the Amphitheatre at Sandhaven Beach, South Shields, on Thursday and Saturday evenings, organised by South Tyneside Council. Highlights include The Alan Hull Songbook and Britpop band Dodgy and all events are free.
Bede’s World will be holding its annual Folk Festival and Rivet Catcher music festivals over the summer, where more than 40 musicians will perform over two weekends, as well as its monthly Hive Live events, which showcase local acts every third Friday of the month.
For further information about the full range of exhibitions and displays which make up the Treasures programme, and the venue opening hours, visit www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk.