January 14th, 2017

Workshops Set To Inspire Those Wishing To Celebrate Northumberland Day

The creators of the concept of ‘Northumberland Day’ – a day entering the calendar for the first time on May 28 2017 – are organising a series of workshops, to help individuals, networks, businesses and community groups devise action plans for their activities and celebrations.

Langley Castle and Catapult PR will be staging the first workshop at Langley Castle, in Langley-on-Tyne, on January 24. The workshop will start at 11am and run until 1pm, but Catapult will be at the castle until 3pm, for those who wish to stay longer, or drop in for a one-to-one discussion.

The workshop is aimed at inspiring anyone who wants to celebrate Northumberland Day, whether they are a business owner, from a parish council, a school teacher or just someone who is proud of their county and wishes to show it.

A second workshop will be held at Newton Hall, Newton-by-the-sea, Alnwick, on Wednesday February 15.

A third workshop is also being arranged in Morpeth, with a date to be announced shortly. Catapult is also looking to arrange a workshop in Berwick, if a host venue comes forward.

The current workshops are open to anyone who can get to Langley-on-Tyne or Alnwick. Those attending can, learn more and determine how they could plan something either on Northumberland Day itself, or in the week surrounding it.

Some have already decided on their Northumberland Day action plans. Hexham Racecourse is an example of one business already well on with its chosen activities. Its celebrations will be on the evening of Tuesday May 23, when it will be staging a race meeting.

There will be a specially-named Northumberland Day Stakes on the race card, which is open for sponsorship, and a Northumberland Day menu has been devised, to showcase the county’s fabulous local food.

The menu comprises Blagdon Farm Chicken Pie with a Northumbrian Nettle cheese and tarragon cream sauce, or Northumbrian Leek Pudding with a Mordon Blue cheese sauce, followed by Northumbrian Curd Cheesecake served with fresh berries and clotted cream. Tea, coffee and mints will follow. Those booking this package, will also be able to take part in the racecourse’s celebrations, as they will receive Club Enclosure Entry and a place in the Henderson Suite for the day.

Hexham Racecourse’s Lauren Dobson says: “We were so enthused when we heard about Northumberland Day that we knew we had to get involved. I hope everyone who is proud of the county will do the same and take advantage of the workshops, for inspiration.”

She adds that more information about the Northumberland Day Package is available from laurendobson@hexham-racecourse.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Hexham Abbey is arranging a medieval fair and Ashington is staging a Northumbrian food market on May 27 and a rock concert on May 28.

There will be a special walk laid on from Haltwhistle and attraction, Woodhorn, has plans to lay on something special too. Various businesses are planning and finalising their celebrations and different networks are consulting with their members to see what they can create.

Active Northumberland has a celebration of Northumbrian food taking place in the week leading up to the first Northumberland Day, whilst the County Show has plans to celebrate in style when it is staged on the day after Northumberland Day.

Langley Castle’s general manager, Eric Kortenbach, says: “We have had so many positive emails, telling us that various businesses and individuals want to be involved, whilst many more want ideas of how to be. This is why we are staging Northumberland Day workshops and trying to excite and mobilise as many networks and groups as possible.

“We hope to see as many people as possible at our workshop here on January 24, or on a drop-in basis that afternoon.”

Anyone wishing to attend this first workshop, or the February 15 workshop at Newton Hall, should email NDay@catapultpr.co.uk to register.

Langley Castle and Catapult PR are still seeking the involvement of a website designer willing to create a small micro-site for Northumberland Day, as their contribution. Any web designers interested in doing this should contact NDay@catapultpr.co.uk

ENDS

Press calls: Jane Hunt, Catapult PR, 01253 891114 – jane@catapultpr.co.uk