Press Enquiries

Contact: info@bellingham-heritage.org.uk

Some recent press reports about the Heritage Centre - not comprehensive

19 Mar 2012 Hexham Courant -New Carriages open

30 Nov 2011 Hexham Courant-CEREMONY HONOURS VOLUNTEERS AT HERITAGE CENTRE

03 Oct 2011 Hexham Courant-VISIT BY PILGRIMS FROM BELLINGHAM , THATS BELLINGHAM USA

09 Aug 2011The Journal (Newcastle)- BELLINGHAM FLOOD IN PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

06 May 2011 Hexham Courant - A SHOCK TO SEE TWO RAILWAY CARRIAGES

18 Apr 2011 Hexham Courant - RAILWAY TRUNDLES INTO BELLINGHAM

15 Apr 2011The Journal (Newcastle) - HERITAGE CENTRE HOPES TRAIN WILL BOOST TOURISM

21 Mar 2011 Hexham Courant - HERITAGE CENTRE AIMS TO DRAW IN THE CROWDS

18 Mar 2011The Journal (Newcastle) - BOOST FOR HERITAGE CENTRE

07 Mar 2011 Hexham Courant - GROWING APPEAL OF CENTRE

31 Jan 2011 Hexham Courant - HERITAGE CENTRE GETS LOTTERY CASH

18 Jan 2011The Journal (Newcastle) - CASH BOOST TO HERITAGE CENTRE

17 Jan 2011 Hexham Courant - EXHIBITION DISCOVERS NEW HORIZONS

17 Jan 2011 Hexham Courant - STUDENTS DRAW UP 10-YEAR PLAN

Full steam ahead for Bellingham’s railway history thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund
Posted on Saturday, 22nd January, 2011
Press & Media >> Press Releases

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The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has today announced a confirmed¹ grant of £173,600 to the Heritage Centre, Bellingham for an exciting new project that will open up the North East's rich railway history.

Founded in 1994 by volunteers, the Bellingham Heritage Centre seeks to preserve the history and heritage of the North Tynedale and Redesdale valleys. Based in Bellingham’s former railway station, the Centre focuses on the diverse rural, industrial and railway heritage of the area.

A main element of the project will be refurbishing and installing two Mark 1 railway carriages in the station yard - one will be used as a new learning and exhibition space, the other as visitor facilities. This will vastly improve the visitor experience and make the centre an even better day out.

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North East, Ivor Crowther, said:

“The Heritage Centre, Bellingham provides a great insight into the varied heritage of the local area and is a hugely important resource. This project, especially the education programme, means its fascinating collections will be available for more people to appreciate and learn about. The Heritage Lottery Fund is pleased to support this worthwhile project and everyone who has worked hard to make it happen.”

To encourage more people to come and enjoy the Centres wide range of collections and bring them to life, a three year education programme will be introduced aimed at local schools. Existing and new volunteers will receive conservation and curatorial training, enabling them to really get involved with the Centre and provide them with valuable skills.

Terry Bragg, Chairman of the Heritage Centre said:

“We are delighted with the news. This Heritage Lottery Fund grant is coming at a crucial time in our development. We have twice as many visitors coming to the Heritage Centre as we did three years ago with visitor numbers for 2010 up by more than 25% over 2009. The railway display is a huge attraction and the new railway carriage will give us more exhibition space as well as a learning space for children and young people. The North Tyne and Redewater area is full of history and culture and magnificent landscapes. Thanks to this grant, more people will be able to enjoy some of the rich heritage of the area”.

The Heritage Centre has permanent exhibitions on the Border Reivers, local coal pits, stone quarries and ironworks, Border Counties Railway, and Bellingham photographer, W P Collier. Visitors to the Centre can access over 2500 local photographs and a database of names of people connected to the area, and hear recordings of local people talking about life in the ‘old days’. The Heritage Centre is also home to the Bellingham Tourist Information Office.

For further information and images, please contact:

HLF Press Office, Laura Bates on 0207 591 6027 / lbates@hlf.org.uk

Seán Mac Nialluis, Heritage Centre, Bellingham info@bellingham-heritage.org.uk

Notes to Editors

¹A confirmed award means that money had already been earmarked by HLF for the project in question and that the full amount has now been secured.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK with £209 million in the North East alone. Website: www.hlf.org

Last changed: Monday, 21st February, 2011

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