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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

KNITTING PEOPLE TOGETHER – Bellingham Heritage Centre wants ‘many hands from many places’ to knit it a scarf!
Posted on Friday, 1st April, 2011
Press & Media >> Press Releases

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The Heritage Centre at Bellingham, Northumberland would like its visitors to knit it a woollen scarf - a very, very, very long scarf. The "Knitting People Together" project is not a bid for a world record but is an attempt to get as many people as possible, from home and abroad, to create something very special – a hand-knitted woollen scarf "made by many hands from many places". The names of knitters, and the places they come from, will be recorded and the Centre will produce a map, for display, listing them.

The organisers hope that some people will choose to mark a birthday or other anniversary, their own or someone else"s, in this way. The Heritage Centre is providing the wool and the knitting needles but donations of knitting wool are welcome. To avoid delays when the Centre is very busy, visitors can add rows to different "squares" which will then be sewn together. The "Knitting People Together" project is intended to run for at least a year. The event is being launched on Monday 4 April 2011 at the Heritage Centre at Bellingham and starts at 2.00 pm. Normal admission charges (£3 adult, Family £6, Concession £2) apply. Knitters are invited to make an extra donation to the scarf project (suggested £1 for an adult knitter, 50p for a child knitter).

Many people have knitted before now at the Heritage Centre at Bellingham. A woollen scarf was started some years ago and left out so that visitors could add a few rows. It was meant to be a relaxing thing to do so there were no instructions. Often a parent showed their children how to knit and, at least once, a young man coaxed a young woman to have a go and then teach him. That scarf is kept at the Centre. At first glance it does not appear to be special because there are different widths along its length, the colours clash and different knitters used different tensions. But it was knitted by people from different places who are never likely to meet. How many visitors to museums have the opportunity to get involved in creating something?

Beginners or learners are very welcome to take part as are groups of knitters. There are occasions when there may not be a "knitting teacher" on duty or space is limited so it is recommended that people phone in advance if they are from either of these groups. Rosemary Haynes, a volunteer at the Heritage Centre, said: "The scarf will be a great attraction and the idea of different people from different places who don't know each other all contributing is wonderful. I am sure many people will want to be part of this – it will be great fun!"

The Heritage Centre will have a special website page to document progress of the "Knitting People Together" project: www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk

Posters and web images for the project may also be downloaded from the website.

The Heritage Centre is open every day from Friday 1 April. A full programme of exhibitions and events is scheduled for the rest of the year. From Monday 4 April (from 2.00 pm) until Wednesday 11 May the Centre is hosting a visiting exhibition from the Robert Stephenson Trust entitled "Robert Stephenson – Life and Rainhill". Its very popular annual outdoor "Classic and Vintage Vehicles Display" is being held over Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April with exhibitors from the local area as well as from Scottish and border clubs taking part. Other events are in the process of being updated to the website.

The Centre has acquired two Mark 1 railway coaches which will be refurbished and fitted out as exhibition/educational space and tea-room. The track for the coaches has already been laid in station yard and the coaches are due to be transported from Okehampton before the end of April. Funding for this project has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Northumberland Uplands LEADER programme. This funding also covers the appointment of a part-time curator and a part-time education officer. It is expected that these posts will be filled during May. The funding covers three years.

The Heritage Centre had over 4,000 visitors during 2010 but plans to increase this to 10,000 by 2013.

NOTE TO EDITORS/PICTURE EDITORS:

Photo opportunity 1: Group of 8-10 women and men starting to knit the Scarf, The Heritage Centre Monday 4 April 2.00 pm
Photo opportunity 2: ‘Robert Stephenson – Life and Rainhill’ Exhibition, The Heritage Centre Monday 4 April 3.00 pm. J Michael Taylor from the Robert Stephenson Trust will also be available for interview.
Photo opportunity 3: Newly railway track for two Mark 1 Railway coaches

Further information:

Seán Mac Nialluis

Email: info@bellingham-heritage.org.uk

Tel: (01434) 609 320

Last changed: Friday, 1st April, 2011

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