Summer of events announced for multi-million-pound urban heritage trail
A series of events to encourage people to walk and enjoy a nine-mile trail connecting historic sites along the River Tyne starts with the re-opened Dunston Staiths tomorrow (Saturday 1 June).
Gateshead Council leaders earlier this year agreed to invest £1.5m of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation to fund the Tyne Derwent Way, which is being delivered by Gateshead Riverside Partnership.
The partnership, led by the council, is a collaboration between it, the National Trust, Newcastle and Northumbria universities and the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust.
The aim of the summer activities is to ensure local people can get to enjoy the heritage trail - which starts in the centre of Gateshead at St Mary's Heritage Centre and makes its way to the Gibside estate in the Derwent Valley.
Other key destinations include the Land of Oak and Iron Heritage Centre and the Nine Arches Viaduct.
Events this summer range from arts clubs to the Red Kite Festival, urban nature treks to the re-opening of the Dunston Staiths, once a crucial gateway for the coal industry, where ships were loaded with coal and sent all over the world. In 2008, it was declared 'at risk' after decades of decline before suffering serious damage in 2019 and 2020, when the wooden structure was thought to have been deliberately set alight.
Following extensive restoration work the Grade II historic structure has been reopened to the public for the first time in four years after being devastated by the fire.
Gateshead Council has been awarded over £11.6m of UKSPF from the Government, which it is investing in economic and cultural heritage plans with the aim of boosting living standards and building pride in communities.
Cllr Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Gateshead Council said:
"Our economic vision for Gateshead is to create a place where everyone has access to good jobs, businesses can flourish and there are great places to visit and enjoy.
"Tyne Derwent Way is a notable example of us working with partners so people can experience our great local heritage and enjoy the outdoors, especially now the weather is turning better.
"Using the funding this way is absolutely the right thing to do as it helps to build pride in our local communities and place, which in turn helps with mental and physical health. I would encourage everyone to take part in these activities this summer and enjoy the great place that Gateshead is, with heritage and culture like nowhere else right here on our doorstep."
Over the coming year the trail will be undergoing revitalisation using the £1.5m of UKSPF allocation. This funding will enhance the pathways, signage, and artworks along the Tyne Derwent Way, making the area's natural beauty, cultural significance, and heritage more accessible to all.
This support is also being used to create a mix of activities and volunteering opportunities along the route.
Residents are encouraged to find out more and sign up for the events on the Tyne Derwent Way website (opens new window). Please note, for some events booking and small charges may apply.
Full summer event listings can be found Tyne Derwent Way website (opens new window) or follow Tyne Derwent Way on social media for reminders and further event announcements.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government's Levelling Up agenda. Its aim is to provide £2.6 billion of funding for local investment nationally by March 2025, with local authority areas of the UK receiving an allocation from the fund.
When deciding where their funding should be allocated, Councils need to invest in schemes which:
- boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector
- spread opportunities and improve public services
- restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging
- empower communities to lead their local areas
Underneath the overarching aim of building pride in place and increasing life chances, there are three UKSPF investment priorities: communities and place; supporting local business; and people and skills.
A series of events to encourage people to walk and enjoy a nine-mile trail connecting historic sites along the River Tyne starts with the re-opened Dunston Staiths tomorrow (Saturday 1 June).
Gateshead Council leaders earlier this year agreed to invest £1.5m of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation to fund the Tyne Derwent Way, which is being delivered by Gateshead Riverside Partnership.
The partnership, led by the council, is a collaboration between it, the National Trust, Newcastle and Northumbria universities and the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust.
The aim of the summer activities is to ensure local people can get to enjoy the heritage trail - which starts in the centre of Gateshead at St Mary's Heritage Centre and makes its way to the Gibside estate in the Derwent Valley.
Other key destinations include the Land of Oak and Iron Heritage Centre and the Nine Arches Viaduct.
Events this summer range from arts clubs to the Red Kite Festival, urban nature treks to the re-opening of the Dunston Staiths, once a crucial gateway for the coal industry, where ships were loaded with coal and sent all over the world. In 2008, it was declared 'at risk' after decades of decline before suffering serious damage in 2019 and 2020, when the wooden structure was thought to have been deliberately set alight.
Following extensive restoration work the Grade II historic structure has been reopened to the public for the first time in four years after being devastated by the fire.
Gateshead Council has been awarded over £11.6m of UKSPF from the Government, which it is investing in economic and cultural heritage plans with the aim of boosting living standards and building pride in communities.
Cllr Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Gateshead Council said:
"Our economic vision for Gateshead is to create a place where everyone has access to good jobs, businesses can flourish and there are great places to visit and enjoy.
"Tyne Derwent Way is a notable example of us working with partners so people can experience our great local heritage and enjoy the outdoors, especially now the weather is turning better.
"Using the funding this way is absolutely the right thing to do as it helps to build pride in our local communities and place, which in turn helps with mental and physical health. I would encourage everyone to take part in these activities this summer and enjoy the great place that Gateshead is, with heritage and culture like nowhere else right here on our doorstep."
Over the coming year the trail will be undergoing revitalisation using the £1.5m of UKSPF allocation. This funding will enhance the pathways, signage, and artworks along the Tyne Derwent Way, making the area's natural beauty, cultural significance, and heritage more accessible to all.
This support is also being used to create a mix of activities and volunteering opportunities along the route.
Residents are encouraged to find out more and sign up for the events on the Tyne Derwent Way website (opens new window). Please note, for some events booking and small charges may apply.
Full summer event listings can be found Tyne Derwent Way website (opens new window) or follow Tyne Derwent Way on social media for reminders and further event announcements.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government's Levelling Up agenda. Its aim is to provide £2.6 billion of funding for local investment nationally by March 2025, with local authority areas of the UK receiving an allocation from the fund.
When deciding where their funding should be allocated, Councils need to invest in schemes which:
- boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector
- spread opportunities and improve public services
- restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging
- empower communities to lead their local areas
Underneath the overarching aim of building pride in place and increasing life chances, there are three UKSPF investment priorities: communities and place; supporting local business; and people and skills.
