Communities across Northumberland are to be rewarded for their willingness to welcome all-comers, and allow them to live their lives for a day, thanks to the support of an eatery at the very heart of its own community – the Angel of Corbridge.
The popular eatery, hotel and gathering place has stepped in to sponsor Northumberland Day’s very special ‘Northumbie’ Award for ‘Best Community Involvement’ – the award rewarding the village and local network-focused participation that is at the very heart of the county day celebrations.
At a grass-roots level, various villages are allowing visitors to live their lives for a day, as they provide insight into life in their community and the things that make their village proud, creating an authenticity rare to access in British tourism.
Beadnell, the winner of the ‘Best Dressed Village’ Northumbie award in 2017, when it just missed out on the Best Community Involvement accolade won by Haydon Bridge, has all-day celebrations planned this year.
It makes no secret of the fact that it would love to win the Northumbie Award now sponsored by the Angel of Corbridge and, to that end, has arranged everything from a village parade, complete with pipes and drums, a shortbread contest organised by the WI, a dog show, Punch & Judy show, live music, hog roast, history exhibition and more.
Boulmer village, just down the coast, is enticing visitors into its Memorial Hall – a World War 1 barracks hut – with the promise of exceptional crab sandwiches and cakes, at a pop-up café. It is inviting visitors to not just sample its village life, but its food delights too.
Meanwhile, Newbiggin-on-Sea has celebrations in the Maritime Centre, plus not-to-be-missed local food treats being especially concocted by Melanie’s Tea Room.
Norham village, overlooking the River Tweed and right on the border between England and Scotland, has its own very special celebration worthy of the Northumbie Award judges’ consideration. It is staging a fabulous community picnic, with tours of its amazing castle, outdoor games and a treasure trail, all of which present very special opportunities for those visiting for the day.
Without the support of businesses like The Angel of Corbridge, rewarding all this special effort and willingness to share just would not be possible. Northumberland Day receives no funding of any kind and its only income comes from the generosity of businesses like The Angel of Corbridge.
Jane Hunt, organiser of Northumberland Day and managing director of Catapult PR, says: “The Best Community Involvement’ Northumbie Award really rewards the essence of Northumberland Day – the grass-roots passion for the county that gives Northumberland Day its strength and which gives it more momentum with each passing day.
“It is a very special award to win, as it recognises the efforts that different parts of a community, diverse special interest groups and dynamic individuals make to ensure that their community does not miss out on the celebrations and is made richer through participation in them. Beadnell experienced the powerful cohesion that can come through participation in Northumberland Day last year and has built on that this year. Norham and Boulmer are witnessing the benefits for the first time.
“Other communities may be doing things we do not yet know about. All I can say is that, thanks to the Angel of Corbridge. we have again been able to reward this very special element within the multi-faceted celebration that is Northumberland Day and we cannot thank Kevin Laing and his team enough.”
More information about Northumberland Day events still to come in the programme, including the Angel’s own celebration on May 27, which include a chance to find out more about the Angel’s history from local historian, David Waugh, can be found at www.northumberlandday.co.uk
Additionally, details of the six sponsored Northumbie awards, all handmade by fused-glass artist Helen Grierson, can be found there, along with the entry form. Entries for all six categories are already open.
