Case Studies
Since December 2008, the Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group has approved twenty-six projects. A brief synopsis of each of these projects is shown below.
Download the latest Projects Profile
Eastbanks Eco Bothy
The project aims to offer a unique holiday experience for visitors who wish to stay in an utterly private, isolated setting giving visitors access to miles of walking routes along Hadrian's Wall and in the surrounding areas. The focus is on low-impact, eco-friendly tourism using renewable energy and existing completely 'off-grid'. The bothy has access and car park which takes into the account the natural aspect of the landscape. The eco bothy is aimed at small groups and families that are seeking a more rustic" away from it all. holiday without all the modern luxuries.
Hooked Up Hotspots
In preparation for the planned roll out of 1700 vehicle charge points across the North East the National Park is to trial two units within the park boundary to test whether the technology is feasible within the broader rural areas of Northumberland. Currently there is no test data on the use of electric vehicle charge points within rural settings and this trial hopes to offer valuable data on the reliability of the technology and either prove or disprove the concept within a rural setting. Additionally this trial will allow the park to identify logistic and installation costs of charge points in rural areas as currently all charge point trials have up to now only been carried out in urban settings. The Park aims to use this trial to assess and train local contractors in the installation and maintenance of the system. This information will be of great value in the coming roll out of the infrastructure across the North East.
The advantage of proposed charge point system over other versions is that not only can usage and power consumption be monitored but is it is an entirely cash free system as all financial transactions are done online beforehand. Northumberland National Park Authority is one of the partners in the roll-out of electric vehicle charge points and is keen to find out what this means for rural areas.
For further information visit the Northumberland National Park Authority Website
Bellingham All Acoustic Music Festival
LanderMasonForget Glastonbury and T in the Park, the North Tyne will stage its very own weekend-long acoustic music festival, courtesy of two local musicians. Fiona Lander and Paul Mason, who form the Bellingham song-writing duo Landermason, have secured Leader funding from the Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group to organise a brand new music festival on May 1st and 2nd.
In addition to the festival LanderMason plan to upgrade their home-based recording studio and turn it into a commercial space. The duo seek to encourage budding amateur musicians from the district to come forward and record their music locally.
It is hoped that the NULAG’s invest in this innovative idea will not only help the project become self-sustainable annual event but that it will attract more visitors to the uplands and have a long term positive impact on other local business within the community.
Visit the Offical Landermason Website
For details on forthcoming events visit the BAAFest Website
Revialisation & Regeneration of Bellingham
Bellingham District Trade and Tourism Association, representing as many as 59 businesses in and around the remote market town of Bellingham will use its Leader grant to purchase a number of items of event equipment, including public display systems and market stalls. The association will make use of the equipment at public events throughout the year including Bellingham’s monthly fresh produce and craft market. The items will also be made available to members and non-members when they are needed.
Kielder Camping & Caravan Site
The Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group has granted funding for the renovation and improvements to community owned camping and caravan facility.
For more information visit the Kielder Campsite Webpage
Children's Countryside Day
The Glendale Agricultural Society's Children's Countryside Day held near Wooler in Northumberland is one of the foremost rural educational events in the UK. During the past five years, over 8000 first school pupils have learnt about rural life and the importance of conserving the countryside.
NU LAG has supported this innovative and forward thinking project as it believes it will enhance the economic, environmental and social welfare of rural communities across the county. The group sees the Children.s Day as a perfect fit as the Glendale Agricultural Society are leading the way towards the long term sustainability of the countryside.
The annual event is open to all first schools in Northumberland and some from Tyneside and to date over 50 urban and rural schools have taken part. The Children.s Countryside Day aims to improve pupils' knowledge of rural living and food production and promote a healthy lifestyle. It is run in collaboration with an army of volunteers from local businesses and associations and engages children through practical demonstrations. Each year there are over 70 educational exhibits and activities. They include farm livestock; sheep shearing; goats being milked; plants and vegetables being sown and grown; bread-making; butchery; fly-fishing; archaeology; renewable energy and healthy recipes being cooked. The exhibitors talk to the children in small groups and the children are able to take part in activities and ask questions in an informal, fun and relaxed setting away from the classroom.
For details of the next Children's Countryside Day visit the Glendale Agricultural Society's Website
Wooler Youth Drop-In
Wooler Youth Drop-In is being supported over the next four years, by the Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group. Since 1999 Wooler young people, over the age of 13, have been using the centre at 53 High Street and the Local Action Group has been impressed with the range of facilities youth workers and members have planned. Regular activity includes art and music nights, games, a training programme with the Fire service and work with local paramedics. Internet links and regular help from the Connexions service give access to all kinds of information and advice; a service rarely available to young people in rural districts. Older people in the town have given generous support: to the project.
The Local Action Group were impressed with the commitment of the committee and the fact that they are reaching out to young people and offering them all sorts of opportunities in and around Wooler.
For details of the Wooler Youth Drop-In Centre visit the Wooler Gateway Website
Heatherslaw Light Railway
Heatherslaw Light Railway at Ford and Etal, will use Leader funding to complete a new steam locomotive and construct two new 16-passenger capacity carriages. The increased capacity of the extra steam locomotive and rolling stock will ensure reduced waiting times and it will also mean visitors will be guaranteed a trip on a steam-hauled train, rather than the substituted diesel engine at peak periods. The company will use the funding to pay for external expertise to complete the new steam locomotive that Neville began to build over four years ago. Alan Keef Ltd -a specialist steam locomotive manufacturer and restoration company with an international reputation – will carry out the completion of the locomotive.
The new train and carriages will mean that the business will become more sustainable and allow it to grow as a key attraction in the area. The goal is that other neighbouring businesses in and around Etal will also be able to capitalise on an increase in visitor numbers to the area.
It is hoped that investment in one main business in a small community can have a real trickle-down benefit to other neighbouring businesses.
For further information visit the Heatherslaw Light Railway Website
Northumbria Basket Group
A group of creative and enterprising people in the Coquet Valley has succeeded in reviving an ancient craft of the countryside, and will be making an impact on the local tourism economy of their market town of Rothbury this year when the National Basketmakers’ Association www.basketassoc.org holds its annual summer meeting, bringing around 60 people to stay in the area.
Northumbria Basketry Group based at Hepple village hall was started by a small group in early 2007 following an adult day class in basketry run by Liz Balfour at the Middle School in Rothbury. The group was established as a self-help group and gained members as the interest in local basketry grew.
Last year, the group looked to the Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group for a Leader grant to help them cultivate a sustainable local supply of willow instead of having to buy it in from Somerset; run classes in willow weaving and basket making at the local village hall and to research the history of basket making in Northumberland. The LAG voted in favour of the grant and since then Northumbria Basketry Group has not looked back. Courses are in progress, attracting many new people to the satisfying craft, and new willow beds are being planted at Whitton.
Northumbria Basketry Group Official Website
Humshaugh Community Shop
The villages of Humshaugh and Wall have come together to protect their valuable village shop from closure. Facing the real prospect of the final shop in their community closing, local people formed a committee to purchase the lease and take on the day to day management of the shop. Local people run the committee and many of them also volunteered to work in the shop alongside a part time paid manager. They are committed to stocking local produce as much as possible, and have received advice and guidance around the governance of the group from Social Enterprise Northumberland and the Plunkett Foundation. The commitee sourced other funding to complement their request to Leader.
The project tackles real issues of rural deprivation. The initial project development is an excellent example of how a local community is taking on matters that affect it. The shop is really important in terms of basic rural service provision and the community are getting on and doing something about its impending closure.
NULAG is interested in exploring the factors that could make a project like this a success. Initial indicators suggest: a strong coordinator group; a wide level of community 'buy-in'; a critical mass of skilled individuals.
Find out more information at the Humshaugh Village Shop Website.
Equestrian Pilates
Sue Gould-Wright, who runs Equestrian Pilates, is using her Leader grant to purchase a mobile equestrian pilates studio. The studio is a fully carpeted, heated and covered-in horse trailer which boasts a pilates reformer machine and Cadillac exerciser. It is also fully mirrored, making it light, spacious environment to work in. It will accommodate two or three people at a time to do floor work. Riders across Tynedale have warmed to Sue.s method of strengthening their core muscles, improved communication with their horse. Sue's aim is to bridge the gap between a warm studio in Hexham to being outside on the horse. With her trailer she will no longer be limited to the town, but will be able to take her classes across Northumberland.
This project resembles an innovative response to the pressures of the rural economy in Northumberland. It presents an opportunity for a small business to continue trading by targeting a real niche market with a new technique.
Visit the Equestrian Pilates Website.
Uplands Micro Hydro
A group of seven local farmers have been supported by the Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group to explore the potential for installing Micro-Hydro systems on their farms. The stunning natural environment in the Northumberland Uplands may hold opportunities to generate electricity from its water resources that can be used in farm businesses. This project supports the farmers in their pursuit of carbon-neutral land management.
Reducing carbon emissions on marginal upland farms is tricky as a lot of typical farming practise will use minimal inputs. Looking at how farms generate their power can be one way of doing this. If feasible micro-hydro power has the potential to increase farm income, reduce costs and be used as marketing tool for farm produce.
For more information on micro hydro energy see the British Hydropower Association Website
NULogs
Northwoods was given funding from the Northumberland Uplands Leader Programme, to run a firewood supply chain support project. They have launched NULogs and have started the first phase of business support.
NULogs aims to give firewood users the best choice of log suppliers, and to give firewood businesses (or people wanting to get into the sector!) the benefit of training, advice and business support. This support is only available for businesses working within the NULeader area.
If you are a firewood supplier already or are thinking about getting into firewood supply, then NULogs can offer technical advice, business support, funding advice, training, help sourcing timber and any other help your business should need.
For futher information see the NULogs Website
Heritage Walks in North Northumberland
A small grant has been made to Countrywise Consultants to write, design and print a new heritage walking book that will cover 10 walks across north Northumberland.
The book will help visitors and locals enjoy the rich cultural and historic heritage of the area and will also encourage people to visit local businesses nearby.
To enquire about this book contact the Northumberland Walks Website
Glendale Charities Co-Operative
Leader funds have allowed Glendale Gateway Trust to take on a lease for an empty property on Wooler High Street. The Trust will work with a wide range of local charitable groups and organisations that will use the property to hold charity sales in order to raise much needed income. The enterprise will be self-sustaining, with the second year’s costs being raised from a small percentage of takings during the first year.
This innovative and enterprising use of a prime location on Wooler High Street is a fantastic Leader project and encapsulates a real bottom-up community spirit.
Extra Miles - ADAPT
A new way of tackling community transport provision has been supported by the Northumberland Uplands LAG. Minibuses that were being used for school runs have been upgraded with Leader money to allow new routes and services to be extended to rurally isolated communities around Bellingham and Haltwhistle. The two buses will be fully accessible and will be able to carry cycle tourists. Community groups and organisations will be able to hire the buses and they will also cover specific routes identified by local people.
This project creates 3 new jobs and supports remote communities that face challenges when it comes to accessing shops, healthcare and basic services.
For further details see the ADAPT North East Website
Horse Power for Ability
Horse Power for AbilityAn inspirational woman with cerebral palsy is opening a horse power therapy centre to help people with mobility problems in Northumberland with the creation of three jobs.
Dr. Dorothee Debuse is bringing hippotherapy – a specialist physiotherapy intervention using the movement of horses – to the Northumberland Uplands.
Dr. Debuse said, ‘Riding a horse has proved to be incredibly empowering, giving people a great deal of hope with raised self esteem and a feeling of achievement both physically and psychologically. It’s beautiful to witness.’
The business will create jobs for a specialist physiotherapist, a horse handler and an assistant.
Visit the Horse Power for Ability Website
Reach Out - Tynedale Women's Training Group
This project will provide training opportunities for women in five villages across the north Tyne region. Sessions covering practical skills, personal development, and careers advice are run free of charge and a crèche service allows young mothers to join other women of different ages, with different interests and from different social groups in isolated rural communities to develop an informal learning network.
Tynedale Women’s Training Group aims to advance the education of women by providing access to learning and by bringing together organisations to improve the training and learning opportunities for women, NULAG are keen to support this project, which clearly delivers part of their sustainable communities’ objective. This project can tackle the barriers that prevent rural women from gaining qualifications, developing skills, improving their employability and raising their self esteem.
Cheviot Futures
The Tweed ForumThe first New LEADER Approach project in England to be approved! The Tweed Forum Cheviot Futures project will help farmers and land managers take steps to adapt to a changing climate, through a series of demonstration projects that will look at farming techniques and share best practice. These short projects will address the various impacts of climate change faced by rural communities, such as increased flooding and run off carrying soils and pollutants, drought, wildfire, wind erosion and the effects on grouse, sheep and salmon.
Visit the Cheviot Futures Offical Website
Haydon Bridge Tourism Gateway Initiative
Haydon BridgeThe flagship project for Haydon Bridge and Haydon Parish Development Trust will promote the parish as a tourism gateway, renovate the existing library and take it into local ownership in order to provide a wide variety of services, including a visitor information point and space for the sale of local items. This project was at the heart of Haydon Parish Plan and reflects local peoples' priorities for the sustainable development of their own community.
For more information see the Visit Haydon Bridge Website
Slate and Nature
Slate and Nature - new studioGerard van der Veen, a Dutch industrial designer who settled in West Woodburn in 1999, is inspired by re-introducing reclaimed slate to create and manufacture a broad range of specialised items to promote Nature based on sustainable principles like animal housings, garden features and domestic styled decoration, from bird tables to personalised engravings.
After working in his garden shed for some years developing prototypes, Gerard is using his Leader funds to build a workshop. This small scale enterprise will help meet a demand from tourists for locally produced craft products.
Visit the Slate & Nature Website
Traditional Boundaries ~ Traditional Skills
TBTS trainees - Roisin Black and Simon TelferThe overall aim of the project is to run a rural skills apprenticeship scheme, training people in the management and repair of traditional boundaries and associated features such as gates, stiles and fences.The National Park runs this course which provides training and skills in boundary management, including dry-stone walling. The twelve month course is designed so that trainees have the best possible chance of entering full time employment in the rural economy.
For further details see the TBTS Website
