1 BYKER ESTATE � A Conservation Plan for the site was Byker Estate was constructed to a master published in 2005 following substantial plan by British architect, Ralph Erskine involvement from Byker residents and the and was designed to encourage a sense site was listed Grade II* in January 2007. of community. Newcastle City Council is currently Byker is one of the most influential working with partners to pilot a Heritage European social housing schemes of the Partnership Agreement for the future twentieth century and demonstrates the management of the estate. inextricable relationship between people and place.

Heritage Counts 2008 North East Heritage Counts 2008 is the seventh annual survey of the state of England’s historic environment.This report is one of nine separate regional reports and has been prepared by the North East Historic Environment Forum. It should be read in conjunction with the national Heritage Counts 2008 report, available at www.heritagecounts.org.uk where a full set of statistics relating to the historic environment in the North East region can also be found.

Local councils, encouraged by central KEY REGIONAL DATA • In April 2008, there were 53 government, are working with local registered park and garden entries partners and local people to create HERITAGE ASSETS in the North East representing about what are referred to as ‘sustainable 3% of the national total in 2008. • In 2008 there were ten designated communities’. collections within the North East • In 2008 there were six North East of England. entries on the register of historic A sustainable community is one where battlefields. people live, work and thrive in high • In 2008 there were 67 accredited quality places and where there is a museums within the North East balance in the environmental, social of England. MANAGING THE HISTORIC and economic components that • In 2008 there were 40 Visitor ENVIRONMENT define an area. Attraction Quality Assurance • Regrettably, the North East continues Service accredited museums With case studies drawn from to have the highest proportion of in the North East region. across the region, this year’s report Grade I and II* listed buildings at risk demonstrates the fundamental role • Two (of England’s seventeen) World (7.4% compared with a national played by the North East region’s Heritage Sites are located within the average of just 3.2%). historic environment sector in creating North East region.These are Durham • In 2008 there were 123 Grade I and underpinning sustainable places and Castle and Cathedral (inscribed in and II*listed buildings and structural in delivering environmental, social, and 1986) and Hadrian’s Wall (inscribed monuments at risk within the economic well being. in 1987). North East region, 12.6% of • Work is also currently underway to the national total of 977. support the additional inscription • However, 46% of those regional of the twin monastery site of entries that were on the original 1999 Wearmouth and Jarrow. register have since been removed. • Of the 19,720 scheduled monument 12,237 • Published figures indicate that around entries located in England in April 55% of the scheduled monuments in 1,389 2008, 1,389 entries were located within the North East region are at risk from 53 the North East region, representing damage, decay or loss. 6 7% of the total number. • In 2007/08 there were 896 decisions 2 • Of the 373,315 listed building on Listed Building Consent within the entries found in England in April region, out of a national total of 33,927. 2008, 12,237 entries were located within the North East region, around 3% of the national total.

1 NORTH EAST HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 • In 2007/08 there were 78 Scheduled ECONOMIC BENEFITS • The North East received a relatively Monument Consent decisions issues low number of HHA visitors with • The 2005 study An Economic, Social within the North East region.The 435,728 (around 3% of the total and Cultural Impact Assessment of national total was 968. number of 12,738,604). Heritage in the North East suggests that a total of 7,345 jobs were • In 2007/08 there were 130 decisions • The North East region also has a low supported by the heritage sector on applications for Conservation Area proportion of HHA open houses with in the North East of England, many Consent in 2007/08 within the North 4% of the total. of which are linked to the region’s East region, out of a national total historic tourist attractions. of 3,626. • According to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) • In 2007/08 there were ten planning Taking Part survey, around 71% of all applications affecting registered PARTICIPATION adults in the North East region had parks and gardens within the • The National Trust properties in the attended at least one historic North East region. combined North East and Yorkshire environment site during the past and the Humber regions attracted twelve months. FUNDING 70,489 educational visits in 2007/08. • 92% of all adults in the North East • Since 1994, the Heritage Lottery region agreed or strongly agreed • There were 29,799 educational visits Fund awarded 1,806 grants in the that historic features should be to English Heritage properties and an North East region, representing around saved. (DCMS Taking Part) estimated 4,333 to Historic Houses 7% of the total number of awards Association (HHA) properties in the • Based on data from the Museum, made by the Heritage Lottery Fund North East region in 2007/08. Libaraies and Archives (MLA) between 1994 and 2008.These awards participation database, 96% of were worth a total of £198,216,049. • The North East region has around 7% schools in the North East region • English Heritage grant offer for of English Heritage’s total number enhance their pupil’s learning the 2007/08 period is £1,706,271. of members, which is a higher experience using museums proportion of members in relation and archives. to the regional share of England’s population (5%).

HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 NORTH EAST 2 KEY DEVELOPMENTS The IRF provides the outline to guide Local Area Agreements IN THE REGION the development of strategies, plans, Local Area Agreements are three-year programmes and policy decisions agreements between Central Government, Regional Spatial Strategy throughout the region to help ensure local authorities and key local partners. On 15th July 2008, the Department of that the principles of sustainable In July 2008, Hazel Blears the Secretary Communities and Local Government development are embedded in North of State for Communities and Local (CLG) published the final version of the East policy making. It is also used to Government signed the 12 North East North East of England Regional Spatial inform the production of other key LAAs following their recent refresh. MLA Strategy (RSS), which sets out a broad regional strategies such as the Regional and English Heritage have had a duty development strategy for the region Spatial Strategy and Regional Economic to cooperate in this process and have up to 2021. Covering , Strategy as well as the future single worked alongside Government Office , and Integrated Regional Strategy. and other cultural partners in the the Tees Valley, it addresses such matters region to review their content. as housing provision, priorities for the Sub-National Review of Economic environment, transport and infrastructure, Each LAA has up to 35 locally-selected Development and Regeneration economic development, agriculture, targets drawn from a National Indicator The 2007 Comprehensive Spending mineral extraction and waste. Set, complemented by additional Review has been informed by a series statutory targets on education as well as The RSS recognises the importance of policy reviews, one of which was discretionary local targets. NI 10 within of the historic environment and its the Sub-National Review of Economic the national indicator set is directly contribution to regional life and promotes Development and Regeneration which concerned with visits to museums a range of measures to encourage its considered how to strengthen the and galleries but there are many more favourable management.The RSS also economic performance of regions and indicators where the historic environment highlights the role played by the historic local areas.The review, which has been plays an important role in their delivery. environment in growth and regeneration, led jointly by the Treasury, CLG and the These include NI 5 (satisfaction with highlighting opportunities for Department for Business, Enterprise and local area), NI 6 (participation in regular conservation-led regeneration. Regulatory Reform (BERR), outlines plans volunteering) and NI 110 (young people’s to refocus powers to support economic participation in positive activities). growth and tackle deprivation. Integrated Regional Framework The Integrated Regional Framework (IRF) In particular, the review announced Local Government Reorganisation is a framework for sustainable development that by 2010 Regional Assemblies will be 2008 has seen a massive period of change in the North East. It presents a shared vision phased out and Regional Development for local authorities in the North East to ensure that regional strategies share a Agencies (RDAs) will take on a new region as local government reorganisation common purpose in working towards, and strategic role as the regional planning creates new unitary councils out of achieving, a more sustainable future for body.They will develop a single existing two tier arrangements in the North East and sets out ten regional Integrated Regional Strategy (IRS) on County Durham and Northumberland. objectives to achieve this, including behalf of the region coordinating jobs, Transitionary arrangements are currently Objective 10 – concerned with protecting economic growth, housing, planning, in place (at the time of publication) with and enhancing the region’s cultural heritage. transport and environmental objectives. changes to be completed by 1 April 2009.

3 NORTH EAST HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 2 PARTNERSHIP AT HADRIAN’S WALL � This has been of enormous benefit to the The opening of the Hadrian’s Wall National condition of both the Trail and monument Trail increased the need for responsive and has considerably reduced the amount management to prevent degradation of of bureaucracy involved in getting works the path and damage to the underlying agreed. It is this holistic approach that will archaeology.All parties agreed on the form the basis of the Heritage Partnership need for maintenance activities to be Agreements that will be developed as part undertaken as soon as they became of Heritage Protection Reform. necessary to limit damage. However, many of these activities needed separate applications for Scheduled Monument Consent because of the designations attached to this World Heritage Site. Trail staff therefore worked with rights of way authorities, archaeological consultants and English Heritage to develop a list of routine activities that could be incorporated into a single consent for an on-going RESTORING ANCIENT WOODLAND programme of maintenance. 3 AT PONTBURN WOODS, DURHAM �

Members of the North East Historic ENVIRONMENTAL A programme of educational activities Environment Forum have been working WELLBEING also helped to raise awareness of with representatives from the two new environmental issues.The local authorities to advise on the delivery On the basis of widely accepted community has been strongly involved and resourcing of heritage services predictions, environmental issues such with around 420 school children, cadets within their new structures. as climate change are likely to prove and local residents taking part in saving detrimental to the historic environment their natural heritage. Members of the as well as natural environment. Therefore public have helped with tree planting Heritage Protection Reform many historic environment organisations as well as the overall running and April 2008 saw the government publish are exploring ways to reduce fuel conservation of the area.This has its draft Heritage Protection Bill, which consumption, increase energy efficiency generated a stronger sense of community will change the way that England’s and recycle in order to promote spirit and a greater respect for this local heritage is managed and protected. The environmental well being for both the area of woodland amongst those draft Bill proposes a less bureaucratic, natural and historic environment alike. involved. � Case 3 more accountable and more effective way to identify and manage our nationally Education plays an important role, and important historic places, whilst still Carbon Footprint Project the historic heritage sector is doing its maintaining current levels of protection. at Wallington, Northumberland part to educate the public about A single list of designated sites will be Wallington, near Morpeth, is a working environmental issues through special created, replacing the current regimes agricultural estate of 13,000 acres and projects and exhibitions, designed to of listing, scheduling and registration, with home to over 80 households.The historic inform and challenge. However, the historic more information provided on what is house and gardens at Wallington are also heritage sector faces its own challenges as special and why. a well-loved visitor attraction. In 2007 historic assets (whether sites or artefacts), Wallington set out on an exciting journey are themselves a finite resource that English Heritage will be given responsibility to reduce its carbon footprint across cannot easily be replaced. The historic for designation but will be required to the whole estate and reduce emissions heritage sector therefore plays an consult owners when a site is being thought to contribute towards climate important role in ensuring that they are considered. There will be a new right change. Wallington is the first National protected, conserved and well managed. of appeal, whilst interim protection will Trust estate to take on this challenge and be introduced for historic places being will lead the way for other properties. considered for designation. New powers Restoring ancient woodland will also be created to forge Heritage at Pontburn Woods, Durham The Wallington estate has large Partnership Agreements for large or A £41,700 grant from the Heritage areas of peat, a soil type which is complex sites, which will cut the need Lottery Fund has helped the Woodland globally important as a carbon store. for repetitive consent applications. Trust to safeguard the future of this The National Trust has therefore A single, heritage asset consent regime ancient woodland, through a project commissioned Durham University will be established, with local authorities to increase forest cover as well as to research how to manage these given new powers to grant heritage the diversity of species planted. peat areas for optimum conservation asset consents. � Case 2 of the carbon stored.

HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 NORTH EAST 4 THE GREEN TEAM AT 4 THE BOWES MUSEUM 5 LIVING NORTH PENNINES 6 2008 HERITAGE SKILLS FAIR

The National Trust is also supporting Living North Pennines 2008 Heritage Skills Fair tenants, farmers and the local community Living North Pennines is a three-year Whilst there has been a huge renewal of to take practical action.The Carbon project funded with almost £2 million interest in careers in the heritage sector Footprint Project will become part from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and in recent years, there is still a serious of the Wallington visitor experience run by the North Pennines Area of shortage of skilled workers who possess and will offer opportunities for visitors Natural Beauty Partnership.The project knowledge of the traditional techniques to learn about what can be done at aims to conserve and enhance key needed to keep the North East’s home to tackle climate change. features of the landscape, biodiversity heritage safe. and historic environment to give a better understanding of the role played by local The North East Heritage Skills Initiative The Green Team at the Bowes Museum people in shaping this unique landscape. (HSI) aims to reduce the gap in heritage In October 2007 the Bowes Museum skills and to raise awareness about the embarked on a project to minimise its Specific projects include the planting need for skilled workers in the heritage impact on the environment. Working of new broadleaved woods, work to sector across the region. As part of the alongside the Green Tourism Business improve habitats for local wildlife, and North East Heritage Skills initiative, July Scheme (GTBS) and Teesdale projects to consolidate and interpret 2008 saw the North East Heritage Skills Environmental Consultancy, the museum four key historic buildings (Muggleswick Fair take place at Gibside Estate. identified ways to increase environmental Grange, Tower, Engine awareness and responsibility amongst its House, as well as the Whiteskye and The event was supported by English staff. A Green Team was established and Bentyfield Mines). Heritage, European Social Fund, National an environmental audit conducted to Heritage Training Group and the National identify ways to reduce the environmental Local communities have been involved in Trust, among others, and hosted a huge impact of the museum. interpreting their own heritage through range of exhibitors and demonstrators. creative arts and by recording oral A number of simple measures have since history, while a programme of school Showcasing the region’s heritage skills, been incorporated within the day-to-day activities encourages local children to the event provided both an exciting operation of the museum.To date, these get out of the classroom and into the learning experience and an unusual have included a flora and fauna survey landscapes to explore the wildlife and family day out where people could of the grounds, the monitoring and habitats that surround them. learn how to play their part in keeping reduction of waste and energy, recycling the past alive. � Case 6 and composting, sourcing Fairtrade and A series of trails will also be developed, local products for the cafe and gift shop, for cyclists and riders that follow encouraging a car sharing scheme amongst some of the historic routes that were staff and using environmentally-friendly once used by pack ponies to move lead cleaning products.These simple changes from the mines to surrounding towns. led to the Bowes Museum receiving a � Case 5 Silver Accreditation from the Green Tourism Business Scheme in 2008. � Case 4

5 NORTH EAST HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 CLIMATE CHANGE 7 AND HISTORIC HOMES

Climate change and historic homes To help further understanding about the ways climate change impacts on houses of traditional construction built before the Second World War, English Heritage has developed a website for home-owners called Climate Change and Your Home.

Information can be tailored to the user’s chosen house period and location, so a North East homeowner could obtain customised advice relevant to their specific type of property.

The website will be used as the main conduit through which much of English Heritage’s knowledge and technical guidance on climate change will be disseminated to homeowners, along with advice to homeowners on how to improve the energy efficiency of traditionally constructed houses. 8 BIG SWITCH The National Trust has launched a Big Switch project to change 40,000 light bulbs The website also includes a section on across its historic houses, offices, shops, restaurants and holiday cottages to low when micro-renewable technologies can energy alternatives. Once installed, the new bulbs will save 2,223 tonnes of carbon be considered and how to install them. per year and will reduce energy and maintenance costs by £431,000 each year. www.climatechangeandyourhome.org.uk The Trust has committed to using these savings to reduce the environmental impact of its properties even further. � Case 7 As part of the Big Switch, the Trust will make use of a new type of energy efficient bulb that uses halogen tungsten technology and therefore emits less UV, which is harmful for the sensitive materials such as delicate watercolour paintings, textiles and wallpaper found in many National Trust houses. For the National Trust in Yorkshire and the North East, it is envisaged that over 2,100 light bulbs will be replaced at a cost of £17,458. However, annual savings brought about by this change are anticipated at £35,805, with an annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 190 tonnes.

HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 NORTH EAST 6 SUSTAINABLE GARDENING 9 AT LINDISFARNE

Sustainable gardening at Lindisfarne 10 HERITAGE AT RISK As the climate changes, traditional July 2008 saw the launch of English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk project, gardens may be affected by changing which aims to increase the amount of condition information available on weather patterns. Lindisfarne Castle on the country’s protected heritage assets.The intention is to create the first Holy Island is no stranger to extreme all-encompassing register of the country’s protected assets considered to weather, but the property manages to be at risk. 2008 saw an expansion of the former Buildings at Risk register, keep its garden in good condition through with new information provided on scheduled monuments, registered historic sustainable gardening practices. parks and gardens, battlefields and protected wrecks to inform their management and help safeguard their future. Recycling organic materials produces compost to feed the soil. In the winter, Regrettably, the North East has the highest proportion of its Grade I and II* the soil is enriched with compost and listed buildings at risk in the country (7.4% compared with a national average well-rotted organic manure to mulch the of just 3.2%) and 55% of its scheduled monuments are at risk from damage, surface and to help maintain vegetation decay or loss. cover. This protects surface-living organisms and the soil structure from The Heritage at Risk Register provides authorities with a vital tool to damage and erosion by exposure to dry help them pinpoint problem cases, enabling them to plan solutions and conditions, heavy rain or strong winds. prioritise action at an early and cost-effective stage. Northumberland Strategic Partnership has included heritage at risk as a local target in its Annual plants are watered from below Local Area Agreement, as a means of focusing attention and resources using a carefully controlled irrigation on this issue amongst local partners. system, which minimises water use. The plants are watered regularly and Tarset Castle in Northumberland, for example, is at risk from landslips well fed, thus they are less vulnerable and erosion from the advancing river, which are destabilising and threatening to attack by pests and diseases. In the nationally important archaeological deposits.The mound needs to be stabilised garden there are bug boxes for ladybirds and the river bed reinforced to prevent further erosion.The landowner, and lacewings that feed on aphids. Northumberland National Park and the Tarset Archive Group are now Providing suitable habitats for such working with English Heritage to find a solution. predators encourages the control of garden pests. � Case 9

7 NORTH EAST HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 ETHNIC MINORITY 11 YEAR OF FOOD AND FARMING 12 WELLBEING PROJECT

SOCIAL The museum has also worked with the word and number skills, whilst also WELLBEING North Pennines Area of Outstanding enabling pupils to study the past ‘first Natural Beauty (AONB) to create an hand’. In addition to supporting the Heritage shapes people’s everyday lives exhibition to raise awareness about the development of these basic skills, the in terms of the neighbourhoods in which environmental importance of traditional resources encourage people to learn they live, the places in which they work, hay meadows, as part of a larger project about their local heritage in fun and the way in which they learn and their to restore 400 acres of upland farmland. creative ways. spaces for recreation. Heritage is also central to identity as a force that can Visitors were able to examine the tools Ethnic Minority Wellbeing Project bring communities together through a and learn about the history of farming English Heritage worked with Newcastle sense of mutual belonging, common and haymaking.Those visitors who could Primary Care Trust on its Ethnic Minority history or joint interest. Heritage remember taking part in haymaking Wellbeing Project, funded by New Deal organisations help to strengthen these activities were invited to record their for Communities. The project aims to links. From providing attractive places memories which have now been added promote the health and wellbeing of to live and work, to museum displays to the museum’s Oral History Archives. local people in Newcastle. about the local area, heritage plays � Case 11 a fundamental role in social well being. English Heritage helped to organise a Primary Sources programme of visits to local heritage Year of Food and Farming A £50,000 grant from the Heritage sites for parents and children.The families As part of theYear of Food and Farming Lottery Fund helped to fund the Primary visited sites across the region, such as activities being held around the country, Sources project, ran by MLA North East. Belsay Hall and Castle, Crook Hall, Beamish Museum has found new ways The project, which involved six North Durham,Alnwick Castle and Gardens, to involve local communities in its East archives and ten local primary Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island, Beamish agricultural collections, and draw schools, used local archive material to Museum and Raby Castle. comparisons between past and create new learning resources as a focus present experiences of rural living. for literacy and numeracy learning. The visits brought therapeutic benefits as well as providing inspiration for a Groups from two remote rural areas Teachers worked alongside archive children’s story book, based on the were invited to produce modern versions professionals to create lesson plans and thoughts and memories of the group. of traditional agricultural banners, which activities that will develop pupils’ word Amali’s Adventure, written and illustrated use vivid imagery to portray the rural and number skills in imaginative new by Jahnese Maya, has been translated communities represented.These were ways.The resources will be made into the languages spoken by the displayed at Beamish as part of the available through workshops, the families that participated in this project. museum’s annual Ploughing Match Internet and on CD. Languages includeThai, Arabic, Amharic and Country Crafts weekend. and Farsi. � Case 12 The Primary Sources project demonstrates the unique contribution that archives can make to teaching

HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 NORTH EAST 8 Prison aftercare at Woodhorn Past, present and future of Cullercoats Extended services The North Eastern Prison After Care The Heritage Lottery Fund provided and regional museums Society (NEPACS) is a charity that aims a £47,500 grant to enable the Dove Every Child Matters aims to better to build bridges between prisoners and Marine Laboratory (at Newcastle coordinate services for children and their families.The North East Regional University), the Watch House Club young people. Extended services help Museums Hub worked with NEPACS, and Cullercoats primary school to with this by providing access to provision and with the families of offenders from work together to raise pride and such as summer holiday clubs and after Her Majesty’s Prisons at Acklington awareness of local heritage amongst school clubs. Beamish Museum in County and Castington, on a project to create local people in the Cullercoats area. Durham worked with extended service banners inspired by the miners’ banners providers focusing on health-based in the collection of Woodhorn Museum. Local teachers and over 130 school learning. Young participants learnt about children have helped to produce a book how people used to live and drew Each family created its own individual on The Flora and Fauna of Cullercoats comparisons with how we live now to banners depicting important aspects of Bay, as well as a series of displays and raise awareness about the importance their lives, which were combined into exhibitions about local heritage, based of a healthy lifestyle. Similarly mima in one large banner, which was launched upon historical records and oral history Middlesbrough has provided opportunities at a celebratory event attended by local studies. The latter also helped to improve for children to create their own podcasts MP Dennis Murphy. Participants also relations between different age groups in during their half term holiday. had the chance to draw and colour the local community by providing older their own hands which were joined in generations with an opportunity to share A number of Tyne and Wear venues the banner’s border to symbolise the their experiences with younger people. have also run after school clubs for local importance of support and friendship. primary schools. Museum The banner will be displayed in the visit and Art Gallery ran an art project, taking rooms in both prisons so that offenders inspiration from the museum’s collection, can share in the positive outcome of whilst Segedunum provided curriculum- their families’ efforts. based activities focusing on the Romans. Both programmes have given local children the opportunity to engage with their local community, gain confidence, and undertake learning outside the classroom within a safe environment.

9 NORTH EAST HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 REGENERATION ENSURING A QUALITY 13 OF BLYTH LINKS 14 VISITOR EXPERIENCE 15 STORY GARDEN AT BOWES

ECONOMIC The council and its partners have also charging and free attractions. Museums WELL BEING restored a 1920s bandstand and its in the list of the top charging attractions surrounding balustrade. Further works included Beamish,Wallington, Cragside, Heritage plays a significant role in helping are planned to improve the promenade Gibside and Housesteads. Those included to regenerate communities, and a great including the restoration of the once in the free attractions list were the deal of heritage funding has this goal popular beach chalets. Extensive Discovery Museum, Museum, in mind. Successful regeneration often consultation on the proposed South Shields Museum, the Chantry requires finding viable and sustainable improvements took place with the Museum as well as Hartlepool Museum economic or community uses for local community and local councillors. and the Dorman. � Case 14 heritage assets whose original use has The regeneration of the Links will disappeared.The region’s museums, culminate with a project to preserve Story Garden at Bowes libraries and archives also have a role and realise the potential of Blyth Bowes Museum worked in partnership to play in regeneration; contributing to Battery’s buildings as a cultural facility with Teesdale School and Montalbo tourism, education and improved quality for the local community. � Case 13 Primary School through the MLA of life through increased cultural and Learning Links Programme, to create a leisure opportunities. In these ways, Ensuring a quality visitor experience new space in the museum grounds in heritage plays an important role A key objective for MLA North East which to tell stories. A core group of in economic well being. is to enable the museums and archive pupils were involved in the project and sector to improve its visitor offer, and their ideas for a natural, multi-sensory Regeneration of Blyth Links increase its contribution to regional area fed into the design of the Story Blyth Battery is a coast defence artillery tourism and economic well-being. Garden. The garden now houses a battery that was used in both the First For the museums sector, museums sound sculpture, audience seating and Second World Wars to defend the are encouraged to obtain Accredited (with fairytale-inspired clay tiles) port of Blyth.The battery sits within the Museum status with MLA and to test and a magnificent storyteller’s chair. Links coastal area to the south of Blyth their visitor services against other town centre. Consultants were appointed industry standards such as the Visitor The level of storytelling in the Story to develop a comprehensive master Attraction Quality Assurance Service. Garden increased in 2008 thanks to plan for the Links area. The resultant Industry professionals can then be funding from the Arts Council. These £3.8 million regeneration scheme has confident that the venues provide a events proved popular with families included the development of a pedestrian rich visitor experience that will draw and the local community, with over plaza, an amphitheatre for outdoor visitors to the region. 700 children and adults visiting the performances, children’s play area, space to date.The new Story Garden parking facilities and an amenity building Evidence suggests that this strategy is has provided a unique and creative new to accommodate the lifeguard club, working. The 2006 Visit Britain survey environment in which to bring people public toilets and changing rooms. identified the top ten regional attractions together, providing a new facility for for the North East region, with museums visitors to enjoy. � Case 15 featuring prominently in lists of both

HERITAGE COUNTS 2008 NORTH EAST 10 About the North East Historic Environment Forum The North East Historic Environment Forum was formed in 2001 bringing together organisations with experience in the various aspects of heritage to advocate the need for the protection, restoration, promotion and positive management of the region’s heritage.This report has been prepared by the North East Historic Environment Forum and published by English Heritage.

Membership • English Heritage • North of England Civic Trust • Association of Local Government • Government Office North East • North East Assembly Archaeological Officers • Heritage Lottery Fund • North East Regional Museums Hub • Association of North East Councils • Historic Houses Association • One NorthEast • Commission for Architecture • Institute of Historic • Protected Landscapes and the Built Environment Building Conservation • The National Trust • County Land and Business Association • Museums, Libraries and Archives • Culture North East North East

If you would like this document in a different format, Photographic credits All images © English Heritage except images for: please contact our Customer Services department: Key Regional Data © MLA North East. Case 8 & 9 © National Trust. Case 4 &15 © Bowes Museum. Telephone: 0870 333 1181 Case 6 © Heritage Skills Initiative. Case 5 © North Fax: 01793 414926 Pennines AONB Partnership. Case11 © Beamish Textphone: 01793 414878 Museum. Case13 © BRIC Photography E-mail: [email protected] All text © English Heritage 2008. Edited by Nicky Green. Published by English Heritage. Designed by www.evolvedesign.co.uk Printed by the Colourhouse, London. O11/08)COL800 51466(EV