, the moor with more! Alston Moor, high up in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area rich in heritage. From its cobbled streets to the legacy left by its lead mining past, from its ancient churches to its archeologically significant Roman fort, Alston Moor is steeped in history. To celebrate 25 years of Heritage Open Days, Alston Moor Business Association have organised a series of events during the 25th Heritage Open Days Festival from 13th to 22nd September 2019.

There are guided walks, illustrated talks and behind the scenes tours and all completely free*. It’s a chance to find out more about Alston Moor’s rich history and some of its famous characters too! Details overleaf and full details of each event can be found on www.heritageopendays.org.uk

*Wrights Brothers Vintage Bus will be operating a Rover service throughout the festival. Tickets cost £5 (£3 13 and under) and are valid from Friday 13th September to Sunday 22nd September for an unlimited number of journeys Heritage Open Days Programme Date Title Time Description Friday 13th High Mill 10a.m – 6p.m Find out about John Smeaton, eminent engineer and the history of and future plans for High Mill. Although the Mill September – building is currently inaccessible to the public, the Wheelhouse will be open and visitors will be able to see Sunday 22nd Smeaton’s famous wheel. No need to book, just turn up but please be aware the maximum group size for each September tour is 6. Contact 07798526181 inclusive Friday 13th People Power and 8a.m – 4p.m at 1500 feet is ’s highest village and in its heyday was a major centre for lead and silver mining. September – Industrial Heritage Come and find out about Nenthead’s history and the community project which has restored this former disused Sunday 22nd at Nenthead Arts chapel to its original glory. Pop up Vieille Montagne mining history display (daily), rag rug drop in ( not Thurs & September and Visitor Centre Sun), family history drop in (Friday 20th only) 01434 408040 inclusive Friday 13th Alston Masonic 10a.m – 4p.m Learn about the fascinating history of the building and how it came into the hands of the Freemasons. Local September – Lodge Masons will be on hand to show you around and answer your questions. No need to book, just turn up. Saturday 21st September inclusive Saturday 14th Alston Moor 10a.m – 5p.m Visit our archives at Alston Town Hall and ask questions about this centuries old area. No need to book, just turn September Historical Society up. & Saturday 21st ‘Archives Extra’ September Saturday 14th Epiacum – Explore 10.30a.m - Find out about the Border Reviers with a guided tour of Wellhouse Bastle followed by a self-guided walk along the September the Reiver and 12.30p.m (heritage Nervian trail up to Epiacum Roman fort. Stout footwear is necessary and due to the nature of the terrain this tour & Sunday 15th Roman landscape bus available is unsuitable for visitors with mobility issues. No need to book, just turn up. September morning only ) & 2p.m – 4p.m Saturday 14th Alston’s 2p.m -3.30p.m Meet at Alston Moor Partnership’s shop to find out about the Townscape Heritage Scheme before a short guided September Townscape walk to look at some of the newly renovated premises. Booking preferred 07872816901 Heritage Sunday 15th Nenthead Mines Mine trips at Walk around the extensive site and book in a trip down Carrs mine. Meet the ‘grumpy miners’ and peer down September & 10.30a.m Brewery Shaft. No booking required, just turn up. Please be aware the site has uneven paths and the mine visit Sunday 22nd 11.30a.m, 1p.m, involves some bending and climbing of ladders. Stout footwear and a jacket needed. www.nentheadmines.com September 2p.m and 3p.m. Site open 10a.m – 5p.m Monday 16th Alston’s Hub 11a.m – 4p.m A trip down memory lane for the older visitor and a practical history lesson for the young! No need to book, just September Museum turn up. & Wednesday 18th September Monday 16th A Guided Walk 1.30p.m – 3p.m Explore Alston and its nooks and crannies in the company of local historian Alastair Robertson. Meet at Fairhill September around Old Alston Car Park, Nenthead Road CA9 3SN. No need to book, just turn up. Tuesday 17th Meet the residents 1.30p.m – 3.30p.m A guided walk around Alston cemetery to find out about some of Alston’s ‘Worthies’ led by local historian September Alastair Robertson. Meet at the cemetery gates No booking required, just turn up. Tuesday 17th A walk through 2p.m – 4.30p.m Take a stroll along the Pennine Way with Guy Harmer, chairman of Alston Moor Walkers are Welcome. You’ll September time and Tyne begin at Epiacum Roman fort and end at Townfoot and on the way you’ll learn about the landscape left to us by nature and 5000 years of human activity. Meet Spar car park at 2p.m to take a heritage bus to Epiacum (small fee payable for the bus). Not suitable for those with walking difficulties due to the nature of the terrain. Pre booking preferred 07515881548 Wednesday 18th A walk around 1.30p.m - 3p.m Hear about one of the country’s earliest planned villages once known as the ‘village without sin’ as you walk September Nenthead village around in the company of local historian Alastair Robertson. Meet outside Nenthead Arts and Visitor Centre. No history need to book, just turn up. Thursday 19th A walk round 1.30p.m – 3p.m Local historian Alastair Robertson will tell you the story of how Alston grew and flourished and then diminished September industrial Alston over time on this guided walk through the town. Meet at South Tynedale Railway car park. No need to book, just turn up. Thursday 19th Historic Alston 7.30p.m – 9.30p.m Join local resident Simon Danby and the Historical Society to find out more about the Moor! Main hall of the September Moor in pictures Town Hall, opportunity to purchase refreshments. No need to book, just turn up. and film Friday 20th A walk around St 1.30p.m – 3p.m Learn about the three churches of St Augustine, John Smeaton, the first man to call himself a civil engineer and September Augustine’s find out about the woman who never existed! You will be guided by Alastair Robertson, local historian. Meet at St Augustine’s church, Alston. No need to book, just turn up. Friday 20th to 11a.m – 3p.m A scenic 5.5 mile walk led by Guy Harmer, chairman of Alston Walkers are Welcome. You’ll start in the village of September Nenthead via Garrigill and your route will take you past Force and through countryside moulded by centuries of mining Priorsdale to the village of Nenthead. Meet Nenthead Mines to catch the vintage bus to the walk start point (small fee applies). Booking preferred 07515881548 Saturday 21st and Behind the scenes 11a.m – 12p.m A guided tour of the workshop, signal box and Discovery Centre. Pre Booking Essential Over 16’s only 22nd September at South Tynedale & [email protected] 01434 338212 Railway 12.30p.m – www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/events 1.30p.m Saturday 21st Alston and District 4.30p.m – 5p.m Join Peter Richardson, local leek show judge and grower as he guides you through the secretive world of leek September Leek Show & showing in the very room at the Inn where this year’s competition will just have been judged. 5.30p.m – 6p.m Booking Essential as numbers are [email protected] 07515881548 Saturday 21st Discover STR 6.30p.m – 8.pm Illustrated talk by former chairman Richard Graham. Discover the history of this heritage railway from its September inception to the present day. Arrive at 6 for complimentary refreshments. Booking Essential [email protected] 01434 338212 www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/events