News

Volunteers and woodland owners have learnt how to use a chainsaw safely, thanks to two training courses organised by us as part of our woodland restoration project. Peter Downes, our Access & Woodland Officer, recognised a need for these skills amongst the people he works with. Some of the regular volunteers, who give up their… Read more

Learn about some of our winged creatures, hear what conservationists are doing about dormice in the Derwent Valley or take a walk on the wild side with our very own Wildlife Group. Activities begin again in February with an indoor talk from a Butterfly Conservation Trust expert about the more common and rare species you… Read more

Prudhoe’s largest employer, Essity, has funded the resurfacing of a road through the Tyne Riverside Country Park improving access to a unique natural site that is popular with walkers and cyclists. The Spetchells is Northumberland’s biggest area of chalk grassland and runs alongside the Essity tissue mill that backs onto the river.  It is formed… Read more

Land of Oak & Iron featured on BBC1’s hit show Countryfile at the weekend, if you missed it don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to watch it. The programme is available on BBC iPlayer until the end of December, so you can catch it over the Christmas break. During the special County Durham show,… Read more

We’ve had a great autumn, with everything from the creation of a heritage trail in Shotley Bridge, to local volunteers receiving bike maintenance training and running a free bike clinic in Chopwell. We’re also been very excited waiting for Countryfile to air, which was filmed earlier in November and features some of our local heroes…. Read more

Chopwell’s first ever pop-up bike clinic took place earlier this month following funding from Land of Oak & Iron which enabled volunteers from the village to be trained in bike maintenance and repair. One of the volunteers, Nigel, returned to do this community drop-in event at Chopwell Scout Hut, working with Bike 4 Health to… Read more

Share your photos of Gateshead’s great outdoors and be in with a chance to win some amazing prizes. There is some fabulous countryside in Land of Oak & Iron which falls within Gateshead. Derwenthaugh Park has great views from Kite Hill or Nine Arches Viaduct, or get up close with wildlife in one of our… Read more

We are looking for an artist / illustrator to design and create some images for our “Tales of the Land of Oak & Iron”. These stories were written by local storyteller Pat Renton with school children from the Land of Oak & Iron. They will engage young children in our natural and industrial heritage and… Read more

#ThanksToYou is our chance to say “Thank you” to all of the people who have played the National Lottery which has enabled Land of Oak & Iron to receive funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. To celebrate we have a special event on Wednesday 5th December at 9.30am where you can take part in a… Read more

We’re proud to support GeNErosity A Festival of Philanthropy and Giving in the north east. A group of volunteers did their bit at Kite Hill, before enjoying a lively discussion about philanthropy in our area, over a delicious cafe shrub lunch. Peter Downes, our Access & Woodland Officer, led a task to coppice hazel in… Read more