News

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

Do you have a passion for making theatre? Stories to tell? A background in community, group work or teaching? Do you have technical or making skills? We’re looking for volunteers to support the making of a brand new Land of Oak & Iron play. This new creative and unique dramatic performance will be inspired by… Read more

Next month come and find out more about the history of philanthropy in the Derwent Valley, whilst having the opportunity to give something back yourself. Our free event “Do philanthropists get their hands dirty?” is on Monday 12 November at 10.30am – 2pm with Peter Downes, our Access & Woodland Officer. It will offer people… Read more