Every now and then a project of mine makes an appearance in the Guardian newspaper's Country Diary. This is coincidence as their writer Susie White @CottageGardener lives just across the valley from me. However, it is great to see the heritage I work for through other people's eyes; the comments are always worth a scroll … Continue reading Trending in the Guardian

CPD is important for self employed folks - and we can be really creative about the opportunities we choose. I have just come back from an amazing prehistoric themed trip to Norfolk. First we had a real treat - a day in and above the neolithic flint mines at Grimes Graves with Will Lord who has … Continue reading Prehistoric CPD

A week in Cyprus with the hosts, students and tutors of three Grampus Heritage projects, was a heartening way to spend the second anniversary of the Brexit vote. Most of the students were British, and those few that weren't seemed to have studied at UK universities. The other tutors were Greek, Cypriot, Maltese, Polish, and … Continue reading Pan-European identity for the Union Jack?

Just in time for the Wild at Kielder Festival this weekend, I've been working with the Forestry Commission to reinstate some secret paths through the old woodlands around Kielder Castle. The route is specially designed to make it easy to walk to Bakethin Nature Reserve from the castle, by taking visitors through a wide variety … Continue reading Wilder Walk in Kielder Woodlands

Marcus, the Roman Centurion minifigure, is making the final preparations to set off on the first stage of exploring the Roman Empire from Epiacum Roman Fort in South Tynedale. As part of the celebrations marking the 60th year since the first archaeology excavations took place at the special site, the volunteers of Epiacum are sending … Continue reading Help Marcus the Minifigure on his mission from Epiacum View Geocache

Have you ever been to Elsdon? Nestled in the heart of Northumberland National Park, local residents have described it as 'a history book around a village green'. With a castle motte, bastles, a medieval pele tower and art deco houses, I think they're right. The Parish Council set EPIC (Elsdon Projects in the Community) the … Continue reading Elsdon Pinfold – an EPIC community

The ever-eloquent Susie White, who lives in the Allen Valleys and regularly writes for The Guardian's Country Diary, today describes the delights of Old Man Bottom. This popular picnic and paddling spot is where the packhorse route The Black Way fords the River Allen, and it's just down the hill from the local trekking centre. … Continue reading Dukesfield and Old Man Bottom in today’s Guardian