It’s the time of year when our region’s heritage springs into life as many attractions open their doors for a new season this Saturday (1 March).Some of the region’s most visited places including the National Trust’s Cragside, Wallington and Lindisfarne Castle have lots of new things waiting to be discovered this spring.The conservation charity has uncovered hidden parts of some of your favourite places, transformed the experience at others and developed their programme of family events and activities for the year ahead.Joanna Royle, Head of Marketing and Supporter Development told us:“2014 is an exciting year for the National Trust. We have more new things to see and do at our places than ever before, not just in spring but throughout the whole year. The experience you get at Trust houses and castles has evolved and we’re improving our outdoors offer with more sporting events and nature activities on offer across the North East.”Here’s a taste of what’s waiting for you at Trust places this spring:• At Wallington, spend Tuesdays ‘At Home with the Trevelyans’. Discover previously closed rooms, explore hidden cellars and attics and meet the experts.• The barriers have been removed in the Owl Suite at Cragside so you can now see the fantastic views the royal visitors would’ve had down to the iron bridge. Colourful and original 19th century Japanese prints, gifted to Lord Armstrong, have also been rehung so you can get a better view.• Get fit in stunning surroundings with new weekly 5k parkruns around Gibside every Saturday.• Souter Lighthouse has a new talking telescope in the garden. For just 20p you can learn more about the wildlife along The Leas or the lost village of Marsden.• The Trust has spent the winter transforming Lindisfarne Castle, bringing to life the stories of the people who lived and worked there. Four new-look rooms and lots of new items are now on display, including copies of Gertrude Jekyll’s original garden plans.Joanna continued:“At the Trust we’re passionate about great days out and we’re keen for people to come and see the changes we’ve made this year. The places the Trust looks after are for everyone to enjoy so we hope you like what you see.”To find out more about all the new things on offer in the North East in 2014, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northeast

This February half term, The Sill project team at Northumberland National Park Authority and YHA (England and Wales) have teamed up with Sage Gateshead and Newcastle Astronomical Society to host a magical bushcraft and stargazing adventure day for all the family.On Saturday 22 February (11am –5pm; stargazing 7pm – 10pm), members of the public are invited to join the team round the campfire at this all-day drop-in adventure which will take place at the UK’s only earth-sheltered village hall, Bardon Mill and Henshaw Village Hall.The exciting play-park, all-weather woodland nature trail and stunning indoor venue offer the perfect setting to experience everything from survival skills and bushcraft to songs round the campfire, crafts and stargazing – whatever the weather. On the hour every hour, a National Park ranger will host survival skill sessions packed with games and activities to teach people about the natural world and environment. Campfire crafts will run throughout the day inside the hall and between 2pm and 4pm, musician Joe Johnston from Sage Gateshead will lead music and classic campfire songs, offering a memorable experience to bring the whole family together this half term.As Northumberland National Park celebrates its status as part of Europe’s biggest Dark Sky Park, The Sill team is working with Newcastle Astronomical Society to offer a special stargazing event as part of this adventure day. Stargazing and a fun astronomy based talk will take place at the village hall from 7pm.Inspiring people to discover and explore the many exciting features of our natural environment is one of the key aims of The Sill project, Northumberland’s planned new Landscape Discovery Centre and throughout the course of the development phase of the project, the team are trialling a wide range of activities such as this exciting adventure day, which open up this theme to people of all ages.Georgia Villalobos is The Sill Learning and Participation Officer at Northumberland National Park Authority. She said: “Northumberland National Park is a fascinating place just waiting to be discovered and this February half term, The Sill project team hopes to introduce people to the exciting activities that would be on offer should The Sill go ahead. Our free bushcraft adventure day will offer entertainment for all the family; you’ll learn how to build dens, take part in skills passed down by our ancestors and even experience campfire cooking and everyone’s favourite – roasted marshmallows. Following the survival skill session, crafts and campfire songs during the day, we’ll also be offering a special stargazing evening which is open to everyone.“The Sill project is all about working in partnership with a wide range of organisations and we’re delighted that Sage Gateshead and the Newcastle Astronomical Society have come on board to support our family adventure day this half term. A day full of adventure, inspiration and discovery for all the family, awaits.”Joe Johnston will lead the songs round the campfire sessions on behalf of Sage Gateshead. Speaking about the event, he said: “Sage Gateshead is pleased to be working in partnership with The Sill project on this exciting half term event. It doesn’t get much better than the feel-good family fun on offer from our campfire music and games and combined with the other fun activities taking place throughout the day, this is an event not to be missed!”The Bushcraft Adventure Day on Saturday 22 February, is free and open to people of all ages.The development phase of The Sill project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Northumberland National Park Authority and YHA are seeking to secure an additional £3.7million in funding for the full project costs and to make their vision for The Sill a reality, the project needs your support. You can support The Sill by volunteering, attending one of the project’s consultation events or making a donation towards the £3.7million target. If you are interested in getting involved, contact The Sill team on [email protected] more information about The Sill project, visit www.thesill.org.uk , find The Sill on Facebook or follow The Sill on Twitter @thesillproject

Berwick upon Tweed are gearing up for a brand new walking festival that will be taking place in April this year. Last year a group of interested parties got together and started to plan a brand new walking festival for 2014 after gaining the support of Berwick Town Council.After the event was launched last year there has been lots of interest from all over the country and with three months to go there are over 80 people booked to come to Berwick upon Tweed for the event. Jon Monks, from Shepherds Walk who are helping to run the event, said ‘The Berwick upon Tweed Walking Festival has exceeded all expectations to date and it is great to speak to people who are coming from all over the country for this new event in the calendar’.For the first year the festival is just going to be 4 days in length but in future years it will grow in length to hopefully keep pace with demand. Some of the linear walks along the stunning coastline both north and south of Berwick upon Tweed have proved hugely popular with extra busses having to be added to accommodate the demand. Also within the festival there is everything from a walk that will teach you the basics of navigating in the countryside to walks that look at the history and heritage of the local area, with this walk being led by a local historian.You can see the full programme for the Berwick Walking Festival online at www.berwickwalking.co.uk A free walk programme for the walking festival are now available at Berwick Tourist Information Centre. Alternatively if you call 01669 621044 you can have one posted out to you.For information on staying in Berwick-upon-Tweed please see: www.visitberwick.com or contact Berwick TIC - tel: 01670 622155, email: [email protected]

Alston based South Tynedale Railway has today announced a £5.5 milliondevelopment project that includes just over £4.2 million awarded by the HeritageLottery Fund.This biggest ever investment by the South Tynedale Railway (STR) will protect andenhance railway and industrial heritage in the remote and beautiful upper South TyneValley. It will also build long term environmental sustainability into the Railway’s businessplan, open up employment opportunities, develop a stronger education programme forvisitors of all ages and expand skills training in the charity’s volunteer and paid workforce.In addition to acknowledging the tremendous encouragement given by the team at theHeritage Lottery Fund in developing a successful bid, Brian Craven, STR DeputyChairman said, “Some time ago we realised that, if we are to continue to build on the success of thirtyyears of development, we had to do new and different things. We have to attract newvisitors and more of them to the lovely South Tyne Valley and our Railway. When wereviewed how we work we recognised that we were spending far too much on resourceslike power, fuel and other essential utilities and we must do something about that. Ourcustomers tell us that our excellent volunteers provide a great visitor experience. So wemust ensure that, in turn, our volunteers get the most they can out of their hobby. Alston isa remote town and the STR is important to its economy. We are keen to work with othersto do still more to extend quality employment opportunities to local folk. This project willfulfil all of these aims and more”.What, then, is included in this exciting project? There are several large capitaldevelopments. Firstly there is a mile and a quarter of railway to build from the temporaryterminus at Lintley to reach the village of Slaggyford in Northumberland. There the STRwill transform the station site by repairing the wooden buildings, reconstructing a replicaNorth Eastern Railway signal box with equipment rescued from Battersby in NorthYorkshire, and reinstalling level crossing gates to ensure both road and railway are safe touse. The village will benefit too. New fibre optic cabling essential for the Railway’ssignalling needs, could bring fast broadband to the village through joint work with locallybased Cybermoor. In Alston the grant contributes towards long term repairs to the 160 year old historic wallthat kept the rivers Nent and Tyne away from the Railway. It was storm damaged a littleover a year ago and temporary repairs will now be made permanent ensuring anothercentury and more of life.Alston Station will get a new roof spanning platform and tracks and a second platform forthe first time in Alston Station’s history. Along with all of the STR’s other buildings, exceptfor the Grade 2 Listed Station House, the new roof will be fully fitted with solar pv panels.This major electricity generation scheme will cut fuel bills and leave power enough to heatnewly super-insulated workshops. The Railway has also obtained two almost new batteryelectriclocomotives from Transport for London. They will be regauged to fit the STR’s twofeet wide track. Powerful enough to pull passenger coaches, they will be used on thebuilding work. The greatest good is that their batteries will be charged from the Railway’sown solar power supply. An historic steam engine built by Hunslet in Leeds in 1937 and housed in Alston since the1990s will be sent away for overhaul. When it returns it will be equipped to burn wastewood briquettes and will be a rare example of a ‘sustainable energy’ steam engine. It willjoin another Leeds engine ‘BARBER’ that is returning to Alston in 2014. Together thesetwo will be the first British-built steam locomotives on the line and will be used alongsideBritish diesel and electric engines.There will be an enlarged education programme based at an expanded heritage centre atAlston Station emphasising opportunities for children and adults to learn about ourindustrial heritage and its effects on the Pennine landscape. Importantly, the project givesscope to develop and train the volunteers that run the Railway and make the best use ofthe huge variety of skills they bring with them and pass them on to the next generation.Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North-East, Ivor Crowther, said:“South Tynedale Railway is an important reminder of our transport heritage and is afantastic example of the bygone and glorious age of steam. We were really impressed withthe dedication and passion that the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Societydemonstrated towards this conservation project and also its commitment towards nurturingvolunteers, providing educational sessions to local schools and passing on valuableknowledge and skills. We know that this project will make a huge difference to the localarea and visitors will be enjoying the site, and the wider natural heritage of the NorthPennines, for many years to come.”A project team, including a Railway Manager, is included and recruitment will start soon. Anew cafe will allow expansion of the catering business and offer local employment yearround. Rain water collection will fuel our coal burning steam engines. There is more thatthe project will deliver - too much to list here in full, many just small but important changesto the way the business will work. Richard Graham, South Tynedale Railways’s Chairman and Alston resident added, “This isa huge opportunity to build the economy and wellbeing of the South Tyne Valley. We arereally pleased that the Heritage Lottery Fund has shown such faith in our small butflourishing organisation and I am looking forward to leading our enthusiastic team as weget to work on the project”.www.south-tynedale-railway.org.ukenquiries@south-tynedale-railway.org.uk01434 382828

ITV presenter Ned Boulting has given his support to a challenging new 170km cycling event in aid of charity, organised by Wooler Cycle Hub.The Wooler Wheel Borderlands 170 is the latest event to be organised by the hub, which is becoming renowned for the friendly reception cyclists get in the north east.Three adult rides of different lengths are being offered, as well as the UK’s first junior sportive. Entries for the event are open and, with a limited number of entries, riders are encouraged to register through the British Cycling website early.The event is in aid of Cash for Kids. Hosted by Bauer Media’s 21 radio stations across the UK, the charity raises millions of pounds for disadvantaged children.Ned Boulting said: “This area is a wonderful location for cycling, and I am delighted to support the event, which will raise vital funds for a very deserving charity.“The route looks fantastic, taking in some of the best scenery in the north of England and southern Scotland, and will provide a challenge for cyclists of all abilities.”In addition to Boulting’s support, the event has the backing of British Cycling, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative and Northumberland National Park.The Wooler Wheel events, established in October 2012, have grown in popularity rapidly, and it is hoped that up to 2,000 riders will sign up to next year’s dedicated Cash for Kids event.Beth Mills from Wooler Cycle Hub said: “This will be the first time we have organised event from which all the profits will go to a charity, but we felt it was a great opportunity to support disadvantaged children locally, and across the country, while also showcasing this area’s cycle tourism potential.“Our events have been well supported so far, with many riders returning again and again, including for their own cycling holidays independent of the events, and we hope even more riders will join them in May next year for this very special event, and spectacular route.”Candy Rafferty, Cash for Kids manager for Radio Borders, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside with Wooler Cycle Hub on the Borderlands sportive.“Usually, with events like this, it’s the organiser that profits from the entry fees and the charity benefits purely from sponsorship. The Wooler Cycle Hub however, is dedicating entry fee profits to Radio Borders Cash for Kids.“As for sponsorship, Borderlands entrants ride in the knowledge that every penny they raise will be transferred to support disadvantaged children in their own area, as the charity exists within 21 local radio stations across the UK.”The 170km route will see riders leave heading east towards the coast and then north to Cornhill, where they will cross the border.From there they will head west, through Smailholm and over the iconic Scott’s View, before riding into the Scottish Cheviots and on to the border at Yetholm, finishing in Wooler.The hub, a not-for-profit organisation itself, established the Wooler Wheel events as a way to bring more cyclists to the north east of England, and in particular the stunning Glendale area.This helps to support the many accommodation providers, cafes, restaurants and other local businesses outwith the traditional summer holiday season.In addition to the Wooler Wheel events the hub organises a number of free guided leisure rides throughout the year, for local people and visitors to the area.For more information on the Wooler Cycle Hub events programme see http://woolerwheel.com

Luxury mattress brand 1907 is teaming up with a boutique hotel and Northumberland Tourism to offer winners the chance to experience the best night’s sleep of their life.Eshott Hall, nestled in the Northumbrian countryside will be offering an exclusive night’s stay in one of its 11 uniquely furnished rooms, with 1907 supplying one of their luxury mattresses for the winner to try. 1907 specialise in making high quality mattresses from the finest locally sourced materials for the perfect night sleep. It offers a range of natural, memory foam and bespoke mattresses.Andrew Waters, Sales and Marketing Manager at 1907, said: “What could be better than winning the best night’s sleep of your life? To understand the difference a good mattress makes to your sleeping patterns you have to experience it for yourself. That’s why we decided to partner up with a hotel that helps you escape from it all and truly relax. A good night’s sleep makes the world of difference in life and having a good quality mattress is part of that.”Kathryn Bloodworth, sales and marketing director at Eshott Hall, said: “Part of our responsibility as a hotel is to ensure our guests have a good night’s sleep – here’s your chance to win one and try one of the best mattresses around in the beautiful surrounding of this elegant boutique property.”Eshott Hall, based between Morpeth and Alnwick in Northumberland, boasts 11 en-suite guest rooms, each individually decorated with a combination of contemporary and traditional furnishings. It also boasts an award winning dining experience, and caters for all celebrations including Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries. To be in with a chance of winning, email [email protected] and tell them what helps you get to sleep at night or you can enter the competition on Visit Northumberland's competition page. The lucky winner will have the treat of a night in a special room at Eshott Hall, with the added bonus of experiencing one of 1907’s finest mattresses.

A new Gold award for holiday parks assessed by Quality in Tourism has been launched by VisitEngland. The award was created to recognise increased levels of quality in England. The award can be given to 4 and 5 star holiday parks who excel in providing a quality holiday experience to tourists.The award ensures that these parks offer holidays that can be enjoyed with the highest of standards. There are specific criteria to meet to ensure a park qualifies for the new award. For example, having to score 90% or over for cleanliness is just one of the ways that a Gold award park stands out from the other parks in the UK.Mr Ken Britton of Seafield Caravan Park in Seahouses was the first recipient of the new award and said “ When we were told that we had qualified for the new Gold award for parks myself and the team were ecstatic. Our attention to every detail is something which we pride ourselves upon and to receive this award recognises that effort. We know that our customers look out for awards like this, so to have a Gold award really is the icing on the cake”Gary Swarbrooke, Director of Policy and Quality at Quality in Tourism says “The response we have had from Park owners has been fantastic. Everyone is really happy that they qualified for the award, and even happier that it makes their park stand out for all the right reasons. Having a Gold award shows potential guests that your park offers high quality as standard”The assessment process to qualify for the new Gold award, includes a detailed check of all of the parks facilities, scoring all aspects including the cleanliness of each individual area – park facilities, reception, shop etc. A selection of each of the accommodation types are also assessed to ensure all aspects of a stay at the holiday park is of a high quality. All parks undergo their main assessment and if scores reach a potential Gold award level, the a follow-up assessment is carried out on the park – this ensures these parks really are the best of the best.12 parks have achieved a Gold Award this year, and awareness of the benefits of having a VisitEngland Gold park award is increasing with other park owners looking to achieve this accolade in 2014.If you think your park might qualify for the Gold award next year, or for more information please [email protected] visit http://www.qualityintourism.com Pictured: Bamburgh Castle as seen from Seahouses.

The Hadrian's Wall Trust has launched a fundraising appeal aiming to ensure the Hadrian's Wall world heritage site's survival for future generations.The charity's fundraising programme centres on the 'Adopt a Stone' website www.adoptastone.co.uk where people can adopt virtual stones in a virtual Hadrian's Wall. Larger donations qualify for one of 162 turrets and even larger ones for one of 80 milecastles."We're asking everyone who cares about Hadrian's Wall to help if they can by adopting part of the wall," said Linda Tuttiett. "The website is fun to use with a small army of Roman characters, it's informative about Roman sites along the wall and it has a serious message."The trust also helps local partner organisations such as parish councils and the Roman sites in bidding for a range of additional funding for their own new projects.Linda Tuttiett said: "The world heritage site is 150 miles long and at the moment there is no proper monitoring system in place due to lack of funds. We want to involve local people as volunteers, providing them with training to assist professional staff. It could be a great way of getting more people involved in looking after the site but we need funding to get it off the ground."We're aiming to raise £20 million in total to secure the future of the wall and reinvest much over the next 10 years. That would be a great cause for celebration in 2022, the 1900th anniversary of the building of Hadrian’s Wall."Over the last five years the trust has led on over £15 million investment into the world heritage site helping to make it a world class visitor destination.The trust receives some funding from key partners English Heritage, Natural England and local authorities in Hadrian's Wall Country. Specific projects are being carried out through grants from different sources, for example DEFRA's Rural Development Programme for England and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The rest of the trust’s activity is thanks to the support of people and businesses who share the same passion for Hadrian's Wall.The Adopt a Stone website has been designed and built by Newcastle-based creative communications agency Keltie Cochrane. Hadrian's Wall Trust, East Peterel Field, Dipton Mill Road, Hexham NE46 2JT M 07761 838641 T 01434 609700 W visithadrianswall.co.uk facebook.com/HadriansWallCountry @EmperorHadrian Registered Charity No. 1145819 Registered Company No. 5820376 CASE STUDY – Maintaining the trailFor most of its 84 mile length the internationally popular Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail runs next to the ancient monument and in the rural sections more archaeology lies just below the trail surface.Its position in the world heritage site means that management of the trail is crucial. Each mile costs £2,800 each year to keep in the condition enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of walkers throughout the season and which led to it being voted Britain's best walking trail in the 2011 Countryfile awards.Essential maintenance activities include seeding and mowing, repairing damaged sections and trail furniture such as gates, stiles and signposts. Costs for some of the equipment and materials needed to keep the path in such excellent condition from year to year are:• compost - £18 per ton• woodchip - £12 per ton• ironmongery fittings - from £10 each• Ritter strips to help grass growth - £46 for 10 metres• signs - from £12.50 eachFACTS AND FIGURES - Hadrian's Wall Country• The 150 mile world heritage site runs coast to coast across the north of England.• Building of Hadrian's Wall started in AD122 on the order of Roman Emperor Hadrian marking the north western extent of the Roman empire.• There were over 30 forts in the Hadrian’s Wall frontier zone, from Ravenglass in the west to Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields in the east, including 16 along the line of the wall itself plus coastal, outpost and supply forts. The frontier was administered from Carlisle.• Hadrian's Wall is 73 miles (80 Roman miles) long and runs from Bowness on Solway to Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend. Along the wall there were 80 milecastles and 162 turrets, a ditch to the north and the great defensive vallum earthwork to the south.• The Vindolanda writing tablets, Britain's most significant archaeological find and the oldest known example of handwriting in Britain are at Roman Vindolanda and a 3D 'Eagle's Eye' view of the Roman frontier is at the Roman Army Museum. Both sites are part of the Vindolanda Trust.• There are magnificent English Heritage excavated forts at Corbridge, Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald.• There are fully reconstructed quarters at Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields and a reconstructed bathhouse at Segedunum Roman Fort at Wallsend, both part of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, alongside the archaeology.• Britain's most important collection of Roman altar stones is at Maryport's Senhouse Roman Museum.• There are Roman frontier galleries at Carlisle's Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery and at Newcastle's Great North Museum, part of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, where there is also a scale model of Hadrian's Wall.• Archaeological digs take place at sites across the frontier during the summer, with opportunities to take part as a volunteer.• The 84 mile Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail - voted Countryfile 'Best Walking Trail' in 2011 - attracts 10,000 end to end walkers each year and hundreds of thousands more people walk shorter sections.• The award winning Hadrian's Wall Country bus AD122 runs from April to October, helping visitors to see more sites and the beautiful countryside in a sustainable way.• Fabulous local produce ranges from beer to honey, organic fruit and vegetables to ice cream and rare breed meat. • The world heritage site runs through some of the UK’s loveliest countryside in the Northumberland National Park, Solway AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Lake District National Park.• The frontier is part of the transnational Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site - which includes the Antonine Wall in Scotland and the German Limes. This represents the borderline of the Roman Empire at its furthest extent in the 2nd century AD. It stretched from the west coast of northern Britain, through Europe to the Black Sea, and from there to the Red Sea and across North Africa to the Atlantic coast.• For information on events and activities, accommodation and travel and the online shop for maps and guidebooks and more check out www.visithadrianswall.co.uk

- Decorating the tree tops list of North East’s festive traditions –A survey carried out by the National Trust has identified that 3 in 4 people in the North East think that family traditions are what makes Christmas so special.The study of over 160 adults found that 54% of people in the North East cherished the tradition of decorating the tree and house over all others. Eating mum’s home-made Christmas dinner and seeing Christmas lights were a close second and third. The top five in order of favourite traditions in the North East turned out to be:1. Decorating the tree 2. Eating your mum’s Christmas dinner3. Seeing Christmas lights4. Opening your stocking presents 5. Listening to Christmas pop musicThe study also revealed that almost a third of us like to visit Christmas markets, whilst 1 in 5 enjoy Christmas carolling and burning off the turkey on a Boxing Day family walk.Off the back of the research findings the National Trust is inviting everyone to share in the magic of festive traditions old and new. Over the yuletide season special events will bring to life the spirit of Christmas. From food and crafts to Christmas concerts and atmospheric grottoes, National Trust places will be decked out with Christmas sparkle.Julie Tucker, Events and Promotions Manager for the National Trust at Wallington told us:“Our research highlights how important traditions are to families at Christmas time. Lots of National Trust places will be rekindling the magic of simple family traditions this year with events in the North East. At Wallington Father Christmas it stopping by, you can hear stories from Mrs Santa and enjoy Christmas music and decorations in the house. Cragside are serving delicious Christmas lunches, inspired by Lord Armstrong, and at Gibside you can pick up seasonal crafts and food at their regular farmers market.”To find out what’s happening across the North East this Christmas log onto www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northeast

British Cycling and the National Trust are looking for Ride Leaders to lead Sky Ride Local guided bike rides at National Trust Places across the region.The Sky Ride Local programme offers free guided bike rides for local communities. British Cycling is working in partnership with the National Trust to bring a series of these free guided bike rides to its places in 2014 – including Gibside, Tyne and Wear, Wallington, near Cambo and along Hadrian’s Wall at Haltwhistle.Nick Chamberlin, National Operations Manager at British Cycling, said: “We’re looking for confident recreational cyclists to train as Ride Leaders. There’s no need to be an expert or competitive racer, just be confident cycling in a group and have a good level of cycling fitness. We welcome all kinds of cyclists, as long as you have heaps of enthusiasm and you’re happy to support beginner bike riders and families.” The free, assessed one-day course qualifies Ride Leaders to deliver guided bike rides for groups of beginner and intermediate level adults and accompanied children on roads and cycle paths. What: British Cycling Ride Leadership Award courseWhen: Saturday 30 NovemberWhere: Hexham, Wentworth Leisure CentreCost: FREE After completing the leadership award, Ride Leaders will receive free kit and British Cycling Ride membership.Jo Foster, Outdoors Programme Manager for the National Trust, said:“We’re passionate about bringing opportunities for people to explore and enjoy our places through a variety of ways. We see so many people already arriving at our places by bike and with the anticipation of next year’s Tour de France Grand Depart creating a buzz around cycling, we want to encourage more people to get involved and join in at different levels.” For more information about becoming a British Cycling Ride Leader please visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/recreation or email [email protected]

Where Roman history truly comes alive, Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Scarrow gave young people a treat at Chesters Roman Fort yesterday as he read short excerpts from his young fiction novel The Gladiator and signed books as part of his wider tour to promote his new novel, The Blood Crows.Daytime admission with Time Travellers Go…Roman:Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 November. Open 10am-5pm. £5.40 / £4.90 / £3.20. EH members and under 5s free.£1 additional charge for all children if taking part in Time Travellers activities.

Britain’s most beautiful marathon brought a couple together and united them in a beautiful moment on Sunday 6 October.As Marc Kelly, 33, crossed the finishing line of Salomon Kielder Marathon in Northumberland, he got down on one knee, and not out of exhaustion…The paramedic, from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, had carried an engagement ring all the way round the 26 mile course around Kielder Water, northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, to propose to his partner, Julie Barnes.The pair met at the school where Julie, aged 33, is a teacher and Marc is a school governor, but the famous sporting event was responsible for their blossoming romance two years ago when Julie sponsored Marc for the 2011 Kielder Marathon and a first date followed.As Marc approached the finishing line this year, he changed into a t-shirt which he’d also carried on the race and it read ‘Will you marry me Julie?’ He popped the question at the end.Julie, also from Newbiggin, who had no hesitation in saying yes, was overwhelmed. She said: “It was a complete surprise, everyone else was in on it but I was totally oblivious. Good job I put my glasses on!”Marc said: “In 2011 my time was 6hrs 22min so I improved this year with a 5hr 40min-ish time. It would have been even quicker if I hadn’t stopped at the 800m mark to change into my proposal t-shirt!“I decided to propose here because I thought it was something on a grand scale and I’ve been planning it the last three or four months.“I felt emotional afterwards, especially after running 26 miles – it certainly gave me something to think about on the way around!”Billed as the most beautiful marathon in Britain, more than 1000 runners entered to make their way around northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, Kielder Water.The full weekend of events, including Kielder Junior Runs, Kielder 10K, Kielder Run Bike Run and the main marathon itself, attracts runners and outdoor adventure enthusiasts from around the world to the dramatic setting and unique course.