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.

Berwick Film & Media Arts FestivalNorth by NortheastWednesday 25th – Sunday 29th September 2013 Get involved in the Festival’s Participatory Programme with workshops, film screenings and events for all ages Next weekwill see the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed transform into one big cinema screen for the 9th Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival and there is plenty for all the family to get involved in! This year our Youth Programme is jammed packed and involves a whole range of exciting activities for all ages to enjoy. Our feature film programme kicks off with the cult Finnish classic Moomins and the Comet Chase, suitable for young children and nostalgic parents alike. Wickie and the Treasure of the Gods is a great action-packed Viking adventure for all the family. On Sunday we are joined by The Great Bear - a beautiful Danish animation about a mythical forest and its biggest, 1000-year-old resident. Kauwboy is a special treat about a young boy and his friendship with a Jackdaw bird, programmed by young people from Berwick Youth Project’s Open Door Film Club. And for the finale we’re honored to be joined by Kari Anne Moe, director of Norwegian teen documentary, Bravehearts, to introduce her film. We will also be celebrating our homegrown filmmaking talent at the Young Filmmakers Showcase, with the prestigious Chris Anderson Award for Best Young Filmmaker and the inaugural Wilson’s Tales Film Award, both with hot cash prizes! Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival is not just an annual event but works year round to offer opportunities for people to get involved, thanks to the support of a range of funders, sponsors and programme partners. Festival Director Melanie Iredale said today “With our theme looking to Northern Europe we have been spoilt for choice for fantastic films for children and young people. Our youth programme has grown hugely this year, with thanks to Community Foundation, The Co-operative Membership, Bridge North East, Queens Hall Arts and General Mills, who have all supported hands-on activity for the younger generation, not just over the Festival itself but digital arts workshops for teenagers over the Summer and screenings for schools in the lead up.” Young people have been participating in workshops led by professional artists and filmmakers in schools in and around Berwick, inspired by On the Precipice – a touring programme of immersive digital video work, which will visit the Festival in The Big M, an inflatable mobile cinema. Berwick Youth Project, Berwick Academy, Duchess Community High School and Longridge Towers School have all participated. This year the Festival will also hold more School Screenings than ever before, with school groups invited to sneak preview screenings of some of the best films from our youth programme – and making their own Moomins finger puppets and Wickie–inspired Viking helmets! There are plenty of opportunities to get involved over the weekend - the Festival are once again hosting some great workshops in The Maltings Studio – whether you’re interested in being in front of the camera or behind the scenes there is something for you! Films Moomins and the Comet ChaseSat 28th Sept | 11:00 | Maria Lindberg Finland – dubbed in English | 2010 | 75minSugg. U Moomin Valley is threatened by a comet from outer space. With the help of his father, Moominpappa, Moomintroll and his worried friends build a raft and embark on a challenging journey to the observatory! Listen out for the opening song by Bjork! Based upon the books by Finland's renowned children's author and illustrator, Tove Jansson. Wickie and the Treasure of GodsSat 28th Sept | 13:00 | Christian DitterGermany – dubbed in English | 2011 | 96minsSugg. PG I Sponsored by Simpsons Malt When the mighty Viking Halvar suddenly disappears, his clever but timid daughter Wickie must lead the Vikings on a dangerous journey to rescue her father from the evil Sven and go in search of the legendary treasure of the gods. A comedy action adventure - by longboat! The Great BearSun 29th Sept | 11:00 | Esben Toft Jacobsen Denmark – dubbed in English | 2011 | 73min Sugg. PG Jonathan and his little sister Sophie are on holiday at their grandfather's cabin deep in the forest. Jonathan tries to get rid of Sophie, but when he succeeds all too well: she is kidnapped by a giant, 1000-year-old bear, and Jonathan must save her! A beautifully animated, mythical adventure. Young Filmmakers showcaseSun 29th Sept | 13:00 | Various | UK | 90min Sugg. PG I Sponsored by National Youth Film Academy A celebratory showcase for Young filmmakers from across the region. At stake is a cash prize, donated by the family of the late Chris Anderson – including his son, blockbuster director Paul W.S. Anderson. Also presented is the World Premiere of the winner of the Wilson’s Tales Projects Film Award. Kauwboy Sun 29th Sept | 15:00 | Boudewijn Koole |The Netherlands | 2012 | 81min | Sugg. 12A Programmed by young people for young people, Kauwboy has been selected by Berwick’s Open Door Film Club. The enthralling story of a young boy named Jojo and the relationship he builds with a baby Jackdraw bird he finds fallen from its nest. Winner of the Best First Features Award at Berlinale. BraveheartsSun 29th Sept | 17:00 | Kari Ann Moe | Norway / Sweden | 2012 | 118min | Sugg. 15 Sana, Henrik, Haakon and Johanne represent four different political youth parties, each preparing for the Norwegian election campaign in 2011. On 21 July, Johanne boards the ferry to the AUF summer camp on the Island of Utoya. This documentary portrays the generation marked for life by the massacre on 22 July 2011. With extended introduction by the director. Workshops & Activities Acting For CameraSat 28th Sept | The Maltings Studio 10:00-12:00 – ages 8-1313:00-15:00 – ages 14-18 A hands-on workshop in acting for camera – take on a role, film each other, and see yourself on the big screen. Learn about the how film acting is different to stage acting – and how much fun it can be! Led by Dummy Jim actor, Samuel Dore and comedy writer James Harris.£3.50, booking required. Make your own SoundtrackSun 29th Sept | 12:00 – 17:00 The Maltings StudioFREE just drop-in! A chance to create your own score for a film, and to make some noise! Bring your own objects from home, or pick up a number of items here in the studio and work with others to create a eclectic soundscape. Led by Dummy Jim director and sound designer, Matt Hulse. Free, drop-in workshop for all ages – no experience or booking required. With plenty for all ages to see and do over five action-packed days, we hope you will join us to make this year’s Festival even bigger and better than ever! Many events and all installations are free, and tickets are available online from the Festival website http://berwickfilm-artsfest.com/booking-information and from The Maltings Box Office in person or by calling 01289 330999. For further information or to sign up for our regular newsletters, please go to www.berwickfilm-artsfest.com With last year’s Festival resulting in Berwick’s B&B’s “selling out,” Festival organisers recommend visitors check with Berwick Tourist Information Centre for live updates on accommodation availability. Please go to http://berwickfilm-artsfest.com/getting-to-berwick for information on getting here, or call Berwick Tourist Information Centre on +44 (0)1289 301 780.

The fungi season is almost here but experts warn there isn’t ‘mushroom’ for mistake while out foraging.The award-winning Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland is home to England’s largest working forest, rich with fungal species that sprout over autumn.Now the Forestry Commission have teamed up with leading expert, Gordon Beakes, to stage a mushroom workshop on Saturday, September 28,2013 and help discover which mushrooms are for the kitchen and which ones are deadly.Gordon, from Newcastle University has studied the subject for 30 years. He said: “Fungi are vital to the forest eco-system, so if you do pick them, do so sparingly. The key thing is to be cautious. Some gourmet species look very similar to lethal specimens like the Death Cap.“The UK has over 4,000 different species so it can be bewildering and just because a fungus is brightly coloured doesn’t necessarily mean it’s poisonous. The only way to identify them is to arm yourself with knowledge.”The mushroom workshop takes place at Kielder Castle on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 11am – 4pm. It costs £20 per person and includes a light lunch.Suitable for keen beginners and more advanced foragers alike, the day will include sorting through specimens and learning how to recognise their key features.There is also the annual hunt for all things fungal with two-hour fungi walks on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Stonehaugh, 10.30am – 12.30am and Greenhaugh, 2.00pm – 4.00pm. The forays cost £6 per person (£5 per concession and £16 per family). Booking is essential for these popular events. For more information and to book call 01434 220 242.

Gourmet breaks with Gilbert & Sullivan and Gary Wilmot at two of Northumberland’s finest Hotels Doxford and Eshott Halls both with AA Rosette Restaurants are offering food and music lovers the chance to enjoy the finest of music combined with the finest of cuisine. These breaks include significantly discounted accommodation. As part of the Northumberland Music Festival [www.nmfestival.com], taking place between the 8th and 24th November, each hotel is offering a luxury break incorporating two gourmet dinners, a leading concert and two night’s accommodation for only £190 per person based on two sharing a twin/double room. [cid:[email protected]]The Gary Wilmot and Gourmet Break at the luxury four star Doxford Hall Hotel near Alnwick is on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th November. This break includes a three course dinner in the 2AA rosette restaurant on Thursday evening, 2 tickets to ‘With Compliments’ by performers Gary Wilmot and Mike Alexander including pre-concert welcome drink, canapés, three course gourmet dinner on Friday night, bed & full Northumbrian breakfast. £190 per person for two nights [cid:[email protected]]With eleven bedrooms Eshott Hall, a magnificent Georgian mansion near Morpeth, is a luxury boutique property with an AA rosette Restaurant. The Gilbert and Sullivan and Gourmet break on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th includes tickets to the Gilbert and Sullivan Concerts with members of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, pre-concert welcome drink, canapés, three course gourmet dinner on the Saturday Evening and a three course dinner on the Sunday Evening bed & full Northumbrian breakfast. £190 per person for two nights All concerts in this, the third Northumberland Music Festival, include either a Gourmet Lunch or Dinner. Other Performances taking place over three weekends include the Festival’s first full length performance of a Classical Opera – Puccini’s La Boheme, performed by Heritage Opera, The Northumbrian Ranters, Rogers and Hammerstein, Opera Concerts, The Felling Male Voice Choir and The Legendary Ladies of Jazz. These breaks are subject to availability and must be booked in advance. Rooms for single accommodation are available at a £30 supplement. Full details of the festival programme are available on the website www.nmfestival.com. Tel. 01668 283100

The Northumbrian Exchanges Project and Holy Island Partnership are pleased to announce the launch of the exhibition Island Perspectives at St Cuthbert’s Centre, Holy Island. The exhibition shows artworks and creative expressions produced by residents of Holy Island during a summer workshop programme, including photography, dance & movement, sonic mapping, theatre performance and drawing & painting.Northumbrian Exchanges (NX) is a one-year pilot collaboration between the departments of Music, Fine Art, the Centre for Rural Economy and Newcastle University Business School. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as a knowledge exchange project to consider the role of creativity in support of community development and local economy, and how the university can support creative community projects.David Suggett, Holy Island Partnership Development Officer said ‘the exhibition shows the depth of interest in the creative arts on Holy Island and the process of working on a knowledge exchange project with Newcastle University has shown are huge opportunities in enabling and connecting rural communities’. The Exhibition Preview for participants and residents of Holy Island is on Tuesday 17th September 7-8pm. The Exhibition Opens Wednesday 18th – Saturday 21st September, 11-5pm* (*Saturday 11-2pm)For further information contact David Suggett, Holy Island Partnership Development Officer on 01289 389 399 or [email protected]

It’s a big ‘BOOM’ from Dr Bunhead, space ‘silliness’ from Helen Keen and ‘The Science Bloke’ (Marty Jopson) sets fire to things and makes a mess with eggs.Science is everywhere from 7-12 September when the British Science Festival comes to Newcastle and Life Science Centre, as a supporting partner, joins in the fun with an abundance of family and adult events to add further diversity to the programme. Life will be celebrating the opening day of the festival with a jam-packed day of family activities starting with Dr Bunhead, a man who turns science into a burning, bubbling, exploding ball of fun and positively encourages brave volunteers to get up on stage and help him with his show, ‘Volcano Head with Dr Bunhead’. (Tickets cost £5 per person).He explains: “It’s all about the build-up of pressure, the effects of temperature and explaining all the ‘bits and pieces’ like lava, magma, the pyroclastic flow ….in simple terms this is a story about squeezing a spot but on a massive geographical scale! It’s about how the earth vents its pressure.” There will also be free performances from BBC1’s The One Show presenter, Marty Jopson and science comedienne Helen Keen.Marty’s show at 2pm, is entitled ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ and tells the story of how Newton came up with his ideas on gravity. He said: “It’s a series of simple demos, stunts and tricks, some of which can be tried at home and I’ll be setting fire to some things and making a mess with eggs”. Helen Keen will present ‘Space race!, a family show based on her popular Radio 4 series ‘It is rocket science’. She said: “Its space-based silliness with lots of audience participation promised! As a small child I was completely enraptured by space, and so I've tried to create a show that includes lots of my own childhood enthusiasms - space rockets, stamps comets, even dinosaurs!"Visitors who go on after the shows to visit inside the Life Science Centre will find the Curious Chemistry Show within the Science Theatre, a Colour Chemistry Workshop, a special planetarium show, Making Waves exploring wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum and an opportunity to meet scientists from the University of Hull and learn about the potted history of liquid crystal. Added to this visitors can enjoy the Age of the dinosaur exhibition, the 4D Motion Ride, the Curiosity Zone and Young Explorers Zone for the under 7’s. To find out more or to book tickets for Dr Bunhead, visit www.life.org.uk or telephone (0191) 243 8210.For the full list of Centre for Life British Science Festival events, visit www.life.org.uk

A best-selling author will make history come alive as he gets set to run in the footsteps of the Border Reivers at Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland.Sunderland born, “Horrible Histories” writer, Terry Deary will join hundreds of runners for the Kielder 10K at England’s number one tourism experience on Saturday October 5, 2013.Kielder suffered severely with regular raids from the Border Reivers – gangs of horsemen who raided the borders of England and Scotland between 1300 and 1600.Terry, from Burnhope, County Durham, will tread the tracks of the Border Reivers but in what is now voted the most tranquil place in England.*This latest sporting challenge for the dedicated runner will come just three weeks after his 18th Great North Run in Newcastle and Gateshead on Sunday September 15.The Kielder 10K is part of the Kielder Marathon weekend of events, held on 5 and 6 October and hosted by Northumbrian Water.Terry will be supporting the events’ official charity with a donation to Cancer Research UK.The 67-year-old said: “Just because I’m past retirement age doesn’t mean I have to give up running and I’ve put a lot of extra effort in this year to lose weight.“It’s very relaxing running in a rural setting like Kielder and it will make a lovely change for me. It’s also nice to run through our regions history. ”Organiser of the event and Olympic medallist, Steve Cram, said: “Terry has always been a big supporter of our running events and I’m pleased to hear that he’s making his own history and taking part in his first event at Kielder.“It’s such an amazing place, seeped in history and with its spectacular scenery and impressive off-road course it’s a great place to run.“There is something for everybody to participate in over the Kielder Marathon weekend. I would urge anybody who wants to take part in any of the events to secure their place as soon as possible.”Set in the surroundings of northern Europe’s largest man-made lake and England’s largest working forest, Kielder Marathon is Britain’s most beautiful marathon.Other events include Kielder 10K, Kielder Run-Bike-Run relay event and Kielder Junior Races.Entries for all events close on September Monday 23, 2013. Marathon places will be allocated on a first come first served basis – there is no ballot this year. To book a place log on to the event website at www.salomonkieldermarathon.com. For enquiries telephone 01434 689 040.

Cyclists will be able to get a unique insight into the Battle of Flodden by riding the routes taken by the English and Scottish armies over one weekend later this month.The free guided rides have been organised by Wooler Cycle Hub to coincide with the final build up to the 500th anniversary of the battle.On Saturday, August 24, riders will be able to follow the route taken by the English, from Wooler Haugh to the battle site. Stops will be made at places of interest along the route to discuss their significance in the progress to the battle. Beth Mills from Wooler Cycle Hub said: “The route will take riders through some of the loveliest and most tranquil parts of Northumberland and will include the specially commissioned ‘Flodden Gates’ at Barmoor Castle Caravan Park, fording points on the River Till and Twizel Bridge, where the heavy ordnance and English supply train crossed the river. The ride, which is all on road, leaves from Wooler Milk Bar and Cafe, just off the A697, at 10am.The total distance is 42 miles and is graded moderate, but with some strenuous uphill sections. It is expected to last around six hours. Riders can bring a packed lunch, but a stop at a local pub is planned.The following day, a ride will shadow the route taken by James IV and his Scottish army from Coldstream to the site of their defeat.The route will take riders along the north bank of the Tweed to Ladykirk Church, Norham Castle and on to Etal and Ford.At the Flodden monument the group will be met by the creator of the Flodden Battlefield Trail, Clive Hallam-Baker, who will explain the events of the battle and point out their locations. This ride is also all on road and will start at the east end of Coldstream High Street, near the petrol station.It will set off at 10.30am and will cover 29 miles. It is graded moderate, with an expected duration of six hours.There will be a lunch stop at Etal for a pub or cafe lunch, or where riders can also enjoy their own packed lunches.Cyclists can take part in both or either of the rides, but participants must register in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling 01668 283703. Under 16s are welcome if accompanied by an adult.For more information on the Wooler Cycle Hub events programme see http://woolerwheel.com

Hexham MP Guy Opperman has given his support to p for Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth hostel in Northumberland's National Park.The Discovery Centre is set to create up to 156 new jobs when it opens in 2016 and attract up to 120,000 visitors a year. A recent Economic Impact study predicted that the creation of the site would also contribute up to £3.35 million to the local economy in its first year alone.Mr Opperman this week met with representatives at the site in Once Brewed to voice his support of the project, dubbing it a "...truly exciting project that will really help put Northumberland on the map."For more information about The Sill and the upcoming events, visit www.thesill.org.uk , find The Sill on Facebook or follow The Sill on Twitter @thesillproject.

‘To the Brave of Both Nations’ comes the world's first Contra-circumnavigation Trail Race, with obstacles, on Saturday 12 October 2013; to commemorate the Battle of Flodden Field 1513Durty Events, the award winning Selkirk based events company, have today (1/8/13) announced that BraveRunner, their first fun induced trail running event with natural obstacles, will be staged at Etal, Northumberland, on some of the key locations associated with the Battle of Flodden Field.On Saturday 12 October 2013 hundreds of runners, complete with head torches, inflatable claymores and pikes and impractical mediaeval fancy dress, will race from dusk into night over 15.13km of undulating trails and historical battlefield locations, whilst crawling through culverts, negotiating tunnels, wading through water and marching through mud.BraveRunner , a highlight of the Flodden 1513 Commemorations, is the world’s first Contra-circumnavigation Trail Race. In a ‘nod’ to the inscription on the Flodden Field Memorial, ‘To the brave of both nations’, runners will take sides – England or Scotland - and run opposite ways round the course meeting on the original battlefield, the halfway point of the run. The shouting and screaming of team battle cries coupled with inflatable encounters with the opposition should evoke a 21st Century flavour of the fierce and bloody battle where up to 10,000 scots were slain.Runners will enter this dusk to dark race as either a member of the England or Scotland teams, raising their Standards at the start (and finish) at Etal Village, Northumberland. They will not only experience the adventure and excitement of a night time trail race with obstacles they will also encounter music, light effects and projections at various points along the course; as well as taking in a number of Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum sites.Paul McGreal from Durty Events said: “Entries are now open for BraveRunner our fantastic new 15km trail running race, based on the famous Flodden Field battleground in Northumberland, with lots of audacious twists. This will be a fun and reasonably challenging run on an undulating rather than hilly course aimed at all fitness levels. Bring your head torch, ensure your inflatable swords are blown up and look out your mediaeval battle dress. Get signed up and start training now.”A campsite will be set up at BraveRunner HQ and there will be a post battle party with live music, a prize giving, and some bizarre and interesting stuff thrown into the mix in order to keep everyone entertained into the night.BraveRunner is also guaranteed to be a great race for spectators. Most of the course will be visible from HQ so friends, family and supporters will be able to watch the two trails of head torches as they progress through forest and field. Red and blue fireworks will also mark the passage of the lead runners through key points on the course.For those who want to make a weekend of it there are loads of fun, interesting and historical sites and activities for families to immerse themselves in nearby, including Northumberland National Park, a narrow gauge railway, mills and castles.Entries are now open for BraveRunner. Ticket Prices Scotland Team - Early bird entries to 14 August 2013 - £25 and from 15 August to closing date 1 October 2013 - £30. Ticket Prices England Team - Early bird entries to 14 August 2013 - £26 and from 15 August to closing date 1 October 2013 - £31. Runners must be 16 or older on 12/10/2013 to participate. For entries go to the BraveRunner website - http://www.braverunner.com/

Results from a three-month survey of puffins on the world famous National Trust Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast, have shown an eight per cent increase in the number of breeding puffin pairs since 2008 when the last census showed a dramatic fall in numbers.A team of eleven National Trust rangers carried out a full census of the population, which happens once every five years, across eight islands with the final figures showing that there are just under 40,000 (39,962) pairs of nesting puffins.2003 was the peak year for puffins on the Farne Islands with over 55,000 (55,674) nesting pairs recorded and numbers had been steadily increasing since the 1960s. However the 2008 survey revealed a dramatic crash in numbers by nearly one third to just 36,835 pairs.David Steel, Head Ranger on the National Trust Farne Islands, commented, "The results of the puffin census come as a real relief following some difficult years for them – with the flooding of burrows last year and a very challenging winter. We had feared that the numbers of puffins would be down again as has happened on other colonies, including those on the Shetland Islands. “The bad weather during recent seasons has had some impact on numbers, but with a good nesting habitat secured by us and a plentiful supply of food in the area, numbers have been recovering pretty strongly, which is great news for the puffins and other seabirds.”Extreme weather has had a major impact on puffins in the north-sea in the last couple of years. The 2012 breeding season was hit hard with the second wettest summer on record flooding many burrows, where puffins live.Earlier this year, just as puffins were returning to the colonies in March, storms resulted in the deaths of thousands of seabirds along the coasts of north-east England and Scotland. Over 3,500 bodies were collected and ringing recoveries suggested that many of the birds involved were breeding adults from local colonies.Professor Mike Harris from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology added, "The wreck was unusual in that it occurred when puffins were returning to their colonies and were close to land. It's likely that a very high proportion of the total number of birds that died were found, therefore exaggerating the severity of the mortality.“The Isle of May puffin population, 100 km to the north of the Farnes, has also shown no sign of a decline in numbers following the winter puffin disaster. Puffin survival over the last winter was not exceptionally low, despite fears after the wreck.”The unmistakeable puffin with its bright beak and slightly comical walk is a much loved symbol of the British coastline. During the survey, which began in May, the rangers put their arms into holes to make sure that the nests are occupied.David Steel concluded, “The poor spring weather affected the timing of the breeding season, with the birds that did survive, breeding late”.“However this late start may result in puffins remaining at the colonies until later in the summer than normal, giving people even more opportunity to enjoy watching them.”For the first time, nest cameras have been inserted into puffin burrows to record the birds’ behaviour in intimate detail. The footage, along with details on how the rangers are progressing with the 2013 puffin census, can be seen at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/puffins or follow progress on twitter at #puffincensus.

Dark sky chiefs in Northumberland are aiming to submit an ambitious bid to have a large part of the region designated as an international preserve dark sky park for the quality of its starry skies by this Autumn.Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, Northumberland National Park and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society are seeking the prestigious status for 400 square miles of stunning countryside to protect the area's rural character and promote star gazing and sustainable tourism in England's remotest corner.Now bid organisers can reveal an exciting new development. After detailed consultation with the Tucson-based International Dark Skies Association (IDA), which grants the award, it is likely that the whole proposed dark sky area will apply to become Europe's largest Dark Sky Park.Previously, the National Park was seeking reserve status, similar to that already awarded to Exmoor and the Brecon Beacons by the IDA - whilst Kielder Water & Forest Park would become a Dark Sky Park. But thinking has changed.Chair of the Dark Skies Working Group, Elisabeth Rowark, explained: "We have taken hundreds of light meter readings and worked hard behind the scenes to audit external lighting in the combined area. It is clear that we have what is probably England's largest expanse of remaining truly dark and starry skies. A significant part of the National Park has been discovered to be just as dark as the forest and that means we have raised our sights and will most likely go for one Dark Sky Park designation for the entire area. Creating such a large park in Europe is breaking new ground and we are working with the IDA to refine our proposal before seeking their ultimate adjudication, hopefully by the end of the year."Currently Europe's largest Dark Sky Park is Galloway in South West Scotland. Northumberland 's proposed park area is larger and if the bid succeeds it would create one of the largest such parks in the world, joining the likes of Death Valley, California, and Big Bend National Park, Texas, in the USA.The finishing touches are now being put to a lighting audit to provide vital data for the drafting of a Lighting Management Plan, which will outline the measures proposed to keep our skies dark sky friendly. That document will not say that lights must be switched off in the dark sky area, but rather that new buildings should have eco-friendly and less polluting external lighting fixtures where light shines downwards and not beyond property boundaries. So far the audit has revealed that Northumberland is near to meeting the compliance benchmark set out by the IDA. Elisabeth Rowark continued:"We have parish councils represented on the working group and we are also engaged in extensive consultations with local businesses, who are massively behind the proposal. In addition we have gained the support of prestigious bodies like the Greenwich Royal Observatory and local tourism bodies. We have a really good story to tell the IDA about the huge success of the Kielder Observatory and about the outreach work already underway to introduce people to the wonder of the heavens. This is an exciting time for us all, especially with Kielder Water & Forest Park being voted England's number one tourism experience in the recent VisitEngland 2013 Awards for Excellence."Keep up to date the dark skies quest at:www.visitkielder.com/play/discover/dark-skieswww.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/visiting/thingstodo/stargazing Note to Editor1. Kielder Observatory, run by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society, has become one of the region’s top visitor attractions since it opened in 2008. It offers an acclaimed programme of star watching activities and night watch events. To find out more visit www.kielderobservatory.org2. Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust is a registered charity working to develop the Park as an inspirational place. It aims to improve economic, social and environmental sustainability, provide public recreation and leisure facilities, facilitate education in all aspects of the natural environment and advance art and architecture in the Park. The Trust works with the range of communities to benefit from these activities. Members, who have appointed directors/trustees to serve on the board, are Northumbrian Water, Forestry Commission, Calvert Trust Kielder and Northumberland County Council. Affiliate organisations that are not members but have a close working relationship with KWFPDT include Arts Council England, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, The Scout Association and local decision making bodies such as the parish councils.3. Northumberland National Park encompasses the landscape and cultural heritage of 405 square miles (105,000 hectares) - over a fifth of Northumberland from Hadrian’s Wall to the Scottish border, and adjoins Kielder Water & Forest Park along its western boundary. With the help of our dedicated volunteers the National Park Authority looks after more than 1100 kms of Rights of Way - including two national trails and a number of long distance walking, cycling and horse riding trails, and the central, most visited section of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest covering over 10,000 hectares, one Ramsar Site; three National Nature Reserves and 6 European Special Areas of Conservation fall within the boundary of the National Park. We are also home to one of the country’s official Dark Sky Discovery Sites (Cawfields) and are part of the Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership. We work with farmers and landowners to maintain healthy soils, clean water and dark skies, to enhance wildlife habitats and help rural businesses adapt to climate change. We are supporting sustainable enterprises, transport and green tourism and encouraging domestic and community-scale renewable energy. We have also invested in a network of electric vehicle charging points at keys places in the National Park and along Hadrian’s Wall as part of a network installed around the North East. www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.ukMedia calls: Richard Darn [email protected] 0775 367 0038