The Inn Collection Group has confirmed its status as being among the best in the country after being revealed as a finalist in a trio of national awards.The Northumberland-based pubco features on the shortlist for three categories in the prestigious Publican Awards, which champion the very best operators in the pub industry. In the running for Best Accommodation Operator and Best Managed Pub Company, the group is also looking to retain the sought-after title of Best Pub Employer, an award the group has held for a record two consecutive years.Sean Donkin, managing director of The Inn Collection Group said: “It’s pretty amazing being shortlisted for these awards. To reach the finals in three categories is a real boost in these difficult times, as the sector continues to be hard-hit by the ongoing pandemic.“More so, it’s a fitting tribute to the extraordinary team we have at The Inn Collection Group who display time after time their resilience, passion to succeed and agility to adapt, evolve and deliver. “It’s down to each and every member of our team that the company continues to overcome adversity and that we push together to be the best as one, without losing sight of the reason why we do what we do – and that’s giving our customers the best possible experience when they eat, drink, sleep and explore from our inns.”He added: “We will continue to reinvest in our staff with the latest innovations in training and supporting their well-being throughout these difficult times. We are continuing to carry out exciting refurbishments and upgrades across our inns and investing in the environments and communities we operate within, so we emerge from lockdown in a strong position that is ready to go from the outset – hopefully with some premium new silverware in the cabinet, too.”Ed Bedington is editor of The Morning Advertiser which organisers the event. He said: “While the awards are certainly going to be different in 2021, following a year of almost total shutdown, the aim remains the same, to celebrate some of the excellent work that operators have been doing despite the challenges.“Ours is a sector that has been battered long and hard by the storm of the crisis with limited support that continues to tail off. Yet despite that, we’ve seen some fantastic responses from operators in the trade and these awards, as ever, aim to recognise that excellence, as well as shining a light on how our sector continues to push onwards, despite the difficulties it faces. “It’s been inspiring to see some the entries this year despite everything and I look forward to celebrating your successes down the line.”A panel of judges made up of leading industry experts will start the second stage of the rigorous judging process, conducting virtual head office visits to assess finalists before Dragon’s Den style panel interviews conclude the judging process. An online evening awards ceremony on Tuesday 30 March will replace the usual Publican Awards ceremony at Battersea Evolution in London. The Alchemy-backed group has venues across Northumberland, County Durham, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire while a 40-bedroom, new-build site on Sunderland’s seafront at Seaburn is currently under construction. Its Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore pubs-with-rooms brand includes all day, every day food service and affordable accommodation.

- A weekend of Roman riders at Chesters Roman Fort-The most intelligent and well paid soldiers with the most beautiful grey horses from northern Spain - Chesters Roman Fort was home to 500 horses and prestigious soldiers from the Roman Army and over the weekend of 17 and 18 August visitors can experience mounted cavalry and gain an insight into the late Roman period, the time of the myth of King Arthur.Feel the pounding of the horses underfoot, wonder at the ability and agility of the horses, five riders will display some of the techniques and elaborate manoeuvres this elite cavalry would be involved in.Comments Jon Hogan, Events Manager English Heritage;“An event with horses is always an exciting and thrilling one. Visitors can really sense the speed and precision with which these warriors performed and we are welcoming them to Chesters to step back in time and learn more about this fascinating period.”“The all-mounted ‘alae’, like the one based here at Chesters, contained the elite cavalry of the Roman Army, they were best-suited for large-scale operations and battle and were heavily protected, with chain-mail or body armour. Their weapons included spears, swords, javelins, bows and arrows and also the kontos - a very large double ended spear, all of which can be seen at the event next week..”There will also be hands on activities fun with children’s Archaeology Detectives, based at the site throughout the weekend.http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/king-arthurs-cavalry-crf-17-aug/Admission:£6.50/ £5.50/ £4.50 £1 extra admission per child for the Time Travellers Go…activities.EH Members free

Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant in Wark, near Hexham, is delighted to have been crowned a Three Star Sustainability Champion for a second year by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). The hotel’s restaurant is one of only five restaurants in the North of England to have achieved the title of ‘Three Star Champion’, the highest accolade bestowed by the SRA and demonstrates the hotel's continued commitment to an ethos of green credentials and a responsibility to the local community and environment at large. To become a Three Star Champion, Battlesteads Hotel received a rating of over 75% in three core sustainability areas; sourcing, the environment and the community.Multi-award winning Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant is renowned for its superb food, welcoming hospitality and outstanding ‘green’ credentials. In fact, it’s widely recognised as one of the UK’s top sustainable tourism destinations.Originally built as a farmstead in 1747, the stone-built pub, hotel and restaurant features a cosy open fire, sunny walled beer garden and conservatory. The food is prepared using only fresh, local produce, much of it grown on site. The bar offers a great choice of organic, Fairtrade and biodynamic wines plus four cask ales, including two from local micro-breweries. The SRA is a not for profit organisation that helps restaurants become more sustainable and aids diners in making informed choices of where to dine. Their star ratings system enables restaurants to be independently judged by an SRA representative across 14 key areas of sustainability and benchmarked against a One Star, Two Star or Three Star rating. A Sustainability Champion Star Rating Badge is the hallmark of a restaurant that goes the extra mile to achieve sustainability, with a highly commended status rewarded by Three Stars. Mark Linehan, Managing Director of the SRA, said: ‘Attaining an outstanding Three Star Sustainability Champion award for the second time is an exceptional achievement for Battlesteads. The restaurant demonstrates outstanding standards across all areas of the business, exemplified in its total commitment to sourcing quality local and seasonal produce. Consumers tell us they want to eat in restaurants that share their values. Battlesteads is meeting that demand and setting an example for other restaurants in the area to follow.” Richard Slade, owner of Battlesteads Hotel adds: ‘Sustainability is a word we hear banded around often, but true sustainability is seen through commitment, hard work and a dedicated drive to make positive changes to your business. We’re delighted to have maintained our Three Star Rating and through initiatives such as our ‘Responsible Visitor Charter’ and promotion of our environmental policy, we can help inform guests of the big steps we are making so our business makes a small one on the environment.’ ‘This isn’t an award you can win on your own, and huge thanks must go to our fantastic local suppliers, our invaluable staff and the Hexham and Northumberland community at large, who we continue to engage with and who have offered us great support over the years.’ Sustainability is an on-going focus for Richard, Battlesteads and the team, with plans for further eco-development of the hotel and restaurant in the pipeline for 2014.For more information and to book a visit to Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant please email [email protected] or call 01434 230209Other awards recently won by Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant:* Sustainable Restaurant Association 3 Star Rating 2012* Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold Award 2012 and 2013* Your Northumberland Guide Best Sunday Lunch in Northumberland December 2011* Green Hotel of the Year in the 2011 Hotel Cateys* Best Accommodation for the Environment in the 2011 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards* Pub Wine List of the Year in the Academy of Food and Wine Service Awards for Excellence 2011* Considerate Hotel of the Year 2010/11 by the Considerate Hoteliers Association* Silver in the Sustainable Tourism category of the 2011 EnjoyEngland Awards for Excellence* Great British Pub of the Year 2010 also Green Pub of the Year in the same awards run by The Morning Advertiser

The newest installation in the Kielder Art & Architecture programme is inviting visitors to contemplate time.Timelapse, created by sculptor David Rickard, is a new feature on the Lakeside Way, on the south side of the Bull Crag peninsula.Visitors can sit among the locally harvested timber that the structure is comprised of and take in the area’s timeless beauty.The artist said: “The sculpture derives from the underlying materials that define Kielder Water & Forest Park: timber and time. With trees typically growing in Kielder Forest for several decades before harvest, the forest itself reflects various timespans through the scale of the trees in different plantations. This passage of time is also marked within the timber of individual trees.”Texts from poet SJ Fowler are embedded in the floor and ceiling of the sculpture, subtly referencing the way gravity slows time, as first defined by Albert Einstein in 1907.Kielder Art & Architecture Curator Peter Sharpe said: “A visitor’s first impression of the sculpture might be to mistake it for one of the large stacks of timber often seen alongside roads in the forest. But on closer inspection, this new stopping place and orientation for visitors enjoying the Lakeside Way reveals alternative ways of appreciating the structure’s complexity. On the one hand, it’s a carefully arranged mass of timber that encourages visitors to consider the temporality of the forest; on the other, it’s simply a place from which they can appreciate the sweeping view down the Whickhope inlet to the expanse of the main lake beyond.”Timelapse was made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. It was made with support from Forestry England, as part of its centenary celebrations in 2019, and timber supplier A J Scott Ltd.The Kielder Art & Architecture programme is led by the Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, which comprises Northumbrian Water, Forestry England, Calvert Kielder, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Northumberland National Park Authority and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society.People can find out more about Timelapse and the wider Kielder Art & Architecture programme at: http://kielderartandarchitecture.com/art-architecture/timelapse.html (Pic by Neil Denham)

The partnership responsible for developing one of Britain's most beautiful tourist destinations is going digital to help even more people enjoy its charms - including an osprey's eye view "flight".Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust (KWFPDT) has commissioned two companies to develop virtual experiences, which will enable more visitors to engage with wildlife and the natural environment in the Park.This first commission is part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund project, entitled ‘Building the Capacity and Resilience of Kielder'. The project aims to explore how digital technology can assist in attracting a larger, and more diverse, audience to the Park. It also hopes to offer new, high quality experiences that visitors are willing to pay for, which in turn will help sustain the Park's future. The Trust is working with Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley to deliver this exciting initiative. Middlesbrough-based Animmersion, which creates exceptional photorealistic 3D visualisation, is developing a prototype for an immersive digital experience, which will enhance visitors' knowledge and understanding of Kielder's precious ospreys. Through this, visitors will be able to take a virtual flight through the Park, as though they were an osprey. David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The proposed virtual osprey flight experience will enable visitors of all ages to experience for themselves what it is like to be an osprey at Kielder. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, more people will gain a greater understanding of the behaviours and habits of these special birds and will be able to contribute to the future sustainability of Osprey Watch activities.”The second project is also being delivered in partnership with Digital Catapult, as part of the North East Social Tech Fund. London-based immersive technology specialist Arcade is creating a prototype for an immersive application, which will encourage visitors to engage with the Park's origins, flora and fauna. Using the app, people will be able to see a 3D scale replica of the Kielder area on their table top, and then explore the space and the stories about Kielder's past and its role today as a living habitat for wildlife and human activity. They will have an opportunity to ‘adopt' an area and become a ‘Guardian of Kielder', choosing which plants or animals they want to add to their ‘plot'.If they then visit Kielder, they will be able to view their plot in person and see what they have created.Lynn Turner, Director of KWFPDT said: "Digital innovation can help us to increase visitor numbers, and attract a wider diversity of people to the area, including young people and those from disadvantaged groups. In the current climate, digital is becoming an increasingly important way for us to engage with our customers, and we hope these prototypes will lead to new experiences, which can be enjoyed both at Kielder and by those who aren't able to visit us in person." Anna Malley, Project Manager at Digital Catapult North East Tees Valley said: "KWFPDT is such an amazing example of a typical non-digital organisation that has really embraced the adoption of new technologies to improve its visitor experiences. When people think about the great outdoors, technology is not necessarily the first connection they might make. But through our workshop with a variety of partners involved at Kielder, we soon identified multiple ways technology could be of benefit to them. We're all really excited to try the digital prototype experience when it's ready. I know many of our team loved visiting Kielder (before Covid-19 restrictions), which is such an important part of our region, and it's great to know that people could soon be able to bring a bit of Kielder into their own homes."The North East Social Tech Fund has been funded by Comic Relief, County Durham Community Foundation, Newcastle Building Society and Northstar Foundation.ENDSAbout The National Lottery Heritage FundUsing money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK's heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

English Heritage is set to revive the celebrated Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland, thanks to a £1.88m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The property, one of English Heritage’s key sites in the north east, will benefit from a total investment of £5.5m, which also includes support from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and other donors.The extensive project includes major work to rejuvenate the renowned gardens, conservation work to the roof of the Hall, the Coach House and parts of the Castle. It also includes the provision of a brand new family-friendly space and facilities and an extensive woodland play-and-learn area with an outdoor classroom. Forming part of the charity’s major programme of interpretation, presentation and conservation at sites in its care, work is due to start in spring 2020, with a phased completion in 2021 and 2022. Belsay Hall will remain open during the full season of 2020 – with an ambitious conservation-in-action programme – a scheme which allows visitors unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to see the conservation work taking place in situ.Andrea Selley, Historic Properties Director for English Heritage North says: “Belsay Hall, together with its medieval Castle, and unique 20 acres of gardens, is one of our jewels in the north east. Conservation of this very special Classical Greek Revival hall is a priority, and we see the addition of these new visitor facilities and new interpretation as essential to improve the experience of this special place for visitors.We are also pleased to be working in partnership with the Belsay Trust, which manages the wider landscape around Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens. The gardens will benefit from restoration work to its acclaimed ‘picturesque’ style landscape, rejuvenating the plant collection and opening up new areas to visitors. We will also invest in an imaginative children’s play area. Our key aim is to ensure that a wide range of people enjoy everything that Belsay has to offer and conserve this gem of a property for future generations.”The project includes a range of skills training, work experience, traineeships and research opportunities. In addition, there will be exciting volunteer roles designed to include the whole family, from garden volunteers, conservation tour guides and ecological survey volunteers.John Watkins, Head of Gardens for English Heritage adds: “The picturesque landscape, and gardens including the Quarry Garden at Belsay are unique, this project aims to restore lost views and garden features design and rejuvenate the important plant collection, as well as providing opportunities for apprentices and volunteers to be part of the revival of one of the North East’s great gardens.”David Renwick, Director, England: North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund says: “As we celebrate our 25th birthday this year, it’s incredibly inspiring to see that our funding continues to impact some of the most unique heritage across the country, of which Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is a wonderful example. Thanks to National Lottery players, the future of this architectural gem in the North and its picturesque surroundings brimming with exotic plants will be secured, and paves the way for many more visitors to enjoy discovering the heritage of the historic site.

Runners inspired by the weekend's Great North Run still have an opportunity to take part in Britain's most beautiful half marathon next month.Spaces in the Active Northumberland Kielder half marathon have already reached full capacity, with entries into the 13.1 mile, off-road challenge around Northumbrian Water's Kielder reservoir now closed.However, runners still wanting to take part in the event, which takes place on Sunday, October 13, 2019, can do so by taking one of the limited places reserved for the water charity, WaterAid.As the official charity partner, WaterAid has 15 exclusive places at the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend, split between the full marathon distance, half marathon and 10K races.Entries cost £20 and runners need to commit to raising a minimum of £50 in return, which will be used by the charity to help transform the lives of families by installing taps and toilets in communities where there are none.WaterAid aims to provide clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for everyone, everywhere by 2030.It's the tenth anniversary of the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend and with places in the Half Marathon already sold out, places in the Marathon, 10K and Run Bike Run won't be far behind.Organisers are urging anyone thinking of registering to take part in any of the events, whether through WaterAid or through the normal entry channels, to do so now, so as not to be disappointed.Race Director, Steve Cram, said: "The last decade has seen our event grow and grow, and we're in for a very busy weekend this year as we prepare to celebrate our tenth anniversary."The half marathon is already full to capacity, but those who really want to secure a space in it, still have time to do so by running in support of WaterAid…but I'd advise them to get in quick!"The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend 2019 will attract more than 3,500 runners, to Northumbrian Water's picturesque Kielder Reservoir and waterside sites in Northumberland, where the events are based.Christine Mellor, Water Industry Partnerships Manager for WaterAid, said: "We're delighted to be the official charity partner of the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend in partnership with Northumbrian Water - one of our founding partners."The spaces we have available are a great way of being able to join in the events, even if they are otherwise full to capacity, and offer a fantastic opportunity to support our work."You'll not just be crossing the finish line, you'll be helping to transform lives and get clean water and decent toilets to some of the poorest people around the world."The weekend is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.For more information on the events taking place at the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend 2019, visit www.kieldermarathon.com.Entries in aid of WaterAid can be secured by visiting wateraid.org and searching for ‘Kielder Marathon'.

Data from Kielder Water & Forest Park today (20 August) indicates that one of this year’s two tracked osprey juveniles. Chesters, from Nest 1A, set off on migration on this morning.This is quite early for this part of the country, although she has been flying around a lot so has experience under her belt. You may wish to amend draft. The nine remaining osprey chicks from this year’s breeding season are currently earning their ‘wings’ and getting set to follow her on the epic journey to Africa or Iberia. This is the best year since 2016 with 18 eggs known to have been laid and 11 chicks surviving to be ringed. Unfortunately, Cragside, the heaviest ever chick from Nest 5A has been missing since Sunday 4th August, so the chance of her survival is slim. This year has proved to be particularly challenging for the birds with three chicks dying on different nests due to the wet and windy weather and fledging ages were slightly above average, again, probably due to the weather, as there were days with above average rainfall and feather development is slower in damp conditions.Kielder Osprey Project Lead Volunteer, Joanna Dailey said: “To start seeing ospreys flying around Kielder is wonderful given the tough conditions they were born into this year. The youngsters are now gaining flying and fishing experience with the adults before they head off to sunnier climes.”Osprey mothers usually leave on migration around the middle of this month, with the fathers and youngsters following individually at the end of August.Enthusiasts can read this year’s timeline of activity at https://kielderospreys.wordpress.com/timeline-2017/ and watch the birds through a nest camera broadcasting at Kielder Castle Café.The Kielder Osprey Project is a partnership between Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, Forestry England, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Northumbrian Water and Calvert Kielder.

Teams for the prestigious OVO Energy Tour of Britain cycle race have been announced today (Friday 19 July), as the North of Tyne prepares to host the third stage of the race on Monday 9 September.Stage Three will see the world’s top riders and teams contesting a 114-mile route from Berwick through Northumberland, heading along the North Tyneside coast and into Wallsend, before continuing to Newcastle city centre, with a spectacular finish on Grey Street.It will be the first ever Tour of Britain stage to link all of the areas of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, with the route taking in Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle Upon Tyne.Riders announced include Team INEOS (formerly Sky), Team Jumbo-Visma and Movistar Team, all of which were involved in The Tour of Britain when it last raced through Northumberland in 2017. Team INEOS famously won the 2012 Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins, and again in 2013 with Chris Froome. Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert of Jumbo-Visma recently won Stage Ten in the Tour de France, which is currently underway. Tweedmouth Middle School and cycle club The Berwick Wheelers joined Northumberland County Council Leader Peter Jackson and Cllr Cath Homer, cabinet member for culture, arts, leisure and tourism with the official OVO Energy Tour of Britain mascot, ToBI, and race car at the Stage Three start in Berwick.Cllr Jackson said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part-hosting the third stage and what better way to welcome the riders into England than in our border town of Berwick.“Following the success of previous Northumberland stages that witnessed huge crowds throughout the county, we can’t wait to see thousands of residents and schoolchildren lining the streets to watch this year's race.”In Whitley Bay, North Tyneside pupils from Wellfield Middle School greeted mascot ToBI onto school grounds as they gear up for the Coast to Coast challenge from 20-23 September. Twelve Year 8 pupils are in training to take part in the 140 mile challenge from Whitehaven to Tynemouth over four days.ToBI and official organisers then visited Spanish City in Whitley Bay to pose for some photos and grab an ice cream on the beach.Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Norma Redfearn, said: “Excitement is mounting as this prestigious race draws closer. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our own efforts to get more families involved in cycling, and I look forward to welcoming all the riders and spectators to our fantastic borough when the race passes through.”The final miles will see the race heading alongside the banks of the River Tyne on the Quayside, before the final turn on to Dean Street and Grey Street for a spectacular city centre finish.North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll and Newcastle City Council’s Cllr Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality, met with Tour of Britain organisers Sweetspot outside the Theatre Royal on Grey Street to discuss the Stage Three finish.Cllr Ainsley said: “It is a pleasure for us to host the finish of the third stage of Tour of Britain in Newcastle city centre, closing what will be a wonderful weekend of sport in the city including the Great North Run and Rugby World Cup warm-up between England and Italy. “We love cycling events in this city, it’s a sport that has a huge following and I can’t wait to see the impact this spectacular event will have as we continue to encourage more and more people onto their bikes.”North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll added: “The Tour of Britain is a really exciting sporting event. You’ve got elite cyclists coming from Berwick, along the Northumberland coast, through North Tyneside and then along the Newcastle Quayside, with an uphill sprint finish along Grey Street to the Theatre Royal, all in a single day. “I’m a keen cyclist, but that’s a test of endurance that’s worthy of admiration. “Our challenge is to get the message across that you don’t have to be super fit to take up cycling. As a means of transport and just staying healthy it’s a great way to tackle the climate emergency we’re facing. And the lycra is strictly optional.” Stage Three will feature three SKODA King of the Mountains climbs at Ford Common, Belford Moor and outside Longhoughton.Three intermediate Eisberg Sprints will also feature on the route at Seahouses, Warkworth and Seaton Delaval.For further information, please see the North of Tyne Tour of Britain website - www.northoftyne-tob.co.uk

National Trust rangers from across the North of England have travelled to Parliament to meet with their MPs, to call for them to pass ambitious new laws benefiting people and wildlife, and back efforts to halt climate change.Eight rangers [1] made the journey from the North of England to London on Wednesday 26 June to join the Trust’s Director-General Hilary McGrady and thousands of people from around the country – including school children, nuns, farmers, doctors and surfers – urging MPs to back action on climate change.‘The Time is Now’ mass lobby [2] was organised by Greener UK and the Climate Coalition to urge politicians to put in place policies to halt the UK’s contribution to climate change and ensure an upcoming Environment Bill includes ambitious legal requirements to improve air quality, protect wildlife and tackle plastic pollution.Gwen Potter, Countryside Manager for the Northumberland Coast, who travelled by train to attend the event, said: “Despite being a long way from my usual place of work, I was really pleased to hop on the train to London today. It was amazing to see people from all walks of life come together to call for more action on climate change to help both nature and people.The complex effects of a changing climate on nature are becoming increasingly frequent and difficult to solve. I’m now seeing frequent summer storms washing out nests on a regular basis and a decline in the numbers of surface feeding species such as terns. I’m calling on the Berwick-upon-Tweed MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan and all politicians to back stronger laws that will restore a healthy, beautiful natural environment – both on the Northumberland Coast and across the UK.MPs were taken from the Palace of Westminster by rickshaw to meet constituents in the area around Parliament. Organisers say more than 12, 000 people travelled to speak to over 220 MPs.At 2pm, those attending the lobby rang thousands of alarm clocks, mobile phone alarms and sirens to symbolise that ‘The Time is Now’ to act.The lobby was held following an announcement by the government that it will set in law a target of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to ‘net zero’ by 2050. Campaigners at the lobby called on politicians to support measures aimed at achieving the goal.Adam Royle, Head of Advocacy at the National Trust, said: “It’s great that the Government has committed to setting a date for net zero emissions. But to make this a reality, we need bold and ambitious measures, starting with locking up carbon in our natural environment by looking after soils and planting more trees. To tackle declines in nature, we also need a new, world-leading Environment Act with targets for healthy air, clean water, thriving wildlife and green spaces where people live.“Fifty of our rangers have travelled from miles around to be here today, with each one bringing with them powerful examples of the loss of nature and the effects of climate change where they work. These stories can’t be ignored; if the Government is to fulfil its promises to the public, it must act now.”Director-General of the National Trust Hilary McGrady said: “It is incredibly encouraging to see so many people here today, standing up for nature together.“I’ve seen first-hand the impact of nature’s decline and a changing climate on our fields and forests, built heritage and beaches - from species of wildlife diminishing to erratic weather damaging our historic properties. We’re working hard to restore nature and find ways to adapt but are facing increasingly tougher challenges.“It doesn’t have to be this way. We can be the first generation that leaves our seas cleaner, cities less polluted, and wild places healthier than when we found them. But to do so, we need the government to take urgent action.”

This week, a further 240 water voles have been released into streams flowing into the east end of Kielder Reservoir (to link with water voles released last year), by the ‘Restoring Ratty’ water vole reintroduction project. This release takes the total number released to 1205 since June 2017.The released voles have been bred in captivity from individuals captured in the Pennines and North Yorkshire and over the border in Scotland.Now in its fourth year, ‘Restoring Ratty’ is a five-year partnership project between Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Forestry England and Tyne Rivers Trust. The project is aimed at the reintroduction of water voles to the Kielder Water and Forest Park area of Northumberland and has all been made possible by National Lottery players through a grant of £421,000 from The National Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).This release, the fifth since the project started, included the release of the 1000th water vole and by the end of the year, approximately 1400 water voles will have been released.The release also marked the end of a year-long university placement with Northumberland Wildlife Trust for Joel Ireland, student at Trent University, who celebrated the end of a wonderful year by releasing his first water vole.Joel said: “This is a great project to have been involved in and releasing my first water vole was such a wonderful way to end what has been a great year with Northumberland Wildlife Trust.”All signs indicate that water voles released in 2017 and 2018 are thriving well with some of them travelling up to 12km from their release sites, with potentially breeding voles being found around 5km from their original release sites. With survey season just starting and volunteers are out and about looking for signs of more water voles. At a site near Kielder Campsite, they seem to be doing especially well. Up to 80% of a water vole population can be lost over winter; hopefully the mild winter of 2018/2019 will mean a higher survival rate and a good breeding season.Graham Holyoak, Restoring Ratty Project Officer said: “Over the past two years we have learnt so much about water voles from the past four releases. Knowledge such as the fact that water voles will happily stay where they have been released and form populations if they are in very narrow burns, whilst, on bigger streams a few will stay but many tend to disperse more, will help form our future water vole conservation efforts.”

Two North East attractions are in line for a cash windfall as part of an initiative to help children access jobs of the future.Woodhorn Charitable Trust and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society, both based in Northumberland, look set to receive £635,000 when the Cabinet of the North of Tyne Combined Authority meets on June 4.The meeting will be the first to be chaired by newly elected North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll following his election victory on May 3.A report recommends that the organisations receive the grants following a call for projects which were considered by the combined authority’s investment panel.The cash is intended to encourage more young people to choose a career in STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics and develop digital skills to meet demand in key areas of the labour market.North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “Kids have such great natural curiosity – and that’s the foundation of science, technology and engineering. The more we can fire their enthusiasm for a career in these industries, the stronger our future economy will be. “I was really pleased when I took office that the interim Mayor and the cabinet had started this programme. Naturally, as an engineer I want to see more of our young people pursue careers in these sectors.”Cllr Wayne Daley, Portfolio Lead on Education for the North of Tyne Combined Authority, and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Northumberland County Council added: “It’s really important that we give our young people the best possible start in life, and we have a unique opportunity to make sure they are given every chance to develop the right skills and qualifications to take up good quality training, apprenticeships and jobs.“We’re delighted to be working with Woodhorn and Kielder Observatory to deliver these STEM projects, in innovative and inventive ways outside the curriculum, which will help lay the foundations for future generations.” Woodhorn and partners will use their £395,000 grant to work with 15-20 first and primary schools in the North of Tyne Combined Authority area to explore STEM subjects and careers, using the area’s STEM heritage up to current day.A STEM club for 20 children aged 7-11 will be hosted by Woodhorn Museum in the school summer holidays of 2021.The money will also deliver three short programmes for secondary schools in the area on digital careers and invite professionals to work directly with students.The Kielder Observatory project will receive £240,000 to inspire primary and secondary aged children with science by using the charity’s state-of-the-art astronomy equipment.Over the next three years, this funding will enable up to 10,000 children and young people each year to take part in school-based science week experiences when they’ll be taught by members of the observatory’s inspiring young science team and have the opportunity to experience their portable planetarium. In addition, each host school will receive an astronomy kit complete with telescope and be given access to a dedicated website so that staff and children can continue their studies remotely. They will also have opportunities to visit the Kielder Observatory with staff and families and stay overnight if they need to, thanks to the Observatory’s close links with nearby Calvert Kielder. Chief executive of Woodhorn Charitable Trust, Rowan Brown, said: “We're absolutely thrilled to be considered for this incredible opportunity to support children and young people with the acquisition of science, technology, engineering and maths skills, building on our internationally important technological heritage, and helping to create a more positive future. “We are also very grateful to our partners, Northumbria University STEM and the combined authority for their proactive approach to investing in our region's young people.”Peter Standfield, Chair of the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society said: “We’re delighted that the combined authority is thinking of investing in our outreach programme that will allow children and young people to experience the wonders of the universe as a means of inspiring closer engagement with the STEM subjects that will help them to access the jobs of the future.”