Member Article

All welcome at Party in the Park

Northumberland National Park is inviting people across the region to join its 60th birthday celebrations at a special Party in the Park at Walltown Quarry Country Park on the 6th of April.

The event promises to be a great day out offering something for everyone with a full programme of activities and entertainment for individuals and families.

Party-goers can meet the Rangers and ‘Drink the Landscape’ with the Park’s resident artist Megan Randall, or have a go at making their own smelly cocktail and Park inspired birthday hat! There’s also an opportunity to get adventurous and go on a Wildlife Safari or try your hand at bush crafts, make some music and create your own bird feeder with edible treats!

One lucky person will also have the honour of unveiling and cutting Northumberland National Park’s unique 60th birthday cake made by local confectioner Vallum House Cakes.

Tony Gates, Chief Executive at Northumberland National Park Authority, explains: “Our 60th birthday Party in the Park at Walltown is a fantastic opportunity for people to join us in celebrating this important milestone in the Park’s history. We want our guests to have great fun and of course take the opportunity to explore this wonderful landscape.

“We’ve come a long way in 60 years and we have a lot to look forward to. Being crowned National Park of the Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards is just the latest in a long list of accolades for this special place. As Europe’s largest International Dark Sky Park, being England’s most tranquil area, and having England’s cleanest rivers, we now have even more ambitious plans for the future through The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre at Once Brewed on Hadrian’s Wall.

“Our ground-breaking project is the largest ever undertaken by a National Park in the UK and will transform how visitors of all ages understand and explore the landscapes and cultural heritage of not only Northumberland National Park, but the wonderful countryside and coastlines of the wider region.

In an increasingly busy world, the opportunities for working, learning, discovery and recreation which the Park provides are more important than ever to people’s lives.“

Northumberland National Park’s 60th birthday party takes place at Walltown Quarry Country Park on Wednesday 6th April between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. Admission is free. There are charges for some of the activities, prices range from £2.00 up to £7.50. Car park charges apply. To find out more go to www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/events/party-in-the-park/

The 60th birthday party is just one of a fantastic range of Park-wide events for individuals and families taking place during the Easter holidays between the 25th March and 8th April. Visitors can take part in all sorts of activities from guided walks with experienced volunteers to Easter Egg Trails, geocaching, storytelling and craft workshops. For more information go to www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/events

Northumberland National Park was designated in 1956 and covers 405 square miles including the incredible landscape of Hadrian’s Wall, the tranquillity of the North Tyne Valley and the spectacular views from the Cheviots. Today there are 15 National Parks in the UK.

Earlier this year, Northumberland National Park was voted ‘National Park of the Year’ in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards. The award is particularly special because Northumberland National Park won as the result of a public ballot.

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre which opens in summer 2017 was awarded £7.75 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Now under construction, its purpose is to act as a gateway to open up the landscapes of Northumberland National Park and surrounding areas to a broad range of new people including children, families and those who are less confident at exploring natural places.

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