We were delighted to be part of the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) event on 2 September, which celebrated the completion of the revitalisation of North Shields that focussed on Northumberland Square and its surrounding buildings as well as Howard Street, including the historic Exchange Building. The event was ran in conjunction with the North Tyneside Together event, which took place in Northumberland Square.
As well as the renovation programme the HAZ also tapped into the rich heritage and culture of the town, through the Cultural Consortium that saw local voluntary sector organisations working together to provide a programme of arts and cultural activities for local residents and communities. The consortium included VODA, Helix Arts, Remembering the Past, North Shields Heritology Project and the Exchange Theatre.
The event featured exhibitions on local culture, films documenting local heritage working with local schoolchildren, Geocaching, Robo Painting and culminating in the performance of A Georgian Cluedo, featuring local actors and young people, performed to an audience of over 70 local residents and organisations at the Exchange Building. #
The funders of the project Historic England were thrilled with the impact of the project and the event which, was organised in conjunction with the Together Festival and provided a multi-cultured carnival atmosphere, Tom Frater, Historic England’s Regional Director for North East & Yorkshire said it was fantastic to see Northumberland Square being used by so many people, this project has been a great example of the Council and Community Sector, businesses and residents working together to bring this to fruition.
