Northumbria in Bloom award for Northumberlandia. Image by David Murray.
Glittering prize for Lady of the North
When it comes to awards, Northumberlandia aka The Lady of the North, is no stranger to receiving them, and this week another accolade has been added to the list with the site being awarded gold in the Northumbria in Bloom competition.
The site on Blagdon Lane in Cramlington which is managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust scooped gold in the Tourist and Visitor Attractions and Country Estates Category.
The team of judges felt that Northumberlandia is a very innovative and unique attraction for both local people and tourists and demonstrates how a former mining site can be transformed with great design and natural materials.
Aside from the landform sculpture which is the main attraction, the judges were impressed by the nature trails, woodland paths, visitor information boards describing the resident wildlife, not to mention the hundreds of community events each year, the planting of 6000 trees by volunteers and the monthly food and craft market.
.Special thanks must also go to Adam Harvey, Cramlington Town Council’s Deputy Town Clerk who nominated the site for an award.
Peter Ernst, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Northumberlandia Estates Officer says:
“What a great award for the efforts of all staff and volunteers involved with the upkeep and running of the site. As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, this award is a great incentive for us all to keep giving 110% to ensure the site looks its best and the 100,000 visitors each year leave at the end of the day having had a wonderful time.”
Adam Harvey, Cramlington Town Council Deputy Town Clerk says:
"It wasn't a hard decision to enter Northumberlandia into the Northumbria in Bloom competition. It's a stunning place and a great example of art and nature in perfect harmony. It's a place Cramlington can be really proud of.
“I would like to say a special thank you to Lisa Saxton from Bright Red Blood Cancer Charity for showing the judges around and talking about the collaborative projects with Northumberland Wildlife Trust and other community groups. It was plain to see the impressive work carried out by the community volunteers. "
Made of 1.5 million tonnes of rock, clay and soil, Northumberlandia is 100 feet high and a quarter of a mile long. Built by the Banks Group, on land donated by Blagdon Estates, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is the managing agent, working on behalf of the Land Trust.