Heaton community rallies behind bid to secure The Rothbury Estate for nature
Businesses and residents in Newcastle's Heaton community have joined forces to support Northumberland Wildlife Trust and The Wildlife Trusts in their campaign to raise funds to purchase The Rothbury Estate in Northumberland.
Earlier this year, independent musical instrument retailer Curvy Sounds launched a raffle featuring a bespoke Tokai Les Paul guitar customised by founder Andrew Mills.
With an estimated value of £1,000, the one-of-a-kind instrument features a striking design created from iridescent pearl ovals that radiate outwards from the centre of the guitar. The pattern is inspired by naturally occurring forms found in the centre of sunflowers, the movement of shoals of fish and the arrangement of flower petals.
A second guitar, again worth over £1,000 has been donated by local singer-songwriter Nev Clay.
Before opening Curvy Sounds on Heaton Hall Road, Andrew and his wife and business partner Jess Mills worked as conservation artists, sharing a lifelong passion for Northumberland's landscapes and wildlife.
The couple have many happy memories of The Rothbury Estate and the wider Northumberland countryside. When their children were younger, they spent countless hours picking bilberries on the estate, camping at Druridge Bay and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, kayaking along the River Coquet.
Their commitment to helping secure the future of The Rothbury Estate has inspired other local businesses to support the fundraising campaign by donating prizes for the September raffle.
A growing collection of prizes is now arriving at the Heaton Hall Road shop.
Additional prizes donated by local businesses include vouchers and gifts from: The Last Resort, The Tipsy Toad, The Dog Grocers, Body Image Fitness, The Artichoke Gift Shop, The Butterfly Cabinet, Smoke and Sear, The Handsome Sandwich, The Barn Door, 10ten, Querido and Davidson Optometrists.
Newcastle's internationally acclaimed indie band Maxïmo Park has also donated signed merchandise.
The raffle will be drawn at the end of September. In the meantime, tickets are still available (£2.50 for 1 ticket - £5 for 2 tickets - £10 for 5 tickets). Please contact Curvy Sounds by email (subject Raffle) curvysounds@yahoo.com stating how many tickets you would like and give your name and phone number please. You can then make a donation here www.justgiving.com/page/curvysounds-katedickinson
Stall at the Ouseburn Festival
On 4th July, artist and professional gardener Kate Dickinson and Curvy Sounds co-founder Jess Mills hosted a stall at the Ouseburn Festival, selling artwork created by Kate, Harriet Menter, Kubra Mujde, and Claire Sarametz. Plants donated by the West Jesmond School allotment and fair-trade musical instruments supplied by Curvy Sounds were also sold.
Later in July (29th), Kate and Jess completed a six-hour fundraising walk in the Simonside Hills.
Kate and Jess Simonside Hills fundraising walk
Jess Mills, Co-Founder of Curvy Sounds, says:
"The Rothbury Estate is a special place to Andrew and me, and to many people across the North East.
"Every day I walk through Jesmond Dene and thank Lord Armstrong for creating such an amazing park that provides a home for wildlife and has brought pleasure to generations of people.
"This is our chance to do the same and help The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, in whatever way we can, to purchase The Rothbury Estate and preserve this incredible area for both wildlife and people."
Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive, says:
“What a fantastic offer from Curvy Sounds and Nev. Two amazing guitars to help raise money for Rothbury - maybe we should call it The Rockbury Estate.
“The generosity of everybody in Heaton shows again just how much everyone cares about making this happen for nature and people - a ‘Wild Thing’ part of a Northumberland’s future.”