Community Artwork Theft

Despicable thieves have stolen a half inch thick steel information board from a Horden car park that was put in as part of a £700,000 improvement scheme. The callous petty criminals took the panel at some time over this last weekend.

There may be a small value in weighing in the steel for a small amount of cash, but the real value was in the work of the children whose efforts went into creating this stunning panel that features butterflies, flowers and images of the sea and is etched with the words “Music flowers never fail”, words that now seem somewhat hollow, given the unfeeling actions of the thieves.

The steel panel provides the frame for information on the Horden area of the coast and was was created by the pupils of Cotsford Junior School, Yoden Primary School, Cotsford Infant School and Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School with the help of artist David Buurma.

Coralie Niven, the Durham Heritage Coast’s Projects Officer said “Given all the work put in by the community and the wide ranging support and use of all the recent works I am annoyed and frustrated that one or two heartless cowards can ruin the children’s creation for a few pounds”

Niall Benson, the Heritage Coast Officer is also appalled saying “Someone is handling this metal and whoever it is must recognise the words on the piece, know that it is recent and strongly suspect that it is stolen from the community and by passing it on is also stealing children’s memories”

Local police are investigating.

The Heritage Coast Collection DVD

We have now added two videos to the Durham Heritage Coast website:

Seaham Dive Survey features footage taken by the Seaham Sub Aqua Club, and is narrated by Marine Biologist Yvonne Townsend.

Turning The Tide documents the restoration work done by the Turning the Tide Partnership.

These videos are also available, along with other short videos, on the Heritage Coast Collection DVD, while stocks last. If you wish to order a copy, please email chris.quigley@durham.gov.uk.

Horden Denes - Phase 1 Launched

Friday 12 March saw the successful launch of Horden Denes phase 1. To celebrate Melting Pot Arts carried out workshops with Cotsford Junior School, Yohden Primary School, Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School and Horden Youth Club to create 4 large fish lanterns. These lanterns were displayed on Friday evening along the path to the ‘Tern Sculpture’ designed by David Buurma of Mor Imagination LLP.

Durham Heritage Coast Partnership would like to thank all those who came out to see the work and braved the cold weather. We would also like to thank Heritage Lottery Fund and all our supporters.

Horden Denes Phase 2 is the creation of a mine water treatment plant. The Coal Authority is due to begin construction in May 2010 and expect the works to take 6 months. Durham Heritage Coast Partnership will begin consulting on Phase 3 during Summer 2010.

If you would like further information on this project, please call the Projects Officer on 0191 383 3741.

Horden's Art

Artwork arrives in Horden. Whether you are out for a walk with the family or to exercise your dog, make your way along the coastal footpath at Horden to enjoy new paths, seating and recently installed artwork.

Come and enjoy Coastal Views

If you haven’t visited Horden for a while, now is a good time to explore as some important changes have recently been made.

Horden’s Limekiln Gill is one of the main access points to Durham’s coastline created 10 years ago as part of the Turning the Tide project. The original access works have recently been updated by the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership with the first phase of a three year project called “Horden Denes”. This phase of the £720,000 project has been designed to encourage public use and enjoyment of this part of County Durham’s scenic coastline.

Improvements completed so far include a surfaced circular ‘easy access’ route that incorporates part of the coastal footpath with seating on the cliff top path. This route is just over a mile in length. It offers fantastic views of Durham’s coastline giving the welcome opportunity to sit and rest and enjoy the coast.

Limekiln Gill now boasts a pleasant selection of walks to enjoy with your family, take a stroll with the dog or experience the sights and sounds whilst passing along the coastal footpath. There is plenty of wildlife to see such as kestrels, stoats, butterflies - including small copper, peacock or painted lady and wild flowers such as yellow rattle, knapweed and bloody crane’s bill. The best time for wildlife spotting is probably from the beginning of June to the end of August but there is variety of interest throughout each season.

To emphasise the importance of community involvement, a Celebrating Our Coast family event was held at Limekiln Gill in early August 2009. This provided the opportunity for everyone to enjoy a range of activities and see the National Trust’s Highland cattle which are used for conservation grazing. A geologist explained the hidden secrets of the coastline and a shell sculptor and face painter entertained children. The Coast and Countryside Rangers also helped children build bird boxes for their gardens and Natural England provided a rock pool display.

Over the next couple of years, improvement works will continue to the north of Limekiln Gill at Warren House. The Coal Authority is installing a mine-water treatment plant with reed-beds and Durham Heritage Coast Partnership will be responsible for designing new paths and interpretation for this area. As with all Durham Heritage Coast Partnership projects, a public consultation exercise will make sure the site meets the needs of local people.

All these and future improvements within the Horden Denes Project are possible thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Durham County Council, the Urban Rural Renaissance project, The Coal Authority and the Heritage Coast Partnership.

If you like what has been accomplished at Limekiln Gill and would like further information to help you explore the rest of the Durham’s coast, please contact Durham Heritage Coast Partnership on 0191 383 3351.

Award for Nose's Point

The Nose's Point Gateway Project has scooped a Natural Environment and Countryside Management award 2008. The works on site include habitat and site improvement works, intepretation, art works, seating and bicycle racks. Coralie Dickinson, Project Officer for the scheme, said "this is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work and community involvement of all those involved with and engaged in the scheme". We would like to make special mention of the Dawdon community who have been closely involved with the project from".

Heritage Lottery Fund award opens up Horden's Heritage Coast

Durham Heritage Coast Partnership has been awarded a grant of £281,500 to develop Horden Denes as a gateway to the Durham Heritage Coast. The denes cover around 200 acres of the coast at Horden with fabulous flowers growing on the magnesian limestone grassland of the coastal slopes and denes. Access to the area is hampered by a lack of clear signs and directions - a network of paths will be created with seating, signs and information and the main access points will be transformed into welcoming entrances to the coastline. Schools and other community groups will be involved in developing the project, as well as local residents and businesses. The full press release can be found under the press release section of the website. For any further information please contact the Heritage Coast team on 0191 383 4640.

Hendon Beach Improvements

The works on Hendon Beach have been carried out and the work on the leas behind is starting and will greatly improve the area.

Little Terns at Crimdon

50 pairs have nested and 106 chicks have fledged. In addition the volunteer rangers report that the little tern protection has resulted in 33 ringed plover chicks. Many thanks to Trevor Stephenson and the rest of the volunteers for their tremendous effort over this season. A great result!

Shoreline Management Plan 2

Now that the public consultation period is over, all responses received need to be fully considered and any revisions to the Draft SMP2 agreed.

A SMP2 Project Management Group (PMG) is in place to work on the revisions/additions. Where sound technological, socio-economic or environmental information has been provided during the consultation period and is likely to alter policy at specific loations, the implications do need to be re-evaluated. The PMG will determine the extent and impact of any changes and prepare a consultation report with written feedback to consultees.

This report will be made available on the website to ensure all consultees can view how their specific comments have been addressed.

A copy of the final draft SMP2 will be placed on the SMP2 website and then formally submitted to the elected members of the six Coast Protection Authorities (CPA). It will remain as a final draft until adopted by all CPA’s and received by Defra.

It is anticipated that the consultation responses will be addressed and the final draft developed during November/December 2006 and a final round of stakeholders meetings will take place during January/February 2007. Finally each CPA will need to adopt the SMP2, this is anticipated to occur in March/April 2007.

Dawdon

This project will make Dawdon the jewel in Durham Heritage Coast's crown. This gateway project for Noses Point, Dawdon is now underway. This ambitious plan covers footpath improvements, easier beach access, interpretation and habitat enhancement. This project also includes training opportunities and the chance to get involved and help out with habitat improvements, such as wetland creation and tree planting.

Habitat works have started on site. Any further information on this project - please contact Louise Harrington on 0191 383 3741.

Coast and Countryside Volunteers

The Coast and Countryside Ranger Service is always seeking to recruit volunteers to help with environmental improvements.  Give us a call to find out how you can help with environmental projects and input into any improvements you'd like to see, perhaps become a volunteer ranger and gain new skills and training.  This will cover coast and countryside management, wildlife surveying and communication skills. The training and activities can be tailored to suit your interests and needs.

You can contact us or telephone Louise on 0191 383 3741.

Help Improve Your Local Area

Take part in a certified training course in countryside management.

Gain practical experience and skills.

Learn about the natural history of the costal landscape.

Some of our Volunteers at Seaham Hall Litter Pick event, September 2006