Greater Morpeth Development Trust

The first group of signs developed through the Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT) signage and interpretation project have been delivered in and around Morpeth. The interpretation panels are part of an initiative of the Trust to reveal more about Morpeth's heritage and nature to local people and visitors.

The Trust's signage steering group which is made up of Morpeth Town Council, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland Tourism, Friends of Carlisle Park and GMDT's heritage and environment interest groups, have been working on the content, photography and artwork over the past 6 months.

GMDT is using funding from the Castles, Woods and Water project and the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a three-year signage and interpretation initiative that will not only point the way to some of Morpeth's heritage, woodland, country walks and riverside attractions but will tell people much more about them when they start exploring the town.

One of the signs can be found at Tommy's Field footpath walk leading out of the town along the banks of the River Wansbeck. GMDT has recently completed the footpath improvements, which include seating, in this area and also the land next to Morrison's Garage. The signage will only further highlight Morpeth's beauty spots with artwork donated by local artist John Caffrey.

A family of three signs can be found in the High Stanners area of Morpeth depicting this area, which is rich in heritage. From the Bakehouse Steps known locally as the Steppy Stones, now the only one remaining of seven sets of stepping stones across the River Wansbeck to the history behind Oldgate bridge and the skinnery bridge. There is so much to know about this area that many visitors and also residents did not previously know.

One of the more innovative signs is a large glass panel, which gives an artists impression of what Lord Collingwood's summerhouse looked like. The summerhouse is better known as the Poopdeck from where he could view the River Wansbeck and the High Stanners on his shore leave in Morpeth. Unfortunately, the poopdeck has deteriorated over the years but GMDT does have further plans to restore this heritage site.

The grounds of St Roberts church and school were once home to Admiral Lord Collingwood who was credited along with Horatio Nelson as the sea lords who defeated Napoleon's French fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Had they lost the battle the French general would have swept across the Channel to invade England.

The final sign can be found adjacent to Mafeking Park, once celebrated as the smallest park in the world - it is now a mini-roundabout at the entrance into Morpeth.

The signage steering group have started work on the 2^nd phase of signage, which includes interpretation and mapping within the grounds of St Mary's Church relating to the history of the Church, notable Morpethians who are buried within the grounds, as well as military burials in the church yard.

"The Crawhalls, William Woodman, John Rastrick and of course Emily Davison are amongst those buried in the churchyard and we are keen to raise awareness of this important part of Morpeth's heritage", says Tamsin Lilley, GMDT's Heritage Officer. "It is hoped that the Rastricks will also be marked by a plaque in Morpeth".

John Rastrick the senior built one of the first threshing machines, which separated grain from corn and other products. He was also involved in building bridges at Sunderland and Weldon. His son, John Urpeth Rastrick (1780-1856), became one of the first English steam locomotive builders and is buried in Brighton.

GMDT had previously been working with the late Castle Morpeth Borough Council on interpretation within Scotch Gill and Borough Woods. The second phase includes plans to complete this interpretation work with another two panels, making it easier and more enjoyable for residents and visitors to explore the woodlands and its wildlife. GMDT project manager Gemma Gadomski says "it is the Trust's intention to involve local people as much as possible in the signage and interpretation project".

The local people of Morpeth donated a lot of the photography and artwork we have used within the first phase. We would like the people of Morpeth to have a sense of ownership with the signage and interpretation they have helped to produce and take pride in the town's heritage. "There is so much to see and do around Morpeth which is perhaps not as well known as it should be, so this project should make exploring the town and finding out more about its heritage an even more rewarding experience for residents and visitors alike."

If you have any information or artwork on any of the local heritage of Morpeth we would really like to hear from you. This could be used in the future plans for the signage and interpretation. Please contact Tamsin Lilley, GMDT Heritage Officer for further information.

GMDT's Signage and Interpretation project will look at producing new signs and interpretation boards to help local people as well as visitors find their way round Morpeth's many attractions. The project will run over three years with new signage produced every 4 months. People of Morpeth will start to notice the new signage from April 2009.

With funding from the Castles, Woods and Water project as well as the Heritage Lottery Fund, Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT) is planning to make the wealth of local heritage attractions, woodland, riverside and country walks around Morpeth, even more accessible and interesting to people of all ages.

The Trust will be working with Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Northumberland County Council, Morpeth Town Council, Groundwork Northumberland and Northumberland Tourism to deliver the project

GMDT officials working with Metrodesign and Media Ltd are looking to refresh or renew existing signage and interpretation boards to help people find their way more easily around the sites and walks and learn even more about what they can see and find there.

Fingerpost signs, wall mounted or free-standing boards, interactive devices such as talking posts and raised designs children will be able to trace over are just some of the ideas currently being explored.

The new signs and interpretation panels will also be themed – blue for Morpeth town, green for country and brown for heritage sites.

The first phase of the project will be concentrating on improving signs and displays in Mafeking Park, the Tommy's Field footpath walk leading out of Morpeth along the banks of the River Wansbeck, and the High Stanners area of the town.

One exciting idea for the High Stanners area is for a free-standing glass panel depicting Admiral Lord Collingwood's summerhouse in all its original glory.

GMDT are also looking at ways to sympathetically enhance the interpretation of suffragette Emily Wilding Davison's grave and St Mary's Churchyard, which will tie in with the joint education project involving Beamish and Woodhorn museums, and the completed restoration to the grave by the working group which includes GMDT, the Borough, Town and County councils and St Mary's Church.

It is the Trust's intention to get local people involved in a lot of the signage programme with local artist John Caffrey already providing the artwork for the Tommy's Field interpretation panel.

GMDT is also working with Castle Morpeth Borough Council to complete interpretation work in the Borough woods and Scotch Gill Woods.

There is so much for people to see and do around Morpeth, and this project should make visiting the town and finding out about its heritage an even more rewarding experience for residents and visitors alike.