History made as Hadrian's Wall illuminated
Mar 15 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
TONY HENDERSON on the night that history was made once more on Hadrian’s Wall
CALLS were made yesterday for the Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall event to be an annual happening after more than 25,000 people turned out on Saturday night to witness the spectacle.
Around 1,200 volunteer illuminators manned gas beacons or held flares at 515 points along the 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall National Trail Path.
Hundreds more people were involved in back-up and support roles.
The event, with a helicopter filming the advancing line of light, has had international coverage from Europe to Australia and the Philippines, raising the profile of the world heritage site.
It also generated a visitor spend of about £1m over the weekend.
Last night, there was talk of hopes that lighting the Wall could become a heritage version of the Great North Run in event terms.
Businessman Brian Keen estimated that at least 10,000 people packed into a five-mile stretch of the central section of Hadrian’s Wall from Sewingshields to Cawfields in Northumberland.
Brian, with wife Pauline, has run the Twice Brewed Inn facing the Wall for nine years. Previously they operated the Once Brewed youth hostel for 24 years.
“We have been here for 33 years and we have never seen so many people. They came in droves,” said Brian.
“It was brilliant and they should do it every year to start off the holiday season. People came from all over the world and it was just great.
“You could tell from the accents in the pub that people were here from America, Scotland the south of England, wherever. People love the Wall and they identify with it, and they wanted to be here. For many, it was a personal thing and they were always going to come.
