People urged to make their mark

Jan 8 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

LOCALS are being invited to stamp their identity on a park at the centre of regeneration plans.

They will have the chance to put their handprints, names or other designs on a cobbled path at Belmont Green as part of the Walker Riverside project in Newcastle.

Residents, schoolchildren and youth groups, will join in a series of “cobble workshops”.

They will work with Wallsend-based artist Alan Vaughan, 48, who has a Master of Arts in public art from Sunderland University.

He said: “This is fantastic opportunity for local people to make their mark as a permanent legacy for themselves and future generations.

“Before the clay cobblestones are fired and put in place, they can come along and be as creative as they want. They can put their own marks down – such as foot or handprints, names, messages or simple patterns. It is all very exciting and will form a unique feature for the area.”

The cobbles will be laid in a path as part of a major landscaping of Belmont Green. Other plans include shrubs, ornamental railings, trees and seats.

The scheme is a joint venture between local community members, the project’s community engagement team, Newcastle City Council and supported by Bridging NewcastleGateshead. Walker Riverside community engagement manager Jackie Jones said: “The regeneration of Walker is all about the local community and this is a fitting way they can be fully part of what is happening. I am delighted that we are able to do this and I am sure we will have a fantastic response.”

The newly-refurbished Belmont Green is due to open in April.

The Walker Riverside project is a £450m regeneration programme and one of the largest such initiatives in the North-East. It will build up to 1,800 new homes for sale and rent over the next 15 years.