Double celebration for Ylana

Mar 19 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THERE was icing on the celebration cake yesterday as campaigner Ylana First travelled to London to receive her MBE award at Buckingham Palace.

Ylana has battled for 25 years to save Tynemouth’s listed Victorian station. And as she set off, she learned that work will start this weekend on the next stage in hopefully ensuring that the station will be totally restored as a thriving part of the local community and economy.

Ylana, who lives in Tynemouth, will be presented with the MBE today for her services to art and the community, much of it linked to the station.

The station is used for regular art installations as well as book fairs, weekend markets and monthly farmers’ markets. The latest scheme will make safe sections of the station’s unrestored glass canopy ahead of a full renovation project.

The work was identified in a feasibility study by the North of England Civic Trust, which looked at the restoration and sustainable future uses of the station. North Tyneside Council and Millhouse Development, which are the main partners in site owners Station Developments Limited, have agreed to combine to ensure the repairs happen.

The eventual aim is to restore the surviving derelict canopies to their original 1880s specifications to create performance spaces alongside a programme of special events and space for cultural businesses.

The initial preservation work will cost £40,000 and has been funded by Station Developments and a grant from Tyne and Wear Partnership.

Ylana said yesterday: “This news has made my trip to London all the more enjoyable. I am pleased the work is taking place because if the canopies had been dismantled, they may well have never been put up again.”

Station Developments spokesman Bob Lawrence said: “We all share the objective that we must restore the station to its former grandeur.”

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