Heritage days span cree to car plant

Sep 3 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

HUNDREDS of buildings, walks and events will celebrate the North East’s vibrant heritage next week.

The Heritage Open Days (Hods) programme from September 11-14 was launched regionally yesterday with a huge range of free access opportunities to places which are normally either closed to the public or which charge for admission.

Tyne and Wear is leading the field, with a record 191 buildings, tours and activities on offer.

The region had just 84 buildings and events six years ago, when 19,500 visits were generated.

Last year the total had shot up to 184, with a massive 44,603 visits to the attractions.

Northumberland and County Durham are also staging their own programmes.

Hods is co-ordinated by the Civic Trust and English Heritage, with inputs from local authorities.

As well as historic locations, modern venues such as Newcastle’s Dance City and the Nissan car plant in Sunderland are opening their doors to the public.

The concept of what constitutes local heritage also includes a listed pigeon loft on Wearside and a tour of all of the sites where Sunderland Football Club has played during their history. North of England Civic Trust co-ordinator Jules Brown said new pieces of civic culture could be of equal value to the more historical side.

He said: “You can argue that modern plants like Nissan are the heritage of the future and could be as important as the Stephenson locomotive factory in Newcastle – the world’s first, which is also open in the heritage programme.”

Tyne and Wear is the second most active Hods region in the country.

Mr Brown said: “The region is very proud of its past and we have a lot to shout about in this respect.”

Tours of the Nissan plant, which will take in the paint shop, body shop and final assembly of the Qashqai vehicle, are already fully booked.

Nissan spokeswoman Dawn Waugh said: “We are part of Sunderland’s heritage and most people will not realise the enormity of what goes into their production of a car.”

Another company opening its doors for tours is the 150-year-old Cottam Brush family business, based at Monkton Business Park in Hebburn, South Tyneside.

The company makes a wide range of brushes and education liaison officer Patricia Willis said: “The company is very keen to get involved with the local community.”

For Tyne and Wear details go to www.twhods.org.uk For regional details go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk