Olympic jump start for Great North Museum
Oct 13 2008 by Richard Fletcher, The Journal
OLYMPIC star jumper Jonathan Edwards took to the streets of Newcastle to urge people to back the region’s new museum.
The triple jump world record holder and former gold medallist was accompanied by people dressed as orange arrows in a bid to spread the message.
They were telling people about the Great North Museum, which opens in Newcastle in April, and they launched the project’s “Be Part of It” publicity campaign at Grey’s Monument on Saturday.
The campaign symbol is a giant orange arrow and, to promote the Great North Museum, the public were asked to write down why they thought the North is great and then stick their ideas to the arrow.
While the two helpers dressed in costumes handed out fliers, project patron Edwards explained the thinking behind the symbol.
He said: “It’s an idea to capture people’s attention. It says be part of it – you can be part of it.
“It’s important to have great places to visit. Right from the start I thought this was a really exciting project to be part of, and very worthwhile.”
Edwards was the first to stick his idea to the arrow, writing “the people”.
He said: “I’m an adopted Geordie and the people are wonderful. It makes the North what it is.”
The campaign got a good response.
Kath Antingham, a staff nurse from North Shields, said: “The North is great because there’s so much to do for the young ones and us oldies. You can go for a drink down the Bigg Market and not feel out of place. They say there’s no-one friendlier than a Geordie and it’s true.
“I think the museum will be good for the kids because they can see where things have come from.”
Student Kate Burn, who lives in the city centre, said: “Everyone is friendly up here and there’s always lots to do. I’ve been to the Discovery Museum but having something new would be good, and it’s something for families to do free.”
Teacher Ruth Alborn, from Killingworth, said the museum could be a useful resource for her pupils in North Shields.
She said: “It should cover a lot of topics for us, as long as it’s something that represents the North as a whole.” Communications officer Grace Dunne, from Sandyford, said: “I think the museum is going to be really good to go to one place and get an idea of the North East’s heritage.”
The museum is already funded and will open next April. The Hancock Museum will be refurbished and extended, housing the natural history collections and archaeological treasures from the Hancock, Museum of Antiquities and Shefton (Greek) Museum at Newcastle University.
Highlights will include an interactive model of Hadrian's Wall, Egyptian mummies, a planetarium and a life-size T-Rex dinosaur skeleton.
