Kielder Village & North Tyne Railway
Location: Northumberland
The scheduled Monument of Kielder Viaduct is a beautiful and fascinating structure, recently adopted as the emblem of Kielder village. Dating from a time before the construction of the vast reservoir of Kielder Water, the Viaduct is set amongst beautiful native woodland and represents the finest remaining example of the skew arch form of construction.
The viaduct was constructed as part of the North Tyne Railway which ran from Hexham to Riccarton Junction across the Scottish border and played an important part in village life. The line of the railway is now partly submerged beneath Kielder Water.
Recognising the importance of this local heritage, the villagers of Kielder are keen to use their wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to preserve, interpret and record the history of the railway and will also undertake a survey of natural heritage as part of work to improve access to the viaduct, working with the assistance of Northumberland Wildlife Trust. They will also investigate the history of the railway and its effect on village life and the results of their research will be documented in a booklet and exhibition.
The centrepiece of the project will be the viaduct itself, which will undergo minor restoration with specialist help, access to the viaduct will be improved and views of it preserved. Working with the Newcastle and Northumberland Society, owners of the viaduct, the group will produce interpretive safety panels for the viaduct which will be fabricated by a local blacksmith and will replace rotten existing railings.
Group Name |
|
Kielder Community Trust |
| Project Contact |
|
Alison Jones |
| Project Postcode |
|
NE48 1HG |
| Finishing Date |
|
31/01/05 |
| Local Community Involvement / Partnerships: |
Said to be England's most remote village, Kielder is a small community of around 200 people. Volunteers for the project will come from the Community Trust Members, Youth Club, Evergreens elderly resident's group and the local primary school.
Professional input will come from the Newcastle and Northumberland Society, Bellingham Community Education Officer, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Tynedale Museums Service, a graphic designer and a local Blacksmith. |
| Grants: |
Heritage Lottery Fund: £21,927
Nationwide Building Society: 5000
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