Welcome to our first Quarterly Newsletter.
At the start of 2021, while we are all trying to keep safe and cope with many Covid-19 restrictions, we have put together a ‘bumper’ newsletter for you to enjoy.
We start with some ‘Fireside Reflections’ from our regular contributor Jack Curtis, and articles from three new contributors to our ‘Isolation Diaries’ - June Laird, Angela Martin and Eileen Wade. These accounts of periods of isolation, give us some fascinating insights
into what it was like to be alone, away from family and friends, either because of hospitalisation or posting abroad. We hope you enjoy their very personal memories and reflections and many thanks to our contributors for also sharing their precious and delightful photographs with our readers.
There are also exciting new opportunities and resources for you to enjoy including…
‘Seascapes’ – Living History North East are delighted to be partners in the new Seascapes Project. This Heritage Coast Partnership with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund sets out to bring back to life the rich coastal and marine heritage that lies between the Tyne and Tees. Find out how you can get involved in the Seascapes project! We will be looking for volunteers to act as ‘Intergenerational Ambassadors’ and oral history interviewers and want to hear from anyone who has stories to tell about the fascinating coastal heritage of this region. The Newsletter includes full details on how you can take part and of course full training and support will be provided.
‘Sunderland Heritage Trails’ - today we are also launching the ‘Sunderland Heritage Trails’ web site, which has been developed by Living History North East. This Digitised Heritage Trail enables you to go onto a journey into the past of Old Sunderland and learn all about its places and its people from the comfort – and safety – of your own home. Find out how to access this new web site, take a look and give us your feedback! This is going to be a ‘work in progress’ with new images and sound scapes also planned in the near future.
Last but not least, we include a full Events Programme for the Donnison School for the first quarter 2021.
The Donnison School remains closed during the lockdown, but our project staff and volunteers have put together a fantastic programme of Recorded and Live Lectures, plus Fun Activities ALL ONLINE so that you can continue to learn about and get involved with the Donnison School and Living History, without the need to come into the building. Many thanks to everyone who is working hard to prepare for and deliver this programme of events and activities – see the Newsletter for full details and news about what else is coming soon…
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners, locally and regionally and to extend a Big Thank You to the National Heritage Lottery who have provided the emergency funding needed to manage the Donnison School and Living History North East in these unprecedented times.
Take care and stay safe
With very best wishes
Dr Susan J Jones
Chair: Living History North East