Northumberland to get its own celebration day

A steam trains rolls through the Northumberland countryside - passing Holy Island in the distance Credit: PA

Northumberland is to get its very own day!

It'll take place on Sunday May 28 2017, and if it's successful it could take place on the last Sunday in May each year.

It comes after 15 months of planning by Langley Castle, which first put out a call for a Northumberland Day in July 2015.

The choice of date has been linked to the date of the Northumberland County Show, which will be held the day after Northumberland Day 2017.

The week leading up to Northumberland Day is already set to be a celebration of Northumbrian food and drink.

Poppy fields in Corbridge Credit: PA

How can people get involved now?

Every parish council, community group, business network and business will be encouraged to do something to celebrate Northumberland Day, whether that is flying the Northumberland flag, decorating a window in the county's colours of red and yellow, organising a street party, or holding a special event.

Tourism attractions will be urged to create special Northumberland Day events, which can take place throughout the period in and around Northumberland Day, so that there is a full week of activities available for local residents and visitors to enjoy. In this sense, Northumberland Day will be part of a seven-day, or longer, celebration of life in the county, both past and present.

Accommodation providers will also be asked to include content about these events on their websites and create special Northumberland Day packages, which will encourage visitors to travel to Northumberland and take part in the celebrations.

Bamburgh Castle in the spring Credit: PA

Who else has been involved?

  • Northumberland County Council

  • Northumberland Tourism

  • Northumberland County Show

  • Wild Dog Outdoors

  • Hexham Community Partnership

  • Newton Hall

  • Museums and Archives Northumberland

  • Allendale Forge Studios

  • Active Northumberland

  • Susie Doyle Consulting

  • The Northumberland Theatre Company

  • Barter Books

  • Core Music

  • Ashington Town Team

  • Headway Arts

  • Best Western Derwent Manor

  • Northumberland Wildlife Trust.