'Virtual' Northumberland Day to be held online - and via knitting - as coronavirus measures hit celebrations

Northumberland Day organisers have postponed some elements of this year’s planned celebrations.
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However, they have also taken the positive step of declaring that Northumberland Day will become the UK’s very first virtual county day.

A 30-location parish flag relay has been put on hold until 2021 but a host of other activities, which will bolster communities in isolation, are planned instead.

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For the elderly – the age group likely to be most isolated – the Northumberland Day organisers have adopted an upbeat message of ‘Wool is our Thread’.

Northumbear in his regalia with his brother and adorable friend NElephant.Northumbear in his regalia with his brother and adorable friend NElephant.
Northumbear in his regalia with his brother and adorable friend NElephant.

They are asking individuals and companies to get involved with their ‘Knitting Communities Together’ initiative by either donating red and yellow wool or making a monetary contribution, so that wool in these colours can be bought and distributed to those isolated in their homes.

The idea is for those people, and those not in isolation and quarantine too, to knit or create something that can be displayed in their windows, or in their locality, and put up in situ on Northumberland Day itself, May 24, or in the week before.

This concept picks up on the inspiring activities of women in Seahouses, who last year formed an informal cooperative to knit red and yellow clothing. The organisers would like to see streets full of colour so that those isolated and at home can look out on something joyful and maintain a sense of belonging.

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“We would like parish halls, community centres and individuals who are happy to distribute wool, to get it into the hands of those who can become part of this shared celebratory task,” says organiser, Jane Hunt.

“We do not want those most at-risk to be forgotten and we hope this will provide both an activity and a means of keeping in touch with those having to stay at home for what could be a long period of time.

“We are also calling on businesses to do their bit to chip in and help make this happen and, of course, anyone can buy a few balls of wool for their own use and be part of this shared initiative, aimed at keeping spirits high during the most difficult of times.”

It is also planning a virtual quiz – The Great Northumberland Day Public Quiz – which will be run online.

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Photographs of people celebrating at home will be uploaded to Northumberland Day’s social media pages and the organisers already have Northumberland Day branded selfie frames.

In the longer term, Northumberland Day will be working with Golden Gate Boat Tours in Seahouses on a plan to create the very first Grace Darling Day, on September 7 – the date of her famous rescue mission. Other Northumbrian heroes will also be celebrated over the course of the months ahead.

“Northumberland Day is all about communities pulling together and sharing in celebration and, just because we cannot do that at community parades, picnics, food launches or festivals, does not mean we cannot continue to bring people together,” said Jane. “We just need to do things differently and make the most of what technology offers us.”

Visit www.northumberlandday.co.uk or see their social media pages.

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