Over the next few weeks we’ll be beginning to help increase the biodiversity of Lower Ouseburn by diversifying scrub patches, with the help of Wild Intrigue .
Scrub is an incredible, important habitat - it creates a nursery for trees, supports breeding birds like Long-tailed Tits, Blackcaps and Song Thrushes, whilst providing wild areas for Hedgehogs and a huge diversity of insects.
Historically, large herbivores like aurochs, bison and boar would have browsed and trampled scrub patches, creating dense patches for nesting birds, open grassland for flowers, and a whole host of microclimates - providing the perfect habitat for many of our wild neighbours.
With Ouseburn Trust and Wild Intrigue, volunteers will be replicating the actions of these larger herbivores to provide more habitat for the Ouseburn’s wildlife.
- Autumn is the perfect time for scrub management as the breeding birds have finished nesting, and hedgehogs have larger young and haven’t started their winter hibernation.
- Small areas of brambles will be removed to increase the ‘edge’ of the scrub patches.
- Hand tools will be used so we can mimic the actions of large herbivores.
- Wildlife surveys will continue to monitor the area to record any change in species present.
📷 Long-tailed Tit nest building in Ouseburn scrub | Wild Intrigue, Spring 2024
For the final day of #VolunteersWeek we're hearing from one of our Green Team volunteers, Laurence, about what she gets from volunteering with us. We're so grateful for her commitment & are thrilled to know we're helping her settle into a new community!
All that's left to say is a HUGE thank you to each & every one of our volunteers. That's to their hard work, we're able to make a difference to the future of Ouseburn Valley.
One week to go until The Late Shows returns to Ouseburn! The Victoria Tunnel will be open for taster tours, but it's just 1 of a whopping 20 venues open on Friday evening.
Find the full line-up of events, both Friday's Ouseburn night and Saturday across Newcastle/Gateshead: https://thelateshows.org.uk/2023
Still time to buy tickets for tonight's concert in the Victoria Tunnel featuring Ousburn-based pianist & composer Steve Luck. The 1st show is sold out but tickets are available for 8.30pm: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/steve-luck-music
Limited tickets will be available for sale on the door
Here's a sneaky little clip of the Storytellers Street Band performing at The Cumberland Arms in 2022. See them live in the Victoria Tunnel later this month!
Book tickets: ouseburntrust.org.uk/Event/sounds-underground
Any vintage lovers out there? We're teaming up with some brilliant traders & local venues to bring you the #OuseburnVintageCrawl
Several venues in & around Ouseburn will host stalls brimming with vintage gems. Wander around from spot to spot & see what treasures you can find.
📆 Sunday 2nd April
📍 Across Ouseburn
This is the first of our special fundraising events of 2023. More info on that soon...
Thank you to the whole Ouseburn community for making 2022 a good year in the Valley, be that our volunteers, members & trustees, or the local residents, businesses & visitors. Here are just a few of our highlights from 2022.
1️⃣ An amazing year of brewery tours with thanks to our breweries - Newcastle Brewing Ltd. at ARCH 2 Brewpub, Northern Alchemy at The Old Coal Yard, Brinkburn Street Brewery, Tyne Bank Brewery Tap, Full Circle Brew Co, & @twobytwotap
2️⃣ So many businesses dedicating time to improving our green spaces
3️⃣ Seven fully booked In Search of Hadrian's Wall walks in celebration of #HW1900 festival
4️⃣ The Ouseburn Market in its new location, bringing brilliant local makers to the Valley. Special shout out to the hard-working team who make it happen!
5️⃣ A great morning working with @univThe University of Manchester MA students who used the Valley to study regeneration
6️⃣ The Hadrian's Wall Beacon party at The Cumberland Arms with thanks to @multimindeddesign who delivered an amazing lightshow to mark the route of Hadrian's Wall in Byker and Ouseburn
7️⃣ A record-breaking month of visitors to the Victoria Tunnel
8️⃣ The Ouseburn Festival 🥳
9️⃣ Real archeology taking place in the Valley to search for more remains of Hadrian's Wall
Have you explored our Ouseburn on Film page? It takes you to various films that depict Ouseburn over the years, from archive footage to modern documentaries.
Find it here: https://www.ouseburntrust.org.uk/film
🎥 Yorkshire Film Archive & North East Film Archive
Today's school visit to the Victoria Tunnel had some very distinguished guests indeed. Mr Porter was one of he owners of the Victoria Tunnel!
Our next Virtual Victoria Tunnel Experience will be Tuesday 18th October at 7pm. If you'd like to see inside the Tunnel & learn about its history without leaving your house, this event might be for you.
Find out more & book: ouseburntrust.org.uk/virtualvictoriatunnel
A sneak peek at Multiminded Design's light show which will be projected on The Cumberland Arms during the Hadrian's Wall Beacon Party! Learn more about Ouseburn & Byker's hidden roman history...
THURSDAY 2ND JUNE FROM 4PM | Music, light art, storytelling & more
Our next Virtual Victoria Tunnel Experience is on Tuesday 8th February at 7pm. Join us for an intimate introduction to the Tunnel & the fascinating stories it lives it tell, all from the comfort of your home.
Book here: https://www.ouseburntrust.org.uk/virtualvictoriatunnel
Ouseburn's woodland management plan is moving forward which means we've begun marking trees that require different treatments.
A large number of trees will be either coppiced or pollarded to improve the woodland's health & biodiversity.
Keep up to date with this project: https://www.ouseburntrust.org.uk/green-spaces-project
