Welcome to Discover Enews

The quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date with the latest news, events and things to do in NewcastleGateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside. Look out for exclusive special offers and great competition prizes.

New Red Kite Walking Trail

Watch out for the new Red Kite Trail due to be launched in May 2008. Walkers will have the opportunity to see red kites and enjoy some fabulous walks around the 18 km trail that is being developed in Gateshead's lower Derwent Valley.

The Red Kite Trail will offer the opportunity to see these magnificent birds of prey, with their distinctively forked tail, russet plumage and a wing span which measures more than five and a half feet, while taking in all the beautiful rural landscapes of the lower Derwent Valley.

The Trail has been coordinated by Northern Kites, the project that has returned red kites to northeast England after an absence of over 170 years. Between 2004 and 2006, ninety-four red kites were released by the Project. It was in this final year of releases that kites began to breed once again in the region. The Project is a world first in re-introducing kites into a semi-urban environment, centred on Gateshead's Derwent Valley. Its aim is to not only return the kites, but also provide local communities and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy one of the most spectacular elements of our natural heritage.

For further information contact:
T: 0191 496 1555
E: info@northernkites.org.uk

New Gateshead TIC

Gateshead Tourist Information Service is set to make an exciting move to The Sage Gateshead concourse this spring! The new Tourist Information desk, housed in one of our most famous iconic landmarks will be an opportunity to reach not only our regular visitors, but also a whole new set of customers.

Since relocating from Gateshead Visitor Centre in St. Mary's Church, the Tourist Information Service and Accommodation NewcastleGateshead have been operating an Email and telephone service from Gateshead Old Town Hall. At our new location in The Sage Gateshead our friendly staff will be on hand to offer you the following Tourist Information Services:

• Local, Regional & National Information
• Events & What's On Information
• Attractions, Walks & Cycling informatio
• Local Transport Information
• Accommodation Booking Service
• YHA Membership
• Souvenirs, postcards, cards, maps, books and more

Whether you are visiting or living in NewcastleGateshead we are here to help you. Friendly staff are available to answer your questions about the area as well as offer Tourist Information, Accommodation Booking Service and Holiday Information contacts for the whole of Britain. So come along to see us at: TIC @ The Sage Gateshead

Sunderland Aquatic Centre

The spectacular Sunderland Aquatic Centre, developed by Sunderland City Council next to the city's Stadium of Light, has opened it's doors to the public. The venue, which has already been earmarked as a potential training camp for the 2012 Olympics, will be the first 50-metre pool in the North East and the only one between Leeds and Edinburgh.

It will also be the most environmentally friendly pool in the country - filtering and recycling every single drop of water, which falls on its roof for re-use in the pool.

With a 10-lane 50-metre main pool, a 25-metre diving pool and seating for 500 spectators the Sunderland Aquatic Centre has the ability to cater for high profile national and regional swimming competitions.

And the clever design of the building is such that the 50 metre main pool also has a moveable boom, which allows the pool to be divided up to cater for everything from aqua-fit and family fun with inflatables to budding Olympians - all at the same time. The £20million Aquatic Centre will also be one of the most accessible swimming pools in the country, trailblazing the latest disabled accessible features which mean that everyone will be able to take advantage of its superb facilities.

Beverley set for a Knight at the Priory

British soul sensation Beverley Knight has announced a summer evening concert at Tynemouth Priory and Castle.

The triple MOBO Award winner will perform the open air show as part of the Mouth of the Tyne Festival on Saturday July 12 2008.

Beverley said, "I love having opportunities to perform in the north east! Last year I as part of my tour I visited The Sage in Gateshead and Middlesborough. The audiences are so energetic so I'm looking forward to Tynemouth Priory this summer."

Beverley Knight has enjoyed amazing chart success with over a dozen top 40 hits and has sold hundreds of thousands of albums. Tynemouth Priory and Castle is a picturesque setting overlooking the River Tyne and North Sea and tickets for the 'picnic-style' summer event are expected to sell fast.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £20 each (£18 concs). The number to call for tickets is 0191 200 7026.

Digging for History

An archaeological dig in North Tyneside may have uncovered the workshop studio of one of America's best-known artists.

Over the weekend of March 21-24, a team from Newcastle University carried out a dig at Bank Top in Cullercoats - on the site of the former studio of Winslow Homer.

Meanwhile, a blue plaque has been erected at Winslow Court apartments in Cullercoats, which is built on the site of a hotel where he stayed in the 19th century.

Homer used Cullercoats' dramatic coast, fishermen and fishwives as subjects for his works. Many leading galleries and museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, include his works in their collections.

Winslow Homer was born in Boston, USA, on February 24th 1836. In his later years, after about 1900, Homer was generally regarded as the foremost living American painter. His studio was in 12 Bank Top, Cullercoats, which
is the site of the dig. It is a piece of land between Cullercoats Watch House and Cliff House.

Lulu to Headline South Tyneside Summer Festival

South Tyneside has something fantastic to shout about with the news that singing sensation Lulu will be topping the bill on Sunday 6th July at a fabulous free family concert at Bents Park, on the lovely seafront of South Shields. This event is part of the South Tyneside Summer Festival, a three month long extravaganza of open air concerts, processions, street theatre and children's entertainment. And the great news is that all of the Festival events are absolutely free!

To find out more about the festival and other events in South Tyneside pick up your copy of the newly launched South Tyneside What's On guide.

Contact South Shields Tourist Information Centre on
T: 0191 4546612
E: tourism@southtyneside.gov.uk
W:www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk

First Plaice for South Tyneside Restaurant at Food Oscars

You can't beat a trip to the seaside to take in the sea air and enjoy lovely coastal views. Of course a trip to the coast isn't complete without enjoying some traditional fish and chips. You therefore won't be disappointed by a visit to the popular coastal area of South Tyneside as Colman's Fish and Chip Restaurant has been named Britain's best take away in a recent award ceremony on BBC Radio 4. Colman's, located in the heart of the resort town of South Shields, has been a popular establishment for many years and was particularly praised for its use of local produce and customer service.

The reputation of Colman's has even spread around the world and recently the Guatemalan embassy asked for their assistance to help them mark celebrations for the Queen's forthcoming birthday.