PLANS for the very first Northumberland Day are taking shape, with a series of workshops designed to help participants hone their offer.

Northumberland Day itself will take place on May 28, a date chosen to tie in with Northumberland County Show the day before.

Langley Castle and Catapult PR, who between them came up with the idea of establishing a day in which to celebrate all that is best about the county, will be staging the first workshop on Tuesday, at the castle itself.

A two-hour long session designed to stimulate ideas it is open to anyone who wants to celebrate Northumberland Day, whether they be business owner, councillor, school teacher or simply a resident proud of their county.

While that session will end at 1pm, Catapult PR director Jane Hunt will be there for another couple of hours to talk to those who wish to stay longer or drop in for a one-to-one discussion.

“Other workshops will be staged in the coming weeks in other parts of the county,” she said.

“But this one is open to anyone who can get to Langley-on-Tyne, to learn more and determine how they could plan something either on Northumberland Day itself or in the week surrounding it.”

Some had already decided on their Northumberland Day action plan, she added.

Hexham Racecourse is a prime example. It will be holding a race meeting on Tuesday, May 23, with the Northumberland Day Stakes on the race card that will be open to sponsorship.

A Northumberland Day menu, which will showcase the county’s own home-grown food, has already been devised.

It includes Blagdon Farm chicken pie with a Northumbrian Nettle cheese and tarragon cream sauce, Northumbrian leek pudding with a Mordon Blue cheese sauce and a Northumbrian curd cheesecake served with fresh berries and clotted cream.

People booking this package will receive club enclosure entry and a place in the Henderson Suite for the day.

The racecourse’s Lauren Dobson said: “We were so enthused when we heard about Northumberland Day that we knew we had to get involved.

“I hope everyone who is proud of the county will do the same and take advantage of the workshops for inspiration.”

Anyone wishing to attend the first workshop should email NDay@catapultpr.co.uk to register their interest.