Eco-power bid at ironworks
Last updated at 09:55, Friday, 27 November 2009
DESPITE falling at the first hurdle in their bid for cash under the Big Lottery’s Village SOS scheme, Bellingham residents are pushing ahead with their ambitious scheme to breathe new life into the village’s historic ironworks.
While disappointed not to be selected for the £400,000 grant scheme, co-ordinator Brian Turner said this week that the exercise had been well worthwhile.
He said: “The process of dealing with the application proved to be extremely successful.
“With notice of only six weeks, the Bellingham Community Enterprise Group was formed, successfully bringing together interested organisations and groups in the area.
“Regardless of the result being good or bad, we knew we would try to run with the project by other means.
“Plans are now well under way and we will hopefully include many of the other ideas submitted during the consultation period on the scheme.”
Over the next few months Bellingham Community Enterprise Group will be beavering away to bring the ideas to life.
Mr Turner said: “Our efforts were not in vain. We brought community organisations together to work as a single unit for the benefit of Bellingham, and encouraged residents to look at self-sustaining energy sources, and to come up with creative ideas.
“We attracted other organisations willing to assist and fund such ideas, and set the wheels in motion to provide Bellingham with the possibility of becoming self-sufficient both financially and energy wise in the future.”
The ambitious scheme put to the SOS panel would see part of Bellingham Ironworks site, closed for 150 years, re-opened as a source of renewable energy, with the installation of a hydro-electric plant in Hareshaw Burn.
It was envisaged the scheme would also include an environmentally friendly cafe and an education centre.
The project was put together by local traders and business people.
The intention was not only to provide clean sustainable energy, but for the scheme to serve as a tourist attraction in its own right, with additional income from both the visitors and energy production going into a yet-to-be-formed community trust fund.
The money would be used to finance other projects that the community may from time to time require, and would offer opportunities for both long and short term employment.
It was hoped the project could pave the way for Bellingham to become self-sufficient both financially and energy wise in the future.
Success could also lead to other major projects, such as the creation of a solar powered playground and park, community leisure facilities, a pedestrian bridge across the River North Tyne, and disabled access to the Hareshaw Linn waterfall.
Other green possibilities include an anaerobic digester, and ridge blade or photovoltaic energy systems for public buildings.
Bellingham Ironworks was a short-lived but spectacular operation, which provided a fifth of the iron used to build the iconic High Level Bridge between Newcastle and Gateshead.
At its peak the site had 70 coke ovens, 24 roasting kilns, a range of coal stores, a blacksmith’s shop and many other features, including a small railway line.
However, the ironworks went into decline after 10 years, and was ruined by the failure of the Border Counties Railway to reach the village in time.
Power for the ironworks came from a dam in Hareshaw Burn, the bulk of which survives today as a scheduled ancient monument.
Mr Turner said Bellingham Community Enterprise Group would welcome all assistance.
As well as Mr Turner, those involved include Lesley Allen of the North Tyne and Redesdale Community Partnership, Ken Gaskin of the Heritage Centre, Eve Kean of Bellingham Town Hall Committee, retailerJeannette Bacon and interested individual Jamie Rickelton.
The only successful bid from Tynedale under the SOS scheme came from Allendale, which has gone through to the national finals.
First published at 09:39, Friday, 27 November 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk
