The ‘OOT & Aboot - Talking Coquetdale’ exhibition has opened at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre at Twice Brewed, Hadrian’s Wall.

Spanning until September 3, the interactive exhibition aims to guide visitors on a captivating journey through Coquetdale's rural heritage.

Recognized for its Simonside Hills, sprawling moorlands, charming villages, and enigmatic rocks, Coquetdale in Northumberland National Park holds a wealth of cultural heritage, a distinctive dialect, and a plethora of intriguing narratives.

At the exhibition, attendees will have the chance to delve into local residents' living memories, enjoy music composed by local musicians, explore archival footage and photographs, and engage with various interactive displays and activities that elucidate the centuries-long history of Coquetdale and its people.

Sarah Burn, Head of Engagement at Northumberland National Park Authority, expressed her enthusiasm for the exhibition, stating, "It’s a fascinating and heart-warming exhibition that we hope will inspire visitors by sharing the unique voices of the area through a combination of traditional and modern techniques.

"It is designed to be a multisensory experience that will appeal to all ages, packed with film, sound, historic artefacts, things to listen to, watch, touch, smell, try on and do." 
The exhibition, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), was curated by The Out of Town (OOT) Museum, a division of the Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery in Alnwick.

Sally Brewis, OOT Project Manager, said: “Through National Lottery Heritage funding, we have been able to work with an extraordinary group of people who wanted to share their valuable memories of an old way of life and record the distinct Northumbrian dialects to ensure that we have a lasting record of a voice that is rapidly disappearing."

What's more, the exhibition offers free entry, making it accessible to all interested in exploring Coquetdale's history and heritage.

Further details can be found at thesill.org.uk.
A series of activities will be hosted throughout the summer to run alongside the exhibition and celebrate the area and the individuals who have shaped it across generations.