This coming Saturday 31st May, the volunteers of Beaurepaire Medieval Manor House-an idyllic ruin saved & cared for by the local community under Dream Heritage-are encouraging the public to visit the site, enjoy free tours, get involved in nature-inspired crafts, and even to have a go at some gardening on site. In November last year, the grassroots effort started by Dream Heritage and dependent on local stalwart volunteers, gained incredible recognition in BBC News and local papers when it was removed from the Heritage At Risk register. Now they are seeking new and renewed local interest in the site, and hoping they may get more families, young people, schools, students, retired people, and so on, involved in the day-to-day maintenance of the site & in delivering community events & activities there.

The tours, gardening and crafts are at the site of Beaurepaire from 10am till 2pm, located just off the old railway lines cycling track to Consett. Parking can be found in Bearpark, and then a short-medium walk to the site. You can locate the site by what3words at: ///deflection.employ.shows . Please do not park at the site, as access is needed for local residents/farmers. The site is located up a steep hill, and the ground is uneven; access to the site and involvement on the site is not suitable for those less able.

Following the activities on site, the public are also very much invited to a HISTORIC TALK & NOSTALGIA afternoon taking place at Field & Fodder, Bearpark, DH7 7AR. Doors open 2.30pm, talk begins at 3pm, and ends approx 4.30pm. The talk will give an insight into the history of Beaurepaire Park & it’s namesake village of Bearpark, from early history to medieval times, to the present day. Members of the public who have old photographs and memories of Beaurepaire and Bearpark, are invited to bring them along and to share these on the night, and enjoy a time of nostalgia. The talk is free but ticketed, so please secure your ticket(s) from Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/historic-talk-nostalgia-beaurepaire-medieval-park-through-the-ages-tickets-1362842682149?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=1 or by emailing us at dreamheritagecio@gmail.com.

To find out more, visit Dream Heritage’s website at: https://dreamheritage.co.uk/

Donations on the day would be appreciated to help support the work of Dream Heritage and at Beaurepaire.