As always it’s been a busy six months in the Dene. Whilst writing this Heartbreak productions Theatre Company are installed in Coleman’s Field and are in the middle of a two week run of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream. I attended the first night and enjoyed it thoroughly. The play was an outdoor production so despite the monsoon weather attendances have been good. The company are hoping to come back next year and make it a regular event. Speaking of regular events Jezfest saw the highest attendance ever with estimates of 10,000 people during the course of the day. The festival included many local bands, stalls and activities for children.
You may have noticed a higher police presence around the Dene. This is not due to a higher crime rate; it’s because of a reorganisation within Northumbria Police. The police now have a base at Jesmond Dene Nursery and Millfield House where the local community beat officers will be based. I have certainly noticed fewer problems with vandalism and graffiti this summer.
A new colour guide to Jesmond Dene has been produced by Joanne Ritzima (assistant ranger). This includes a map of Jesmond Dene and Armstrong Park with all the paths and points of interest, a brief history of the Dene, information on volunteering and the Ranger Service. The guides are now available and can be obtained from Millfield House.
The Victorian railings at the North West Lodge entrance on Jesmond Dene Road are at the moment getting repaired. This involves rebuilding the entrance pillar, rebuilding the wall, sandblasting and painting the railings. Hopefully they will be fully restored by the beginning of September.
The BBC has been filming in Jesmond Dene for a programme about extraordinary buildings. This episode will be concentrating on Cragside but there will be some footage on Jesmond Dene including the Banqueting Hall and Armstrong Bridge.
We now have a new weekend Ranger, Sarah Capes, who joined us in August and Ben Grant has joined us as the Seasonal Ranger. The park keepers now have a new electric vehicle which replaces the noisy old dumper truck.