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The Newbiggin by the Sea Heritage & Maritime Centre January 2010 – Education. Engaging with the Education subgroup to identify challenges, networks and methods in the NMC's education outputs. January 2010 – Big Lottery, Community Sustainable Energy Fund. An offer of £30,000 has been received towards the cost of the solar panels & heat pumps. February 2010 – Value engineering. Working with the Contractor and Design Team in the various aspects of the value engineering processes as well as factoring in the outcomes of the many site investigation works carried out only weeks earlier. Working with the renewable energy team to look at the closer detail of the renewable package as well as investigating alternatives. Positive meeting with CABE to look at the progress so far and the impact upon the project of the delays caused by the Common Land issues. February 2010 – Interpretation. Extensive meetings and work with the Exhibition Consultants Redman Design to agree key decisions in the layout and positioning of the interpretation as well as developing a raft of story lines. February 2010 – Business Plan. Research and development of further ideas for the business plan. March 2010 – Value engineering. Continuing with the in depth working with the Contractor and Design Team in the various aspects of the value engineering package as we look at the finer cost detail. March 2010 – Equality impact Assessment. Development of the EIA for the project and analysis of approaches used by other similar attractions. March 2010 – Marketing Plan. Meetings with the Marketing Consultant to look at some major work carried out by the volunteers on a Marketing Plan as an outline into the opportunities available. Identifying in particular specific challenges in connection with branding ideas for the project. March 2010 – Sir John Fisher Foundation. £10,000 bid towards interpretive scheme sent to the Sir John Fisher Foundation. March 2010 – Low Carbon Buildings Programme, Phase 2E. An offer of £87,558 has been received towards the cost of the solar panels & heat pumps. April 2010 – Kitchen. Further work with the Kitchen consultant and designers to ascertain finer pricing details as well as dovetailing the kitchen design with the menu output expectations. April 2010 – Business Plan. Further work to update and re-profile the business plan. April 2010. Value engineering. Working with the Contractor and Design Team to finalise the contract price following extensive appraisal of the various value engineering routes. April 2010 – Barbour Trust. Barbour Trust offer £5,000 towards FF&E. April 2010 – E.ON. £20,000 funding application sent to E.ON April 2010 – Wansbeck Business Premises Scheme (Small grants). An outline application for €200,000 was submitted on 15th April 2010 and a conditional offer has been received. Attending to several further requirements of this funder as a preamble to being considered further, including updating the Business Plan. May 2010 Previous events 2001 - establishment of the Heritage Centre at Church Point headland July 2002 - initial email to Barry Mead regarding the return of Mary Joicey August 2003 - initial discussions between Dave Futers and Richard Martin regarding a redundant lifeboat which used to be at Newbiggin called Mary Joicey which was lying in a park near to Reading - could we bring her home and where could she go as a permenant display? September 2003 - enquiries to Joanna Archibald at the RNLI Headquarters in Poole about this lifeboat and what process would be needed to bring her home, who owned her and what condition she was in. October 2003 - Mary Joicey Maritime Trust set up by Richard Martin, Tim Martin, Dave Futers, Stephen Humphrey, Harry James and Eddie Galvin on board. January 2004 - initial letters sent out to key players in the regeneration circles advising them about the project. April 2004 - Inaugral meeting of the Mary Joicey team to set out a strategy and key objectives / aspirarions on how to move forward. Formal request for the return of the Mary Joicey lifeboat sent to the RNLI. Initial discussions with Wansbeck District Council's Nick Burdon to discuss the proposals and the issues about the site. June 2004 - initial enquiries and quotation sought for the lifting and moving of the lifeboat back to Newbiggin July 2004 - Initial meeting with Coalfields Regeneration Trust to discuss funding on getting the project underway. August 2004 - Discussion of options for the preservation of the Mary Joicey lifeboat at either Reading or back home at Newbiggin. Arranging for the survey of the lifeboat to be carried out by the RNLI Marine Surveyor and to report back particularly whether the lifeboat's condition could compromise any transporting. September 2004 - Funding secured from Coalfields regeneration Trust to carry out Feasibility Study into the project and to reaffirm previous studies which cited the oppritunities of a Heritage driven regeneration scheme. October 2004 - enquiries and interviews with potential consulatants to drive forward the feasibility study and business plan. Jon hall from Heritage Resource Agency chosen particularly as he has carried out similar work for the RNLI in connection with the Grace Darling project. November 2004 - Further work to investigate the costs and issues of bringing home, storing and restoring Mary Joicey. Report received on the condition of Mary Joicey and it looks likely that her condition is satisfactory for any transporting operation. December 2004 - The RNLI formally offer Mary Joicey to the Trust. January 2005 - Funding sought with regard to the costs of returning Mary Joicey back home. Initial discussions with the Woodhorn project to identify partnering opportunities. February 2005 - Heritage Resource Agency complete the project Feasibility Study as well as outline sketch plans for the project and endorse the ideas of the Project team. March 2005 - Funding awarded from the Community Foundation and Northumbrian Water which signals that Mary Joicey can return home. Project team visits Chatham Historic Dockyard to view the RNLI Lifeboat Collection in order to understand various issues of such a maritime preservation project. April 2005 - Project Team visit Beale Park at Reading to see the Mary Joicey first hand, look at the logistics of the move and well as begin preperations for the move. Lifeboat Enthiusiasts Peter and Bruce Dawes from Reading on hand to assist as well as donating two new name boards for the lifeboat reading 'Newbiggin Lifeboat'. Colin Graham from Bedlington Video Group accompanied the Project Team to begin work on the promotional DVD about the project.Tarmac Construction Ltd. and Northumberland County Council agree to provide a low loader wagon to bring back Mary Joicey's lifeboat carraige free of charge.Payment for Mary Joicey and the transfer agreement with the RNLI signed off and returned. May 2005 - Fergusons Transport Ltd. agree to provide secure storage for the lifeboat during the restoration works at their Sleekburn depot. Representatives of the Project Team travel to Beale Park to oversee and assist in the uplifting and transport operation of both the lifeboat and its carraige. The convoy returns home that day with preperations in hand for the welcome home ceremony. The following day May 25th 2005 Malcolm Elvy's specialist wagon carrying Mary Joicey and Tarmac's wagon carrying her launching carraige arrive in procession for a triumphal return to Newbiggin. A Commemorative Ceremony is held at Church Point attended by hundreds of the local community as well as children from the local schools. Extensive coverage of the event on BBC and ITV television channels as well as radio and newspapers.Bedlington Video Group have several cameras strategically placed to record this unique event for inclusuon on the DVD.Prayers and thanks are given for the safe return of the vessel with local children throwing cap fulls of Newbiggin seawater over the lifeboat to give her a taste of her days at Newbiggin. A celebration buffet is held at the Lifeboat Station thanks to the local Ladies Lifeboat Guild with a commemorative cake depicting a pictuire of Mary Joicey donated by lifeboat supporter Mary Dickman. After the ceremony the lifeboat and its carraige are taken to Sleekburn for unloading and restoration work to begin. June 2005 - Restoration plan formulated and work begins on the lifeboat and its carraige. Following the extensive coverage on the lifeboat return the BBC selected the project as part of a promotion campaign on the local BBC network. Filming carried out during the month and the adverts were run over the summer months regualrly on local television and radio. July 2005 - Letters of support from businesses, commerce and celebreties arrive in for the project. August 2005 - First update letter sent out to potential funders using a flare case as a promotion tool. Flare cases donated to the project by McMurdo Pains Wessex of Salisbury and invites the Funders to share in our 'Flare of Sucess'.Many positive responses received as a result of the 'flare'. Fishing coble 'Girl Ann' dobnated to the project by retired fisherman Wilf Cook who has owned the vessel since she was new, a coble which has also been assisted by Mary Joicey over the 1970's. September 2005 - Newbiggin Life facilititates a link with their PR company Persuassion PR to assist in further promotion of the project as well as develpment of a powere point presenatation. October 2005 - first formal Volunteer Day working on Mary Joicey and her carraige. Volunteers included members of the project team as well as children from Newbiggin Middle School and employees from Northumbrain Water as part of their giving a day to the community project. November 2005 - Fundraising Skills training day at Gosforth Racecouse attended by several of the project team to develop their skills to drive the project forward. Sunday morning training sessions at Newbiggin Sailing Club with a specialist trainer to develop the team's Trustee Skills. Initial meeting with Northumbria University, Newcastle to look at a partnering project giving learning opportuniteis to the next generation of Architects and Interior Designers. December 2005 - Mary Joicey covered over and restoration work put on hold during the winter months. January 2006 - Meetings and agreements to move forward to consolidate the Mary Joicey Maritime Trust with the existing Newbiggin Heritage Group and Newbiggin History Society. February 2006 - Meeting with Jo Raw from the Woodhorn project to discuss the project and the future opportunities for partnerships. Meeting with Wansbeck District Council's Chief Executive Bob Stephenson with a presentation on the project as well as a request for a long term lease of the site. Wansbeck District Council subsequently unanimously agreed to support the project and meet our site requirements. March 2006 - The RNLI contacted the project team and put them in touch with Mr and Mrs Peter Alsopp of Bramley, Surrey who have the boat builder's model of Newbiggin's fourth lifeboat 'Robert and Susuan' and wish to donate it to the project. Seventy Northumbria University Students and Staff visit Newbiggin to see the site of the proposed new building and also attend a presentation on the project at Newbiggin Sailing Club. Meetings with Swan Hunter Shipbuilding, Wallsend and an agreement reached whereby one set of tracks from the lifeboat carraige are taken to them with their apprentices restoring the tracks as part of their training. April 2006 - Consolidation of the three local heritge groups and the establishemnt of the Newbiggin by the Sea Heritage Partnership.Restortaion work begins again on Mary Joicey with extensive work being carried out on the lifeboat carraige. May 2006 - Ongoing work with staff and students at Northumbria University by the project team to assist in the design and interior development. June 2006 - Following funding being secured training sessions began with specialist Mark Butcher to look at funding and volunteering opportunities. July 2006 - Seaside Consultation Day at the Church Centre, Newbiggin with the top ten student designs on display. The visiting public were able to consult with the individual students to understand and vote upon the design they preferred with the results colated. August 2006 - First Heritage Open day held at the Heritage Centre as part of a heritage awareness campaign. Second letter sent out to potential funders and supporters upadting them on the project and with a piece of fine rope attached asking if they would like to 'tie in with the project'. Once again many favourable replies followed as a result of this letter. September 2006 - Project Building Group established for the scheme to identify the challenges and programme to take matters forward. The 'Robert and Susan' lifeboat model returns to Newbiggin thanks to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Alsopp. Our guests shown around the existing centre and the village meeting members of the project team.
November 2006 - Initial meetings with Declan Bahrini at Wansbeck Initiative to identify support opportinities to drive the project forward to funding. December 2006 - Initial meeting with specialist contractor Owen Pugh at Church Point to look at the operations needed to prepare the site for foundtaions and a retaing wall. December 2006 - meeting with Wansbeck District Council's Trevor Straker to look at allowing the Bay contractor to take possession of our site, excavate it out and use it for their site set up during the works. This would benefit both the Council and ourselves in allowing the new play park to be build early on in the project. 2007January – precontract discussions on Bay Project and discussions to ascertain the support that the volunteers can give through additional opening times to support and publicise the Bay Project. February – Upgrade and tidy up existing centre in readiness for the major works in the bay. March – commence regular opening of the centre with Volunteers putting in more time to support the Bay Project as well as publicise our own project for the Maritime Centre. Development of job profile for the project development and funding officer. Review of opportunities for renewable energy in the new building including ground source heating and solar panels. Meeting with English Nature to look at shoreline designation issues. Investigate the opportunity for advance earthworks in partnership with the Bay Project. April – identify the scope of advance works which need to be done in advance of the design works. Review of trading status for the organisation including setting up new trading company with Colin Hall from NCC. As part of the upgrade and to assist volunteers opening the existing centre looking at the work involved in replacing two of the six roller shutters which at over 20years old are causing problems. May – two new shutters fitted to centre thanks to a donation from Westminster Dredging and Newbiggin Life which will enable easier opening / closing of the centre by the volunteers. Westminster Dredging, the contractor for the bay works moved the Hunkleton Stone so that it is not buried by the new sand. Looking at funding needed to carry out advance works for the scheme. Talk to writers and poets at the centre who are using the Bay project as a focus for their work. June – Hunkleton Stone returns to the new beach in its original position. Renaissance Group established to generate new ideas within the context of heritage and creative industries. Alan Wilson from Yorkshire starts to build the model of Mary Joicey. July – ‘Couple’ arrive in the region and are installed out in the bay. Advance site works for new centre begin including level survey works and test drilling for ground conditions. August – consultant appointed to develop the funding package and business plan after an intensive interview process. Unique card with the new beach inside developed and sent off to the various potential funders. September – Mosedale Gillatt appointed as Architects for the project after a day of intensive interviews. Investigation into the possibility of advance drainage works as well as site investigation west of the site. Good progress made on land and legals. After months of enquiries a new bow pudding has been made in Wales for Mary Joicey. Fine weather helped a successful weekend of Heritage Open days and guided walks. October – Continuum appointed as interior design consultants for the project after a day of intensive interviews. Good progress made with grant from Heritage Lottery Fund. Productive day on the Volunteer Day working on Mary Joicey’s restoration. Visit to Kirkleatham to look at the displayed Oakley Lifeboat ‘Sir James Knott’. Newbiggin’s last Woman Lifeboat Launcher Eleanor Armstrong passed away suddenly. November – first meeting of new Design Team with an opportunity to look at the proposals which are exciting. Further work carried out on renewable energy opportunities for the new centre. Work carried out to focus on the café design and kitchen layout. Meeting to discuss the opportunities for trading and marketing. Small ‘Couple’ installed on site. Trial holes to locate water services and drainage. Further progress made on the deed plans. December – Kitchen design work begun. Review of project milestones carried out. Good progress made on limited company arrangements for the project. 2008 January – First school groups visit the centre to look at their heritage and to see the new Bay project. Wansbeck Leggi agrees to support the project. Various meetings and consultations to develop a new house style of logo for Newbiggin. Appointment of other specialist consultants to support the design team including all necessary meetings. Preparing a list of famous people associated with Newbiggin. February – further meetings to progress the land and legals. Final design continues to evolve with discussions to address certain problems. VAT consultant appointed to investigate and report on the VAT issues. Work to develop the project brochure. March – Heritage Lottery Fund agree to fund the project on the interpretation and visitor experience side of the project. Planning gets underway to prepare for a launch event in May. Consultation meeting and presentation of scheme to local Planning Department and other interested parties. Centre regular opening gets underway. April – major public consultation events takes place in Newbiggin. Further preparation for the launch event next month. Meeting with County Archaeologist to look at issues associated with the excavation works. May – Launch event takes place for the project with over 150 guests including potential funders meeting us and finding out how they can help. Project Brochure also launched for the event. Prepare for Royal Visit planned for June 2008. June – the project and the proposals receive unanimous support at the Council Planning meeting after years of work by the Volunteer team. HRH Prince Edward visits Newbiggin to see first hand the Bay project and also comes along to see the Heritage volunteers and discuss their project. Mary Joicey brought back to Newbiggin by Malcolm Elvy haulage for the day with Newbiggin’s first lifeboat tractor T50 also in attendance. July – Consultation with local schools on the education aspects of the project. Work to update the proposed business plan and cost report. Development of project design and looking at the opportunities to bring a contractor onto the project team. August – fact finding day to heritage attractions at Bamburgh and Eyemeouth. September – review of VAT options and recommendations from the VAT report. Further work on the site legals. Review of the design and focusing on the detail for the project. The region is hit by torrential rain with flooding in Morpeth. October – the local Freeholders consent to the use of the site for the proposed development. Investigating opportunities for partnerships with visiting coach operators to enable more visitors to visit Newbiggin. Meeting at Northumbria Tourism to look at partnering opportunities. November – Further work on reviewing elemental costs of the project Independent review of the business plan endorses the findings and assumptions made by the Team. Review of Sea Change opportunities and initial preparation works for their submission. December – In attendance at a Northumbria Tourism event to look at shared promotion opportunities as well as establishing communication networks with other attractions. Further work to conclude the items related to the lease of the site. Further work and meetings to address the requirements of the potential Sea Change bid.
2009 January – talk to local Rotarians to promote the Newbiggin project, meeting with local MP Denis Murphy to update him on developments and the programme. February - discussions with other national attractions to secure more details on how they operate as we build up our working model. Talk to the Rotarians at Newcastle. Chasing a bid up with RBS who have £350,000 on offer - oversubscribed. March – further discussions with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust who we hope to secure £100,000 from and also with CABE and their Sea Change funding which we hope to secure £1,000,000 from. Announcement that CABE will support us with a grant of £1,000,000 with a further £750,000 from the local authority. Meeting with Economic Appraisal consultant to look at merits of the project and endorse the assumptions we have made. April – meeting with Kitchen consultant at a local community kitchen to learn about what is needed in such a kitchen and compare that with our proposals. Developing ideas for some wider sea front regeneration here at Newbiggin to compliment our project. Review of our Project Board and securing new members with particular specialisms. Progress investigations into VAT and how this will impact upon us as well as any opportunities there may be. May – shortlist and interview at their offices over a full day potential contractors who could build the new centre and afterwards reviewing the outcomes of the interviews. Further work to develop ideas and other specialist consultants including those for mechanical and electrical works together with renewable energy specialists. Covers taken off Mary Joicey and restoration work continues. June – new County Council announce there is further work to be done with regards to the Common Land status of our site. Full range of meetings and Barrister appointed by County Council who will lead on the Legals for the local authority. Barrister visits Newbiggin for a day of meetings and agreement of strategies and the vast amount of work to provide extensive details for the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol – many late nights and an extensive document produced during late August – over 1000 pages. Further work on the matter of VAT and letters to HMRC. July – meeting with CABE to discuss the land issue and explain what is happening – they repeated their support for the project and will continue to be updated for the time being. Coalfields Regeneration decides to review their support to us as a result of the land. Extensive negotiations to progress the funding monies to pay for the final design works. Start date for building in September cancelled and will probably be Spring 2010. August – BBC ‘The One Show’ spends a gorgeous sunny day filming at Newbiggin on the subject of the Women Lifeboat Launchers here. Preparing to get works underway on the final design aspects and clarification of final details. September – final design works get underway. Further works to progress funding but land issues are causing further works to be done in the data collection. However £200,000 pledged from local LEGI, which is an economic development fund. Funding grant received from Sir James Knott Trust. October – review of design aspects and Value Engineering meeting with designers, contractor and ourselves as the Client Team. Meeting with a representative from one of the Sainsbury Trusts who are interested in helping us – explained about the land delay. Fact finding visit by the Team to Sheringham and Cromer to look at their maritime projects in build and built – good feedback but 14 hours in a minibus not recommended!! Covers put back onto Mary Joicey after good restoration progress made. November – securing and clearing artefacts from a closing private museum at Seahouses. Selected a VAT consultant with good interview and agreements on the way forward. Talk to Lynemouth History group on the lifeboat here at Newbiggin and the Newbiggin Maritime Centre. Meeting with local Tourist Information people to establish a display about Newbiggin in their premises. Full day of interviews with exhibition design consultants and Redman Design appointed. December – exhibition design workshop held and Sainsbury’s Headley Trust will give us a £70,000 grant. Awaiting decisions from other funding organisations. Decision awaited on the land, which is due in the next few days and will decide whether we have a project. Meetings with VAT Consultant and Accountant to local at VAT matters. On the 22nd announcement that the land issues are now resolved and this various legals in connection with this can now be closed. 2010 January – preparing draft programme of preamble works leading up to the proposed Spring 2010 start date on site. Trial holes get unde4rway to look at site conditions. Various planning meetings and design meetings to finalise details.
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October 2006 - Further meetings and consulatations initiated by the Building Group with Wansbeck District Council Planners as well as representatives from Natural England and English Heritage. The ten student models and accompanying plans / interpretations also on dosplay for the consultees. Award night held at Jesmond where the top ten students and staff members recieved awards in recognition of their efforts in the project design.