Sunderland City Council have organised a ‘thank you’ walking tour event at Bishopwearmouth Town Park on December 4, 2018. The council announced the event to express gratitude to those who have contributed to The Sunderland Bishopwearmouth Conservation Area by purchasing lottery tickets.
The conservation area is one of many locations that will be taking part in the ‘thank you’ events across the country. A spokesperson for Sunderland City Council said:
“Tuesday’s tour is about the architectural highlights of the Bishopwearmouth Conservation Area, explaining plans for the historic building restoration projects and landscaping works to rejuvenate Town Park, which are due to start in 2019.
“The five year Townscape Heritage Scheme within the Bishopwearmouth Conservation Area will provide grant assistance to owners and tenants of historic buildings and undertake improvements to the open space which forms the medieval core of the conservation area, and provide a range of activities and events to promote the heritage of the area.”
After the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme received £1.9 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, resources will go towards restoring the culture of the landscape. Simon Oliver, Head of National Media at Heritage Lottery Fund, said:
“The Thanks To You week is designed to say thank you to National Lottery players for the £30 million a week they raise for good causes.”
The City Council have also announced that proposals have been put forward to rejuvenate the Town Park through landscaping plans. Councillor Stuart Porthouse, cabinet member for housing regeneration, released a statement saying: “Thanks to lottery funding there’s very exciting plans for the historic area of our city.”
The event will benefit the residents of Sunderland as it will encourage the community to become more sociable and lively towards each other. This walking tour will ultimately preserve the history behind Bishopwearmouth, whilst redeveloping the environment that will have a positive impact upon the local residents.