Why Hartlepool’s Headland is the place to visit this year
Image | Sunderland Global Media
The Headland in Hartlepool is well known for some of the most stunning beaches in the North East, but it is also steeped in history, decorated with beautiful street art, and has an enormous sense of community spirit.
If you are looking for things to do during the Easter Holidays, here are three reasons the Headland is the must-see place to be this year:
Mural Trail
Durham Spray Paints have worked with members of the community to create unique and eye catching murals on buildings around the Headland.
Beginning at The Fisherman’s Arms on Southgate, you can complete the ‘mural trail’ by following the promenade and making your way down the old side streets.
If you love real ale, The Fisherman’s Arms host a popular beer festival April 7 – April 10, 1pm – late. With live music and a Sunday quiz.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=648016380668201&set=a.451717940298047
On their website, Durham Spray Paints said “The Headland mural trail came about organically. It began with an initial painting but soon led to more commissions after speaking to business owners while in the area. The more time we spent on the Headland, the more we got to know and love it. This meant that the murals are all informed by local history – stories passed on by people we met while painting.”
To see more of the art created by Durham Spray Paints, you can follow this link: https://www.durhamspraypaints.com/work
If you are curious to know the best route to take to ensure you find all of the murals, a local resident and photographer, Michael Gant, has created a vlog in which you can follow him as he completes the trail.
Historical Heugh Battery
The UK’s only First World War battlefield, the Heugh Battery commemorates the Bombardment of Hartlepool in December 1914.
Accessible via the promenade, members of the public will come across a plaque that reads “This tablet marks the place where the first shell from the leading German Battle Cruiser struck at 8:10a.m on the 16th of December 1914.
“And also records the place where (during the bombardment) the first soldier was killed on British soil by enemy action in the great war 1914-1918.”
The Heugh Battery are hosting a number of events this spring, kicking things off with a Military Vehicle Display on Saturday April 8, 10-4pm.
“Lots of fantastic vehicles will be visiting the museum for the day, with their drivers in full uniform, alongside displays of equipment by Time Travelling Tea Tent and Time Bandits and many more. We will have a fully working WWI field kitchen too! Come along and listen to Yvonne the Vintage Singer and dance away the afternoon to 40’s wartime classics. Entry fee: £5 per person (no concessions).”
Other events include a charity ‘Memory Stroll’ in aid of Alice House Hospice on Sunday, April 16. Followed by ‘Wuff at the Heugh’, an event to celebrate dogs with competitions and photoshoot opportunities for furry friends. Pay what you decide on the door.
More events information can be found here: https://www.heughbattery.co.uk/events/
Accessible Community Garden
A committee was formed back in 2002 to gain funding for the Regent Square Garden, which at the time was an overgrown area, covered in rubbish, run down and unused.
The ‘Friends of Regent Square’ charity was formed, with their main objectives:
- To improve the area of Regent Square Gardens and promote the interests of all members of the community in the area of benefit.
- To create a sustainable green space area, peaceful environment and eco-friendly habitat.
- To improve the quality of life for all members of the community in the Regent Square, Regent Street and Raby Street areas.
- To develop Regent Square Gardens in keeping with the history and traditions of the area.
- To create a sense of security for all members of the community and improve the conditions of life for all inhabitants.
Regent Street resident Howard White, 57, was voted onto the committee in 2002 and is currently running to stand in the Headland Parish Council.
Telling Sunderland Global Media about the progress of the project, Howard said “A year ago our small bunch of friends had a dream – to get the garden back to its original design.
“Jaws dropped when we decided to get the lawns back!
“The group has changed slightly but still works to the above objectives.
“We’ve had some ups and downs, but never, ever doubted we could do it, because we made so many friends along the way.
“Every time we hit a problem, someone came to help. I guess that’s the Headland and Hartlepool folks for you.
Like we’ve said before, it may be a little garden but it attracts the right sort of people.”
When asked what’s next for the Garden, Howard said:
Well the fence is to paint, paving to grout, centrepieces to create, de-weeding, planting and to connect a water supply.
As you can see, we have not stopped yet, come and visit to see our ongoing progress, and vote me!”
£1500 was raised in kind donations for the new lawns in Regent Square Garden, it has now become a peaceful, accessible area that members of the public can freely use to enjoy a picnic, or just a quiet moment by the sea.
