Riverside Restoration

Thanks to a team of volunteers, the Riverside walks and Sculpture Garden below the Castle and alongside the River Tees have been restored and improved for everyone's enjoyment.

With the support of Barnard Castle Town Council, the Vision brought together a number of regional organisations as well as local volunteers to complete this project early in 2010.  The partners included Durham County Council's footpaths team, Groundwork North East and Rotters.

17 volunteers, working alongside Groundwork's staff, spent six weekends tidying the riverbank, clearing scrub, clearing rubbish, pruning trees and replacing topsoil.  They also removed inappropriate planting around the Sculpture Garden and replaced it with native planting.

Additional help was provided by a team of unemployed people who have removed old wire fencing along the former gas works site, and have planted a new wooded area with a woodland path through.

Durham County Council's footpaths team have completed the footpath construction and Rotters removed all the green waste.

As a result, the pathways through this area are enhanced and much more easily accessible for older people and those who are less physically able.  The views of both the river and castle are much improved, and the tidied and replanted sculpture garden is a welcome place for all.

Barnard Castle Vision would especially like to thank those who volunteered on this project - the results are already being enjoyed by towns people and visitors alike.