The River Tees Rediscovered Landscape Partnership is supported by the National Lottery through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and aims to develop the river and its surrounding area through conservation and community activities, reconnecting the people of the Tees with their river - a natural feature that has moulded the physical and cultural development of the landscape and communities through which it runs.
River Tees Rediscovered is delighted to present Wild Rover Mike McGrother’s 3-day 26 mile walk along his beloved River Tees. Starting in Piercebridge and heading north east to Redcar’s South Gare at the mouth of the river, Mike hopes to uncover stories and aspects of our river that have been forgotten or dismissed.
Each day will include a stop at a local pub or club where people are invited to share their memories and to listen to some of the Tees Valley-inspired songs made famous by Mike’s ‘musical dad’, the late, great Vin Garbutt. Mike also encourages people to join him on the walk with meeting points indicated below (Please note that participation in the walk is undertaken voluntarily and at your own risk; this is not a guided walk and there will be no provision for first aid, amenities etc);
Thursday 11th April ‘Wings’; Start at Piercebridge Roman Fort 10am. Stop off at the Emerson Arms, Hurworth-on-Tees 1-2.30pm (with Neil Craig, Director of Teesside Samaritans), continue the walk to the Devonport Hotel, Middleton-One-Row.
Friday 12th April ‘Absent Friends’; Start at the Bluebell Pub, by Yarm Bridge at 10am. Stop off at Stockton’s Storytellers 2-3.30pm, continue the walk to Haverton Hotel at Haverton Hill.
Saturday 13th April ‘Not For The First Time’; Start at the Transporter Bridge at 10.30am with Infant Hercules Choir members, walk along the Black Path to South Gare. Evening performance with the Marske Fishermen’s Choir tbc.
A one man performance with songs and photographs inspired by the Valley of the Tees will take place at ARC later in the year (date tbc). For details of all walks and stopping points, visit www.facebook.com/teessidewildrover or email mike.mcgrother@gmail.com. Please check www.riverteesrediscovered.org for more information.
The River Tees Rediscovered Partnership Project, part of Groundwork NE & Cumbria, received confirmation of a grant of £1.89m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in June 2014. Along with partner contributions, a programme of initiatives worth £3.7m have been delivered over the last five years, with a number of complementary projects including access and wildlife improvements (with plenty of volunteering opportunities) focusing on the River Tees corridor from the estuary at Teemouth upstream to Piercebridge, west of Darlington.
For more information on the project and events, please visit www.riverteesrediscovered.org or call the team on 01642 616144.
