Pupils from Tweedmouth Middle School in Berwick-Upon-Tweed have been adding the finishing touches to a series of striking papier mâché sculptures of ancient creatures that are set to feature in a new display of work at Berwick Barracks exploring Berwick’s unique geological heritage.
Berwick’s Carboniferous Past is a multigenerational initiative led by North East Museums and English Heritage and supported by Destination Tweed through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Inspired by Berwick Museum’s natural history collection, it features schoolchildren, volunteers and members of the University of the Third Age who have been researching local fossil stories and exploring the River Tweed as a rich source of geological information. The results will be showcased in a special display at Berwick Barracks this September.
The Carboniferous Period, spanning from around 359 to 299 million years ago, was characterised by warm tropical climates and the formation of the extensive deposits of coal that would eventually come to shape Northumberland’s industrial story. During this era, oxygen levels were much higher than today, allowing the evolution of giant insects like dragonflies and millipedes. Northumberland and the Scottish Borders have seen new and important fossils discovered in recent decades, including the largest-ever fossil of a giant millipede ever found. All of these discoveries provided important insight into how life transitioned from sea to land.
The Berwick’s Carboniferous Past project was awarded a grant of £9,870 last year as part of Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme. The Scheme is part of the £25 million Destination Tweed project and aims to support local initiatives with a connection to the River Tweed and its nature, history and stories.
Destination Tweed Project Officer, Charlotte Douglas, said; “It’s incredible to think that millions of years ago, the land on which Berwick now sits was near the equator and teeming with extraordinary life. We’re delighted that Destination Tweed and the National Lottery Heritage Fund have been able to support a project that is inspiring people of all ages to discover more about the area’s dramatic natural history.”
Jo Raw, Manager of Northumberland Museums, from North East Museums said: “The Berwick’s Carboniferous Past project is a fantastic opportunity to use objects to connect communities with the area’s remarkable geological history in a fresh and accessible way. We’ve enjoyed being part of this project and we’re looking forward to seeing the new display open at Berwick Barracks this Autumn.”
Kevin Booth from English Heritage, said: “English Heritage has been really pleased to support this fantastic project and look forward to showcasing the pupil’s work at Berwick Barracks in September”
Further information on the Berwick’s Carboniferous Past display at Berwick Barracks will be available later this summer.