Historically, Red Kites, Milvus milvus, were our most widespread birds of prey. However, between the 16th and 19th centuries, persecution and extensive poisoning drastically reduced their number. By 1850 they had gone from North East England. A remnant population survived in mid-Wales. In 1989, a series of re-introductions was begun, with our Northern Kites Project being the penultimate, from 2004-2009, followed by the final one in Cumbria . Ninety-four chicks were relocated from the Chilterns, and released into the Derwent Valley. Friends of Red Kites was established in 2009 to continue the conservation of these majestic birds. This document illustrates how our Red Kites have proved to be a catalyst for commerce and an inspiration for creative people in Gateshead’s Derwent Valley.

A Community inspired by Red Kites in Gateshead’s Derwent Valley

From the moment the red kites were released into the lower Derwent Valley, people have found them a source of inspiration. Artists, photographers, sculptors and craftsmen regularly produce work of high quality for the public to enjoy and buy. These blinds were created by Clare Satow to celebrate the start of the re-introduction of the red kites in 2004.

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The Northern Kite Project, led by Keith Bowey, came to its official end in July 2009. To mark this, an Event took place on Gateshead’s Quayside, where a large model of a Red Kite was assembled and

held aloft by Staff, Volunteers and members of organisations, who had worked tirelessly throughout five years to release 94 chicks and establish their presence for the first time in North East England for nearly 170 years.

Image – courtesy of Kaleel Zibe for Northern Kites

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A huge Bird of Prey stopped people in their tracks on Baltic Square. One hundred and fifty people, including Northern Kites Staff, representatives of the Project’s Partners and Volunteers, held aloft

individual tiles to create a very impressive model of a Red Kite, whose wings measured 22.5 metres. The polystyrene tiles were created by Chromazone, Gateshead. It was a celebration to mark the success of the five-year Project, which generated spending of £1.72 million pounds in the local economy.

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Art on the move! Go North East painted nine of their fleet with superb images of a red kite. The buses run from Newcastle City Centre to the Metro Centre then along the Derwent Valley to their destination, Consett. The Red Kite Buses are an accepted and regular part of life for those living and working in the area. They also interact with the eleven - mile circular Red Kite Trail.

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Art in public places. On the left is a red kite image on glass at the Metro Centre Bus Concourse; on the right is a Logo for the Red Kite Trail which is an 18 kilometre circular walking route through the beautiful countryside of the lower Derwent Valley. It offers plenty of viewing points from which to see the numerous red kites which have stayed in the core area. There is an informative Red Kite Trail leaflet available at Visitor Centres and on-line.

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Sherburn Towers Bus Stop is a popular vantage point from which to see the Red Kites. An information board, featuring artwork by Alan Mould, sits alongside a concrete kite set in the grass by the local Council, together with a seat. In winter, the kites, such as Ruby above, have roosted nearby in the past, or can be seen flying overhead to their roost in the Gibside Estate.

Ray Wilby

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Alan Hart, Paul Henery and Alan Mould are three local artists who have found inspiration in these majestic birds. Unlike many birds, red kites do not migrate and can be seen at all seasons. Artists generously share their love of these birds at local venues such as Thornley Woodlands Visitor Centre, local libraries and at National Trust properties.

Paul Henery

Alan Mould Alan Hart

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'Let's Go Flying, Kites' is the UK's first children's picture storybook about red kites and their conservation. The book was written and illustrated by local author, Jules Burnett. He explains "The book tells how red kites were introduced to the North East after more than 170 years, following the antics of two young chicks, Squawk and Squeal.” The cartoon was donated to the Friends for their Newsletter by Alan Mould, a local resident .

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Kites can be an inspiration for both photographers and artists. On the left is Doug Simpson’s portrait of a perched red kite; on the right is a painting of a perched kite by a local

resident, Alan Mould. Whether sitting or flying, the kite offers a real challenge to those with a camera or a paintbrush.

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This Red Kite tapestry was stitched by Karen Malone and presented to the Project. The leafy collage was created by a local Florist in Rowlands Gill.

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Wylam Brewery created the ruby ale, Northern Kite, in celebration of the kites’ presence. It had the honour of being a guest ale in the House of Commons, top right. The ale is frequently on sale at the Farmers’ markets. Here it is offered at Gibside.

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In the café at Gibside, a National Trust property near Rowlands Gill, visitors can often enjoy looking at exhibitions of Red Kite paintings, as well as being able to browse through Information. Kite-related gifts - cards, glass kites and craftwork are also available in the adjoining shop.

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Until 2009,many local schools adopted a red kite and named it. Now schools can “befriend” a kite

and name it. C2 on the right was the 100th chick to be released in 2008 and was adopted by Roman Road School, East Gateshead and named, appropriately, Centurion! Inspired by their kites, children have created artwork, such as these colourful collages. The image of a kite often appears elsewhere in the school, as in the gazebo shown here and in Rowlands Gill Primary School’s school badge.

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Rowlands Gill Primary School celebrate their local kites.

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Rowlands Gill School: Red Kite Bus, a Banner and their outdoor Red Kite bench. 16

Rena Holford, another artist, who lives in Winlaton Mill, creates beautiful glass kites of all sizes, as we see here. Her work can be seen in the Gibside shop, and she welcomes visitors to her studio. www.hagghillglass.co.uk

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A sculpture in wood, by Tommy Craggs of Consett, forms part of the Sculpture Trail at Thornley Woodlands Visitor Centre. Not far away, Rowlands Gill welcomes residents and visitors with new east and west road signage, each comprising name plates and a metal red kite sculpture by Craig Knowles, an Artist Blacksmith in Sunderland. These installations were commissioned by Gateshead Council and local Councillors.

A Newcastle Silversmith was commissioned to create a red kite pendant.

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Graphics play a significant part in the work done by the Friends of Red Kites. Designs for Publicity, Banners and our new Garment Logo are created , using images generously donated by wildlife photographers. Local firms such as Chromazone, Signs,Signs,Signs and Logos Unlimited have proved extremely supportive, in producing high-quality publicity materials.

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This art project reflects a community’s dedication to these glorious birds which now soar and

float in the skies above the Derwent Valley. Not only does the kites’ presence enhance the

local economy, but people feel that their lives are enriched by the Red Kites and that their spirits are uplifted whenever they see them.

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The five-year Northern Kites Project left such an important legacy that several long-term volunteers were inspired to take the decision to establish the Friends of Red Kites in the North East of England. From their Launch in July 2009, they have gone from strength to strength, developing a growing Membership and interest through Safaris, Health Walks, Presentations, Events, their website and most importantly, the care , monitoring and conservation of the Red Kites , whose numbers are steadily growing.

www.friendsofredkites.org.uk

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We are indebted to innumerable individuals and organisations for their support . These are local, national and on-line. Corporate Members, our Members, Gateshead Council, Thornley Woodlands Visitor Centre, National Trust, Gibside, Northumbrian Water , The Forestry Commission, Newcastle Journal , Hexham Courant , Rowlands Gill Directory, Lintzford Garden Centre and the The Heritage Lottery Fund all play an important part in ensuring that our Red Kites continue to flourish in our northern skies.

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Our Corporate Members

Q A Products UK Ltd

Trai Anfield Patron

Flight of the Red Kite Photographic Exhibition Mosaic sites 2012

Mosaic red kite Gibside Gibside Chapel Complete at the Angel of The North, the icon by Sir Antony Gormley

Mosaic at Durham Riverside

Fixing the kite’s head At St. Mary’s Lighthouse Marsden Rock, a race against the tide Mosaic at Steel Rigg

Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle Sunderland Glass Centre Mosaic below Penshaw Monument Wearmouth Bridges mosaic

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Venues for Flight of the Red Kite Photographic Exhibition 2013

Gateshead Launch Gateshead exhibition Kaleel Zibe Photographer St. Mary’s Ponteland Morpeth Library

South Shields Museum Thornley Visitor Centre Rake Lane Hospital Blackhall Mill Community Whickham Library

The Sage Gateshead S Shields Custom House The NeST Barnard Castle Hexham Hospital – MP visit Durham Botanic Gardens

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May 2014: The Flight of the Red Kite Photographic Exhibition will be at The Heritage Centre, Durham City.

On Red Kite Wings

ICMus

Newcastle University Students

worked on their

compositionson the theme

of THE

RED KITE

Professor Agustín Fernández led the seminar. Trai Anfield , Patron of FoRK (Enlightened Media) filmed the proceedings. Compositions were performed in King’s Hall on 15th February by members of Royal Northern Sinfonia .

Three winning pieces have been chosen to include in the Anniversary Celebration Concerts at Sage Gateshead on 5th July 2014.

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Friends of Red Kites in the north east of England invited Newcastle University International Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS) students to compose new music to be performed by members of Royal Northern Sinfonia, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the reintroduction of the Red Kite to the Derwent Valley. Three pieces composed on this theme, by Hugo Bell, Ian Fleming and Hannah Hawley, have been selected to be performed in the concert. The theme continues with Haydn’s String

Quartet in C major, ‘The Bird’ and local youth folk

band, The Stocksfield Stompers, performing their Red Kite Set. Introduction by Trai Anfield. There will be a variety of visual displays and musical performances on the concourse further celebrating the Red Kite and introducing the work of Friends of Red Kites in north-east England between 11am and 6pm. Event producer: Chris Pentney. Concourse: free access to all activities.

On Red Kite Wings Saturday 5th July 2014 27

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June Atkinson Friends of Red Kites June 2014 Thanks to anyone whose work is used in this document.