Last issue, Way 2 Go featured the launch of Portrait of a Nation – a national conversation amongst young people encouraging them to discuss and share where they come from, who they are, and what it means for their future. This month, we want to know all about locations that YOU feel are important, distinct and key to the identity of your city. These are your ‘HERITAGE HOTSPOTS’ and we want you to tell us all about them at www. portraitofanation.net Help us to start the conversation about what matters to you. It could be a place where you and your friends hang out, a local landmark that means something special, or somewhere that is important to you or your family past. All over the UK, in 18 cities from Inverness to Newcastle to Cardiff young people are currently working on projects geared towards staging events that will show what makes their city unique with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008. NewcastleGateshead’s contribution to Portrait of a Nation sees Tyne & Wear Museums and Tyneside Cinema team up to deliver a filmmaking project, exploring heritage and celebrating local identity and pride. Now it’s your opportunity to get involved in this yearlong programme of events and online activity. From local dialects to fashion, places we hang out to music we listen to, our lives are shaped by the cultures, places and people around us… We asked four of the young people taking part in NewcastleGateshead’s film-making project what they think is special about their city and heritage and how it is something that affects their past, present and future:
Name: Age: Occupation: Hometown:
Anna Cassidy 19 Gap year student Gateshead
What do you like about living in the North East? I like that the North East feels like home. It’s a big city with lots of shops, restaurants and things to do but with a short metro ride you can be at the beach and feel like you’re totally somewhere else. I like that people can identify you because of your accent. Top heritage hotspot? A pub called the Cricketers where I work on the River Tyne. It’s a really local pub so everyone is friendly and makes you feel like you belong.
Name: Age: Occupation: Hometown:
Georgia Manners 17 Six form student, Ponteland High Newcastle
What do you like about living in the North East? It’s just the right size. It has a homely, friendly feeling but is constantly evolving so has an amazing buzz. We have new buildings such as Dance City but beautiful original buildings like the Theatre Royal and Greys Monument are still a big part of today’s society. The best thing about Newcastle is that it’s my hometown and I wouldn’t choose to be anywhere else. Top heritage hotspot? Greys Monument is a meeting point for the younger generation and the Theatre Royal for all ages.