Industry News
Durham artist marks Visit County Durham's 20th anniversary
County Durham artist and poet Lizzy Lovejoy unveiled a specially commissioned artwork and poem at Visit County Durham's annual Summer Garden Party last week, as part of celebrations to mark the organisation's 20th anniversary.
The annual event, which took place in the gardens of Raby Castle on Wednesday, 8 July, brings together tourism businesses, partners and stakeholders from across the county. And this year, it was made even more special as Visit County Durham marked two decades of supporting and championing the visitor economy.
To commemorate the milestone, Visit County Durham commissioned Lizzy, from Newton Aycliffe, to create a unique artwork that captures some of the destination management organisations milestone moments.
The artwork, accompanied by an original poem titled The Way of the Wear, reflects the county's rich history, breathtaking landscapes and the communities that make it such a special place to live, work and visit.
Speaking about the commission, Lizzy said: "It was incredibly exciting. Durham has so much to offer. It has so much history, but it also has so much still to come. The idea of creating a piece of artwork and a piece of poetry that celebrated all the things that both have been and will be, I was really thrilled by the idea."
The artwork weaves together many of the stories, landmarks and experiences that define County Durham. From the county's internationally recognised Dark Skies and spectacular landscapes to its industrial heritage, cricketing successes, folklore and vibrant communities, with every element carefully chosen to represent both the county's past and its future.
Lizzy also wanted to celebrate everyday life in County Durham, featuring terraced houses, flats and family homes alongside historic buildings and iconic landmarks, reflecting the people and places that shape the county today, and who benefit from the opportunities the visitor economy brings.
Folklore also plays a central role in the piece, with references to the Lambton Worm, connecting the county's ancient legends with the River Wear, which inspired one of the poem's recurring themes.
"The River Wear became 'River We Are' in the poem," Lizzy explained. "It's about showing that we're this collective community while also celebrating the geography that connects us."
As Visit County Durham celebrates its milestone anniversary, Lizzy's commission serves as a lasting tribute to the people, places and stories that continue to make County Durham one of England's most distinctive and welcoming destinations.
The Way of the Wear
Where are we?
Are you ready for a journey?
There are footprints to make
And new steps to take.
The roads that we travel
From fields to gravel
Help our mind to unravel
The secrets of this land
In the roots
By old coal shoots.
Trek
Past ship wrecks
In becks.
Spot the scales
From the tales
Of Wyverns
In the Burns,
Of dragons and Wyrms,
Follow those twists and turns
Across the County
And recount the
Paths that have come before.
Let’s create more.
Founded by brass bands
And calloused hands.
Founded by Hilda and Culthbert and Bede
They lead
The way… We see it.
We see
The way
That sun rays
Pass
Through coloured glass
Painting pictures with light
Right
At our feet –
The way
That nature says
What words cannot manage too,
This is the way that you
Choose,
Diffused
By UV,
A history
And a future we form
In its warm
Glow.
As above, so below
There is so much to know
Where grasses grow
And rivers flow
As well as up where leaves blow
And birds show
Their fantastic feathers
Across every weather.
Ways of light, of love, of life, of learning.
Look up to gasses burning
Millions upon millions
Of sparks
In Dark
Skies,
Cast your eyes
Over the night
And be guided by light
Wander
And wonder
And stand yourself under
The stars;
Remember all that we are.
Superstars!
We are not just a passing station
We are the destination.
Pose at rainbow wings
While the water sings
The song of us:
We are river,
River we are
River Wear
We are here.
Next stop!
The shops
Then friends to meet
For a bite to eat,
We’ve got an attitude
Of gratitude
For good food
Made in this place,
Do not waste
The taste
Of that yellow paste
Get flustered
By mustard,
There’s a power
That’s ours
In the scran we devour
Original recipe again
Like way back then.
Set up the wicket
For a game of cricket
That the whole world will attend
Send
A message of how we
Are a community.
There are many paths to follow
With histories to borrow
But when it comes to tomorrow
You will lead the way.