The Union Chain Bridge is much loved by its local communities on both sides of the River Tweed and beyond. These Case Studies showcase some of the bespoke outreach projects embarked upon locally, which were focused on harder-to-reach audiences, with the aim of reducing loneliness and isolation, increasing well-being, and forging stronger connections between cross-border communities.
An intergenerational project was delivered in one nursery, two care homes, and one SEN school in Berwick-upon-Tweed and Eyemouth. Working alongside a local artist, Claire Beattie, participants engaged in a series of engineering-inspired art workshops which culminated into a group-made Travelling Canvas of the Union Chain Bridge landscape in acrylics (right).
“It made me feel really good – I thoroughly enjoyed it and I wish I could do it again”.
“It gave the children a good experience to be included within the community”.
Project staff worked alongside the education department at HMP Northumberland to deliver a series of activities. These included: a Union Chain Bridge project management career game, a bridge-inspired baking competition, and a printing session using old-fashioned technologies. The resultant carbon paper posters (left) were printed for each participant to keep.
"I've never thought about project management before, and I found this really interesting in terms of how to plan for a large project, including timetable issues."
Working in partnership with Berwick Academy, Berwickshire High School, and Eyemouth High School, three classes took part in a Participatory Art Project alongside local artist, Claire Beattie.
Teenagers came on a trip to see the Union Chain Bridge, took part in outdoor art activities by the riverside, and produced prints in class which contributed to a newspaper of final pieces (right).
The newspaper was printed and distributed in the local area.
A group of around 75 volunteers contributed their time and skills to various Union Chain Bridge activities.
The volunteers got involved in: a community archaeology dig in Horncliffe, archiving in Horncliffe Memorial Hall, collecting new interpretation content for a Travelling Exhibition, recording Oral History interviews, undertaking public tours of the Union Chain Bridge, contributing to STEM learning and outreach activities in Berwick Museum and Art Gallery (such as chocolate welding and lightning-inspired art events), and wildlife recording from a boat up the River Tweed (left).
The project team worked with Girl Guiding Northumberland and Girl Guiding Scottish Borders to create a cross-border Union Chain Bridge challenge badge. To earn the badge, Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides took part in STEM activities in their meetings, which included building bridges from connecting straws and constructing a giant tetrahedron.
The Girl Guides collaborated to create an evening full of activities at the Union Chain Bridge, itself. By the riverside, the two Girl Guide groups exchanged friendship scrolls, took part in further STEM activities and sang around the camp fire at the Chain Bridge Honey Farm.
