Members of the Newbiggin Arts Forum, formed nearly three years ago, have just signed a lease to take over an empty building which they plan to make the lively, vibrant hub of the village's thriving arts and culture scene.

The Forum has negotiated a deal with Wansbeck District Council to take over Woodhorn Villa close to the centre of the village.

They have also secured sufficient funding from the Go Wansbeck Enterprise Opportunities Fund to begin recruiting a full-time arts development worker.

Forum officials say their plans represent another major piece of the regeneration jigsaw that is putting Newbiggin on the map in more ways than one.

"Together these initiatives are not only making Newbiggin a better place to live but are substantially increasing the visitor footfall in the village," said Arts Forum chairman Jason Thompson.

"What we are planning to do is put another piece in that jigsaw by developing a centre that will not only become a hub of village life but will add to the visitor attractions tempting more people to come and spend some time in Newbiggin.

"It is a fantastic gesture by Wansbeck Council to make this building available for our purpose and it is one we know the people of Newbiggin
sincerely appreciate and welcome."

One of the long-term goals of the Arts Forum since it was established has been to find a permanent base for arts and culture activities within the village.

There is now a growing number of people of all ages and abilities developing their talents as artists, painters, photographers and in all manner of crafts in Newbiggin.

The Forum plan to encourage people to use the centre by providing meeting rooms, space for workshops and courses, the chance to develop dance and music as well as the opportunity for creative commercial businesses to base themselves at the centre.

"But we don't want it to be seen as exclusively an arty sort of venue," said Forum founder Eddie Galvin.

"In reality, at the moment we have a blank canvas in terms of what local people want us to provide for them at the centre and it is up to them to tell us what they want.

"This area has a great track record in creativity and encouraging culture and the arts in every sense of the word and what we want to create is a centre that will be totally inclusive and will become the heartbeat of our community."

One of the first jobs for the Forum team will be to appoint a development worker in the next few weeks.

The type of person they are looking for will be someone with business experience and an artistic background who will not only manage and promote the centre but secure funding bids to help meet its running costs.