Adrian Bell - Progress report in relation to the 5 initial Phases - September 2026

Phase 1 – The creation of Grinham’s Wood via the planting of 8,000 trees curtesy of Destination Tweed, English Forestry Commission, Cheviot Trees, and importantly Robbie Hunter of Horncliffe House The wood is coming on exceptionally well and a fitting tribute to Fred & Pierrette.

Phase 2 – The installation of Memorial Benches with Sandstone Plinth’s depicting an aspect of a local family’s wartime story. With funding for the Shiel Memorial raised sooner than envisaged a decision was taken to utilise this as a test bed - prior to Phase 2. In hindsight most useful as the original design for the Plinths would have proved impossible to install in a number of locations – as they weighed in at ¼ of a ton. Now resolved via a redesign and work currently underway and completion planned by the end of the year.

This phase made possible via the Berwick-upon-Tweed Preservation Trust, Destination Tweed Community Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund - theirs being a critical element and we the BAGW Trustees would like to acknowledge their support and funding in making this aspect of the project viable.

Phase 3 – The Fishing Shiel Memorial now transformed from a decrepit mound of stones into a viewing platform highlighting the importance Salmon Fishing once played in Horncliffe’s story. In addition a Memorial Bench and Sandstone Plinth have been installed alongside to recognise and celebrate those from Horncliffe who served their country in WW2. Funding from the Barbour Foundation and Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust were crucial in enabling the Fishing Shiel Memorial - for which we thank them.

Phase 4 – The Storyboard element of the Fishing Coble and Storyboard installation alongside the Shiel Memorial was recently unveiled. Funds for the Storyboard came via our County Councillor (Pat Lambert) and Northumberland County Council - which is greatly appreciated. Our next task is to raise the funds for the restoration of the Fishing Coble which was generously donated to BAGW by local Horncliffe village legend and author George (Keyhole) Purvis and family. Our hope is to complete the restoration over the winter.

Phase 5 – Stalwarts Copse aims to recognise the WW2 veterans of Horncliffe and the sacrifices they made for preceding generations. Now complete with 100 Oak Trees having been planted on the riverside up-stream from the village and achieved via involvement from the Friends of BAGW, Cheviot Trees and pupils from Longridge Towers – who did themselves and their school proud. We thank them all for their support.

So having almost completed the vast majority of our original aims and ambitions it’s worth reiterating the words from the newly installed Storyboard as to what is next for BAGW.

Future Aims & Ambitions for Benchmark at Grinham’s Wood: -

The BAGW Trustees are not resting on their laurels, with ambitious plans in relation to a potential additional Phase (6) – ‘The Dunkirk Memorial’, as well as a further exciting venture relating to Artists, Photographers and Sculptors with an opportunity to exhibit their work – ‘The Benchmark Festival of Arts’ with this now a reality. As to our ambitions for the ‘The Dunkirk Memorial’ this will have to await our next update report.