2021 Northumbies Update and Announcement of ‘The Bunties’ – New Awards for 2021

Given the current Covid-19 situation, it will still not be possible to celebrate Northumberland Day as we normally would, which means that we are not able to offer our fabulous ‘Northumbie’ Awards again this year.

These wonderful trophies, designed by glass artist, Helen Grierson as we note above, usually reward participants in Northumberland Day for their efforts in staging activity, whether that is in schools, around events, via food launches, through decorating premises and offering special things to do or by virtue of having done something fabulous within the community.

This year, we are instead rewarding decoration of homes, schools, businesses and other venues through some other Helen Grierson-designed awards – The Bunties.  This will enable us to reward the spirit of celebration and joy that comes from hanging out the bunting – something we all need as we come out of such dark times.

Hopefully, our Northumbies will be back gracing trophy cabinets very soon.  In the meantime, here are details for The Bunties.

‘Northumberland Day Flag Challenge Buntie’

Whilst we cannot offer a Northumbie for the best Northumberland Day Flag picture this year, you can win a Buntie. Pose with the Northumberland flag (in a Covid-compliant way), impress us with your location or creativity and you could be the winner.

‘Best Decorated School Buntie’

This Buntie Award will be given to the school which impresses us with its Northumberland Day bunting, decorations, flag displays and other uplifting decorations.

‘Best Decorated Home Buntie’

Could you and your family scoop this Buntie Award, by virtue of the decorations you create for your home/ garden or outdoor space?  This could be great family fun, so throw yourself into it.

‘Best Decorated Business Buntie’

This award will go to the business that goes to town and paints its facilities red and yellow, helping to uplift the community.  This could be any type of business, from a pub or hotel, to a visitor attraction, solicitors practice, builder’s yard or shop.

‘Best Decorated Community Building or Community ‘Place’ Buntie’

This award will go to those who turn a community building – in its widest sense –  or a community ‘place’ (again widely interpreted) into a stunning red and yellow vision of county pride.  A community building could be a community centre, church, village hall, site within a village that has community meaning  or something else.  Decoration should only take place in a way that is Covid-compliant and in areas that can be accessed under Covid-19 rules.