How creativity blossomed on the Tyne Derwent Way this April
Budding artists
We have had a fabulous crafting time on the Tyne Derwent Way - there have been some real 'budding' artists who have come along to the April Blossom crafting sessions. From tissue paper blossom crowns to bubble flora art, people from local communities have been rolling up their sleeves and getting seriously creative! It has been a great opportunity to meet residents, share stories and appreciate the beauty of blossom. Thank you to everyone who got involved, interpreting blossom in their own unique way.
Blossom wind catchers and lanterns
In our final week of April's craft workshops, we made blossom wind catchers and lanterns with the local residents. There was a good turnout, with both children and adults engaged with the craft. The example we used to show everyone was a drawn tree with the tissue paper blossom stuck on, but we saw many people creating a range of their own designs, from birds to boats!
This was our last week carrying out these sessions with the Tyne Derwent Way and there was a lot of interest in a continuation of them, and of the other blossom events taking place across the region.
Discover more great activities in Gateshead, linked to the National Trust's Blossom Campaign 2025:
North East in Blossom map (opens new window)
Festival of Blossom, Gateshead
Don't forget to share your pictures, using #BlossomWatch and #gatesheadblossomwatch (along with #TyneDerwentWay of course!).
Some of the artwork from our Blossom crafts sessions
Cherry blossom poetry
We were lucky enough to have Trish, a lifelong resident of Dunston, visit us at one of our crafting sessions and she began talking to us about living around Dunston Staiths and her childhood there.
One of her most striking memories was of the cherry blossom trees being planted on her street when she was a child. Now, the trees remind her of her mam and help her to reflect on all her childhood memories.
In celebration of the Dunston cherry trees, Trish wrote this lovely poem which she has kindly allowed us to publish. We hope you enjoy it and, as Trish says, it 'touches your heart' as the blossom has touched ours.
Thee Enchanting Cherry Blossom Tree
I've waited for this time of year, when winter's gone and spring is in the air
As the winter comes and goes, she awakens and starts to grow.
Her trunk is strong and branches outstretched, soon she will bring my happiness.
It will soon be her time to bud. I believe each one is filled with love.
The song birds sing their sweet song, her time to shine won't be long.
Now she catches rays of sun, so she can get her cycle done.
The time is getting closer at last, her blossoms come so thick and fast.
To see her like this always makes me smile, so I sit and admire her for a while.
Her beauty is not just for me but there for everyone to see.
Still the song birds sing as her petals open like angel's wings.
I know soon it will be her time to go, her petals start to fall like pink snow.
Then the gentle winds blow by and lift them up into the sky.
Like fairies dancing in the breeze, they float around so gracefully.
What a beautiful sight to see thee enchanting cherry blossom tree.
by Patricia Brown
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