RESIDENTS are being given an exclusive invite to be the first through the doors of the region’s newest landmark.

On Saturday, July 21, residents from Bishop Auckland and Shildon will be welcomed inside Auckland Tower, in Bishop Auckland Market Place as part of a special town update event.

From 10am to 3pm, visitors can speak to staff and volunteers from The Auckland Project to find out more about the inspiration behind Auckland Tower’s unique design, the construction work in progress and how the building will ultimately be used.

And outside, a pop-up museum will offer the opportunity to get hands-on with history to learn more about the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham.

Those attending the community event can also step inside Auckland Castle, the Bishops’ former home, on a behind the scenes tour to take a peek at the work under way to return the property to its Georgian gothic splendour. The tours will be running on a drop-in basis from 10am to 3pm.

Past and Future Tours, a 45-minute guided walk around Bishop Auckland’s historic Market Place, will be taking place at 11am. Inside the nearby Mining Art Gallery a talk on The Bevin Boys – War’s Forgotten Workforce, a temporary exhibition commemorating 75 years since the wartime conscription scheme, will take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm. And tours of the scenic Deer Park will set off from The Clock Tower, Bishop Auckland Market Place at 11am and 2pm.

Liz Fisher, Engagement Director at The Auckland Project said: “Auckland Tower, with its contemporary design is a Marmite building, but it is a building that we are really proud of.

“We are looking forward to welcoming members of the community on July 21 to see the tower, learn more about the concept behind its design and hear at first-hand how the building will be used.”

Auckland Tower will serve as the welcome centre for the wider Auckland Project visitor destination.

It is supported by Headley Trust with building work by Bishop Auckland building and engineering firm, VEST Construction.

The Tower has been designed by award-winning architects, Niall McLaughlin to resemble a huge wooden siege engine and the temporary wooden structures historically used in the Market Place for fairs and festivals. Its location against the walls of Auckland Castle is symbolic, opening up the former private palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham to the town.

Offering beautiful views across Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland and the wider region from a 15m high viewing platform, Auckland Tower will be a starting point for visitors to Auckland Castle and all of The Auckland Project’s upcoming attractions.

The Auckland Tower Town Update is the first in a series of local events to mark the launch of the tower. It will be followed by a community event on September 29, to coincide with Bishop Auckland Town Council’s Produce and Horticultural Show and Bishop Auckland Town Team’s Celebrating Together event. Full details will be announced soon.The official launch of Auckland Tower will then take place on October 20, with a day of activities still to be announced. To find out more visit aucklandproject.org/auckland-tower