PLANS to commemorate a North-East pitman painter are progressing as a council unveils locations set for a tribute trail.
Spennymoor Town Council is pressing ahead with its creation and installation of The Cornish Trail in honour of Norman Cornish - one of the region's best loved artists.
The authority has now secured planning permission and £40,000 funding to cover the trail and is now calling on townsfolk to help bring it to life by contributing to the development of a digital app.
A spokesperson for the council said: "One of the first things that needs to happen, to enable the development of an app, is for local people who have memories of the images, the areas and activities depicted on the trail, to come and work with us and Digital Voice for Communities.
Pit road by Norman Cornish
"Digital Voice for Communities will record memories so that people who walk the trail can listen to the people of Spennymoor, to find out what it was really like growing up, working, living and playing in the town."
Among the places and sights to be featured on the list are Rosa Street Primary School, the now demolished Eddy’s Fish Shop, on Craddock Street, the zebra crossing on Clyde Terrace, St Paul’s Church and Edward Street.
At each location there will be information about its significance to Norman Cornish alongside one or a number of his paintings depicting the place.
There will be works showing mining scenes above and below ground in Jubilee Park, paintings of the people of Spennymoor around the Market Place and scenes inside pubs next to The Brewers Arms pub on high Street.
On the walkway to Spennymoor Leisure Centre from the High Street will be works depicting the now demolished Bishop’s Close Street while a stand at the junction of Church Street and Silver Street will show where Berriman’s Chip Van - now restored and on display at Beamish Museum - once stood.
As well as offering an app as part of the experience, the council will also produce a brochure with a map.
It is hoped the trail will be completed by April next year - to coincide with the centenary of his birth.
Norman Cornish
Anyone who would like to find out more or get involved is invited to attend an open day at the town hall between 2pm and 4pm and between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday, November 15.
The Cornish Trail will start and end at the John Kitson Arch at Spennymoor Town Hall which is set to be refurbished.
If proposals for the now dark and dingy walkway go ahead it would be turned into a light, bright space featuring the Cornish works.
Inside will be a plaque dedicated to John Kitson while on the external entrance and exit will be new brushed steal lettering spelling John Kitson Arch.
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