THE annual migration of salmon along the Tyne has inspired a programme of workshops, events and activities for all the family in Hexham.

In recent years, the spectacle of salmon leaping up river near the town’s Tyne bridge has drawn increasing numbers of visitors to the town – thanks to improvements such as the introduction of Hexham Fish Pass.

“Leaping Salmon” is a Queen’s Hall Arts project which celebrates the annual salmon migration along the route of the River Tyne from Hexham to the Salmon Centre at Kielder.

The project aims to explore creative responses to the theme through participatory arts workshops and activities, led by artists with a focus on printmaking. Featuring the little-known print process of gyotaku, meaning fish impression, artist and gyotaku specialist Rachel Ramirez will work with the public during the project.

An English artist living in Portugal, Rachel will be spending 10 days in residence with Queen’s Hall Arts, running workshops and making her own prints using a variety of fish and river plants. These have all been collected ethically and sustainably by the Environment Agency, one of the project partners.

The work produced will form the basis of an exhibition in the Queen’s Hall gallery to celebrate the salmon migration season in 2017.

“Leaping Salmon” is fittingly sponsored by Northumbrian Water.

Jane Morland, partnerships manager at Northumbrian Water, said: “We invest significant amounts of money, time and expertise every year in improving and protecting the water quality of our region’s waterways and bathing areas.

“This enhances the water for the benefit of the flora and fauna in and around those watercourses, including the leaping salmon in the North Tyne area, and we are proud to be involved in this celebration.”

A research and learning element is being added to the project through partnerships with the Northumberland National Park Authority and the Environment Agency, which have resulted in an exploration of salmon and trout migration, the life cycle of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel, and information about the River Tyne and the new fish pass.

An outdoor printing event will take place on Saturday, between 9am and 2pm, at Hexham Farmers’ Market.

And on Tuesday, during the half term holidays, a family print workshop will take place at the Queen’s Hall between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, where participants can add to a “shoal of fish” community print, which will be installed and available to see at Kielder Salmon Centre.