http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/news-archive/2008/04/05/wigw
ams-a-must-for-your-tribe-72703-20721725/

Wigwams, a must for your tribe

Apr 5 2008 by Liz Lamb, Evening Chronicle

Green holidays are becoming all the rage as holidaymakers aim to get back
to nature. Helping put the North East on the green holiday map is the UK’s
only wigwam village. LIZ LAMB meets the owner

THEY are usually spotted on the great plains of America and Mongolia, not
the wild coasts of Northumberland.

But hidden away on a busy cattle farm, a stone’s throw from the A1, are
wooden wigwams nestled alongside huge canvas tepees and yurts.

The homes, made famous by the Native Americans, are becoming a popular
haunt for hundreds of holidaymakers from Tyneside who are eager to indulge
in green holidays.

“We always said we wanted to do something different and we dared to be
different to everyone else, ” says Christine Whiteford, who owns the camp
with her husband John, a farmer.

“We are the only wigwam village in England.”

The scene at Pot-A-Doodle-Do could be straight from the nomadic plains.

The wigwams, which sleep up to six people, have all been given their own
names such as Lone Ranger and Jesse James and are situated on a grassy bank
close to a Finnish wooden barbecue hut, home to regular camp fires.

From next month back-to-the-land devotees will be able to sleep in tepees
and yurts for the first-time after Christine, 47 and John, 49, decided to
expand their settlement.

In total, there are 12 wigwams, four tepees and two yurts at the site,
which is also home to Borewell Farm. John has lived at the farm, which is
near Scremerston, Northumberland, since he was a baby. It covers 650 acres
and has a pure Aberdeen Angus herd of cattle.

“When John is out on the farm I can be here. In summer the village is
really busy but when it dies down in October, we can work on the farm,”
says Christine.

The camp, which was set up four years ago, is a world away from their
previous jobs.

John used to work for Business Link in Blyth, advising people wanting to
set up their own firms in South East Northumberland, but left two years
ago.

Christine, whose parents were Northumberland farmers, studied law at
Newcastle College for four years and worked as a legal executive before
giving up her job to start a family.

The couple have three children, Vicky, 25, Nikki, 16 and Dan, 15.

“It’s good fun but it’s hard work,” says Christine.

What is happening in Northumberland is typical of what is occurring across
the UK. Travel operators are reporting a rise in the number of families
booking ethical holidays to help reduce their carbon footprint and get back
to nature.

Currently half a million breaks a year are classed as ‘green’ holidays but
according to consumer research firm Mintel, by 2010 the outgoing “ethical”
holiday market from the UK will have swollen to 2.5 million trips a year.

“Everyone these days is in to recycling and becoming more ethical and
people who come here are very green and that’s one of the reasons why they
come to the wigwam village.”

The couple are hoping the latest additions will just as appealing.

“We are very excited about the arrival of the yurts and tepees,” says the
mother-of-three.

“The wigwams have proved hugely popular and everyone who comes enjoys the
experience enormously.

“We always get a really good reaction and the locals love it as well.

“We get a lot of people coming from Tyneside.

“About a third of the visitors who come here are from that area. Quite
often they will finish work on a Friday and drive up here and stay for the
weekend.

“We get a lot of families and many come and rent out four or five wigwams
at a time and have a big barbecue.

“They love it, it’s very peaceful and it’s a safe environment for the
kids.”

Tepees are conical tents, which were originally made of animal skins or
birch bark, and provided warmth and comfort in winter and cool in the heat
of summer for the occupants.

The ones at Pot-a-Doodle are made from canvas but still give holidaymakers
the chance to sleep under the stars,

The wigwams meanwhile are made from wood rather than traditional materials
such as grass, bark or reeds, and are more practical.

The couple originally set up Pot-A-Doodle-Do in 2000 as an art activity
centre and country shop but decided to expand into accommodation once it
was established.

Other services include a licensed restaurant, country shop and shower and
toilet block.

Activities on offer include quad bike trekking, a children’s play area,
fishing and country and coastal walks.

“Sleeping in a wigwam, tepee or yurt is fun, no matter what your age – just
one word of warning – watch out for the cowboys and listen for the
approaching herds of buffalo and bison,” laughs Christine.