The Rock Festival Choir Concert

Rock Festival Choir Concert, Director Peter Brown, Organist Peter Hignett

The Rock Festival Choir will perform a concert at St Paul’s Church, Alnwick on Sunday 1st April at 7.30pm. The repertoire includes music from last April’s royal wedding - Paul Mealor’s Ubi Caritas, John Rutter’s This is the Day and I was Glad by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, whose well known anthem was also performed during the Queen’s coronation 60 years ago, evoking both the royal wedding and celebrating the Diamond Jubilee.

The Choir will also perform Bob Chilcott’s Requiem, which was first performed in March 2010 and which has been internationally recognised as a major new choral work. Peter Brown, Director of the Rock Festival Choir, believes this will be the first performance of this beautiful, reflective and memorable work in the North East of England.


Tickets available on the door, £7.50 (£6.50 Concessions)

Events at the Bailiffgate Museum in Alnwick

1) Bailiffgate Museum Coffee Morning in the Northumberland Hall Alnwick

On Sat 10th March there will be a Coffee Morning with Craft Stalls in the Northumberland Hall, in Alnwick, organised by the Friends of Bailiffgate Museum. A large number of local craftspeople, artists, charities and organisations have taken stalls – everything from embroidery, rag rugging and patchwork, greetings cards to jewellery, home made cakes, tombola and bric a brac. There will be a grand Raffle, including a beautiful Rag Rug artwork ‘The Rose’ by locally based artist Jane Jackson, lots of great ideas for gifts for Mother’s Day and a craft table to keep the children interested. Plus a chance to put in your ideas about the Museum’s future projects. From 9.30-12.30, admission £1.50, including coffee and biscuits. 

2) New Exhibition at Bailiffgate Museum 7th March - 26th March 2012 - As They Really Were – the Citizens of Alnwick 1831

A fascinating exhibition of drawings from 1831 which are the subject of a new book by Professor Keith Middlemas, an eminent historian and author, who comes from an old Alnwick family.

Come and meet Handy Tom the butcher’s man, Wise Willie, Purvis the cow doctor, Henry Trotter the horse farrier and not least Damn you Dog Brosby, among many other interesting characters who come alive in the portrait sketches by Percy Forster (born 1801), son of the Duke of Northumberland’s gamekeeper, who was an artist and exhibitor at the Royal Academy.

Forster’s sketches are a fascinating record of Alnwick townsfolk at the time of the first ever census and before the emergence of photography. They are a unique document in British history and show a true cross section of society – the survival and discovery of the portraits and the details they preserve have enabled Professor Middlemas to explore the social, cultural and political life of Alnwick, at a pivotal time in history, just before the industrial revolution and political reform brought fundamental change.

Admission charges: Adults £2.50, Concessions £2.00, Children Free. Opening Hours Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm, Closed Mondays.  There will also be a Lecture and Book Launch by Prof Middlemas on 13th March 2012 at 12 noon (free entry, but please contact the Museum to book a place)

3) Rag Rugging Workshop at the Bailiffgate Museum 31st March 2012

Locally based textile artists Jane Jackson and Mary Kenny will run a one day rag rugging workshop on Saturday 31st March 2012 at the Bailiffgate Museum. Jane and Mary have taken a very traditional craft, and used it to create fantastic art works – one of them, Matisse Dancers 1,2,and 3, is currently on display at the Museum, and has been generously donated by Jane Jackson – there will be a silent auction throughout the summer to raise funds for the Museum.

The Rag Rugging workshop costs £30 per person, with a deposit of £10 payable, - please book early as there are only 16 places. Please email or phone the Museum to book.

Tel: 01665 605847, E-mail: ask@bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk

Alnwick History Town Walk

Bailiffgate Museum are running a unique event  - Alnwick Town Walk with Adrian Ions on Saturday 11th February at 10am – Book now to avoid disappointment!

Discover Alnwick through the eyes of Adrian Ions, well known local historian, a founder of the Bailiffgate museum and a great storyteller! There will be an Alnwick Town Walk starting at 10.00 am on Saturday 11th February, starting from the Bailiffgate Museum during which Adrian will bring tales about the town and Northumberland into colourful life. There will be coffee and biscuits available in the museum following the walk. Numbers will be limited to 12 people, so it is essential to book a place by visiting the Museum or emailing ask@bailiffgate.co.uk or phoning on 01665 605847. Tickets are £2.50 per person. Even more information about Alnwick can be discovered by visiting the Historic Alnwick exhibition at the Museum which runs till March 4th 2012.

This is a unique and interesting opportunity, so you will need to act quickly if you would like to take part.

Dine with Jean-Christophe Novelli at Alnwick Food Festival

Alnwick Food Festival takes place each year in September (Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th this year) and is increasing in popularity every time it is staged. Last year a staggering 20,000 people visited the Festival and enjoyed the 'foodie' atmosphere and events that run around the Town over this most gastronomic of weekends. This year the festival is set to exceed all previous years, both with the quality and number of events and it's headlining chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Now in it's seventh year, the Festival has been extended from it's previous run of two days over the weekend to three so that it includes the Farmers Market on the Friday. It has quickly become one of the North-East's gastronomic centre pieces and should not be missed. There will be over 50 stalls in the Market Place exhibiting and celebrating local food and produce, a community market and a craft market.

Friday 23rd September

Perhaps the most exciting event of the Festival takes place on the first day. The chance to dine with michelin starred Jean-Christophe himself! Taking place in Northumberland Hall and cooked to Jean-Chrisophe's recipes 100 people will see him demonstrate each course before enjoying a fantastic meal. For more information and to book tickets visit the Alnwick Food Festival Website. The Farmers Market will also take place in the Town Centre with the usual host of fantastic locally produced meat and vegetables.

Saturday 24th September

The public part of the Festival really gets going on Saturday with over 50 stalls in the Market Place, a full programme of chef's displays throughout the day, the Beer Festival in Alnwick Town Hall and an Art and Craft Market. A taste of Northumbria will be held in the evening in Northumberland Hall featuring live music and good Northumbrian food.

Sunday 25th September

The stalls, chef's displays and Beer Festival continue through to a second day on Sunday. There will also be a community market on Bondgate Within celebrating local food and the environment.

The Food Festival and the Beer Festival run concurrently and are always an outstanding success, cementing Alnwick's position as the culinary capital of Northumberland. For more information about Alnwick, how to get there and other Attractions visit Your Guide to Alnwick.

Fresh Hope for Alnwick Playhouse

There was bad news earlier in the year about Alnwick Playhouse and the Northumberland Theatre Company (NTC) were under threat with cuts to their funding. The Arts Council rejected their joint bid that would have secured programmes until 2015. The loss was devastating, particularly to the Northumberland Theatre Company who relied heavily on the Arts Council Funding. Things were looking bleak for NTC who travelled around the County taking theatre to places that had no access to it.

Fast forward almost six months and things are looking somewhat brighter and more positive. Joanne Potts has been appointed as the new Arts Centre Manager and she has 'great aspirations' for the Playhouse, she said in an interview with the Northumberland Gazette:

"The Arts Council may not have selected us as a National Portfolio Organisation but I hope to raise our profile nationally through the touring programme and seek out suitable projects which can platform the community work on a national level also. I'm confident we can navigate our way through the current funding climate. I have a committed board of Trustees and staff to work with and it will be a full team effort to ensure the Playhouse, this little gem of Northumberland will shine brightly both nationally and locally."

From a personal point of view, Alnwick Playhouse has played a large part in the community of Alnwick and the County for the whole of my life, from getting involved with Schools right up to recent performances and exhibitions. Losing this vital service would be a huge loss and we can only wish the Playhouse the best of luck in these difficult times.

Police Investigate Bizarre Music Festival Accident

Police are still investigating how an elderly woman managed to injure five people and destroy stalls during the annual Alnwick Music Festival yesterday. The 80 year old driver apparently clipped another car and then lost control, careering into people and stalls.

The Great North Air Ambulance was scrambled, which landed in Alnwick Bus Station to rush one person to hospital. I'd like to take this opportunity to publicise a little the amazing work that the Great North Ambulance Service do and remind everyone that it is entirely run on public donations and fundraising. They save lives on a daily basis and get no government funding whatsoever. Whilst this accident is clearly awful and I wish the injured a speedy recovery, I hope it serves as a reminder that if we don't help fund the Air Ambulance, we could lose this vital service.

For more information about The Great North Ambulance Service, or to make a donation visit their website. For more information about Alnwick, the Music Festival and local Events visit Your Northumberland's Guide to Alnwick.

Events and What's On Guide for the week ahead

That time of the week again when we release your Events and What's On Guide. There's loads going off this weekend and you really shouldn't leave the house without having a read! There's the Powburn Show on Saturday, Alnwick Music Festival comes to a climax at Alnwick Playhouse and there's loads of things for the kids to do in the holidays. Check out your guide at www.yournorthumberland.co.uk/events

Festival marred by Car Accident

A bizarre and very serious accident has happened in Alnwick Marketplace today during the International Music Festival. Usually a place of enjoyment, traditional music and dance, this afternoon the marketplace was turned into a nightmare when a car ploughed through the square, hitting several pedestrians and stalls. The vehicle apparently hit four stalls and came to halt when it hit the fifth. One person has been confirmed as airlifted to hospital and several people have been wounded by the accident. Witnesses said the car was being driven by an elderly lady.

I honestly have no idea how this kind of accident could have happened, the marketplace was full of stalls and there shouldn't have been cars in there anyway. Thank goodness the weather was bad, otherwise a lot more people could have been hurt. I think in future there needs to be barriers in place to make the Square completely pedestrianised during these festivals. Good to see the Northumbrian spirit in action though, cafe and shop owners were seen to be looking after the shocked and wounded with drinks and food.

Read more about it at the Northumberland Gazette Website

This week's Events and 'What's On' Bulletin

Events and What's On this weekend and beyond

Week Commencing Friday 22nd July 2011

The number of events and activities really gets going this week with the start of the kid's summer holidays. Here's our breakdown of what's on this week.

Friday 22nd July sees the start of the Burgham Horse Trials at Burgham Park near Felton (just off the A1), three days of action packed sporting events for all the family! There will be top-class Showjumping, Eventing and Dressage. There is also a retail village with a whole host of interesting stalls, food and a children's area. Tickets cost from £6 on the day, but can be booked online at a discounted price.

The Glendale Festival is on Sunday 24th July in Wooler. There are events and activities running throughout the day from Alnwick Pipers and dance performers to Punch and Judy and many food and craft stalls. This free event is a great day out for the whole family.

Alnwick Castle has a Wizarding Weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th, great for the kids and includes Dumbledore and Hogwartian style magic! The Wizarding festivities also continue on the 26th and 27th July. While we're in Alnwick, The Playhouse has Oscar Wilde's 'An Ideal husband' a production from the Clockhouse Theatre Company on Wednesday 27th July.

Running through the week at the Alnwick Garden is an Images of Northumberland Exhibition by Darryn Wade in the Retail Gallery (admission free). It features his own landscape and seascape photography in beautiful handmade driftwood frames. Also in the Garden this week you can have a guided tour of the Garden with one of their top gardeners (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 midday) and on Friday 22nd July there is a 'Butterfly Gardening' session.

Heading to Morpeth there is a Reel to Reel Ceilidh band playing music in Morpeth Chantry from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday 23rd July. Nearby Wallington Hall (National Trust) has a 'Mad about Monks' event between 1pm and 4pm also on Saturday 23rd July, an event for the whole family where you can try on monk's habits and make your own illuminated manuscript! On Wednesday 27th July they also have an evening Bat Walk.

Warkworth sees a Medieval Clash of Knights event at the Castle (English Heritage) on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th July between 12pm and 5pm. The Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields are also performing at St Lawrence Church in Warkworth on Tuesday 27th July at 7.30pm (tickets £5).

Monday 25th July sees the start of a number of Summer Reading Challenges at local libraries around the County. Check out this link for a list of libraries taking part that includes Haltwhistle, Widdrington, Haydon Bridge, Hadston, Allendale, Blyth, Newbiggin, Bedlington, Cramlington and Berwick.

Elsewhere Farmer's Markets this week are taking place on Saturday 23rd July in Hexham and Sunday 24th July in Berwick-Upon-Tweed. The Beadnell WI Summer Fete is Wednesday 27th July with Bric a Brac, Tombolas and cake stalls, admission is 20p! Also this weekend is the Blyth Summer Fayre held in and around the market place.

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Events coming up this weekend and beyond

Rothbury Traditional Music Festival kicks off the weekend on Friday 15th July and runs through Saturday and Sunday. It's a weekend of traditional music and dance and the line up this year includes: Tyneside Maritime Choir, Hielen Toe and Friends, Gary Forrest and Roddy Matthews, High Spen Blue Diamonds, Hexham Morris, Hexham Lasses, Benny Graham, Bash the Haggis and more. Tickets are on sale from Rothbury Family Butchers or the Coquetdale Centre, Church House, Rothbury or call 01669 620887 for more information.

Also running over the weekend is the Northern English Springer Spaniel Rescue Fun Weekend at Druridge Bay. It's running both days (Saturday and Sunday) and is an excellent day out with dog shows, displays, birds of prey and many stalls, all in a wonderful location. It's for a good cause as well so make sure you visit at some point over the weekend!

Alnwick Castle has a Theatre of Alchemy Dragon Show between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 16th July, great for the kids and includes a dragon procession! Also on at the Castle this weekend is a medieval crafts demonstration. While we're in Alnwick, The Playhouse has Light Classics for a Summer Evening, Jazz in the Studio and a Youth Band Night over the weekend. Saturday 15th and Monday the 18th July sees a guided tour of the Alnwick Garden's roots and shoots gardens with a member of the Alnwick Garden Staff, 12 midday to 1pm. Also in the Garden on Sunday is the Dansons Music Group and Choir between 11am and 4pm and an Images of Northumberland Exhibition in the Retail Gallery (admission free).

Saturday and Sunday (16th and 17th July) also sees the return of the Otterburn Festival with loads of stalls, motorcycle stunts and things to do for all the family. Elsewhere and worthy of a mention is the Seahouses Car Boot Sale at the Golf Club 10am to 12 midday and the Castle's Triathlon Challenge kicks off from Bamburgh beach on Sunday 17th July which is always a spectacle.

Queen's Visit causes Road Closures

Just a quick heads up if you plan (or need) to get into Alnwick tomorrow, there are many road closures due to the Queen's visit. Guests to the event must approach Alnwick on the A1 and take the Denwick slip road to the North, NOT the Willowburn slip road at the South of the town, you should already have instructions about which car park to use.

All other traffic must enter the town from the South slip road (Willowburn A1068). Within the town centre itself there will be many road closures, some for just short periods of time and they will be manned at all times and have clear diversion routes. Bondgate Within, Denwick Lane and Narrowgate will be closed for most of the day and should be avoided.

'Best Shopping Street' to get Royal Visit

It's been somewhat of a 'double whammy' this month for the town of Alnwick. Not only has Bondgate Within won Google's Street Award for Best Shopping Street in the UK, it will also have the honour of Royal endorsement from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal visit is set for Wednesday the 22nd of June when the Town will hold a special party to recognise the valuable work of carers and volunteers from around the County. The event will take place in Alnwick Castle, The Alnwick Garden and a walk around Alnwick's town centre. With 8,000 people on the list of invitations it's going to be a busy day! An excellent reason to visit (or avoid!) Alnwick on the 22nd depending on your views. The Castle will be open to the public from 2.30pm to join in the celebrations, although normal entrance fees apply.

We would like to extend our congratulations to the Town's shopkeepers and businesses for creating such a brilliant, award-winning shopping experience. Click here for Your Guide to Alnwick's Shopping.

Alnwick Wins National 'Best Shopping Street' Award

Alnwick's beautiful main shopping street of Bondgate Within has won Google Street View's 2011 award for 'Best Shopping Street' in the UK, beating off stiff competition from the rest of the Country. We have been enjoying the relaxed shopping of Alnwick for years and we are proud that it has finally been recognised! Over 20,000 people voted in the awards and we would like to thank all of them for giving Alnwick some excellent promotion.

Laura Scott, of Google, said: "I think it's clear that people not just from the area, but also people who have visited from outside the area, obviously really credit the North East as being not only great for shopping, but also hip or trendy. There's lots of talk from the government about Britain's high streets and I think Alnwick kind of describes what the perfect high street would be like."

Front Street in Bamburgh was also recognised in the awards, it came second in most 'Romantic Street' category.

Click here to read our complete guide to Alnwick's Shopping, part of Your Guide to Alnwick.