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.