LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, Apirl 30: Buskers Night. Buskers Night run by Acoustic Magic. At Percy Wood Golf and Country Retreat. 8pm. More information visit www.myspace.com/clearblueskies

Friday, May 1: May Ball with Jimmy Lillico's Charity Band. A posh frock and black tie do, with proceeds to the British Heart Foundation and Prostate Cancer. At the Pavilion in the Alnwick Garden. 7.30pm-midnight. Limited tickets still available, £25 to include canapes and fizz, from Pat Taylor 01665 603811 and Sandra Keenan 01665 602922.

Friday, May 1: Acoustic Magic. Live music from the Acoustic Magic team. At The Sun Inn, Morpeth. Starts 8.45pm.

Sunday, May 3: Acoustic Magic. Live music from the Acoustic Magic team. At The Schooner, Seahouses. Starts 8.30pm.

Monday, May 4: Music Session. Live music at The Blue Bell, Belford. From 8pm. Free. Contact 01665 722835.

Wednesday, May 6: Concert. Pianist Nikolai Demidenko performs at this Alnwick Music Society concert. At Alnwick Castle Guest Hall. 7.30pm. Non-members welcome. Tickets from Alnwick Playhouse, 01665 510785, or at the door.

Thursday, May 7: Music Session. Robert Whitehead band perform at Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club. At The Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury. 7.30pm. Members £3, non-members £4. Contact 01668 281307.


EVENTS

Thursday, April 30: Birds of Cragside and Upper Coquetdale. In 1903, David Dippie Dixon recorded the bird species of Cragside and the Coquet Valley. Find out how his survey compares with today. 2.30pm to 3.30pm at Cragside House. £6, including tea and a scone, plus normal admission charge. Booking essential, contact 01669 620333, ext 7.

Friday, May 1: Dinner and Talk. A two-course meal with coffee and mints at Blackmore's of Alnwick, followed by special talk by Ian August about his travels with the Duchess of Northumberland. In aid of HospiceCare North Northumberland. Tickets £15. To book contact Elaine on 01665 606515.

Saturday, May 2: Table Top Sale. With canine products, quilting, handmade cards, bric-a-brac, jewellery, arts, books, toys, make-up and more plus a raffle and tombola. At Acklington Village Hall. 10am-noon. Adult £1, child 50p, includes refreshments.

Saturday, May 2: Coffee Morning. Bring and buy, raffle and home-made cakes, in aid of Mothers' Union home and overseas funds. At St Michael's Vicarage, Howling Lane, Alnwick. 10am-noon. Ticket £1 on the door.

Saturday, May 2: Benedictine Chant. Join Schola Borealis for a day of Benedictine chant at Brinkburn Priory. All are welcome to join in, whether experienced or complete beginners. Normal admission applies.

Saturday, May 2: 4x4 Safari Kielder. A challenging day out for drivers of standard or lightly modified road-legal 4x4 vehicles. A full day of ranger-led trails. Booking essential on 01434 250209.

Saturday, May 2: Plant a Hanging Basket. At Kirkley Hall, a demonstration of planting before having a go yourself. Bring your own basket or buy one on the day. Costs £25, which includes the purchase of plants, tea and cake. Contact 01670 841235.

Saturday, May 2 to Monday, May 4: Secret Fairy Trail and Garden Games for Children. Hidden within Belsay Hall's gardens are model Victorian fairies who promise a sticker to those who can find them. Plus a selection of skittles, quoits and croquet for all the family to enjoy. www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay

Sunday, May 3: Dawn Chorus Kielder. Rise and shine with bird expert Martin Davison to experience our native birds in full song. Warm up afterwards with breakfast at the Duke's Pantry. 5am-8am, booking essential on 01434 250209.

Monday, May 4: Northumbrian Clog Dancers. Enjoy the clog and Highland dancing (weather permitting) at Wallington Hall, 11.30am and 1pm. Normal admission applies.

Monday, May 4: Maypole Dancing. Have a go (weather permitting) at Wallington Hall. Normal admission applies. Noon and 2pm.

Monday, May 4: Rothbury Food and Craft Fair. On the High Street with
stalls from local producers. 10am to 4pm.

Thursday, May 7: Comedy Night at Blackmore's of Alnwick. With Gavin Webster and David MacBeth. 7.45pm, £10, to book contact 07733172625.


EXHIBITIONS

Monday, May 4: Craster Art Club Exhibition in Craster Memorial Hall. Paintings in a variety of media. Tomorrow, noon-5pm. Saturday-Monday, 10am-5pm. Free, donations to the Great North Air Ambulance.

Alnwick Playhouse, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, 01665 510785. Heikkalinnoja/Sandcastles. An exhibition by artists Raija Patchett and Marion Thompson of printmaking, textiles and mixed media. The artwork reflects childhood memories and promotes the idea of play to encourage creativity. Starts tomorrow until Saturday, May 30. 10am-4pm. Free admission.

Belford Craft Gallery, 2 Market Place, Belford, 01668 213 888. Next exhibition in the Courtyard Gallery starts May 23. Main Gallery, Tuesday to Friday 10am-12.30pm and 2pm-5pm. Saturday all day. Sunday afternoons from 1pm.

Breeze Gallery, 29 High Street, Wooler, 01668 283333. Open 9.30am-5pm, Monday to Saturday. Visit www.breezewooler.com

Coquetdale Arts Centre, Court Buildings, Front Street, Rothbury, 01669 621557. Display of paintings, crafts and prints by members in the main gallery and also a stairwell show of work by Tony Montague, Ken Spencer, Joe Hush and Barbara Segal. In a separate exhibition, David and Jacqueline Howe will be showing their work for a month. New exhibition starts tomorrow, with Syl Scott. Centre also runs beginners and more advanced classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm. Visit www.coquetdale.org.uk

Crown Studio Gallery, Rothbury. 01669 622890. Exhibition – Potted History: Replicating the Past. Replica, prehistoric, Roman and Saxon pottery, jewellery, leather-work and drinking horns, by Graham Taylor and Danielle Ray. 9am-5pm every day except Wednesday. More information, info@crownstudio.co.uk, or www.pottedhistory.co.uk

The Frame-House & Schoolroom Gallery, Alnmouth, Gallery & Picture Framing, 01665 830600. Currently showing Into The Light – an exhibition of mixed media works by Whitley Bay artist Clifford Blakey, ends Monday. This unashamedly romantic painter takes you on a journey through the landscape he loves so well. Open Wed to Sun (closed Mon & Tues but open on bank holidays). Contact Mick or Amanda for further details and opening hours.

The Gate Gallery, 12 Bondgate Within, Alnwick, 01665 602165. Original paintings and prints by local artists. 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday.


WALKS

Saturday, May 2: Guided Walk. Kings & Kilts @ Kirknewton is a three-hour short walk over varied terrain above Kirknewton. For details contact Jane Riddell on 01668 228 130.

Sunday, May 3: Guided Walk. Seahouses to Belford North Sea Trail, with Mike Evens, starting Belford at 10am. 10.5 miles, costs £12.50 including transport. Call 01830 540453.

Alnwick Health Walks (Long). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Alnwick Health Walks (Intermediate). First and third Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. One-hour walk. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Alnwick Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. Maximum 30 minutes. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Amble Health Walks. Every Tuesday at 1.30pm from Amble Tourist Information Centre. Starter and intermediate. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Belford Health Walks. Long walk Monday, 3pm. Meet at Market Cross. Shorter walk Monday, 1.30pm. Meet at Bell View Resource Centre. Contact Stephanie Glas-Thompson on 07515 288070.

Berwick Health Walks. Beginner and Intermediate, both Wednesday. Meet at the Old Bridge, at the Berwick end. 1pm. Contact Stephanie Glas-Thompson on 07515 288070.

Hadston Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 1pm from Hadston House. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Rothbury Health Walks (Starter). Every Friday at 10.30am from Rothbury TIC. Intermediate/long walks every Friday at 10.30am. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Seahouses Health Walks. Every Monday at 2pm. Meet at the Resource Centre. Contact Stephanie Glas-Thompson on 07515 288070.

Wooler Health Walks (Intermediate). Every Thursday at 1.30pm. Meet at the Cheviot Centre. Contact Stephanie Glas-Thompson on 07515 288070.