RELATED FEATURES
- Guide to attractions in Northumberland
- A guide to groups and social clubs in north Northumberland


STAGE/FILM

Alnwick Playhouse,
Bondgate Without,
Alnwick
01665 510785

Thursday, July 17 and Saturday, July 19: Festival of Choral Music – a music festival providing a platform for some of Alnwick's burgeoning choral talent, with established and up and coming vocal ensembles. 7.30pm, tickets £7 £5 conc.

Friday, July 18: ELO Experience – a celebration of the music of Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra which throughout the 1970s and 1980s gave us some of the best songs ever to be recorded onto vinyl including Mr Blue Sky and Sweet Talking Woman. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Sunday, July 20: Northumberland County Symphony Orchestra – featuring the senior orchestra of musical students from throughout Northumberland including selections from Hebrides Overture and Mozart Bassoon Concerto. 7.30pm, tickets £7, £5 conc.

Monday, July 21: What Happens in Vegas (12A;98min) – comedy with Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher, as a couple who wake up in Vegas to find not only that they've married each other but they've won a huge jackpot. 4.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Tuesday, July 22: Made of Honour (12A;101min) – comedy. When Hannah announces her engagement to Scottish Duke Colin, her best friend Tom agrees to be 'maid' of honour in the hope he'll win her for himself, with Michelle Monaghan and Kevin McKidd. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Wednesday, July 23: Doomsday (18;108min) – sci-fi thriller about the emergence of a modern plague in Glasgow, threatening the rest of the UK. With Rhona Mitra and Bob Hoskins. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Thursday, July 24: Scaramouche Jones – an innovative drama by Justin Butcher – a chronicle of the 20th century by a circus clown approaching his 100th birthday. 7.30pm, tickets £9, £8 conc.


COMMUNITY RADIO

Lionheart Radio - 107.3FM and worldwide on www.lionheart.com

Highlights of the week
Thursday, July 17: Simon Jobson chats to local TV legend Bill Weeks about this week's news. 3pm – 4pm.

Friday, July 18: Hayden Parker on the air with his comical banter. 11am – 1pm. Followed by Carl Stiansen's week-ending show.

Saturday, July 19: Richard Dale's sport show – showcasing all the local and national sports information. 9am – 11am.

Sunday, July 20: James Clark entertains Alnwick. 10am – noon. Followed by Steves MOD & Northern Soul show. 7pm – 10pm.

Monday, July 21: Stacey and Danielle represent the DCHS with their show. 3pm – 5pm.

Tuesday, July 22: Wake up with George Millar, the breakfast show king, and join him for news, sport and interviews. 7am – 9am.

Wednesday, July 23: Presenter Jules Young takes over the airwaves. 3pm –5pm.


LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, July 17: Jazz Thursdays in The Treehouse. Ralph Keeley (keys and vocals). Music at intervals 7pm–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Friday, July 18: Live Fridays in The Treehouse. An eclectic mix of folk fused with jazz by two members of Waxwing. Chris Meredith (fiddle and guitar) and Amy Thatcher (accordion and fiddle). Music at intervals 7pm–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Thursday, July 24: Jazz Thursdays in The Treehouse. Donnelly (guitar) and Emma Fisk (violin). Music at intervals 7pm–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.


EVENTS

Thursday, July 17: Tremendous Trees at Cragside. Join the head forester to learn about a range of woods on the estate. 11am to 1pm, normal admission prices, booking essential on 01669 620333. Suitable for children aged 7+.

Thursday, July 17: Warkworth & District Flower Club. Talk by Malcolm White – Summer Nights. At Memorial Hall, Warkworth. 7.30pm.

Friday, July 18: Summer Dance. The Percy Hunt Pony Club present The Colts and Fillies Summer Dance. At The White Swan Hotel, Alnwick. 13 years +. 7pm–midnight. Tickets £15 each. Contact J Hellmann on 01665 576948 or 07710 806806.

Saturday, July 19: Garden Day. Behind the scenes garden tours at Wallington. See what really happens behind the potting shed. 1pm–3pm. Free, donations welcome. Meet in the Conservatory. Contact 01670 773600.

Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20: Otterburn Festival. Family festival at Otterburn Mill with vintage vehicles, local craft stalls and other activities. In aid of the Great North Air Ambulance. Contact Nigel Owen on 01830 520225 or email nigel@otterburnmill.co.uk

Sunday, July 20: In Focus. An opportunity to try out a range of binoculars, telescopes and other optical equipment. At Hauxley Nature Reserve, grid ref NU285023, 10am–4pm. Contact Jim Martin on 01665 711578.

Sunday, July 20: Northumberland Coastal Run from Beadnell to Alnmouth, approximately 14 miles. Start at 10.30am from Beadnell Harbour. Entry is £11 for running club members and £13 for non-members. Contact Anne Allan on 01670 787048.

Sunday, July 20: Learn about the historic environment of Beadnell on a walk led by Harry Beamish, National Trust archaeologist, and Katrina Porteous, historian and writer. Look at the origins of the small harbour and explore the history and archaeology of fishing and the lime industry. Meet at the beach car park, Beadnell, NU238283. 2–3 hours. 2pm. Free. No booking required. Contact 01670 533039.

Monday, July 21: Guided Tour. Out-of-hours guided tour at Lindisfarne Castle. 2pm. National Trust members £4, non-members £8. Contact 01289 389244.

Monday, July 21: Cullernose Point Walk. A walk along Cullernose Point, Craster. Meet at Quarry car park, Craster. 6.30pm. Contact Diana Webber on 01665 713439.

Wednesday, July 23: Family Activity Day. Storytelling and craft sessions at Cragside, no booking required. Mini beats hunt, must be booked in advance. Selection of self-guided trails. Free event. 11am–5pm. Normal admission charge. Ring 01669 620333 ext 7 to book mini beast hunt.

Wednesday, July 23: North Sea Trail Stage One – Cresswell to Warkworth including a considerable amount of beach walking with the remainder on good paths. 10.5miles, approx 5.5hours. Meet at Cresswell Village. Starts 9.45am and coincides with the arrival of the X31/340 Arriva service from Ashington and Newcastle. Return to Ellington on the 3.50pm Arriva 423 service, with a 25-minute walk to Cresswell. Free, return bus fare needed. Booking required on 01670 534078.

Wednesday, July 23 to Monday, July 28: Magic Myrtle. Magic and spells by the ghost of Harry Potter fame. At Alnwick Castle. Contact 01665 510777.

Thursday, July 24: Garden Talk. Summer in Gertrude Jekyll's garden. At Lindisfarne Castle. 1pm. Free, donations welcome. Contact 01289 389244.


SIGHTSEEING

Alnwick Sightseeing Tour. Open-top vintage bus tour of Alnwick town and its beautiful surrounding countryside. 35-40 minute tour with detailed live commentary. Tour starts at Greenwell Road (behind the Playhouse) every hour on the hour from 11am-4pm. Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Adults £5, children (5-14) £2, conc and U5s free. Tickets valid all day. Contact 01665 603022.


EXHIBITIONS

Alnwick Playhouse. Until August 9. Annual exhibition – The Bondgate Gallery with Alnwick District Playhouse Trust. 10am-4pm. Free.

The Art House, Bondgate Within, Alnwick. Until August 26. Exhibition, North East's Got Talent. Featuring a wide range of art from a host of talented artists.

Bailiffgate Museum, 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, 01665 605847. Until July 19. Northern Lights and Textures – Two Perspectives. Anne Kinniment and Lesley Forster, two artists inspired by the wild Northumberland landscapes. New exhibition – Walk this Way, a journey through Northumberland, St Oswald's Way and our extraordinary county – starts Wednesday, July 23. Open daily, 10am-5pm.

The Bakehouse Gallery, Prudhoe Street, Alnwick, 01665 602277. Original art, glasswork, ceramics, jewellery and textiles. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5pm.

Belford Craft Gallery. Chris Mayger, painter and printer from Ayton in the Scottish Borders. Until July 27. Tuesday to Friday 10am–5pm (closed for lunch). Open all day on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm. Closed on Mondays.

Berwick Art Group Summer Exhibition. A collection of more than 200 paintings by amateur and professional artists from the North East and Borders. At The Maltings Theatre and Arts Centre, Berwick. Starts Tuesday, July 22–Saturday, July 26. Tuesday–Friday 10am–6pm, Saturday 10am–4pm.

Coquetdale Arts Centre, Front Street, Rothbury, 01669 621557. Exhibition by Joe Hush. Permanent display of work by members including Joe Hush, Michael Ewart, Ken Spencer and others. Also Saturday classes. Opening times Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm.

Crown Studio Gallery, Bridge Street, Rothbury. 01669 622890. New paintings from Lynda Taylor and new prints from Alison Read. Open daily 9am to 5pm except Wednesdays.

The Design Room, High Street, Wooler. A Spring Collection – an exhibition of paintings by former Berwick High School pupil and artist Joanne Wishart. A mix of coastal and rural work inspired by the British environment.

The Framehouse and Schoolroom Gallery, Alnmouth. Gallery, picture framing, Fair Trade tea & coffee, 01665 830600. John Fieldhouse: New Works. Annual chance to view John's striking exhibition of atmospheric works depicting the ever-changing Northumberland light. Runs until Sunday, August 17. 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 such as Kate Philp, Ken Spencer, Helen Stuart, Sarah Riseborough. Photography by Jim Kearney, Roger Coulam and Harry Hall and also hand-cut silhouette work by John Speight. Also stocks wide range of artists materials, jewellery, books and other gifts. Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, and also limited Sunday hours during the summer months.


WALKS

Thursday, July 17: The Wonder of Water. A guided walk for children and their families through the wonderful Cragside landscape exploring Lord Armstrong's ingenious use of water as you go. Free. 1.30pm -3.30pm. Normal admission charge. Booking essential, call 01669 620333 ext 7. Suitable for 4+ years. Steep terrain, strong shoes required.

Saturday, July 19: Wildflower Walk. Discover the rich diversity of Northumberland dune flowers with Roger Manning, chairman of the Alnwick Wildlife Group. The walk is ideal for beginners. Meet at Cheswick railway car park, NU039469. 2pm, approx two hours. free. No booking required. Contact 01670 533039.

Saturday, July 19: Guided Walk. Holy Island "special interest" walk – Geology at Cocklawburn. A moderate walk. Wear suitable footwear. Walk must be prebooked though late bookings will be taken if space. 10am–noon. Meet at lay-by at north end of Cocklawburn beach. £7, contact 01289 389225.

Tuesday, July 22: Guided Walk. A 6-hour strenuous walk exploring the hills of the College valley. 10am. £8. Information and bookings contact Peter McEwan on 0191 2572601 or visit www.walknorthumbria.co.uk

Wednesday, July 23: Nature Walk. Take a walk along a stretch of the River Till with people and wildlife officer Anthony Johnson to discover the wildlife that inhabits this beautiful area. Each walk will last approx 1.5hours. 10.30am–12.30pm. £2. To book, contact the Fenton Centre on 01668 216216.

Wednesday, July 23: Guided Walk. A moderate walk exploring Holy Island's sand dune and shore. Everyone welcome, wear suitable footwear. 10am–noon. Meet at main car park at Holy Island at village exit. Safe crossing time: 9.30am–5pm. £7, children U12 free. Contact 01289 389225.

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 Marjory Tharne on 01289 31774.

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

Rothbury Health Walks (Starter). First, third and fifth Friday of every month at 10.30am from Rothbury TIC. Long walks on second and fourth Friday at 10.30am. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Seahouses Health Walks. Every Monday at 2pm. Meet at the Resource Centre. Contact Marjory Tharne on 01289 301774.

Wooler Health Walks. Every Thursday, long and shorts walks both 1.30pm. Meet Cheviot Centre.