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, June 26: Happy Jack – Ratatat Theatre Company present John Godber's richly-comic love story exploring the extraordinary relationship of two hilarious characters, Jack (a larger than life miner) and Liz (a nagging shrew).

Friday, June 27: Kris Drever – a serious talent hailing from Orkney, Scotland, who mastered the art of double bass, banjo, guitar and singing while playing for his own trio LAU. 7.30pm, tickets £14, £13 conc.

Saturday, June 28: Walk the Line: The Music of Johnny Cash – Keep It Cash. A feast of music celebrating Johnny Cash's incredible 60 year career, bringing all the classic songs to life in one breathtaking performance. 7.30pm tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Sunday, June 29: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (15; 111min). An irreverent romantic comedy with Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, and Russell Brand. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Monday, June 30: 21 (12;122min). A group of six students from MIT learn the art of card counting and walk away from Las Vegas with millions of dollars, with Kevin Spacey. 4.15pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Wednesday, July 2: Iron Man (12A;125min) Wealthy weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is mortally wounded and captured by Talibanish baddies when a trip to Afghanistan goes explosively wrong. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.


COMMUNITY RADIO

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

Highlights of the week
Thursday, June 26: New boy Hayden Parker takes your requests and chats to a guest from the Northumberland Gazette. 11am–1pm.

Friday, June 27: The Weekending. A fantastic chat show presented by Carl Stiansen, with great music, guests and local news. 1pm–3pm.

Saturday, June 28: Richard Dale has cut back due to his new job (congratulations) – but you can still catch him on a Saturday! 8am–noon.

Sunday, June 29: Steve's Opening Up. Join Stevie Stewart and guests for a packed show of all the northern soul and MOD classics. 7pm–11pm.

Monday, June 30: George Millar is back on the breakfast shift. Make sure you tune in and check him out! 7am–9am.

Tuesday, July 1: Sue Clark takes you through the morning – with a possible guest appearance from radio baby. 9am–11am.

Wednesday, July 2: The world renowned rock show by Ally Lee is tonight –tune in and get your rock on. 7pm–10pm.


LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, June 26: CD Launch Concert – Borrowed Days'. Traditional Music from Northumberland and beyond. Andrew and Margaret Watchorn, with guest musicians Andy May and Hinny Pawsey. 7.30pm. At St Mary's Church, Newton-by-the-Sea. Tickets £6, children £4. For more information contact 01665 576245.

Thursday, June 26: Jazz Thursdays in The Treehouse. James Birkett (guitar) and George McDonald (clarinet). Music at intervals 7–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Friday, June 27: Live Fridays in The Treehouse. Aurora Strings – Gayle Hutchinson (viola), Josephine Montgomery (violin) and Ed Pendrous (cello). Music at intervals 7-10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Saturday, June 28: The Jimmy Lillico Charity Band and Before The Mast. In aid of The Julie Kent Trust. At Alnwick Working Men's Club. 8pm.
Tickets £5, available from band members, the club and Penrose's.

Sunday, June 29: The Alnwick & District Society's Summer Concert. A performance of Brahms' Requiem. At St. Paul's Church, Alnwick. 7.30pm. Tickets £8, conc £7.

Thursday, July 3: Gerry Richardson (keys) and Gary Linsley (sax). Music at intervals 7-10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.


EVENTS

Thursday, June 26: Tree Talk. Discover the history of Cragside's conifers, with stories of intrepid plant hunters and foreign lands. Normal admission charges apply, 2pm–4pm. Meet at visitor centre. Contact 01669 620333.

Thursday, June 26: Alnmouth Rail User's Group AGM. Election of a new chairman and a chance to see proposals for new car park at Alnmouth Station. At The White Swan Hotel, Alnwick. 7.30pm. Contact Jean Barr on 01665 510896.

Saturday, June 28: Craft Fair. Craft fair and table-top sale with coffee shop in aid of Cancer Research. 10am–1.30pm. At St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Amble. £5 for table. Admission: Adults £1, children/conc 50p. Contact 07527 880334.

Saturday, June 28 & Sunday, June 29: Alnmouth Arts Festival. Local professional and amateur artists and craft workers will exhibit their works in around 15 venues throughout the village. Art trail maps will be available at all venues. There will be arts workshops for children and a children's exhibition as well as other arts-related activities throughout the village. Contact Judi Hill on 01665 830999 or email jhill@alnarts.fsnet.co.uk

Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6: Quilters' Displays. A display of the textile art of quilting at Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens. Individual exhibits of quilting from local crafts people. Adults £6.50, conc £5.20, children £3.30, family £16.30, EH members free.

Sunday, June 29: Have-a-go Archery. Have-a-go at the noble art of archery with the local team of experts at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens. From noon. Adults £6.50, conc £5.20, children £3.30, family £16.30, EH members free.

Sunday, June 29: Fallodon Gardens, near Christon Bank, open to the public as part of the Red Cross open garden scheme. Home-made teas and plant stall. 2pm-6pm. Adults £3, children free.

Sunday, June 29: Garden opening – Shawdon Hall, near Glanton – in aid of HospiceCare North Northumberland. Enjoy looking around the wonderful gardens and lake.Tea and coffee served and tombola stalls, raffle, plant stalls and much more. £3, under 16s free. No dogs. 2pm–5pm. The gardens are signposted from the A697.

Monday, June 30: 1st Class Cards. Club designed for all skill levels of card-making. In the Northumberland Room at The Centre in Fenkle Street on alternate Mondays between 7pm and 9pm. £1.50 a session, covering all materials for each project. Just bring scissors, ruler, pencil, pair of tweezers and work mat or similar. Limited spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. Booking essential, contact Dianne on 01665 510603.


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. The Art of Rock – rock album covers from Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, etc.

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. 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. Until, July 6. Photography and sculpture by Harry Hall & Stewart Langworth, in the Courtyard Gallery. Main gallery features local work including crafts, pottery, wood turning, textiles and painting. Tuesday to Friday 10am–5pm (closed for lunch). Open all day on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm. Closed on Mondays.

Breeze, 29 High Street, Wooler. Until Wednesday, July 9. A Celebration of the Cheviot Hills featuring art, photography and an information display.

Coquetdale Arts Centre, Front Street, Rothbury, 01669 621557. Exhibition by Bob Turnbull. Permanent display of work by members including Joe Hush, Michael Ewart, Ken Spencer and others. Exhibition by Joe Hush starts in July. 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. A mixed exhibition featuring original works, hand-made prints and prints from many of the area's leading artists including Ken Spencer, Peter Collins and Jonathan Lloyd. Open Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays, open bank holidays).

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.


THE ART TOUR

Every Sunday until July 13 and Saturday, July 12. 11am–5pm, free event.

Janet Bannister. At 3 Agricultural Cottages, Netherwitton, NE61 4NY, 01670 772616. Influenced by Africa, Janet's work is dyed and stitched by hand and machine.

Janet Dickson and Jane Murray. At Healey Mill, Netherwitton, NE61 4NZ, 01670 772565. Printmaking, watercolours and handmade books by Janet Dickson.Watercolours and ink prints of flowers, leaves and vegetables by Jane Murray.

Tony Claydon. 56 Main Street, Felton, NE65 9PZ, 01670 783237. A display of photographs, text and sound capturing landscapes of Northumberland.

Helen Grierson and Mark Talbot. At Cresswell Village Hall, Cresswell, NE61 5UL. New work by stained glass artist Helen and organic furniture and household objects by Mark. Not on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13.

Sue Fenlon and Nicholas Holmes. At The Memorial Hall, Castle Street, Warkworth, NE65 0UN, 07976 327985. Paintings of the Northumberland shoreline by Sue and paintings by Nicholas.

Pam Vardy. The Old Vicarage, Middle Road, Shilbottle, NE66 2XS. Paintings by Pam, who is currently fascinated by the power and moods of the sea. Not on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13.

Emma George. 31 Dunstanburgh Road, Craster, NE66 3TT. Mixed media paintings and collages and textile works including cushions and accessories using vintage linens.

Sarah Riseborough. 21 The Gables, West Street, Belford NE70 7QB, 01668 213618. Seascapes painted from photographs and en plein air (in the open air).

Lesley Forster. 29 The Wynd, Amble, NE65 0LF, 07950 166313. Paintings of the Northern landscape.

Mick Oxley. The Joiners Shop, Haven Hill, Craster, NE66 3TR, 01665 571082. Paintings of Northumbrian landscapes.

Peter Podmore. West Newton, nr Kirknewton, Wooler NE71 6XJ, 01668 216550. The Cheviots and coast in oils and pastels. Only June 29. Workshops – artist's talk at 11.30am. On Saturday, June 28: Short walk and buffet lunch (free) at noon.


WALKS

Saturday, June 28: Guided Walk. A 5-mile walk around the Kirkhale Estate. Meet at Kirkhale Courtyard at 10am. £8pp. Contact Jon Monks on 01830 540453, email info@shepherdswalks.co.uk or visit www.shepherdswalks.co.uk

Saturday, June 28: Wildlife Walk. Take a walk on the wild side and explore the wildlife and geology between Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle. From 10.30am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–3.30pm, no booking required. Contact 01670 534078.

Wednesday, July 2: Guided Walk. A moderate walk around Holy Island sand dune and shore. Everyone welcome, just wear suitable footwear. Meet at the main car park at Holy Island at village exit. 10am–noon. Safe crossing time: 5.30am–12.45pm. £7, children under 12 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.