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


STAGE/FILM

Alnwick Playhouse,
Bondgate Without,
Alnwick
01665 510785

Thursday, June 5: George Orwell's Animal Farm – Gary Shelford's solo performance of George Orwell's classic satire. Using a wooden box and some amazing sound effects. 7.30pm, tickets £9, £8 conc.

Friday, June 6: Snake Davis – an entertaining and uplifting musical treat from top British soulful saxophonist Snake Davis who has played and recorded with artists ranging such as James Brown, Paul McCartney, The Eurythmics and Amy Winehouse. 7.30pm, tickets: £14 £13 conc.

Saturday, June 7: 27 Dresses (12, 111min) – Katherine Heigl puts in a charming performance in this sweet, fairly smart romantic comedy about a serial bridesmaid. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Tuesday, June 10 to Wednesday June 11: Henry the Tudor Dude – Alnwick Youth Theatre middle group takes a lively, historical romp with Henry; his trials and tribulations, and rather more wives than absolutely necessary. 7.30pm, tickets £6, £5 conc.


The Maltings,
Berwick
01289 330999

Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6: Dancing Daze – local dance schools come together to showcase an exciting and diverse range of talented youngsters in our area, from Ballet to Hip Hop. 7pm, tickets £6, family ticket £18.

Saturday, June 7: Mercury – the legend of Queen lives on with Mercury recapturing the sight, sound and emotion of Queen with skilful instrumentation and perfect harmonies. 7.30pm, tickets £14, £13 conc.

Sunday, June 8: Open Mic Night – a chance for local people to try out their musical skills in front of a live audience. 7.30pm, free.


LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, June 5: Jazz Thursdays in The Treehouse. Colin Haikney (keys) and Keith Pepardy (double bass). Music at intervals 7pm-10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Thursday, June 5: The Tanners Arms Unplugged. Acoustic night. Free. Contact 01665 602553.

Thursday, June 5: Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club. At the Queen's Head Hotel, Rothbury. Last meeting of the season. AGM at 7.30pm followed by music from guest artists, The Occasionals. Musicians and listeners welcome. Admission members £2, visitors £3. Contact 01668 281307.

Friday, June 6: Live Fridays in The Treehouse. Ruth Lambert (vocal) and Paul Edis (keys). Music at intervals 7–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Monday, June 9: Folk music session at The Fishers Arms, Horncliffe. 8pm. Free.

Thursday, June 12: Jazz Thursdays in The Treehouse. Roly Veitch Trio – Roly Veitch (guitar), Noel Dennis (trumpet), and Neil Harland (double bass). Music at intervals 7–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.


EVENTS

Thursday, June 5: Glendale Children's Educational Countryside Day. The Glendale Agricultural Society endeavours to bring the town and countryside together so the public can experience first-hand things that are related to the rural way of life. The GCEC is for schools and this year the theme is From Soil to Supper. Contact show office on 01668 283868.

Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8: Coquet Creek Country Weekend. A full weekend of music at the Linbrig Farm, Alnwinton, with some of the best country bands on the circuit. Contact Alan Scott on 01669 650253 or Susan Singer on 01669 650282.

Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8: Puffin Special. Weekend dedicated to seeing the best of Northumberland's summer birds. One day focuses on a seabird spectacle, visiting the Farne Islands where huge numbers of puffins and other seabirds breed. Day two visits of the Cheviot Hills for mountain, moorland and woodland birds like ring ouzel, cuckoo, tree pipit and redstart. £245pp for two full days' guided birdwatching and two nights full board at a family hotel in Seahouses overlooking the Farne Islands. Contact Mark Winter of Birdwatch Northumbria for further details on 01670 783451 or visit www.birdwatchnorthumbria.co.uk

Saturday, June 7: Coastal Art Workshop. Join wildlife artist John Steele for a day drawing and painting around the spectacular shore scenery of Howick with its varied plant and bird life. From 10.30am–3.30pm. Howick Village Hall. Booking essential. Call 01670 773600.

Sunday, June 8: Art Tour 2008. On Sundays throughout June and July artists open up their studios to the public across Northumberland. 11am–5pm each day. Contact Maria Cooper on 01434 684974 or visit www.networkartists.org.uk

Sunday, June 8: Afternoon tea with musical interludes, featuring the talented musicians from The Duchess School. Also with tombola and raffle. Organised by the Inner Wheel Club of Amble and Warkworth in aid of Grace House North East Children's Hospice Appeal. Acklington Village Hall. 3pm–5pm. Adults £4, children £2.

Sunday, June 8: Car Boot Sale (pitches £5 car, £7 van; earliest set up 9.30) at The Fenton Centre. 11am–3pm. Free admission to buyers. For more information call 01668 216216 or visit www.fentoncentre.com

Thursday, June 12: Talk by Martin Swinbank of Northumbria Renewables about how we can use solar water heating to reduce our carbon emissions and save money at St Michael's Church Hall, Canongate, Alnwick. The talk is the third in a series organised by Alnwick Area Friends of the Earth, on the theme Concerning the Climate.


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. Quintet. Until Saturday, June 7: Five popular artists join forces to present a diverse exhibition. Includes the work of Suzanne Stanley, Bob Turnbull, Erica Yeoman and Ian Wood. 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. Northern Lights and Textures – Two Perspectives. Anne Kinniment and Lesley Forster, two artists inspired by the wild Northumberland landscapes.Starts tomorrow until July 19. Open daily, 10am-5pm.

Belford Craft Gallery. Until, June 8. Pastels and paintings by Ana Maria Dodds & Lida Hatrick in the Courtyard Gallery. Next exhibition starts in Courtyard Gallery starts June 22. 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.

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

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. Until Saturday.

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 & Tuesdays, open bank holidays).


WALKS

Thursday, June 5: Evening Health Walk. Walk around Shilbottle. 6pm start from Shilbottle Welfare. For more information contact Jon Monks 01665 714385.

Friday, June 6: Evening Health Walk. Walk from Rothbury around Armstrong Trail. 6.30pm start from Rothbury Tourist Information Centre. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Wednesday, June 11: Guided walk. A moderate walk around Holy Island harbour. 6pm–7pm. Meet at the main car park at Holy Island at village exit. Everyone welcome, wear suitable footwear. Safe crossing time: 1.45pm–8.30pm. £4, children under 12 free. For more information 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.