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, October 2: Not About Heroes – Clap Trap Productions perform the true story of the meeting of war poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon in the summer of 1917 in a powerful and moving study of friendship. 7.30pm, tickets £9, £8 conc.

Saturday, October 4: Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff – Pimlico Opera put on this punchy fully staged production of Verdi's only comic opera. 7.30pm, tickets £16, £15 conc £10 children.

Sunday, October 5: Mamma Mia (PG;109min). A musical romantic comedy
of a bride-to-be who locates three men who might be her father and invites them to her wedding. With Abba's greatest hits, Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Monday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 7: The Essence of Ireland: A Journey of Song and Dance – capturing the true Essence of Ireland, this 18-piece show takes audiences to a unique place with a kaleidoscope of colour, infectious toe-tapping music, striking costumes and joyful vitality. The dramatic performance showcases some of Ireland's finest musicians and dancers. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Wednesday, October 8: Dracula's Guest – Rumpus Theatre Company present the latest spine-tingler in a long line of Rumpus chillers, featuring the most famous of all Gothic horror creations. 7.30pm, tickets £9, £8 conc.

Thursday, October 9: Maddy Prior – one of the world's pure magical vocalists being heard in her most natural form, singing songs that have inspired her and generations of singers before her. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.


The Maltings,
Berwick
01289 330999

Thursday, October 2 until Saturday, October 4: Sweeney Todd – The Maltings Youth Theatre brings the chilling and hilarious tale to life. 7.30pm, tickets £7, £6 conc


LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, October 2: Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club. With music from Jimmy and Alexander Lindsay. At the Queen's Head Hotel, Rothbury. 7.30pm. Membership £8, admission members £3, visitors £4. Contact 01668 281307.

Saturday, October 4: Live music. Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer play a wide range of instruments as well as sing. With support from Freya Rae, a young fiddler from Jedburgh. At Etal Village Hall. Doors open 7.30pm, music starts at 8pm. Tickets, in advance £8 or £10 on the night. To book or for further information telephone Steve or Helen on 01890 820566 or e-mail hmoffitsvq@aol.com

Sunday, October 5: Alnwick Music Society - Piers Lane on piano at Alnwick Castle Guest Hall. 7.30pm tickets available from Alnwick Playhouse or at the door.

Monday, October 6: Live folk music session. At The Blue Bell, Belford. From 8pm. Free.

Thursday, October 9: Night of Blues. Kent DuChaine performs award-winning Blues at Rothbury Roots. Supported by talented singer-songwriter from Alnwick – Hague. At The Queen's Head Hotel, Rothbury. From 8pm. Tickets £8. Book in advance by calling The Queen's Head on 01669 620470.


EVENTS

Friday, Ocotber 3: Charity event. Acclaimed ornithologist Geoff Sample presents an evening of birdsong with a stunning selection of virtuosos and choruses, both local and exotic, from the weird to the wonderful. At Bell View Resource Centre, Belford. Tickets £2.50, available on the door or in advance from the centre, price includes a glass of wine. All proceeds go towards the work of the Bell View charity. For more information, contact 01668 219220.

Saturday, October 4: Bailiffgate Singers coffee morning at the Northumberland Hall. 9.30am–11.30am, with a raffle, tombola, bric-a-brac, and other stalls. £1 admission, including refreshments.

Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5: Christmas Festive Food and Gift Fair – beat the seasonal rush by visiting Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens between 10am and 4pm where a great variety of regional produce, seasonal festive fare and Christmas gifts will be on sale. Adults £6.50, conc £5.20, children £3.30, family £16.30. English Heritage members free.

Saturday, October 4: Netherton Folk Club welcome back Ukelele Allstars. Arrive early to guarantee a seat, bring your own drinks. Event starts at 7.30pm, ends 11pm, at Netherton Memorial Hall, £1.50 Contact Jack on 01669 631030.

Sunday, October 5: Whalton Classic Five Mile Road Run – scenic road race on a circuit of quiet country roads close to the village of Whalton. Starts 10.30am. Costs £6 (£8 non-affiliated) in advance and a further £2 for late entries. Contact Alastair MacDonald on 07710 438426, or www.morpethharriers.freeservers.com

Monday, October, 6: Guided Tour of Lindisfarne Castle – the last in a season of special National Trust events, bring warm and waterproof clothing. Booking essential on 01289 389 244. Meet Lindisfarne Castle at 3pm, opening time 2.45pm, Adult £4.50 NT member, £8 non-NT member, child £2 NT member, £4 non-NT member

Monday, October 6: Talk – Ian Robson talks to Coquetdale Members' Group about the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 7.30pm, in the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury. Members free, non-members £2.

Monday, October 6: Ballroom and Latin dancing classes. Classes resume at the Costello Centre, Bailiffgate, in Alnwick, and Belford Community Club, Belford, on Tuesday, October 7. Beginners' class 7pm–8pm plus intermediate classes and private lessons. Contact Eddie or Diane Billington on 01665 721029 or email eddie.bill@tiscali.co.uk

Tuesday, October 7: Waterworks at Cragside – a guided walk from 11am to 1.15pm, led by Robin Wright, engineering warden, exploring the incredible water system that Lord Armstrong installed to create Nelly's Moss Lakes, which in turn supplied the turbine and dynamo for his hydro-electricity. Relax afterwards over a buffet lunch. £10 + normal admission. Booking essential on 01669 620333 ext 7. Suitable for adults. Meet at the Information Hut in the main car park. Strong shoes required.


EXHIBITIONS

Alnwick Playhouse. Local Art. A showcase including The Old Chapel Art Group, Alnmouth, Acklington Art Group, Bolton Arts Group, Life Drawing Class, Jimmie Moffat and other art related projects. Starts tomorrow until October 25. Open Playhouse hours.

Bailiffgate Museum, 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, 01665 605847. Lest We Forget. Until November 9. Open daily, 10am–5pm.

Belford Craft Gallery. Woodcuts and paintings by Caroline Coode until October 12. Main gallery also open. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am–12.30pm & 2pm–5pm. Saturday 10am–5pm. Sunday 1pm–5pm.

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

The Glendale Gallery, Florin of Wooler, 3 High Street, Wooler, 01668 283700. Iain Duncan's photos of Northumberland. Open Monday to Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday 9.30am-5pm, Sunday noon–4pm.


WALKS

Saturday, October 4: Guided Walk. A 7-mile shepherds' walk from Ingram to Reaverley Hill via Greenside Hill. Starts at Ingram. 10.30am. £8pp. Booking essential. Call 01830 540453 or visit www.shepherdswalks.co.uk and click on Guided Walks.

Saturday, October 4: Guided Walk. Navigator 2 – the area of Upper Coquetdale is ideal for this 6-hour, 4 to 6-mile instructional walk for those who wish to learn basic navigation for hill walkers. Max six people. 10am. £15. Contact 07764 584382 or visit www.walknorthumbria.co.uk

Saturday, October 4: Holy Island 'Special Interest' Walk – Winter Birds. Holy Island is famous for its bird life all year round but especially in the winter with rare geese and waders around. The walk is moderate but wear suitable footwear for rough ground. Meet at main car park at Holy Island at village exit. 10am–1pm. Safe crossing time: 9.15am–4.15pm. Charges: £10, children U12 free. Walk must be prebooked but late bookings taken if places available. 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.