STAGE/FILM

Alnwick Playhouse,
Bondgate Without,
Alnwick
01665 510785

Thursday, October 23: The Dark Knight (12a, 152min) Spectacular, visionary blockbuster entertainment starring Christian Bale as Batman, Aaron Eckhart and Heath Ledger. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Friday, October 24: Ruth Notman. A performance from the acclaimed 19-year-old folk-singer and songwriter from Nottingham who was finalist in the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. 7.30pm, tickets £14, £13 conc.

Saturday, October 25: Swing Italiano – Ray Gelato and his Giants Orchestra. An evening of classic Italian 1950s American swing music from top sax player and showman Ray Gelato and his Giants – winner of Ronnie Scott's Award for Best Band 2007. Featuring songs such as Mack the Knife, Everybody Loves Somebody and many other hits that defined the era. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Sunday, October 26 and Monday, October 27: Mamma Mia! The Sing-Along Edition (PG, 109min).Special screenings of the sing-along
Mamma Mia! Featuring the lyrics to every musical number on the screen. Come along dressed up 70s style. There will be prizes for the best costume for each screening. Sunday 4.30pm & 7.30pm. Monday 4.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Tuesday, October 28: The Fox and the Child (U, 92min). Combining documentary footage with fiction, this film recounts the story of a magical, life-changing encounter between a wild fox and a young girl. With the voice of Kate Winslet. 2pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Tuesday, October 28: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (PG, 92min). Pre-war drama set in London starring Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Shirley Henderson and Ciaran Hinds. 7.30pm, tickets £5, £4.50 conc.

Wednesday, October 29 and Thursday, October 30: Calamity Jane – starring Leah Bell and Full Company. Leah Bell gives a rip-roaring performance as Calamity and is ably supported by her fellow gunslingers, cow-punchers, cowgirls and cowboys all helping to make this a high energy, toe-tapping and thigh slapping production. A Rootinest, Tootinest, Rip-Roarinest half-term treat for all the family. Wednesday 7.30pm. Thursday 2.30pm & 7.30pm, tickets £14, £13 conc, £10 child.

The Maltings,
Berwick
01289 330999

Thursday, October 23: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (12a, 120min). Action film starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Luke Goss, Doug Jones, James Dodd and John Hurt. 7.30pm, tickets £4.50.

Friday, October 24: Step Brothers (15, 98min). Comedy starring Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly and Richard Jenkins. 7.30pm, tickets £4.50.

Saturday, October 25: Not About Heroes. A poignant and thought-provoking piece of theatre set in World War One from the Rowan Tree Theatre Company. 7.30pm, tickets £8.50, £7.50 conc.

Wednesday, October 29: WALL.E (U, 90min). Animated adventure with the voices of Ben Burtt, Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Garlin and Kathay Najimy. 2pm, tickets £4.50.

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, October 23: Glendale Accordion and Fiddle Club. With Davie Stewart Trio. At the Glendale Hall, Cheviot Street, Wooler. 7.30pm. Membership £8, members £3.50, non-members £5 including supper. Contact Sheila Smailes on 01668 281535.

Monday, October 27: Folk Music Session. At The Ship. Low Newton-by-the-Sea. 8pm. Free. Contact 01665 722835.

EVENTS

Thursday, October 23: Craft Fair. A grand craft fair with items such as bags, jewellery, cards, woodenware, paintings, cakes and more. The WI will be serving soup, sandwiches, teas and coffee all day. At Beadnell Village Hall. 10am-4pm. Admission 50p.

Saturday, October 25: Holy Island In Autumn Day Tours. Autumn is the best season for seeing birds on this beautiful island. On a typical day tour there is the chance to see large numbers of waders and duck, the only flock of pale-bellied brent geese on the British mainland and either one of the UK's fastest hunters – the merlin and the peregrine falcon. £50pp for a full day's guided birdwatching and afternoon tea. Contact Mark Winter of Birdwatch Northumbria on 01670 783451 or visit www.birdwatchnorthumbria.co.uk

Sunday, October 26: Farmers Market. Opportunity to buy fresh locally-grown produce and meat as well as cakes, bread and pastries and herbal products. At The Maltings. 10am-2pm. Free.

Sunday, October 26: Make a Bird Feeder. Starts 10.30am and 1.30pm at Druridge Bay Country Park. Age 8 and upwards. Ends 2.30pm. £3.50. Contact 01670 760968.

Sunday, October 26: Apple Day at Cragside. Apple displays in the Orchard House and the kitchen of Cragside House. Apple dishes served in the restaurant. Quizzes and puzzles for children. Free event. Normal admission charge. Orchard House 11am-5pm, Cragside House 1pm-3.30pm. Contact 01669 620333 ext 7. Also apple displays, quizzes and puzzles in the Orchard House and kitchen from Tuesday, October 28 to Sunday, November 2. Free event. Normal admission charge.

Sunday, October 26: Walk and Talk. A walk and talk around Longframlington Gardens the gardens. Enjoy Plants for Autumn Colour with Gardens' designer Hazel Huddleston. 10.30am-noon. Pre-booked places only, contact 01665 570382.

Sunday, October 26: Charity event. A Charity Craft Food and Fashion Fair. The event will be opened by The Mayor of Berwick-upon-Tweed Hazel Bettison and features a special appearance of the Newcastle United Wedding Dress. Also fashion displays from local Schools and a wide variety of craft and food stalls, with demonstrations and tastings. Plus live entertainment. At Haggerston Castle Holiday Park. 10.30am-3pm. Adults £1, children free. All proceeds go to The Mayors chosen charities and Echo Charity.

Tuesday, October 28: Live Theatre. Northumberland Theatre Company present These Things Do Happen – an honest, affectionate and often hilarious picture of farming life in Northumberland in the 1930s and 1940s, narrated by a tractor! At Etal Village Hall. 7.30pm. Contact 01890 820566.

Tuesday, October 28 to Friday, October 31: Hallowe'en Lantern Trail. Find the turnip and pumpkin Hallowe'en lanterns hidden around the Formal Garden at Cragside. Free event. Normal admission charge. Self-guided trail leaflets available from the Visitor Centre, Garden Gazebo and Information Hut. 10.30am-5pm. Contact 01669 620333 ext 7.

Wednesday, October 29: Tour of Cragside House. A chance to be guided round by expert volunteers before the house opens to visitors. From 10.45am-12.15pm. £5pp plus normal admission charge. Booking essential on 01669 620333 ext 7. Suitable for 7 years and over. Meet at front of house.

Wednesday, October 29: Craft session. Get into the Hallowe'en mood with Creepy Crafts. At the Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Activities free. Standard museum entry fees apply. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information contact the museum on 01665 605847.

Thursday, October 30: Hallowe'en at Wallington. A spooky children's trail and hear scary stories told by the resident witch. From 11am-3pm, normal admission applies. Contact National Trust on 01670 773600 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Thursday, October 30: Plant a Tree. Join the head forester to look at existing planting, followed by a tree planting session. Come back year after year to see how 'your' tree is growing. 11am-12.30pm. £8pp. Normal admission charges apply. Booking essential on 01669 620333 ext 7. Suitable for over 7s.

Thursday, October 30: Talk. Sidney Clarke talks to the North Northumberland Rock Garden Group about Plant Hunting with a Camera. At the Community Club, Belford. 2.15pm.

EXHIBITIONS

Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick, 01665 511350. Turn On The Light – an exhibition of work from the inmates of Acklington Prison, of impressive quality and diversity. The exhibition aims to demonstrate the power of creativity to change lives by bringing the prisoners' work to a wider audience. Runs until November 1.

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. Until October 25. Open Playhouse hours. Next exhibition – Alnwick District Camera Club – starts November 1.

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

Belford Craft Gallery. New exhibition – Audrey Atkin, rag rugs and textiles. Runs until October 31. 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 Frame-House & Schoolroom Gallery, Alnmouth, Gallery & Picture Framing, 01665 830600. Currently showing a mixed exhibition featuring original works, hand-made prints and prints from many of the area's leading artists including Ken Spencer, Peter Collins, Jonathan Lloyd, Derek Jones, Daphne Harrison, Sue Fenlon, Alan Smith Page, John Fieldhouse, Jim Thompson and more. New print room featuring work by Lincolnshire artist Alison Read. Open Wed to Sun (closed Mon & Tues but open on bank holidays). Contact Mick or Amanda for further details and opening hours.

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.

The Pine Shop, Belford. Exhibition by Belford Local History Society – Aspects of Belford. Displaying items relating to their successful book Aspects of Belford – also available – and recently acquired documents regarding the History of Belford, from as early as the 17th century. Also local photographs dating from the early 1900s. Starts Saturday, Monday 25 to Monday, October 27. 10am-4pm.

WALKS

Sunday, October 26: Guided walk. A five-mile Shepherd's Walk around Elsdon. Starts 10.30am from Elsdon village. £8pp. Booking essential. Contact 01830 540453 or visit www.shepherdswalks.co.uk

Alnwick Health Walks (Long). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Alnwick Health Walks (Intermediate). First and third Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. One-hour walk. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Alnwick Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. Maximum 30 minutes. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

Amble Health Walks. Every Tuesday at 1.30pm from Amble Tourist Information Centre. Starter and intermediate. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

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 714385.

Rothbury Health Walks (Starter). Every Friday of every month at 10.30am from Rothbury TIC. Intermediate/long walks every Friday at 10.30am. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 714385.

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.

ATTRACTIONS

The Alnwick Garden 01665 511350
Open daily 10am-4pm. Last admission 45 minutes before closing. Adults £10, concs £7.50, children 16 and under 1p (for up to four children with each adult), group (14 people or more) £6.25 per person, educational group £2.50 per child. Prices include optional £1 per person charitable donation. Garden events all free after paying admission to Garden, unless stated:
Thursday, October 23: The Big Draw. As part of the Campaign For Drawing's national Big Draw, people of all ages can pick up a pencil, crayon or oil pastel and have a go at drawing. Draw as a family, with friends or meet new people as you come together to create large scale panels in the Education Room.
Sunday, October 26: Hallowe'en family day, and the skeleton ball. Put on your costume and bring your pumpkin along to carve at one of the workshops, and trick or treat around The Garden. Knock on the doors to find a trick or treat behind them, and see if you dare to visit the wicked witch in the Ornamental Garden. Storyteller Taffy Thomas will be telling ghostly tales and riddles. As night falls, we'll light your pumpkins and dance on the terraces at the Skeleton Ball. Noon-5pm. The Cafe will be serving Hallowe'en lunchboxes as well as sweet pumpkin pie and other Hallowe'en goodies. The Cafe will be open until 5.30pm, serving soup, snacks, drinks and cakes following the Skeleton Ball.
Monday, October 27: Save our Squirrels. The Northumberland Save our Squirrels team will be at the Garden for a day of red squirrel fun including guided walks, squirrel discovery activities and arts and crafts. Drop in 11.30am-3.30pm. Free after paying admission, no booking required.
Tuesday, October 28: The Garden Year. In a series of gardening workshops, learn the tricks of the trade with The Alnwick Garden's gardeners. Explore planting techniques, basic maintenance methods and the tools to make the job easier. Deputy head gardener Derek Guthrie leads these practical hands-on gardening workshops. In this workshop learn about planting trees and shrubs, staking trees, taking late hardwood cuttings from shrubs and preparing the garden for winter. 2pm-4pm, demonstrations are free after paying admission. Check the blackboard in the Courtyard on arrival for more information. Dress for working outdoors.
Tuesday, October 28: Magic spells and potions workshop. Use sparkles and magic wishes to create spells to take home, in a crafty, fun-filled, workshop.
Wednesday, October 29: Roots and Shoots open days. During a special series to celebrate the first year of the Roots and Shoots garden and programme, the Roots and Shoots garden will be open to the public for the first time. Come along for a tour of the vegetable garden, see a demonstration and take part in a workshop. Come along to the Roots and Shoots open day to pot a pumpkin ready for carving next Hallowe'en. 11am-3pm, free after paying admission.
Thursday, October 30: Bats, ghosts and ghouls workshop. Make bats, ghosts and ghouls in time to scare your friends on Hallowe'en.