Coquet Valley children explore old and new traditions of area through music

Northumberland musician, James Tait, teamed up with pupils from Harbottle and Thropton to help examine the traditions of yesteryear in the upper Coquet Valley in comparison with now.

Evolving Traditions project saw children study videos of characters, who had been interviewed previously for Baliffgate TV, and told some of their own stories about growing up in upper Coquetdale today.

James has tried seeking out traditional songs about the area, but there were not many. He realised the project was important to inspire music that acknowledges the beauty and character of Northumberland.

The children then performed what they had learned, alongside James, to parents and the wider community.

James said: “I am pleased to say that the performances in both schools were very successful. Not surprisingly the children enjoyed the sometimes very humorous dialect songs and telling the stories, and lots of warmly positive comments came from the audiences, comprising parents and members of the wider community.

"I would like to thank the Community Foundation for funding the project. Also a huge thank you to Thropton and Harbottle first schools for allowing the project to go ahead.”

Flora Whitfield, headteacher of Thropton School, said: “The project was fantastic and allowed our children to really gain a knowledge of their heritage through music, songs and words. They loved learning about local people and did very well singing and presenting their own work in local dialect.”