What's on in north Northumberland - December 1 - December 8

Stage/Theatre

Tomorrow and Saturday

Playhouse Youth Theatre: The Wizard of Oz. Alnwick Playhouse, 7pm Friday and Saturday, 2pm Saturday. This autumn our juniors and seniors will be combining to put on the story of The Wizard of Oz, featuring all the classic songs from the original film, such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Follow the Yellow Brick Road. Tickets: standard £10, child/student £8.

Tomorrow

Rigoletto. Doxford Hall, Chathill, 6.15pm to midnight. Verdi’s dramatic masterpiece will be brought to life by the Heritage Opera, sung in Italian with English subtitles. Cost £69 per person to include a welcome drink on arrival, gourmet three course dinner, with coffee and petit fours.

Wednesday

Northumberland Theatre Company: Little Red Riding Hood. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. Join NTC in the Payhouse Studio for a visual and heart-warming festive production of Little Red Riding Hood. An enchanting Christmas fairy tale for all the family to enjoy. Tickets: standard £10, concs £9, child/student £6.50.

Thursday

Royal Opera House LIVE: The Nutcracker. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.15pm. The Royal Ballet’s glorious production of The Nutcracker, created by Peter Wright in 1984, is a much-loved production of an all-time ballet favourite. Tickets: premier £16, standard £15, child/student £10.

FILMS

Saturday

A Street Cat Named Bob. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Based on the international best selling book, this film tells the moving and life-affirming true story of the unlikely friendship between a young homeless busker and recovering drug addict James Bowen, and the stray ginger cat named Bob who changed his life. Tickets: £7.45, concs £6.45, child £4.45 (16 and under). Certificate (12A).

Wednesday

Queen of Katwe. Alnwick Playhouse, 2pm. A Ugandan girl sees her world rapidly change after being introduced to the game of chess. Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, concs £7, child/student £5.50, friends £6.75. Certificate (PG).

Live Music/Dance

Today

Northstar Centre Christmas Concert. Tweedmouth Bowling Club, 1.30pm. The Shindiggers drumming group and the centre’s Way Up North Makaton communication group will perform festive material and old favourites.

Tonight

Caim Concert. St Mary’s, Newton-by-the-sea, 7.30pm. Caim consists of the wonderful a capella voices Heather Innes and Jacynth Hamill, and recent addition Pauline Vallance, who also plays clarsach. They sing a variety of Celtic songs, many of which are Christian. Tickets £10.

Tomorrow

Benefit concert for the Save Druridge Campaign. St James’s Church Centre, Pottergate, Alnwick, 7pm. Organised by Alnwick Area Friends of the Earth, featuring Sandra Kerr, The Coast Road, Mouthful and other local musicians and poets. Food and bar. Tickets £10, available from World of Difference, Narrowgate, Alnwick.

Tomorrow

John Kirkpatrick Carolling and Crumpets. BURC (formerly St Paul’s Church), Main Street, Spittal, 7.30pm. As a singer, dancer and instrumentalist John Kirkpatrick has been one of the most prominent figures on the English folk scene for many years. His one-man show promises to keep the spirits cheery and the cold at bay. Tickets: Adults £7.50, under 17s £4, family ticket £20, from 07752 403409 or online at www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

Tomorrow

Totally Tina. The Maltings, Berwick, 8pm. Totally Tina is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning tribute revue show to the Queen of Rock, Tina Turner – it’s ‘simply the best’. Tickets: £21.

Saturday and Sunday

Christmas Choirs. Belsay Hall and Gardens, 10am to 4pm. Get in the Christmas spirit and join us for festive singing with local choirs in the Library at Belsay. Enjoy warming treats in the tearoom and take a tour of Belsay’s beautiful winter gardens. Tickets: £22.80 (Family ticket includes two adults and two children).

Saturday

Paul Edis and Jambone. The Maltings, Berwick, 1.30pm. Directed by Paul Edis, Jambone has become established as the region’s top youth jazz ensemble through its high profile live performances over the years. Packed full of talented young musicians from across the North East, Jambone makes regular performances at festivals. Tickets: £5.

Monday

Folk Sessions. The Blue Bell, Belford, 8pm to 11.30pm. All welcome. Regularly 25 musicians. Free. Contact Jack or Pam Daws on 01665 722835 for more details.

EVENTS

Tonight

Joy of Jive. Felton Village Hall, 7.30pm. Classes of modern jive continue every other Thursday. Beginners welcome and partners not necessary.

Every Thursday

Hadston Dance Group. Hadston Community Centre, 1pm. A two-hour session, with tea and a biscuit half way through, £1.50 per person. Dance tuition free.

Every Thursday

Berwick Arts Choir. United Reformed Church, Spittal, 7.30pm. A programme of choral music has been planned. Singers in all sections welcome, no audition necessary.

Every Thursday

Gateway drop-in. Shilbottle Community Hall, 10am to 4pm. A free drop-in to meet friends over refreshments, play cards, read newspapers, watch television or use the internet, and in the afternoon join the craft group.

Every Thursday

Learn to dance ballroom and Latin. Every Thursday at Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, at 7.30pm. £2.50 per person. Call 01289 307953.

Tomorrow

Christmas by Twilight. Wallington, Cambo, 5pm to 7.30pm. Visit Wallington after dark and see the house beautifully decorated for Christmas and illuminated by ‘candles’. Soak up the special Christmas atmosphere as you enjoy seasonal music in the Central Hall, make festive things, hear stories with Mrs Christmas and do some Christmas shopping in our Christmas shop. Free admission.

Tomorrow

Christmas Fair. Bell View Centre, Belford, 10am to noon. Tombola, produce stall, mega Christmas raffle, bric-a-brac and prize draw for a Christmas hamper, with any donations for these most welcome and appreciated.

Saturday

Christmas Fair and Village Lights turn-on. Seaton Sluice Community Centre, 1pm to 3pm. Stalls, competitions, displays, free tea, coffee and mince pie. Followed by village Christmas lights turn-on on the main road. Free admission.

Saturday

Berwick Operatic Society Christmas Fair. Berwick Town Hall, 10am to 3pm. There will be a cake and candy stall. Pre-heat your ovens and get baking. As always any donations of raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated.

Saturday

Spittal Christmas Fair. St Paul’s Church Hall, Middle Street, Spittal, 11am to 3pm. Stalls, raffle, chocolate tombola and seasonal refreshments.

Saturday

Table-Top Sale. The Jubilee Club, Highcliffe, 10am to 4pm. In aid of Edinburgh Sick Kids Foundation. There will be stalls selling clothes, toys, crafts and baked goods, a raffle and refreshments. All welcome.

Every Saturday

Modern and sequence dancing. St Aidan’s Hall, Church Street, Berwick, 8pm to 11pm. Entry £3, includes refreshments.

Saturday and Sunday

Father Christmas and Skating at Woodhorn. QEII Country Park, Ashington, 10am to 4pm. Visit Father Christmas in his stable grotto and watch as the children’s faces light up with delight. Write him a letter and post it in the special post box, colour in a picture, enjoy a festive craft activity and then meet Santa Claus to receive a small gift to take home. Tickets: Skating single £6.50, child £5.50, Father Christmas (child) £8.50.

Saturday and Sunday

Wreath and Garland Making Workshop. Wallington, Cambo, 10am to 4pm. Come and make a special festive wreath and a seasonal garland using materials from the woods and gardens at Wallington to decorate your home. Tickets: £45.

Saturday and Sunday

Christmas Market. Alnwick Garden, 10.30am to 5pm. Enjoy seasonal singing and live music played by talented performers from the region.

Saturday and Tuesday

Christmas Art Exhibition. 17 Cheviot View, Ponteland, 9.30am to 5pm. Over the last 35 years Alan Reed has developed his own distinctive painting style that is instantly recognisable. His landscapes and cityscapes for sale on this site are painted in his unique, fluid style. Alan captures the atmosphere of different settings from the drama of city life to the serenity and beauty of a rural landscape. Free admission.

Sunday

Festive Afternoon Tea. Le Petit Chateau, Jedburgh Road, Otterburn, 1pm to 4.30pm. We have decided to give the afternoon tea a festive twist. There will be plenty of festive treats and winter warmers for all. For £25 per person you can enjoy a winter cocktail, festive afternoon tea and a hot chocolate. Telephone 01665 576 239 or email- [email protected]

Tuesday

Alnwick and District Flower Club. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. Tree Tops Glisten with Vanessa Wellock. Vanessa Wellock has been a floral designer specialising in wedding flowers for 25 years. Tickets: premier £12, standard £11.

Tuesday

Alnwick Ladies’ Darts local fund-raising event. The Shepherds Rest, 7.30pm. Christmas prize bingo, raffle for two Christmas food hampers, strip of five raffle tickets 50p. Everyone welcome so come and join in the fun. Free entry.

Every Wednesday

Berwick Male Voice Choir. Longridge Towers School, 6.45pm to 9pm for rehearsals. New members welcome, no audition necessary.

Every Wednesday

Qi Gong for Health. Costello Centre, Bailiffgate, 2pm. Improve your posture, flexibility and strength. Cost £3.

Until January 2

Skating Rink. Alnwick Garden, 10am to 4pm. One of the most picturesque spots in the North East for skating, The Alnwick Garden will come alive this Christmas with fun and laughter with our own skating rink. Tickets: £8.50.

Attractions

All attraction opening times may vary from season to season.

Aln Valley Railway, Alnwick: 0300 030 3311. For opening times and details visit www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk

Alnwick Castle. Closed for winter.

Alnwick Garden: 01665 511350. Open daily, 10am to 4pm. See www.alnwickgarden.com. Admission £7.70 adults, £5.83 concs, £4.40 children, £21.50 family.

Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick: 01665 605847. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 4pm. Admission £4, £3 concs, £1 children, under fives free.

Bamburgh Castle: 01668 214515. Open weekends, 11am to 4.30pm, last admission 3.30pm. Admission £10.75 adults, £10.50 senior, £5 children, £25 family.

Barter Books, Alnwick Station: 01665 604888. Open daily, 9am to 5pm.

Belford Hidden History Museum. Open daily, 10am to 4pm. Free admission.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: 01661 881636. Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission £8.80 adult, £7.90 concs, £5.20 children, £22.80 family.

Berwick Barracks. Closed for winter.

Chillingham Castle. Closed for winter.

Chillingham Wild Cattle Park: 01668 215250. It is possible to visit the wild cattle by prior arrangement during the winter. See www.chillinghamwildcattle.com

Cragside House, Gardens and Estate: 01669 620333. For details of opening times and charges visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside

Dunstanburgh Castle: 01665 576231. Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission: £4.70 adult, £4.20 concs, £2.80 children, £12.20 family.

Edlingham Castle: 0870 333 1181. Open any reasonable time during daylight. Admission free.

Etal Castle. Closed for winter.

Eyemouth Museum: Closed for the winter. Re-opening on Monday, April 3. See www.eyemouthmuseum.org

Heatherslaw Cornmill. Closed for winter.

Heatherslaw Light Railway. Closed for winter.

Heatherslaw Visitor Centre. Closed for winter.

House of Hardy Fishing Tackle Museum. Willowburn, Alnwick. Telephone 01665 510027. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Free entry.

Howick Hall Gardens: Closed until February.

Lady Waterford Hall, Ford: 01890 820338. Winter visits by arrangement. See www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/lady-waterford-hall

Lindisfarne Castle: 01289 389244. The castle is closed for restoration. The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Lime Kilns and shop remain open daily. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lindisfarne-castle

Lindisfarne Centre: 01289 389004. Call for opening times. Admission £4 adult, £3.50 concs, £2 children, £10 family, under fives free. See www.lindisfarne-centre.com

Lindisfarne Priory: 01289 389200. Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission: £6 adult, £5.30 concs, £3.60 children, £15.60 family.

Longframlington Gardens: Autumn/winter opening by request. Welcome all days and times, phone or email to pre-book. 01665 570382 or 07858 757339. Email: [email protected] or see www.longframlingtongardens.co.uk

North Charlton Armstrong Household and Farming Museum. Closed for winter.

Preston Tower, Chathill: 01665 589227. Open daily, 10am to 6pm, or dusk, whichever is earlier. Admission: £2 adult, 50p children, £1.50 concs or groups.

RNLI Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh: 01668 214910. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, last entry 3.30pm. Free admission.

Wallington: 01670 773600. House closed for winter. Walled garden open daily, 10am to 4pm. Garden and estate open daily, 10am to dusk. Admission £9.50 adult, £4.80 child, £23 family. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington

Warkworth Castle and Hermitage: 01665 711423. Castle: Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission £5.80 adult, £5.20 concs, £3.40 children, £15 family. Hermitage: Closed for winter. See www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/warkworth-castle-and-hermitage

Woodhorn Museum and Archives, Ashington: 01670 624455, Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Northumberland Archives: Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. See www.experiencewoodhorn.com for more information.