What's on in north Northumberland - March 31 - April 7

Stage/Theatre

Sunday

Scamp Theatre presents Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales. The Maltings, Berwick, 2pm. This delightful production is brought to you by the award-winning Scamp Theatre and adapted from the bestselling books by former Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (creators of The Gruffalo). Tickets: £11.50 / £9.50 concs.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Stig of the Dump. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30 and 12pm. Presented in association with Hounslow Arts Centre. It is nearly 50 years since Stig and Barney’s adventures first saw the light of day but this timeless children’s classic remains as charming and entertaining as ever. Tickets: standard £12, child/student £10.

Wednesday

Royal Ballet: Giselle (live broadcast). The Maltings, Berwick, 7.15pm. Giselle is the quintessential Romantic classic, a love affair that begins in the real world and continues beyond the grave. Tickets: £16.75 / £15.75 concs, child £8.75. Schools: student £5 & teacher free (min. 10 students).

Films

Today

Kung Fu Panda 3. The Maltings, Berwick, 2.30pm. When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travel to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new characters. Tickets: £7.75 / £6.75 concs, child £4.75. Certificate (PG).

Today and Saturday

Goosebumps. Alnwick Playhouse, 2pm. After horror author R.L. Stine’s imaginary demons are set free on the town of Madison it’s up to his daughter and new neighbour to get them back in the books. Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, concs £7, child/student £5.50. Certificate (PG).

Tonight

The Revenant. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Inspired by true events, The Revenant captures one man’s epic adventure of survival and the extraordinary power of the human spirit. Tickets: £7.75, concs £6.75, child £4.75 (ages 15 and 16 only). Certificate (15).

Tonight

Dad’s Army. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. The Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard platoon has to deal with a German spy and a visit from a female journalist as World War II draws to a close. Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, concs £7, child/student £5.50. Certificate (PG).

Saturday and Tuesday

The Big Short. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. A US drama about men who anticipated the housing and credit bubble collapse in the US, and who decided to profit from the big banks. Tickets: £7.45 / £6.45 concs, child £4.45 (16 & under), baby FREE (2 & under). Certificate (15).

Thursday

A Bigger Splash. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. The lives of a high profile couple, a famous rock star and a filmmaker, vacationing and recovering on the idyllic sun-drenched and remote Italian island of Pantelleria are disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter. Tickets: £7.45 / £6.45 concs, child £4.45 (16 & under), baby free (2 & under). Certificate (15).

Thursday

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip. Alnwick Playhouse, 2pm. Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami and then dump them. They have three days to stop the proposal. Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, conc £7, child/student £5.50. Certificate (U).

Thursday

Youth. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. Drama about a retired conductor reflecting on their lives and children.whilst on holiday with his friend in the Alps, Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, conc £7, child/student £5.50, friends £6.75. Certificate (15).

Live Music/Dance

Today

Rothbury Roots presents... Plumhall. The Queens Head, Rothbury. 01669 620470.

Tomorrow

Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. 2016 is a BIG year for Aly and Phil as Aly celebrates his 70th Birthday and Phil his 40 years as a professional musician. It is certainly something to celebrate – and they hope you will share it with them in true Aly and Phil style! Tickets: stalls £14.50 - £18 / circle £19 / box (double occupancy) £54.

Tomorrow

The Cavern Beatles. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. As ambassadors of “The most famous club in the world”, The Cavern Beatles once again bring to the stage the music that has now influenced three generations. Tickets: premier £19, standard £18.

Saturday

Megson. Etal Village Hall, 8pm. Three times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and double winners of the Spiral Earth Awards Megson draw heavily on their Teesside heritage to create a truly unique brand of folk music. Tickets £12. Contact Steve or Helen on 01890 820566 or email [email protected]

Saturday

Met Opera: Madame Butterfly - Puccini. Alnwick Playhouse, 5.55pm. This performance is part of our stunning Met Opera 2015-16 season, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Anthony Minghella’s breathtaking production has thrilled audiences ever since its premiere in 2006. Tickets: premier £21, standard £20, conc £19, child/student £10, friends £18.

Monday

Northumberland Traditional Music Session. The Blue Bell, Belford. Contact Jack and Pam Daws on 01665 722835 for further information.

Thursday

Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club. With Ian Muir and Neil MacMillan. Musicians and listeners welcome. At Queen’s Head Hotel, Rothbury, 7.30pm. Annual membership £8. Members admission £4, non-members £5. Contact 01668 281307.

EVENTS

Every Thursday

Gateway drop-in. Shilbottle Community Hall, from 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. A new class for absolute beginners. Every Thursday at Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, at 7pm. £2.50 per person. For further details call 01289 307953.

Every Friday

Coffee morning. Enjoy a coffee and biscuits and do your bit for the lifeboats every Friday morning at Alnwick Playhouse, from 10am in the upstairs bar.

Saturday till Tuesday

Berwick Walking Festival. You can see the full programme for the Berwick Walking Festival online at www.berwickwalking.co.uk

Sunday

North East of England & Scottish Borders Begonia Society meet. Dinnington Village Annex (by Newcastle Airport), 2pm. The aim is to pass on any information regarding the the growing of these beautiful plants that will flower for four months at least. All are welcome, from novice through to professional.

Sunday

Car Boot Sale. The popular Sunday morning Car Boot Sales at the Castlegate Car Park will be held throughout the spring and summer, with the exception of May 1 and 29. The events are run by the Greenses Residents’ Committee, in aid of local charities.

Tuesday

Talk - Jacobite Families by Elizabeth Finch. Hear how local families had their loyalties torn. Alnwich Branch. N&D Family History Soc. 7.15pm Bailiffgate Museum. Free to members. Donation invited from non-members. Refreshments provided.

Until April 10

Snake Encounter. Woodhorn Museum, QEII Country Park, Ashington, 10am to 4pm. Discover the secret world of snakes. Encounter amazing snakes from around the globe and find out fascinating facts about these mysterious creatures. Be thrilled by a stunning 12ft Burmese python skeleton and displays. Admission includes live snake encounters in sessions hosted by Guy Tansley, from bugsnstuff.com

Until April 14

Nordic art exhibition. St Mary’s Inn, St Mary’s Park, Stannington, 8am to 11pm. Nordic art is in the spotlight as Brita Granstrom exhibits. An acute observer of moments of endearing intimacy. Free admission.

Until April 17

Eric Ennion: Ripples from the House on the Shore. The Granary Gallery, Berwick, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Ripples from the House on the Shore celebrates the work of Eric Ennion (1900–81) and features more than 30 watercolours and preparatory sketches. Free admission.

Until April 30

Spring Exhibition. Alan Reed Art, 17 Cheviot View, Ponteland, 9.30am to 5pm. Original watercolour paintings and limited edition prints of Northumberland, Newcastle, Scotland and Italy. Free admission.

Until May 8

Animal Spirits by Juneau Projects. The Gymnasium Gallery, Berwick, 11am to 5pm. Animal Spirits is a new book and exhibition written and designed by Juneau Projects. The book tells the story of a group of survivors who, following a global technological disaster, have founded an arts and craft community within the walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Free admission.

Until May 8

Do I Look Good in This? Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick. A celebration of women’s fashion from Tudor times to the Swinging Sixties. This exclusive display paints a picture of the changing nature of women’s clothing for all occasions. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to dress up in costumes from different periods.

Until June 12

Common Ground. Woodhorn Museum, Ashington. Common Ground brings together work by five contemporary artists and four community groups living and working in South East Northumberland. Free admission.

Until October 31

Stick Man Trail. Kielder Castle, free admission. The Stickman Trail is based on the much-loved book, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, and it follows the success of the Gruffalo trail. It starts from Kielder Castle, where families can pick up an activity pack for £3, follow the trail and complete fun activities along the way. The trail is 0.75 miles long. Parking costs £4.50 all day or £1.50 for one hour.

Attractions

All attraction opening times may vary from season to season.

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

Alnwick Castle: 01665 511100. Go to www.alnwickcastle.com for opening hours and further details.

Alnwick Garden: 01665 511350. Go to www.alnwickgarden.com for opening hours. Prices are adults £7.70, concs £5.83, children £4.40, family £21.50.

Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick: 01665 605847. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10am to 4pm, but closed on Mondays. Admission is £4, concs £3, children £1, under-fives free.

Bamburgh Castle: 01668 214515. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. Admission £10.50, children £5, senior £10, family £25.

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

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

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: 01661 881636. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Admission £9.20, concs £8.30, children £5.50, family £23.90.

Berwick Barracks: 01289 304493. Open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Admission £4.80, concs £4.30, children £2.90, family £12.50.

Chillingham Castle: 01668 215359. Now open. Please ring for further details or visit our website www.chillingham-castle.com

Chillingham Wild Cattle Park: 01668 215250. Open Monday to Friday: Tours at 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Sundays: Tours at 10am, 11am, noon. Closed Saturday. Admission £8, concs £6, children £3, family £16.

Cragside House, Gardens and Estate: 01669 620333. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday to Sunday, house 11am to 5pm, gardens and woodland 10am to 6pm. Admission £10.20, child £5.10, family £25.50.

Dunstanburgh Castle: 01665 576231. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £4.90, concs £4.40, children £2.90, family £12.70.

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

Etal Castle: 01890 820332. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £4.80, concs £4.30, children £2.90, family £12.50.

Eyemouth Museum: 01890 751701. Open daily from March to the end of October 2016. Admission: £3.50 adult, £3 concession. Under 16s free. www.eyemouthmuseum.org

Heatherslaw Cornmill: 01890 820488. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm. Admission £3.80, concs £3.20, family £10, under-fives free.

Heatherslaw Light Railway: 01890 820244. Open daily, from 10am to 4pm, first train at 11am. Return journey prices: £6.50, seniors £6, children £4.50, under-fives £2.50, babies free.

Heatherslaw Visitor Centre: 01890 820338. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm.

Howick Hall Gardens: 01665 577285. Open daily, from 10.30am to 6pm, last entry 5pm. Gift aid entry £7.70, over-60s £6.60, children free.

Lady Waterford Hall, Ford: 01890 820338. Open daily, from 11am to 5pm. Admission £3, concs £2.70, family £8, under-fives free.

Lindisfarne Castle: 01289 389244. Call for opening times. Gift aid admission: £7.80, child £3.90, family £19.40.

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

Lindisfarne Priory: 01289 389200. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £6.20, concs £5.60, children £3.70, family £16.10.

Longframlington Gardens, Swarland Road: 01665 570382. For details, including opening times, visit www.longframlingtongardens.co.uk

Preston Tower, Chathill: 01665 589227. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm, or dusk, whichever is earlier. Admission children £2.50, concs or groups £1.50.

RNLI Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh: 01668 214910. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm, last entry 4.15pm. Free admission.

Wallington: 01670 773600. Stately home near Cambo: Open Thursday to Monday, and Wednesday, from noon to 5pm. Closed Tuesday. Walled garden: Open daily, from 10am to 7pm. Garden and estate: Open daily, from 10am to dusk. Gift aid entry: £12.60, child £6.30, family £31.50.

Warkworth Castle and Hermitage: 01665 711423. Castle: Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid entry: £6, concs £5.40, children £3.60, family £15.60. Hermitage: Open on Sunday and Monday only, from 11am to 4pm.