What's on in north Northumberland - November 30 - December 7

See what's on in north Northumberland for the next seven days. Covering theatre, films, live music, walks and other events taking place in Northumberland this week.
As Christmas draws nearer a number of towns across the region will be hosting their annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event. See below for more details.As Christmas draws nearer a number of towns across the region will be hosting their annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event. See below for more details.
As Christmas draws nearer a number of towns across the region will be hosting their annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event. See below for more details.

STAGE/THEATRE

Tomorrow (Friday)

Norwich Puppet Theatre – The Steadfast Tin Soldier. Shilbottle Community Centre, 6pm. New life is breathed into Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of adventure and love, with paper-cuts and puppets, projected animations, music and shadow play. Tickets: £8, child £7, family £18. Bookings on 01434 320 260 or at www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

Tomorrow and Saturday

Alnwick Playhouse Youth Theatre: Alice in Wonderland. Alnwick Playhouse, 7pm Friday, 2pm and 7pm Friday and Saturday. Based on the 1951 Disney film Alice in Wonderland and the novels The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. Tickets: premier £11, standard £10, child/student £8. Bookings on 01665 510785 or at www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk

Wednesday

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Northumberland Theatre Company: The Princess and The Goblin. Alnwick Playhouse Studio Theatre, 6.30pm. An exciting adventure about the goblins’ attempts to steal away the princess and her success in avoiding them with a lot of help from Curdie, the miner’s son, and her mysterious great-great-grandmother, who no one else can see. Bookings on 01665 602586.

Thursday (December 7)

NT Live: Young Marx Live Broadcast. The Maltings, Berwick, 7pm. It’s 1850 and Europe’s most feared terrorist is hiding in Dean Street, Soho. Broke, restless and horny, the 32-year-old revolutionary is a frothing combination of intellectual brilliance, invective, satiric wit, and child-like emotional illiteracy. Tickets: £16.75, concs £15.75, child £8.75. Schools: student £5 and teacher free (min. 10 students). Bookings on 01289 330999 or buy online at www.maltingsberwick.co.uk

FILMS

Tonight

The Mountain Between Us. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Stranded after a plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote, snow-covered mountain. Tickets: £8.50, concs £7, child £5. Certificate (12A).

Tomorrow

Kingsman: The Golden Circle. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. When its headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads to the discovery of an allied spy organisation in the United States. These two elite, secret organisations must band together in order to defeat a common enemy. Tickets: £8.50, concs £7, child £5. Certificate (15).

Tuesday

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Berwick Film Society: Lady Macbeth. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Nothing to do with Shakespeare and a far cry from genteel costume drama, this story is based on a novel and an opera. Set in the wilds of the rural North East in 1865, an impoverished young woman is sold into a loveless marriage with an older man and is treated with harsh contempt. Tickets: £8.95, concs £7.50. BFS passholders free. Certificate (15).

Wednesday

The Snowman. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a woman whose pink scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman. Tickets: £8.50, concs £7, child £5. Certificate (15).

Wednesday

The Death of Stalin. Alnwick Playhouse, 8pm. Armando Iannucci’s black comedy depicts the Soviet dictator’s final days and the chaos and intrigue that ensues in the Kremlin regime following his death. Tickets: premier £8.50, standard £8, concs £7.50, child/student £5.50, Friends £7.20. Certificate (15).

LIVE MUSIC/DANCE

Saturday

Alma. The Coquetdale Music Trust, Thropton, 7.30pm. Award-winning fiddlers John Dipper and Emily Askew with guitarist and tambura player Adrian Lever. Inspired by fiddle traditions from across the world. Tickets £10, under 14s free, available from Tully’s Rothbury or email [email protected]

Saturday

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Buddy Holly and The Cricketers: Holly at Christmas. The Maltings, 7.30pm. Holly’s hits, contemporary classics and some Christmas crackers are all wrapped up in a fast, furious and funny feast of entertainment for all the family. Tickets: Stalls £19/£16.50, concs £17.50/£15), circle £21, box seat £22.

Monday

Folk Session. Blue Bell, Belford, 8pm. Great folk music, with Northumbrian, Irish and Scottish traditions. All welcome. Free.

Thursday (December 7)

The Nutcracker. Alnwick Playhouse, 7pm. One of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions and a popular Christmas ballet presentation will be brought to life in a new production by Ballet Theatre UK. Tickets: premier £17.50, standard £16.50, concs £15.50, child/student £11.50.

WALKS

Every Friday

Elderberries Walking Group. The Alnwick Garden, 10am to noon. Participants should meet at the main garden courtyard entrance gate for an hour’s stroll, followed by coffee.

EVENTS

Today and December 7

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Thursday Singers. The Maltings, Berwick, 10.30am. All welcome, from confident singers who read music to those who may be unsure of their voice. No audition is necessary.

Every Thursday

Berwick Arts Choir. United Reformed Church, Spittal, 7.30pm. All welcome. Visit www.berwickartschoir.co.uk for details.

Every Thursday

Gateway drop-in. Shilbottle Community Hall, 10am to 4pm. Free drop-in to play cards, read newspapers, watch television or use the internet. In the afternoon there is a craft group.

Every Thursday

Duplicate Bridge. Warkworth First School, 6.15pm. Further details available on 01665 714963.

Every Thursday

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Dancing. Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, Berwick, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Ballroom and Latin dancing. £2.50. Call 01289 307953.

Tomorrow

Ashington Christmas Light Switch-on and Christmas Market. 1pm to 7pm. The market starts at 1pm, light switch-on activities from 3pm. A great selection of market stalls for Christmas gifts, plus special guest Colin Briggs, Santa’s Grotto and face-painting. Free entry.

Tomorrow

Christmas Prize Bingo Night. St Aidan’s Hall, Berwick, 7.30pm. Tea or coffee, mince pies and shortbread available, as well as a raffle. All ages welcome.

Tomorrow

Christmas Quiz. Etal Village Hall. Doors open 7pm, quiz at 7.30pm. Entry is £20 per team of four. Call 01890 82077 or email [email protected] to book a table.

Every Friday and Monday

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Paxton House Art Workshops. Hayloft Gallery, 11am to 4.30pm. £15.

Saturday

Lesbury Art Group’s Christmas Art Exhibition. Lesbury Village Hall, 10am to 12.30pm. Browse the variety of original paintings, drawings, pastels, prints, gifts and cards for purchase. Free entry and there will be a raffle.

Saturday

Christmas Coffee Morning. St John the Baptist Church, Alnmouth, 10am to noon. Grand raffle, tombola, children’s lucky dip, cake stall and more. Admission by donation.

Saturday

Christmas Fair. Branxton Village Hall, 10am to noon. Stalls, raffle, coffee and mince pies.

Saturday

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Hadston Christmas Lights Switch-on. Activities run from 4pm to 6pm.

Saturday

Alnmouth Christmas Lights Swtich-on. Outside the Hindmarsh Hall, 5pm. Includes a visit from Santa Claus.

Saturday

Tweed Music Centre. The Maltings, Berwick, 10am. Orchestra 10am to 11am. No experience necessary. Guitar and Ukulele Group 11.15am to 12.15pm. All standards welcome.

Every Saturday

Old time and sequence dancing. St Aidan’s Hall, Berwick, 8pm to 11pm. Admission: £3, includes refreshments.

Sunday

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North East of England and Scottish Borders Begonia Society. Village Annex Dinnington Village, 2pm to 4pm.

Sunday

Autumn Workshop: Create Your Own Christmas Wreath. Galley 45, Felton. Morning or afternoon session, £30.

Sunday

Wooler Christmas Lights Festival. Fun Run 11am. Christmas Market, noon, Wooler Bus Station. Christmas lights will be switched on around 4.30pm, followed by Santa’s arrival. If it rains, the event will move to the Glendale Hall, Cheviot Street.

Every Sunday

Make and Do. Seaton Delaval Hall, 11am to 1pm. Get crafty every Sunday with a free activity where you can make all sorts of unique things. This week make Christmas tree decorations.

Monday

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Light up a Life. Hazel Marsden House, Berwick, 2pm. HospiceCare warmly invites you to join one of our special events this December to remember a loved one at Christmas. Led by Patrick Sheard. Music provided by Anne Raine.

Every Monday

Contract Bridge. Lesbury Village Hall, 6.30pm. Further details on 01665 575289.


Tuesday

Quiz Night. The Brown Bear, Berwick, 8pm. If you are feeling brave it is possible to play as an individual, but those who like to pool their knowledge may have up to six brains to pick. £1 per person.

Tuesday

Alnwick and District Flower Club: Festive Highlights with Coral Gardiner. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. Coral Gardiner, a national NAFAS demonstrator, presents a seasonal demonstration. Let your Christmas spirit start here. Tickets: premier £12, standard £11.

Wednesday

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TillVAS Members’ Night. Crookham Village Hall, 7.30pm. Three short talks from members on a subject of their choice: Deserted Medieval Villages, An Introduction to the Battle of Carham, and an intriguing talk entitled Football – Maya Style. Members free, visitors £4. There will be light refreshments.

Wednesday

Christmas Fair. Northstar Centre, St Mary’s, Castlegate, Berwick, 10am to 1pm. There will be a variety of stalls, tombola and refreshments available. All welcome.

Wednesday

Discovering the Birds of Druridge Bay. Druridge Bay, 9.30am to 1.30pm. Join local bird expert Tom Cadwallender on a 10km guided walk from Cresswell Pond to Hauxley Nature Reserve to identify the many different birds that can be found along the fabulous Druridge Bay coastline. £5 per person. Book online at www.nwt.org.uk/whats-on

Every Wednesday

Painting and Drawing Workshop. With Jenny Blayney at her studio, 10am to 12.30pm. Call 07909 910107 for details.

Every Wednesday

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

Every Wednesday

Community Ukuleles. Shilbottle Community Hall, 7pm.

Every Wednesday

Contract Bridge. Alnwick Hospital, 6.30pm. Further details on 01665 603197.

Thursday (December 7)

Berwick OAP Association Christmas Dinner. Black and Gold Club, Berwick. For further information call 01289 305606.

Until January 7

Drawn from Life: People on Paper. The Granary Gallery, Berwick, 11am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. A century of British art, with drawings by David Hockney, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Lucian Freud, Antony Gormley and LS Lowry.

ATTRACTIONS

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All attraction opening times may vary from season to season.

Aln Valley Railway, Alnwick: Call 0300 030 3311. Visit www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk for operating dates.

Alnwick Castle. Closed for winter. Re-opens March 29.

Alnwick Garden: Weekdays 10am to 4pm, weekends 10am to 6pm. Adult £7.70, concs £5.83, child £4.40. Visit www.alnwickgarden.com for discounts.

Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Adult £4, concs £3, child £1, under fives free. See www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk

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Bamburgh Castle: Open weekends only, 11am to 4.30pm. Adult £10.85, child £5, under fives free. Visit www.bamburghcastle.com

Barter Books, Alnwick Station: 01665 604888. Open daily, 9am to 7pm. See www.barterbooks.co.uk

Belford Hidden History Museum. Open daily, 10am to 4pm. Admission free. See www.belfordhiddenhistory.co.uk

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: Open weekends only, 10am to 4pm. Adult £9.30, concs £8.40, child £5.60.

Berwick Barracks. Closed for winter. Re-opens March 29.

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Chillingham Castle. Closed until Easter. See www.chillingham-castle.com

Chillingham Wild Cattle Park: Closed for winter. See www.chillinghamwildcattle.com

Cragside: Grounds open Friday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm. The house is closed for winter. Adult £5.60, child £3, family £14. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside

Dunstanburgh Castle: Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Adult £5, concs £4.50, child £3.

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Edlingham Castle: Open during daylight hours. Admission free.

Etal Castle. Closed for winter. Re-opens March 30.

Eyemouth Museum: Open Monday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm. See www.eyemouthmuseum.co.uk

Heatherslaw Corn Mill. Closed for winter. Re-opens February 20.

Heatherslaw Light Railway. Closed for winter Re-opens February 20.

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Heatherslaw Visitor Centre. Closed for winter. Re-opens February 20.

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

Howick Hall Gardens: Closed for winter. Re-opens in February. See www.howickhallgardens.com

Lady Waterford Hall, Ford: Closed for winter. Re-opens February 20.

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Lindisfarne Castle: Closed for restoration. Gertrude Jekyll Garden, lime kilns and shop open daily.

Lindisfarne Centre: Adult £4, concs £3.50, child £2, free under fives. See www.lindisfarne-centre.com

Lindisfarne Priory: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Adult £6.50, concs £5.90, child £3.90.

Longframlington Gardens: 01665 570382. See www.longframlingtongardens.co.uk

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

Preston Tower, Chathill: Open daily, 10am to 6pm. Admission: £2, child 50p, concs £1.50.

RNLI Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Free entry.

Warkworth Castle and Hermitage: Open weekends, castle only, 10am to 4pm. Adult £6.20, concs £5.60, child £3.70.

Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives. Museum open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Northumberland Archives, Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.