Poet puts new work on CD

Last year James Tait published a CD and book of dialect poetry.

And now he is back with more work.

In the summer he worked with children in Coquetdale to produce a CD of dialect poetry and music, which was commissioned by the Rothbury traditional music festival, entitled Coquet Valley Bairns.

Now he has committed some of his own work to CD in Somethin’ in the Watta.

James said: “My CD will feature a selection of my own dialect poetry and also two poems by the late Billy Bell, which I have set to music.

“Billy Bell lived near Byrness and worked on the road between there and the Carter Bar in the early 20th Century.

“He wrote a poem entitled The Night We Spent in Coquet Watter, which I have set to music. This poem is rather special to my family, as it was written about the dances which used to be held at Barrowburn farm, where my family are from.

“Bell’s work, I believe, was posthumously organised into a book, and I was given a copy by a local person. It is very good stuff.

“I have also set another of his poems to music, My Bonnie Shepherd Lad, sung by my friend Julie Chapelhow.

“Also featured on the CD are children from one of the schools I work in, who will be singing a song written by a student. I like to encourage children’s creativity.”

To recognise the work that has been done, James is holding a launch event for his CD.

It will be held at Thropton’s Coquetdale Music Centre on Friday, December 8.

The launch night will start at 6.30pm.

Tickets are available from James on 07582 475489 or from Tully’s shop, Rothbury.