Autumn cultural events in Northumberland
24 Sep 2024 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
As autumn nights draw in, Northumberland Library Service has plenty to keep folk entertained, with an exciting programme of cultural events and performances across the county.
Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Libraries, said: “The Libraries team has been very busy organising a fantastic programme of events which genuinely has something for everyone.
“It is part of the role libraries play to keep our residents busy, active and entertained especially as the nights get longer, and as an added bonus people can stay safe and warm without having to worry about their own thermostats.
“These community events also give the audiences a chance to meet friends and neighbours to enjoy the shows together.”
Local crime writer David Mark brings a new group ‘Reading Round’ to Hexham Library each Friday for those interested in discovering stories and poems for pure enjoyment – without any need for after-hours study or homework.
The Harrogate Old Peculier (ok) Crime Festival Big Read is returning to Northumberland with festival Reader in Residence, author Luca Veste, visiting Hexham Library on Wednesday, September 25 for a lunchtime book group discussion about Ajay Chowdhury’s ‘The Detective’, an edge-of-your-seat mystery and Sunday Times crime book of the year.
‘Stumbling over Eden’, is an evening of stories and songs, based on the book by Steve Bonham about an eccentric journey from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert and an invitation to explore the adventurer, explorer and vagabond in ourselves. Blyth Library on Monday, September 30 and Hexham Library on Tuesday. October 1, both at 6.30pm
‘The Border Readers’ are a regional group of experienced professional actors, led by producer Stephen Tomlin. Since 2018 they have toured village halls, libraries, pubs, galleries, art centres, theatres and community venues, with readings of short form fiction on themes from ghosts to crime - which all have something to say about life in the countryside today.
Their latest offering ‘Land Lines’ comes to Bellingham Library on October 16, Wooler Library on October 24, Allendale Library on November 7 and Morpeth Library on November 14.
‘Fool’s Gold’, an acoustic musical duo, are new to Northumberland Libraries but well known in the region. They’ll be performing at Cramlington and Hexham Libraries on November 7 and 11 with a Remembrance Day event ‘Beat the Drum’ and at Morpeth and Haltwhistle Libraries on December 4 and 17 with their popular Christmas Show.
Also, in November well-known Hexham-based theatre company ‘Theatres Sans Frontières’ will perform in some of the county’s most rural libraries. ‘Many Happy Returns’ is a play commissioned by Northumberland Libraries to celebrate its centenary this year.
Performances will be at Bellingham Library (Town Hall) on November 5, Rothbury Jubilee Hall on November 17, Allendale Village Hall on November 21 and Haltwhistle Library (Hub) on November 22.
In partnership with Highlights Rural Touring and the Berwick Literature Festival, the award-winning group ‘Bookshop Band’ perform a unique concert of songs inspired by books that will have the audience clamouring to read them after the show. Berwick Library, November 14.
Northumberland libraries has some exciting new digital offers too, including the National Theatre Collection 3, from Greek tragedy, a medieval morality play, and Shakespeare, to plays about Gen Z, available free on library public computers.
Along with a free video on demand service with thousands of digitised videos and television programmes – ‘BFI Replay’. Find out more at https://www.bfi.org.uk/bfi-replay.
*For further information on the times, prices and to book the events go to: nlandlibs.eventbrite.co.uk/ or call the local library. All library contact details are on the website www.mylibrary.co.uk and for The Bookshop Band The Bookshop Band - Highlights Rural Touring Scheme (highlightsnorth.co.uk)