There is plenty of family-friendly activity set to attract visitors to Morpeth from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th April, the weekend after Easter, with a series of special events planned to mark 300 years since the death of Morpeth Town Hall’s original architect, Sir John Vanbrugh.
The annual Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering, a celebration of Northumberland’s folk music, dialect, crafts, family activities, heritage and traditions, is centred around the Town Hall while also bringing life to other central venues and open spaces, including Morpeth Castle, the Chantry, Carlisle Park and the iconic Clock Tower.
Sir John Vanbrugh himself will be “in attendance”, portrayed by actor Ray Alexander. Last seen in Morpeth in 2014 for the Town Hall’s tercentenary, Ray returns with his one-man show ‘A Life of Irony’, which this year forms part of Friday night’s concert, ‘Sir John’s Delight’, staged with music from fiddler Stewart Hardy and Woolsington Strings. Across the weekend, visitors can also enjoy music and dance inspired by the 1726 period alongside the usual programme of concerts, dancing, stalls and re-enactments.
The festival programme includes have-a-go workshops and competitions, giving people of all ages and abilities the chance to take part in regional cultural traditions. This year’s events are further enriched by the launch of the Alex Swailes Memorial Award for Children’s Speaking. Alex Swailes MBE was the long-standing Morpeth Gadgy – the festival’s figurehead – and a much-loved performer. Following his passing last year, his family has introduced a prize for the best performance by a child aged up to 14, delivering a poem or tale of up to three minutes, either in Northumbrian dialect or on a Northumbrian theme. The competition will take place during the friendly and informal dialect afternoon on Saturday 11th April.
That morning, the new Gadgy, Ron Forster, dressed in 18th-century costume and carrying the traditional Gadgy staff, will lead the colourful procession of entertainers to the Market Place. A short road closure will be in place from 10.30am to 11.45am, with diversions around the town centre from Chantry Place to Manchester Street. Visitors travelling by car on Saturday can also take advantage of a free Park and Ride service from County Hall.
For further information, head to northumbriana.org.uk/gathering.
