Did you know that each year Ryton Music Festival awards a bursary to a young instrumentalist or singer to attend the European Youth Summer School? All you need to do is enter and perform at […]
Getting on
Heather is very disillusioned with Newcastle United at the moment, so we have transferred our affections to Newcastle Thunder, the rugby league outfit who share their home at Kingston Park with Newcastle Falcons. I say […]
Sport at St Agnes
I had a smashing time this morning. I was back again at St Agnes School in Crawcrook where I was kindly invited to take photographs at their sports day. I very much enjoy my visits, […]
Hatha Yoga Class
Everyone is welcome to the Hatha Yoga Class run by Carol. You can find her here: Stargate Community Hall Stargate lane Ryton NE40 3DX Thursdays 2pm to 3pm
Happy times at the new Thorp
Santander rang me a couple of days ago. Did I want to go and work in their call centre in Sunderland? No, not really. I’m assuming a certain amount of mathematical acumen is required and […]
Days away, chaos at home
We’ve discovered the benefits of buying a railcard, in our case “Two Together”. The only disadvantage with this, is that I have to travel with Heather, and vice versa. We bought it prior to a […]
Whatever happened to… Sleeping Beauty?
I’ve been on the committee of Ryton Festival for a couple of years now, and I’ve heard my friends Liz and Trevor Peart mention being committed elsewhere for the first week of the Festivals, namely, […]
Unemployed again
I retired from Northumbria Police three years ago and entered into a state of happy lethargy. I was roused from it temporarily when I went to work on a holiday scheme run by Gateshead MBC […]
You’ve done it!
The Ye Olde Cross committee report as follows: “We are thrilled to be able to announce that our community has raised enough money to be able to purchase our local pub, Ye Olde Cross. Our […]
The best until last?
The best until last? No not really. Every performance I’ve had the privilege to attend at St. Agnes RC Primary School has been superb. There really isn’t anything to choose between them. Today it has […]
Key Stage 1 and years 1 & 2 show us how it’s done!
I had the pleasure of returning to St. Agnes this morning to see the nativity story performed by Key Stage 1 and years 1 & 2. The youngsters were excellent (as always) and as well […]
Another hit at St. Agnes!
St. Agnes has had a change of leadership since I was last there. The previous head, Mr. Geoff Laidler, has moved on and has been succeeded by Ms Joanne Woods. One thing that hasn’t changed […]
Ye Olde Cross on Alfie and Anna!
Picture above courtesy of Ye Olde Cross committee team Liz Smith has been in touch with to tell me why she is keen to be part of getting Ye Olde Cross open again. Liz writes; […]
Why is Ye Olde Cross special?
My Mum used to bemoan the fact that she didn’t ask enough questions of elderly relations. Suddenly they aren’t here anymore and it’s too late…….. I wish I’d asked Mum more about Ye Olde […]
Thorp Academy, official opening!
A couple of years ago I was privileged to be present when Estelle Morris, the Baroness of Yardley, opened the STEM block at Thorp Academy. This was shortly before the old school buildings (where I […]
Cricket Club Fair 2018
Thank you to the organisers and the many people taking part in the Cricket Club Fair. A great afternoon out, and a chance to bump into friends.
Another year of Sixth Form success for Thorp Academy
The 2018 A-level results at Thorp Academy demonstrate another year of positive results, which were once again above national average. Thorp Academy is one of ten secondary academies operated by Northern Education Trust (NET), a […]
Crawcrook Fair
Lovely afternoon yesterday down at Crawcrook Fair. It’s the first time I’ve been to the event and it was smashing. The sun shone, and the music (particularly from Doug Musgrove and another band called The […]
Don’t hover the apostrophe
“Don’t hover the apostrophe. If you don’t know whether it is mens’ or men’s or children’s or childrens’ look it up. Don’t hover it somewhere up there and think I won’t notice that you haven’t got a clue […]
You can’t touch this
The Greatest Showman is not my favourite film, in fact I thought it was dreadful – but where Hugh Jackman failed St. Agnes have won me over. Their traditional July concert this afternoon featured several […]
Waistcoat Wednesday
Having missed Sweden v England last Saturday NOWT was going to come between me and Croatia v England on Wednesday. Driving home on Saturday with Howard, my festival colleague and friend, in the contentment of […]
Fun at the Fun Station
I’ve been down to see Laura of the The Fun Station in Prudhoe. It’s tucked out of the way a bit, so like me you might have missed it. Coming from Crawcrook turn right at the roundabout […]
