Lovely winter evening enjoying Carols at the Cross, accompanied provided by the Ovington Tynedale Reunion Band, joined by the Caedmon Choir from the Gateshead Sage. Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you for following me this […]
St Agnes reception..more nativity magic !
Another wonderful afternoon along at St. Agnes Catholic School in Crawcrook to see the last of their nativity plays, this time the turn of the reception class. Lovely to get chatting to two of my […]
Nativity magic from St. Agnes !
The first thing that struck me when I arrived at St Agnes Catholic School this afternoon, is that even though I got there half an hour early, the queue of parents, friends and relatives stretched […]
Snow a little too late for the produce market
Today was last Ryton Local Produce Market until the spring. Having to trade from the core of a quagmire didn’t dampen spirits at all, and we were treated to a selection of carols courtesy of […]
St Agnes treat us to Oliver!
I was delighted when the head of St Agnes School in Crawcrook, Mr Laidler, allowed me to sit in on their atmospheric production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! I’ve seen professional productions of the show twice, […]
Straw and Order, an Emmaville treat!
Christmas is a time beloved of the young, the lead up to it being more exciting than the day itself I think. A major joy during the run up to December 25th is the school […]
Retirement life
I think it’s gradually dawning upon me that I’m not going back to work. I’ve dreamt of being retired since I was sixteen, and I’m certainly not complaining, although I suppose that in all of […]
Bradley Gardens
I wrote last week about meeting Kalem (Patterson) to interview him about the play he’s starring in at the Live Theatre, Day of the Flymo. We arranged to meet up at Bradley Gardens (off Sled […]
Kalem Patterson, another day for Flymo
Walking through the Haymarket Metro Station yesterday my attention was drawn to an illuminated poster advertising Day of the Flymo, about to begin its second run at the Live Theatre, Newcastle. The lead role in […]
Irene goes zip!
On Saturday afternoon Heather and I headed off down to the Quayside to watch my best friend Irene do her zip wire jump. Quite how she got into this, or was persuaded to do it, […]
Ryton Local Produce Market ….. traders get into the Halloween spirit!
Traders at Ryton Market got themselves into the Halloween spirit last Saturday. Don’t forget, the next market will be the Christmas one, on 12th December.
Bringing Words To Life!
Last month I published photographs taken at the Ryton Local Produce Market. Whilst I was there I got chatting to the organiser Melanie Cornish. Melanie has a busy schedule, but she kindly agreed for me […]
Demolition due to begin at Thorp
It’s half term, so while the students have their break, preparation is underway to begin demolishing the old Thorp Academy, to make way for the new. I’ve been down there this foggy autumn morning to […]
Many a tear has to fall ……..
I have always believed in this simple concept. If you’re feeling lonely, or a relationship has just ended, you will never get anywhere if you sit moping in the house. Ten years ago this weekend […]
Some extra help for Vera
Last Wednesday was an enjoyable day; I spent it on the set of the ITV detective series Vera, which has just completed filming season six. Created by ITV Gallowgate, Vera is based on the […]
Time to move along please
This following paragraph is the gist of an article published in the Evening Chronicle a couple of months ago. Following a new round of financial predictions and spending reviews, Northumbria Police face further cuts to […]
Ryton Local Produce Market
On Saturday morning I got myself down to The Ryton Market which is held on the last Saturday of every month. It’s easy to find, it’s just off the main road beside the rugby club where […]
Thorp Academy, Borneo fundraiser at Greenside Social Club
Many many thanks to the people of Greenside, Ryton, Crawcrook, and our surrounding villages, for inviting us to the marvellous fundraiser at Greenside Social Club on Saturday night. This was to help students from Thorp Academy fund their […]
Betta Living?? Betta both be in.
Have I mentioned that I am retiring next week? Possibly not, I don’t tend to talk about it very much. Anyway, in anticipation of a bit of spare cash I’m busy sorting out a few […]
Crawcrook Jet, a gummy way to go on
Most Saturday afternoons I fill up with fuel at the Westburn Service Station (Jet) in Crawcrook on my way back from wherever I’ve been with Mum. By the way (and this has nothing to do with anything I’m just wanting […]
Fallfest at Glusburn
We’ve been to Harrogate and York recently, but we haven’t been to rural Yorkshire for ages. It’s easy to see why Alf Wight fell in love with the place and settled in Thirsk to become James […]
Back to Ryton Slimming World
If Heather ever becomes famous she will not be requiring a personal manager/trainer, her electronic “Jawbone” performs this function perfectly satisfactorily without any need for human intervention. I’m used to such random statements as, “I’ve done 4,000 […]
Off me bike…..
On Sunday night Heather and I had a walk around the ponds at Blaydon, you’ll know where I mean, the back of where the old swimming pool used to be. I’ve never been down there before, but it […]
11 Plus
Heather and I went to see an ingenious piece of theatre last night at the Live Theatre. 11 Plus is a short performance based on interviews with a group of young people aged 11 years […]
Get on yer bike…..
I rang my friend Irene on Friday afternoon. “You know that cycle shop in Newburn, KB Cycles or something?” (KB Cycles Newburn) “Yes.” “Well is that the shop you use? It’s just we’ve been in and […]
