A classic weekend of fun

Jul 6 2009 by Katy Simpson, The Journal

FROM concerts to carnivals, the North East was thriving with summer fun this weekend. The world-class classical music festival at Brinkburn Priory in Northumberland got under way on Saturday with highlights of the weekend including performances by the Carducci Quartet and the Gabrieli Consort.

The annual event, which first started in July 1994, saw families spread out their picnic blankets in the sun on Saturday afternoon, while enjoying music from expert recorder-players Piers Adams and Howard Beach of the flamboyant Baroque instrument group Red Priest, who performed The Flying Recorder concert.

The warm weather continued yesterday when McCreesh’s Gabrieli Consort took to the stage with I Heard a Voice from Heaven, a selection of music of mourning and consolation in the English tradition, including Howells’ sublime Requiem, which was followed by Choral Evensong with the Brinkburn Festival Choir and some of the Gabrielis.

Festival administrator Alison Robson said: “We have had a wonderful first weekend. The Gabrielis concert was just sublime.”

The world-class music continues next weekend with pianist Paul Lewis and tenor Mark Padmore performing Schubert’s celebrated song cycle Die Schöne Müllerin. Tickets are still available.

Hexham Carnival celebrated its 10th year this weekend with live bands, fairground attractions, dancing, stalls and refreshments.

In South Tyneside, music lovers were treated to a concert by ’80s star Toyah Willcox in Bents Park, South Shields, as part of the three-month South Tyneside Summer Festival.

Also taking to the stage in Bents Park yesterday were T’Pau singer Carol Decker and Fame Academy’s Sinead Quinn. Entertainment continues throughout the summer with The Soundpower Orchestra (July 19), Andy Abrahams (July 26) and Bjorn Again (August 2).

In Newcastle this weekend, people gathered to have fun while raising money for a worthy cause by taking part in the Midnight Walk in aid of St Oswald’s Hospice. The 10k walk started from Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday and continued overnight into Sunday, when 1,200 walkers crossed the finishing line back at the racecourse

On their route, the fundraisers, who collected a total of £113,000, passed the St Oswald’s Hospice base in Gosforth, which opened in 1985.

The Midnight Walk, which took place for the first time last year, was officially opened by dad-of-two Chas Smith, whose wife Carol was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, and was supported by St Oswald’s in the months before she died.

Chas and his daughters, Amanda and Tracey, were joined by Emmerdale actress, Charlie Hardwick on the start line.

Chas said: “Carol sadly died in October last year and today would have been her 64th birthday. My daughters and I felt it would be a fitting tribute to do the St Oswald’s walk in her memory.”

Crowds also flocked to the Northern Area Playing Fields, Washington for Sunderland kite festival that celebrated friendship with individuals and communities from Sunderland and around the world.