In the running for a weekend of fun and heroics
Jul 13 2009 by Ben Guy, The Journal
Meanwhile popstars, street performers and a stunning fireworks display were just some of the highlights of one of the Mouth of Tyne Festival.
Thousands turned out over the weekend for the annual two-day event – in Tynemouth and South Shields – tempted by an exciting programme of world-class street entertainment, live music and special one-off performances.
Chart-topping Irish band The Script wowed a sell-out crowd on Saturday night, after a stunning street parade featuring a giant nine-metre long robotic insect.
In Northumberland the Howick Estate staged a Moonlight Walk in a bid to emulate Earl Gray.
As a boy Earl Gray had been taken to see a public execution and the experience gave him nightmares for the rest of his life.
So he devised a method to cure his children of any fear of the dark.
At the first July full moon after their 10th birthday, they were required to make the one and a half mile Long Walk in the dark from the family seat of Howick Hall to the coast.
And on Friday around 125 people attended an event to retrace their footsteps.
Di Spark, estate manager, said: “It was a great event and we’ve had so much positive feedback. We really do have something special at Howick and it’s good to be able to share it.”
