Organisers hope rain stays away for North East weekend events
Aug 14 2010 by Sara Nichol, The Journal
A WEEKEND packed full of events will kick off with organisers hoping the rain stays away.
Now in its 151st year, the Slaley Show, in Northumberland, is determined to build on last year’s success.
The showfield, a 10-acre pasture situated at the Townhead end of the village, has been transformed for the main displays and entertainment due to take centre stage.
Northumbria Dry Stone Walling Association will show their skills and local breeder of rare breed Highland and Belted Galloway cattle, James Wilson, is to bring some of his beasts.
For children there will be Punch and Judy, Charlie the magician, face painting, a bouncy castle and an Irish dancing display by the Hannah Murphy school of Irish dancing led by Kathleen Murphy.
Main arena entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon with ever popular terrier racing, an unusual sheep dog/duck demonstration by Catherine Krakoski from Blanchland and a beagle parade by the Newcastle and District Beagle Association
The field will open at 7.30am this morning and the bar will close at 5pm this afternoon.
Meanwhile, giant lizards, enormous dragons and colossal clowns will loom over Tyneside today as the Whitley Bay Kite Festival 2010, in North Tyneside, gets under way. Thousands of people are expected to gather at the Links, from 11am to 4pm, to see a range of spectacular displays.
Visitors will also be able to fly their own kites alongside those of the professionals, which will include fishes, parachuting teddy bears and manta rays.
The various shows throughout the weekend will include an altitude contest – where competitors will see who can get their kites the highest within a set time limit, as well as a flying robot clown.
There is also the Webster Cup – where kite flyers attack each other’s fighting kites.
In Blyth, Northumberland, renewable energy will be celebrated at a festival held in the seaside town, which looks out over an offshore wind farm.
The Blyth Renewables Festival – to be held today and tomorrow – aims to showcase the impact which green energy sources can have on people’s lives.
Meanwhile, roundheads and cavaliers will once again be clashing swords when the Sealed Knot re-enactment group present the Battle of Hylton Castle.
The event, today and tomorrow, is the first of its kind to be held in Sunderland, and the largest to be held in the UK this year.
Gates open from 11am with the battle starting with a bang at 2pm.
There will be musket and artillery displays, showing the loading and firing of muskets and cannons.
Men at arms carrying the ‘Pike’ will demonstrate postures and drill from the time, with children invited to have a go for themselves. Visitors are also encouraged to bring along a blanket and a picnic and enjoy the historic atmosphere.
The event is free. For more information visit www.thesealedknot.org.uk or www.sunderlandevents.com or telephone Sunderland Tourist Information Centre on 0191 553 2000.
