Author Archive: Steve Smith
Steve Smith is a creative writer and lives near Darlington. He spends much of his free time in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders and his favourite locations are Hexham, Rothbury, Kelso and Melrose. He is interested in social media and in particular the use of blogs and Twitter, and recently Pinterest.
St Oswald’s Way and St Cuthbert’s Way Northumberland walking guidebook
A new walking guide book covering St Oswald’s Way and St Cuthbert’s Way Northumberland has been published by Cicerone Press.
EAT! Newcastle Gateshead – Festival of adventures in food and drink
EAT! NewcastleGateshead offers a fantastic range of foods and drink this summer, with chefs cooking meals in dramatic, unusual outdoor locations! As well, look for the return of Cake City and the secret Speakeasy, all in August and September.
Woodhorn Northumberland Miners’ Picnic
Come and celebrate an important part of North East industrial heritage on Saturday at Woodhorn, near Ashington, Northumberland, with the 2013 Northumberland Miners’ Picnic. There will be an phenomenal amount to do for all the family, including music, dance, a picnic and of course a brass band.
Northumberland Brinkburn Festival to feature Benjamin Britten
Brinkburn Music Festival artistic director Paul McCreesh will step down on a high as his last festival will celebrate the music of Benjamin Britten. It takes place July 5 – 7, 2013.
Backworth’s Roman treasure found 200 years ago back to North East England for first time
The Backworth Hoard is a collection of Roman treasure found in Backworth just outside Newcastle almost 200 years ago. It will return to the North East of England this year for the first time ever. The hoard will be on display at Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, on loan from the British Museum, from 24 May – 15 September 2013. Steve Smith tells more.
Northumberland gardens open to support St Oswald’s Hospice
Lots of gardens across Northumerland, including Whalton Manor and Meldon Park will open June 1 and 2 in support of St Oswald’s Hospice. Find out more and how to visit.
Scottish Borders getting ready Tour of Britain cycling event
Cycling is becoming a major sport in the Scottish Borders and on Saturday Sept. 14 it will be celebrated with The Tour Ride Scotland. Amateur cyclists will be on the road first before the professionals hit the road.
NewcastleGateshead launches Twitter-powered map Geordieland
A fabulous new tourism and destinations map, powered by Twitter, is now available to show everyone the attractions of NewcastleGateshead. Called Geordieland, it goes live on Monday May 20 and will inspire visitors and locals to explore all the great city has to offer.
Northumberland’s Blyth Battery Goes to War 2013
Blyth Battery will host a special re-enactment in May. Re-enactment groups will demonstrate a ‘beach assault’ each day with blank firing weapons. There will be some big bangs! Come and see vintage vehicles and displays exhibiting not only the military way of living, but how people lived and made it through World War 1 and World War 2.
Northumberland cycling events at Wooler set to draw hundreds to area
The success of last year’s Wooler Wheel has prompted organisers and local businesses to have more events this year. On May 11 a new event will take place. And it will have an even longer route, going into Northumberland National Park.
Northumberland home to best tree for climbing!
A tall Cyprus Evergreen growing at the National Trust’s Wallington Northumberland property has been chosen as the best to climb by kids. Its branches are loved by all because they are considered the best to climb on for miniature adventures! Steve Smith tells us more.
Northumberland Ospreys Return to Kielder for 2013
Ospreys have returned to Kielder Water and Forest Park for the fourth year in a row. Two eggs have been laid and two nests are occupied. Volunteers and people from the Forestry Commission are watching with enthusiasm and hope as they follow the journey from chick to fledgling.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust seeks volunteers to help with Kielder Osprey Watch
If you love wildlife and have time to spare on Bank Holiday weekends, Northumberland Wildlife Trust invites you to become part of the team involved in the Kielder Osprey Watch at Leaplish Park, Kielder, this summer. This is a thrilling project in which to be involved and you will be helping ensure that the ospreys are here to stay in Northumberland.
The science behind NewcastleGateshead in 2013
NewcastleGateshead will host the UK’s biggest annual science event in September 2013, the British Science Festival – bringing innovation and creativity together in one of UK’s stand-out cultural destinations. It welcomes hundreds of the UK’s top scientists in a programme that offers everything from lectures, debates and hands-on activity for schools and families, to comedy and theatre.
BBC’s Sky At Night unveils the Sir Patrick Moore Observatory at The Kielder Observatory
The largest observatory at Kielder has been renamed The Sir Patrick Moore Observatory, after the famous astronomer who died in late 2012. The renaming was done by members of the BBC’s Sky at Night programme and members of the local Astronomical Society. It was done while the BBC was filming a programme for the series at Kielder.
Award-winning costumes take centre stage at Woodhorn, Northumberland
If you would like to see costumes worn by the stars up close, now is your chance. Woodhorn in Northumberland is displaying outfits worn by actors including Kiera Knightley, Kate Winslett, Bette Davis, Jude Dench, Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter. The exhibition will include information about designers and the processes involved in creating the clothing.
Haltwhistle Northumberland Walking Festival
Do you love walking and history? Then the Haltwhistle Walking Festival is just for you. It will have plenty of walks that cover Northumberland history, including treks around Hadrian’s Wall, through Border Reivers country and ancient standing stones. There will also be walks touching on the impact of World War II and a history talk on the Reivers by Paddy Dillon. read on to find out more!
