Next Festival: Thursday 26th - Sunday 28th June 2026. More news to come ...
CELEBRATING TREES EXHIBITION
Wednesday 25 June - 7 July
Local people celebrated trees in paint, textiles, poetry, stories and more. Nine groups and some individuals have worked with artist, Anna Corbett, to produce some fascinating multi-media work in the Alnwick Playhouse.
We have a lovely video of people discussing their work HERE.
The Oak Tree
Thursday 26 June, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Event featuring The Oak Tree by Julia Donaldson.
For young readers aged 3 to 6 years.
Alnwick Library, in Alnwick Playhouse
Poetry and Music
Thursday 26 June, doors 7.00pm for 7.30pm start
In association with Coquetdale Creatives and Rothbury CAN
Jane Burn, Environmental Poet of the Year 2023/4 and remarkable visual artist, is joined by Dave Roe, Ali Rowland, Mike Pratt and musicians Rod Clements, Janice Burns and Jon Doran.
Rothbury Golf Club NE65 7RX
Image by Jane Burn
Earth Summit
Friday 27 June, 7.00pm
A new play with music which follows Ella, a teenage girl dropped off by her mum at a conference centre for a dance audition. Unfortunately, Ella’s mum has got the wrong venue and Ella is caught up in an emergency ‘top-secret’ world conference, the ‘Earth Summit’. Presented by students from local schools who brought you ‘The Air We Breathe’ last year.
Alnwick Playhouse Auditorium
Poets Go Wild
Saturday 28 June 10.30am - 12.30pm
Catherine Ayers, Noel Hodgson and more wonderful local poets
Hauxley Discovery Centre NE65 0JRT
Working Wood
Saturday 28 June 10.00am - 11.00am
Talk by Geoff Jackson
Timber is strong and beautiful. How are different species used to create everything from a front door to a delicate cabinet or a cathedral roof?
Alnwick Playhouse Studio Hub
Heart of Oak
Saturday 28 June 11:30am
This meditative nature film contemplates the world of a 210 year-old oak tree and life it supports over a year.
Alnwick Playhouse Studio Hub
Earth Matters - Simonside & Beyond
Restoring nature for planet and people
Keynote Speaker: Professor Alastair Driver
Conservationist - Rewilder - Explorer
Saturday 28 June 2.00pm - 4.30pm
Can the purchase of Rothbury Estates by the Wildlife Trusts help lead the search for a balance between nature recovery, farming and local communities?
Professor Alastair Driver, is one of the UK's best known conservationists, cited in Who's Who for influence and distinction in the field of environmental conservation. Put your questions on rewilding, nature-based solutions, regenerative farming, land use and food security to our panel:
- Mike Pratt, CEO of Northumberland Wildlife Trust
- James Barber, local farmer and land manager
- David George, Reader in Precision Agronomy, specialising in sustainable production, Newcastle University
- Professor Alastair Driver, Senior Advisor Global Rewilding Alliance
Chair: Tom Burston, farmer and former deputy director of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.
Alnwick Playhouse Auditorium
Maddy Prior & Kate Fox
Saturday 28 June 7.30pm
Maddy Prior, one of the most influential singers in the country and a dynamic solo performer, will be accompanied by Spud Sinclair on guitar in a special set of songs which will highlight her long-held commitment to the natural world and humanity’s place in it.
Kate Fox, poet and humorist will perform extracts from her book ‘On Sycamore Gap’ and ‘The Soil Speaks’, a new poem inspired by regenerative practices at West Wharmley Farm near Hexham as part of an exhibition at the Sill National Centre for Landscape Discovery Centre
Alnwick Playhouse Auditorium
Sing for the Planet: workshop with Sandra Kerr & Jon Doran
Sunday 29 June 10.30am - 4.30pm
Singing workshop for singers of all levels.
Sandra Kerr says: "One of my passions as a musician, singer and writer, has always been to encourage people’s skills, whether they are young, old, experienced or absolute beginners. There is nothing as satisfying as seeing the development of others, often within the space of one session – observing the growth in confidence, musicianship and creativity. It’s a way of ‘going on’ oneself…"
Participants will have the opportunity to show off what they have learned by singing in the evening Sing for the Planet Concert!
Alnwick Playhouse Auditorium
Paul Armfield - Songs About Trees
Sunday 29 June 4.45pm
Having spent the past 30 years balancing a career in bookselling with his sideline as a singer songwriter, Paul Armfield has finally reconciled the two worlds in an album of songs about books and reading. With his intimate baritone and warm stage presence, his renditions of these literate, witty songs, accompanied only by his guitar and musical saw will leave you completely charmed.
Alnwick Playhouse Auditorium
Image by Alice Armfield
Sing for the Planet: Concert featuring Werca's Folk & VoiceMale
Sunday 29 June 6.00pm - 7.15pm
With Werca’s Folk, VoiceMale and the Sing for the Planet workshop singers.
Werca's Folk performs the beautiful songs of their region, and a wide range of folk and contemporary songs expressing the joys, hardships and hopes of women past and present.
VoiceMale sings a wide range of songs, mainly from the North East folk repertoire, but also including gospel, world music and contemporary popular songs.
The Sing for the Planet workshop singers will show off what they have learnt in the earlier workshop.
Alnwick Playhouse Auditorium
Hepple Wilds - Art Workshop
Saturday 21 June, 10.30am - 4.30pm, £25.00, numbers limited
Spend the morning with artist Rose Ferraby and the Hepple ecologist and guide Richard Thompson who will gently, but totally, immerse you in the landscape, then after a light lunch you will spend the afternoon creating a personal artistic response to the landscape and nature you have encountered during the day.
