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Morpeth festive showcase
THE people of Morpeth are getting set to showcase their talents in the run up to Christmas in a festive extravaganza that they hope will not only further lift the spirits of their fellow residents but show that the town is ready to welcome shoppers despite the devastating floods of just a few weeks ago.
What started as an idea for a programme lasting just one week to celebrate all that's best in Morpeth has snowballed into a two-month Winter wonderland of events and activities lasting right up until Christmas.
It includes everything from a music hall and screenings of golden oldies' cinema classics to Latin American, Afro and belly dancing workshops, classical music and piano recital concerts, free heritage and health walks along local woodland and riverside footpaths, and a lecture on the work of John Vanbrugh the architect of Morpeth Town Hall, Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace.
In the programme there are also lunchtime concerts and a jazz music evening, performances by local thespians and musicians, an appearance by the Chinese Lion Dancers from Newcastle and even a recycling rally which will highlight the involvement of schoolchildren in workshops to put junk and household waste to good use.
As the run-up to Christmas gets under way there will be two continental and local farmers' markets, a seasonal performance by Northumberland Theatre Company, the opportunity to be shown how to make festive crafts, a carol concert and the chance to meet Santa and his helpers as they arrive in Morpeth.
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the whole programme will be the traditional Mistletoe Fair, when people will get the chance to join in with the Clock Tower bell ringers as well as watching a parade and lantern procession with local children on Saturday November 22 when Morpeth Christmas street decorations light up the town.
Two local schools, Collingwood School and Media Arts College and King Edward VI, both of which have specialist performing arts status, are particularly heavily involved in the programme of events
At all the events collections will be taken in aid of the Morpeth Flood Victims Appeal.
Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT) is facilitating the events in promoting and delivering what promises to be a spectacular programme in partnership with Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Morpeth Town Council and the local Chamber of Trade.
Frank Rescigno chairs the GMDT arts and culture group which is co-ordinating the promotion of Morpeth's Winter programme.
"The people of Morpeth have been through some tough times lately but are welcoming the chance to demonstrate that true community spirit which is pulling us through the devastation of the floods," he said.
"What started off as quite a small scale showcase of some of the activities of the very talented groups and organisations we have within Morpeth, has grown rapidly into an extravaganza of events and activities so many local people are going to enjoy and perhaps be encouraged at a later stage to join the groups that interest them.
"But the programme will also act as a statement to the rest of the area in demonstrating that Morpeth is fighting back and that everyone is determined to get back to where we were before the floods hit the town.
"We want people to come to Morpeth from far and near to join with us in our Winter wonderland programme of events, and at the same time to do their Christmas shopping in the town. It's going to be a fantastic two months that we want everyone to enjoy."
Stuart Leishman, Chairman of Morpeth Chamber of Trade, emphasised the importance of getting out the message that the town's shops will be trading as normal this Christmas despite the aftermath of September's floods.
"If anyone thinks Morpeth is not open for business this Christmas that most definitely is not the case," he said.
"An exciting programme of events has been compiled involving so many people with all sorts of things going in Morpeth as we head towards Christmas, and we want to see lots of people coming into the town and enjoying themselves with us."
Castle Morpeth Borough Council's Glen Sanderson, Executive Member for Community, added: "Despite recent difficulties the town's community spirit has never been better and this programme really demonstrates that. I hope visitors and local people will take the opportunity to enjoy as many of these events as they can."
• A brochure listing details of all the events and activities will be available throughout Morpeth, or copies can be obtained by telephoning Greater Morpeth Development Trust on 01670 503866
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Weather for Morpeth
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
