Select Magazine North East - Spring 2023

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BOOKS FILMS

PUZZLES

LOCAL FEATURES

Dates for the Diary

Some of the best local events in 2023

SPRINGTIME STROLL

Blow the cobwebs away along our beautiful coastline

PICTURE PERFECT

Tips from Whitley Bay Photographic Society

INSIDE

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Dates for the Diary

Ten of the biggest and best events being held right here in the North East in 2023

The Late Shows

Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May

Get ready for a cultural extravaganza in Newcastle and Gateshead with “The Late Shows”! One of the biggest events in Newcastle and Gateshead's cultural calendars, The Late Shows will take place across two nights in May.

The award-winning free late-night culture crawl features open art studios, music, performance, galleries, museums and a host of the most bizarre and intriguing interactive events. The shows are facilitated by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM), usually featuring over 40 cultural venues staged across Newcastle and Gateshead. The two-day event, now in its 15th year, is a well-established part of the cultural calendar in the North East, and allows participants to curate their own experience from the vast choice on offer.

Join the fun on Friday, 19 May in the Ouseburn area and continue the adventure on Saturday, 20 May in central Newcastle, the Quayside, and Gateshead. The line-up of participating venues will be announced soon, so stay tuned to thelateshows.org.uk for details!

Rugby League Magic Weekend

Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 June

The 16th Magic Weekend will once again take place at St James' Park in June.

2023 is the seventh year in which this unmissable sporting event will be hosted in Newcastle.

The event, held over 2 days, gives you the chance to see all 12 Super League teams in action, opening with the Salford Reds taking on Hull KR at 1.30 pm on Saturday, concluding with Hull FC facing up against the Warrington Wolves at 5pm on Sunday. Secure your tickets by visiting www superleague.co.uk

Sam Fender at St James' Park

Friday 9 and Saturday 10 June

On what is now known as the 'Geordie Bank Holiday', local lad Sam Fender will take to the stage for two sell-out shows at St James' Park. Taking place over the Blaydon Races weekend, the event is one of the biggest in 2023. Although tickets were snapped up in minutes, the city will most definitely be buzzing this weekend and is certainly worth a visit to soak up the atmosphere.

The Hoppings

Friday 16 - Saturday 24 June

The world renowned Hoppings is a firm favourite in the annual Geordie event calendar. The Hoppings is billed as Europe's biggest and best travelling funfair, with over 300 rides and attractions, and has become a regular feature on the North East's summer entertainment calendar since it first began in 1882.

A regular favourite with families and visitors across the North East, and now has over 140 years of history in Newcastle, The Hoppings is a great day and night out, filled with thrills and spills on Newcastle's Town Moor. hoppingsfunfairs.com

Coastella

Friday 30 June- Sunday 2 July

This brand new festival, with a clever play on words, will land in North Shields this summer. Championing new original music, Coastella will showcase the best live acts the region has to offer, alongside national touring artists, in an outdoor festival in the very heart of our beautiful coast. Artists already announced include Futureheads, Bear Park, Chintzy Stetson, Jango Flash and many more. www.wegottickets.com/f/12916

Mouth of Tyne Festival

Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 July

Since its inception in 2005, the Mouth of the Tyne Festival has grown and grown and returns this July for a weekend of live music and international street theatre in Tynemouth. Past acts include Sam Fender, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Rick Astley and the Proclaimers. The festival is sure to sell out, so make sure you keep an eye out for announcements on tickets, line ups and fringe events! mouthofthetynefestival.com

Loosefest

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July

The Black Eyed Peas, Example and local hero Patrick Topping headlined the 2022 event on Newcastle’s Town Moor. With a line up like that, 2023 certainly has a lot to live up to!

The festival unites the city with music, drinks and lots of dancing. Keep an eye out for the line up which is set to be announced soon. www skiddle com/festivals/Loosefest

Kynren

Saturdays from 29 July - 9 September

Kynren - An Epic Tale of England brings history to life with blockbuster open-air performances. Rebellions, wars, magic, majesty, celebration and heartache are vividly brought to ground-shaking life in a dazzling outdoor-theatre spectacular. Spread over six Saturdays this summer, this is definitely one not to be missed, a dazzling night for the whole family. For more information, and to book your tickets, visit www.11arches. com/kynren

Great North Run

Sunday 10 September

The world's biggest half marathon returns this September, and Newcastle will once again welcome around 60,000 runners who will follow the famous city to coast route, being cheered on by crowds for the entire 13 mile run.

The ballot has just closed, but there is no better way to spend a Sunday morning than cheering the tens of thousands of runners along and sampling the atmosphere of this unique event.

www.greatrun.org

10. NE1 Restaurant Week

August 2023 (dates TBC)

Twice a year, eateries in Newcastle and Gateshead take part in NE1's Restaurant Week, the next one taking place in August. For a whole week, you can enjoy mouth watering meals for a fraction of the price. Each restaurant crafts a bespoke Restaurant Week menu for either £10pp, £15pp or £20pp. It's the perfect way to discover a new restaurant in Newcastle or enjoy an old favourite at an even better price.

www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/ne1events/restaurant-week

Gabrielle to play Mouth of the Tyne Festival

Gabrielle, one of the most successful soul singers of her generation, is the first artist to be announced for this year’s Mouth of the Tyne Festival, organised by North Tyneside Council.

The chart-topping singer songwriter will perform on Sunday 9 July at the spectacular Tynemouth Priory and Castle.

Gabrielle made an immediate impact when her debut single ‘Dreams’ spent three weeks at number one in the summer of 1993.

Her catalogue of hits includes a further eight Top 10s, notably ‘Out Of Reach’ (which featured in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’), ‘If You Ever’ (with East 17)

and ‘Give Me A Little More Time’.

Another single ‘Rise’, also a number one, followed in 2000 and was embraced by fans as an anthem that helped them inspire them to keep the faith that better days would follow in the future.

North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Dame Norma Redfearn DBE, said: “We’re really excited to be able to bring such an iconic pop music artist to the festival and I know this one will be quite a singalong! The festival is now in its 17th year with some really great artists performing this July and we can’t wait to get going.”

Gabrielle said: “I can’t wait to party with everyone at Tynemouth and celebrate the record that launched my career three decades ago! Time sure does fly when you are having fun.”

The award-winning artist scooped two BRITs (Best British Female and Best British Breakthrough) as well MOBO Awards for Best Single (‘Give Me A Little More Time’) and Best Album (‘Rise’). After being nominated on five separate occasions, she won her first Ivor Novello Award in 2008 when she was honoured with the prestigious accolade for Outstanding Song Collection.

After earning a new generation of fans during her show-stealing performances on the 2021 edition of ‘The Masked Singer’, Gabrielle’s resurgence continued when her album ‘Do It Again’ flew into the Top Ten.

More artists will be added to the Sunday afternoon line-up soon with announcements on the Priory’s evening concerts coming in the next few weeks.

Mouth of the Tyne Festival, supported by Capita, returns this July with special outdoor concerts at Tynemouth Priory and Castle, a programme of free street entertainment, huge community parade and special intimate shows at Playhouse Whitley Bay. Follow the event on Facebook for all the latest developments.

mouthofthetynefestival.com

Claremont Crescent, Whitley Lodge Shopping Centre, Whitley Bay, NE26 3HL

/ Chiropody: Toenails

Callus

Corns

Verrucas • Blisters

Fun for all the Family with

Hive Storytellers’ Fantastical Trails

‘Thank you for an amazing, magical adventure!’ ‘Our children loved the trail and all the characters and stories.’ ‘Kids had a great time. They even listened.’

These are only a few of the glowing comments the Hive Storytellers received from visitors about the group’s two successful audio trails at Northumberlandia in 2022.

The Hive Storytellers are based in the North-East with an award-winning producer, and writer at their helm. The Storytellers are delighted to announce they have been invited to create a FREE Fantastical Audio Trail at Ashington’s wonderful Hirst Park, Hawthorn Road NE63 OQT on April 10th-13th 2023 at 10.00am – 3.00pm. Visitors just need a mobile phone and to scan a QR Code. Everything else will be provided at The Pavilion near the car park. There is easy access for prams, pushchairs, and wheelchairs.

The trail lasts approximately an hour, as families listen to twelve original characters’ stories and answer a quiz based on what they hear. So, if your family wish to listen to Old Parky, the ghostly Park Keeper; Fluffcoat, a greedy red squirrel or Kidda and Wor Ruthie, would-be professional footballers, then this trail is for you.

The Storytellers have other Fantastical Audio Trails planned in 2023 for students

at Hareside Primary School, Cramlington, and a second FREE Hirst Park Trail in the summer. The group is also in discussion with Cramlington Town Council as part of their Diamond Birthday Celebration and The Wildlife Trust at Northumberlandia.

Hive Storytellers formed in 2019. They are a group of ordinary folk who have accomplished extraordinary things. For instance, they were the only amateurs in the final four in Audible’s national competition in 2019. Also in that year, they successfully performed a commemorative play, The Tenth Bord, to audiences at St. Hilda’s Pit Head and in 2022 at The Word, both in South Shields. They also write and perform short stories, songs, plays and poems for their Podcasts on Anchor https:// anchor.fm/hive-radio-storytellers which have a growing worldwide audience.

Since 2019, one group member has recorded professional voiceovers for national and international companies, another has had their short stories published in a national magazine, and a third had a poem accepted for a shipbuilding exhibition at South Shields Museum. Hive Storytellers would like to attract new members who are interested in the creative arts. For more information go to their new website www.hivestorytellers.org which goes live in April 2023.

Top: Hive Storytellers take to the stage in 2023. Above: Hirst Park’s glorious rose garden. Left: Characters Wor Ruthie and Old Parky

Blow the Cobwebs Away

Chase the blues away and enjoy a springtime stroll

Our coastal area, is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK, so where better to enjoy a lovely spring walk than right here in our home county.

As the weather changes, and the days get longer, one of the best ways to shake off the winter blues is to take in some of the breathtaking scenery around us by going on a spring time walk. Here are a selection of some of the best local walks to help you blow the cobwebs away and enjoy our local area.

For more details on all of the above walks, including guides of each walk which can be printed off, please visit: visitnorthtyneside.com/activities

COASTAL HERITAGE TRAIL

Starts at St Mary's Lighthouse

Whitley Bay, NE26 4RS

The coastline of North Tyneside has a long and fascinating history. A number of information panels are located between the Black Midden Rocks and St Mary's Lighthouse to highlight the rich and diverse history and culture of the area and in so doing, help improve the connectivity between Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay. To see more information please view the web link at the end of this article. You can find out about centuries of history and discover how the past has shaped the present. There are excellent public transport links to help you do so.

NORTH SHIELDS TRAIL

Starts inside The Beacon Centre Bedford Street North Shields

Tyne & Wear NE29 6QF

North Shields has a vibrant town centre; a green haven in the lovingly restored Victorian era Northumberland Park and a historic working fish quay. Three distinct characteristics of the town are brought together in a circular walk. Step out and discover more about the town’s past, the natural life that thrives in urban North Shields and the fascinating story of the Fish Quay.

Take time to walk the route, to admire the architecture, to share our history, to see our spectacular views and perhaps to sample some food and drink along the route. The route is designed to be completed on foot with an alternative route available for those who do not want to climb the stairs on the Fish Quay.

Visit: northshieldstrail.org

ROBERT WESTALL WALK

Starts at Vicarage Street North Shields, NE29 6SJ

The walk starts in North Shields at the birthplace of local author Robert Westall and winds its way through North Shields, the Fish Quay and ends in Tynemouth taking in the sights and sounds of his much loved novels. Reading the books of local born writer Robert Westall is like taking a virtual journey through the streets, sights, smells and sounds of North Shields and Tynemouth as they were more than half a century ago.

Born in North Shields in 1929, Robert Westall found fame as a writer of books such as The Machine Gunners, Fathom Five, The Promise, The Kingdom by the Sea and Falling Into Glory. Whilst primarily written for children, Westall's books also reached out to an adult audience.

Much has changed in North Shields since his formative years, but the essence of the area remains. This walk takes you on a journey to many of the places which inspired him and, as you step out along the streets which follow the river down to the sea at Tynemouth, you will feel the spirits of his characters tugging at your sleeve. Fiction will merge with fact.

ROYAL QUAYS ART WALK

Starts at The Parks Howdon Road North Shields, NE29 6TL

A circular walk around the regenerated Royal Quays district of North Shields looking at the public art on display in the landscaped parks and the Royal Quays Marina. Art in public places enhances a community's enjoyment of their immediate environment and, as the artworks weather and blend into the landscape; they become a familiar part of that landscape. They entice curiosity, from both within and outside that community, creating not only an interest in the artworks themselves but also in the surrounding locality. Artworks can also contribute to the regeneration of an urban landscape and there is

no better way of discovering how successfully this can be carried out than to take a journey around the Royal Quays development at North Shields, on the northern banks of the River Tyne.

THE BLUE PLAQUE WALK

Starts at Front Street Tynemouth Tyne & Wear NE30 4BT

A circular walk around Tynemouth and North Shields taking in many of the Blue Plaques providing a fascinating insight into the rich history of North Tyneside. Wherever we stand we are surrounded by history. Sometimes that history is highly visible. Other times it lies beneath the surface and requires a journey of exploration for the unique character of the area to be truly appreciated. An ideal way to start that journey is to follow the blue plaques that have been erected on buildings with some historical significance. These offer a taste of what went before and, when viewed as a group, begin to build up a picture of the past. A snapshot maybe, but what better continues on next page ➤

way to uncover a little of the history of the coastal village of Tynemouth and its seafaring neighbour North Shields.

THE COASTAL WALK

Starts at St. Marys Island

Whitley Bay, NE26 4RS

A walk from St Mary's Island, following the naturally stunning coastline through Whitley Bay and Cullercoats to Tynemouth Priory and Castle and finishing on the historic North Shields Fish Quay. 'Miles of golden curving sand' is how the coastline, immediately to the south of St. Mary's Island, Whitley Bay, was described in the heyday of British seaside resorts. A simple, but honest, marketing description of an area loved by generations of families. However, the sun has now set on those busy, candyfloss days by the sea. The beaches are quieter and the kiss-me-quick hats have disappeared, but the coastline remains as enticing as ever and, whatever the weather, a walk along the coast remains a great way to spend the day. This walk along the coast will give you a flavour of

everything you could wish for from a trip to the sea; birds, flowers, history, art, literature, architecture, modern culture and, for those with a yearning for the traditional seaside day out, there may even be some candy floss along the way.

WHITLEY BAY DISCOVERY WALK

Starts at Whitley Bay Metro Station Station Road Whitley Bay

Tyne & Wear NE26 2QY

A nostalgic circular walk around the much loved seaside resort looking at the history of the town and revealing some quirky and interesting facts. At the height of its popularity Whitley Bay was a busy seaside resort attracting visitors from far and wide. Here generations of families enjoyed everything that the traditional British seaside holiday had to offer.

However, as air travel became more accessible in the 1960's, holidaymakers began to seek out more exotic destinations where sunshine could be guaranteed. Holiday patterns had changed forever.

As you step out on this walk you will discover for yourself some of the fragments of Whitley Bay's rich and varied past.

The walk starts where most visitors to the town first arrived at the beginning of their fortnight’s holiday; the railway station and it ends at the top of South Parade, for a short while in the 1960’s the Club A Go-Go reverberated to the music of the day and on the 9th November 1963 a fledgling band played at the club. They were the Rolling Stones and as they say.........the rest is history!

For more details on all of the above walks, including maps of each walk which can be printed off, please visit: visitnorthtyneside.com/activities

New target date NorthumberlandforLine

The historic Northumberland Line now has a realistic target of being fully operational by summer 2024.

The government is working with Northumberland County Council, Network Rail and Northern Rail to restore regular services to the vital line from next year, creating faster and easier journeys between Ashington and Newcastle.

The completed line will see journey times slashed in half, brand new stations built, and historic railway towns, which have not seen regular train services since the heydays of The Beatles, revived.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said: “Communities in Northumberland can get ready for regular train services that will better connect people to jobs, education and opportunities while growing our economy.

“Restoring lost railway connections will drive tourism, boost local business opportunities and encourage investment across our regions, which is why I’m pleased to say that we are on track to reopen this historic line

next summer.”

With 6 new, fully accessible stations being built, the new line will stop at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland Park and finally, Newcastle Central.

Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said:

“We are delighted to have reached this major milestone which gives the green light for the main construction works to start. This is such a transformational scheme which will bring benefits for residents, businesses and visitors for generations to come.

“We have been working so hard over recent years to make this scheme happen, getting all the necessary planning and stations approved and preparing the line for the major works. This is the moment we’ve been working towards, and I am so excited we’ve reached this point as we prepare to get trains rolling again through this part of our county.”

Not only will the restoration of passenger services reconnect communities and improve connections, but it will also boost the region’s economy through improving access to jobs.

Once complete, the journey time between Newcastle and Ashington will be reduced from 70 minutes to just 35, with services operating regularly 7 days a week, providing easy access to jobs, education and tourism opportunities in the city centre for not only local residents but all those passing through too.

The line’s construction work alone has created almost 100 high-skilled jobs and apprenticeships, demonstrating the benefits it’s already having on the local community.

The Northumberland Line project forms part of the government’s Restoring Your Railways scheme, which has been reinstating local services and restoring closed stations and railway lines that were axed as a result of the Beeching cuts in 1963.

www.northumberlandline.uk

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New Art Gallery Opens in Whitley Bay

Local artist Gail Curry has been based in Whitley Bay for seven years, and is probably best known for her colourful felt creations that flowed out of her former business Happy Planet, based on Ilfracombe Gardens.

However, Gail began to paint in 2017, and found over time her enjoyment and the challenge of painting to be more attractive to her as an artist than working in felt.

Gail launched Happy Planet from her kitchen table in 2014 and, during the following eight years, the gift shop and gallery went from strength to strength, seeing her win regional awards at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and North Tyneside Business of the month.

However, Gail has now decided to follow her passion for painting, and has fully refurbished and transformed the former gift shop into a contemporary art gallery.

The gallery, at 3A Ilfracombe Gardens, will showcase a selection of Gail’s own work, alongside other artists' work, right here in Whitley Bay.

The bright and spacious gallery features original

works from over twenty artists, both local and national, working in a variety of mediums, which include ceramics, printmaking, painting and jewellery. There is also a programme of regular monthly exhibitions for visitors to enjoy, and Gail hopes that visitors may even be inspired to try some creative work of their own.

The current exhibition, skin deep, is a series of portraits by Gail herself, and will run until the 5th of April.

The gallery is open 9.30am - 5pm from Wednesday to Saturday, and you can find more information by visiting wildandfreegallery.co.uk

W I L D & F R E E

Contemporary

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Local Walking Club Welcomes New Members

Established in 1988, the Phoenix Walking Club offers a warm welcome to new members throughout the year with a wide variety of walks and locations.

Walks take place every week, often in Northumberland and Durham, but also as far afield as the Scottish Borders, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales and Moors.

The walks are held on a different day each week, excluding Sundays, so anyone with work or other commitments can easily arrange their walking plans around them. Transport is provided in coaches, usually two, with four pick up points in North Tyneside, making it easy to choose the most convenient.

Leaders provide several walks each week, with walks of differing lengths and terrains, and members are free to choose the one they prefer depending on how energetic they feel. Walks are normally between seven and sixteen miles, and all end up at a designated pub for a welcome pint, coffee, rest, and chat.

Bookings for walks can be made online but there is a Club coffee morning every Wednesday at North Shields library. Here you can book for the upcoming week or for several weeks ahead, whichever is better for you.

If you are interested in joining this friendly and sociable Club, there’s plenty of information on their website, www.phoenixwalkingclub.org

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Oversized Florals

Creators of made-to-measure wallpaper murals, Wallsauce.com, has a wide range of gorgeous wallpaper designs that are ideal for sprucing up any room. From feminine florals to dark romantic, you are guaranteed to find a design to suit your style.

MAKE AN IMPACT WITH BOLD FLORALS

Should you be looking for a floral wallpaper that is bold and beautiful, the Dahlias wallpaper mural (above) is what you need. The combination of blush pinks and deeper red hues will transform your space from drab to fab.

Style with light wooden furniture, such as your coffee table or side table and choose dark grey fabrics for a wonderful contrast. Accessorise with blush pink cushions and white ceramic pots to hold a variety of indoor plants and flowers to complement your

fabulous floral wallpaper. GO DARK AND ROMANTIC WITH YOUR OVERSIZED FLORALS

For those who like a mysterious twist to your décor, Wallsauce. com has the perfect wallpaper for you. The dark, Anemone Bouquet design by artist Marina Stupakova (right) will add a beautiful yet dramatic style to your room.

Style this stunning floral wallpaper with lighter items, such as a blush pink chair or sofa and light wooden tables with exposed black legs. Keep your flooring light to help keep your

eye drawn to your dark floral wallpaper. Adding a few white elements, such as cushions and plant pots, will provide satisfying pops of contrast to your room.

EMBRACE WARMTH WITH BEIGE TONES

Wallsauce.com are never short on beautiful wallpaper designs that range from eclectically vibrant to warm and understated – much like this stunning Ink Flowers wallpaper.

The vintage tones in this floral wallpaper will transform your room into a warm and inviting space. Soft pink upholstery is

DAHLIAS

the perfect companion to this stunning floral wallpaper along with rich wooden flooring. Choose brass accessories, such as a floor lamp and a coffee table with exposed legs for your finishing touch.

OVERSIZED FLORALS CAN OOZE ELEGANCE

Florals don’t only suit a feminine interior, they also ooze elegance – especially when they are paired with off-white panels and golden accessories.

The dark undertones in this Pink Pions design (far right), framed by elegant panelling, will transform your space into an artistic escape. Use velvet pink seating with exposed black legs and opt for golden or brass items of furniture, such as a coffee table, to accentuate your stylish décor.

MAGNIFY YOUR FLORALS FOR A STATEMENT WALL

This Antique Tulips floral design (above) embraces texture and intricate detail, like taking a magnifying glass into a meadow. The muted tones combined with enhanced brush strokes will add depth and life to your room.

For an ultra-feminine look, choose a blush pink chaise long and lay down a thick, white rug at your feet.

All of these beautiful, oversized floral wallpaper murals from Wallsauce.com are made-tomeasure and printed using environmentally friendly inks. Choose from three materials including peel and stick, paste the wall, or classic premium.

To discover more beautiful designs, head over to Wallsauce.com.

INK FLOWERS

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ANEMONE BOUQUET

PINK PIONS

Serving Up New Look Tennis Courts

Work is set to begin on a scheme to revamp tennis courts in parks across North Tyneside.

Eleven courts, including two at Whitley Bay’s Crawford Park, four at Richardson Dees Park in Wallsend, and five at Souter Park in Monkseaton, are to be renovated after North Tyneside Council secured £174,000 from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the national governing body for tennis. The funding is part of a nationwide £30m investment to breathe new life into poor or unplayable park tennis courts for the benefit of their communities.

Improvements will include resurfacing and repainting, new fencing, and access gates with electronic keypads installed at each venue; access codes are provided once a booking is made via the Clubspark website. In line with the funding agreement, there will be a charge of £3 per hour to use the courts, and the money generated will be reinvested to ensure the

courts are well-maintained. Work has already begun at Richardson Dees Park, and the refurbished courts are expected to be ready for the summer season.

Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure, and Libraries, said: “Park tennis court facilities are vital community assets that can help widen the impact of the physical and mental health benefits that being active through tennis can bring. Our courts are well-used by the community, but they require some investment, and I am delighted that we have been able to secure this amount from the LTA to give them a new lease of life.

“We are hopeful that the investment will attract more residents to use our tennis courts and provide some assurance to tennis players that they can book a court before playing.”

As well as providing modern facilities, the council will introduce free coaching sessions led by Active North Tyneside, catering for over 50s, women and girls, people with disabilities and mental health needs, families, and for young people at risk of offending.

Julie Porter, Chief Operating

Officer at the LTA, said: “We are delighted to be working with North Tyneside Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active. This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come. We will also be working closely with North Tyneside Council and Active North Tyneside to ensure that the local community have a range of accessible opportunities to get on court and open up our sport to many more people.”

If you are interested in playing friendly, competitive tennis in the local area, Local Tennis Leagues provide mixed singles leagues for adults of any standard. You can play tennis your way and join thousands of players in hundreds of leagues across the UK. Local Tennis Leagues help build a sense of community, puts local players in touch with each other, and gives players a way to improve their skills.

For more information, visit northtynesidetennis.co.uk

The Spring Edit

Effortless and casual seasonal must-haves with a touch of romance. If you're looking for pieces packed with colour, vintage prints, and on-trend touches, you've found it.

Main Image: Ember Colour Block Fleece £69.50 | Sway Slim Jean - £49.50 | Taylor Coat £125.00 1st Row: Thea Shacket £79 | Tina Broderie Collar Blouse £49.50 2nd Row: Jacquard Paisley Jumper £56.00 | Kayleigh Blush Floral Skirt £49.50 3rd Row: Millie Ditsy Pears Midi Skirt £46.00 | Fiona Meadow Jersey Dress £56.00 | Heart Hoop Earrings £12 | Abstract Ring £10 | Skinny Lazer Cut Heart Belt £25.00 | Hythe Cargo Trouser £55.00 4th Row: Pixie Suede Boots £79.00 | Lucy Cable Knit Cardigan £52.00

Grow Your Own Spring Menu

When it comes to growing your own, there’s nothing more rewarding than cooking a delicious meal with the fruits of your labour, and what better way to enjoy it than with family and friends?

Growing your own is a great value way to get nutritious food on your dinner table that’s packed full of flavour and is good for both you and the environment. The UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, has put together a menu of tasty spring dishes to inject some freshness into your mealtimes. Whether you’ve grown some delicious heirloom tomatoes, vibrant carrots, or fragrant herbs, check out these mouth watering recipes that are perfect for outdoor entertaining and get creative with your crop.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO, HERB & CHICKEN SALAD

The perfect accompaniment to spring and summer BBQs, this light and fresh salad is a crowd pleaser and will make your heirloom tomatoes the star of the dish.

Serves 4. Prep time 10 mins, cook time 10 mins

INGREDIENTS

For the salad

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 chicken breasts

2 tbsp dried oregano

500g selection of mixed heirloom

tomatoes

2 slices sourdough bread, cubed

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 tbsp small capers

10g fresh dill, chopped

For the dressing

100g Greek yoghurt

4 tbsp mayonnaise

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

10g fresh chives, finely chopped

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200c/180c fan assisted. On a baking tray, mix the sourdough with 2 tbsp of olive oil and season well. Bake for 7 minutes or until golden. Remove and let cool.

2. Slice the chicken into two pieces lengthways. Drizzle with olive oil, season and then add the oregano. BBQ for 4 minutes on an outdoor grill, or use your oven grill, then let cool and slice into pieces.

3. In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients and season to taste.

4. Use a large platter to arrange the tomatoes, sourdough croutons, red onion, capers and chicken. When close to serving, pour over the dressing and sprinkle with the dill and any leftover chopped chives.

BARBECUED CARROT, AND RICOTTA SALAD WITH SULTANA DRESSING

Versatile and sweet, carrots are easy to grow in both containers and the ground, making them perfect for those with limited outdoor space. This tasty side dish is great for al fresco dining and makes for a fantastic alternative for BBQ skewers. Serves 4. Prep time 15 mins, cook time 20 mins

INGREDIENTS

For the salad

500g multi-coloured carrots, scrubbed and trimmed

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp ground cumin

3 tbsp toasted almonds, skin on 250g ricotta

Handful of baby spinach

For the sultana dressing

1 garlic clove, sliced

1 thumb-sized red chilli, sliced

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

2 tbsp sultanas

2 tspn castor sugar

Method

1. Blanch the carrots in boiling water for 4 minutes then drain and rinse in cold water and dry on a tea towel. Place in a bowl and mix in the cumin, olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.

2. For the dressing, heat the olive oil in a small frying pan over low heat. Add the garlic and sauté until golden, about 1 minute. Add the chilli, white wine vinegar, sultanas and castor sugar and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until syrupy. Set aside.

3. Slice the carrots into batons and thread onto metal skewers. BBQ for 5 to 8 minutes on an outdoor BBQ, or use your oven grill.

4. Spread the ricotta on a large platter. Arrange the carrots and almonds over and then pour over the dressing. To bulk this out more, you can also add baby spinach leaves.

SMOKED SALMON, CREAM CHEESE AND WATERCRESS FILO TART

If you’re looking for a showstopping lunch dish that packs a punch and will shine a light on your fresh spring herbs, Dobbies’ delicious smoked salmon, cream cheese and watercress filo tart is the perfect choice. Serves 4 (Prep time 30 minutes, cook time 30 minutes)

What you’ll need

For the tart

- 2 red onions, thinly sliced

- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

- 4 long sheets of filo pastry

(approx. half of a 270g pack)

- 100g butter, melted

- 100g pack smoked salmon ripped into chunky pieces

- 150g chopped watercress with large stalks removed

For the custard

- 3 eggs

- 100g cream cheese

- 200g double cream

- zest of 1 lemon

- 20g fresh dill, stems removed and leaves chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan assisted and place a flat baking tray in the oven to heat. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil and then add the onions and some seasoning. Sauté on a medium low heat until caramelised, about 10 minutes.

2. Brush the sheets of filo with melted butter and drape over a tart tin, leaving the excess to overhang. Continue until you use all the sheets and press the pastry down gently into the tin. The add in the salmon, onions and watercress.

3. In a large bowl whisk the custard ingredients with some seasoning and pour the mixture over the tart. Roll up the excess pastry to form a crust around the tart and brush with additional butter. Bake on the hot baking tray for 35 minutes or until golden and set. Remove and let cool and then serve with additional watercress on top.

For more grow your own inspiration or gardening advice, visit www.dobbies.com.

CLAIRE BATTISTA IS AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT NURSE PRESCRIBER AND OWNER OF THE BATT HOUSE WHICH IS BASED IN BEDLINGTON, NORTHUMBERLAND

For anyone considering a treatment, consultations at The Batt House are free of charge, so feel free to book in for a chat.

Monthly payment plans are available.

Booking is so easy you can message us on Facebook or Instagram or simply scan the QR code which leads you straight to the booking system.

email: thebatthouse@yahoo.com

To keep up to date with whats happening at The Batt House follow us on

Get on Board in 2023

United Group Travel are taking bookings now for their popular coach tours.

Local coach tourism expert Graham Wright of United Group Travel has worked in the industry as a driver for many years, the last few spent as a tour driver for a local North East coach holiday company, until the pandemic had a catastrophic effect on the industry, with many companies going out of business.

Over the years, on his numerous tours both abroad and in the UK, Graham built up a fantastic relationship with many of his passengers, and he is lucky to call many of them friends. They really appreciated Graham’s vast experience and knowledge of the places he visited, to the extent that a lot of passengers started asking who the driver would be before they actually booked a tour with the company. It was during a conversation with one of his friends that the question was asked about starting his own company and running his own holidays.

Graham has put all his years of experience and knowledge to good use while planning his exclusive tours. They’re all exceptional value for money, and he only selects the best-established quality hotels, that are generally either known to him, or he has previously used them before. The specific day trips on each tour are also carefully created, all based on Graham’s knowledge, as well as any relevant previous customer feedback and suggestions to ensure they are always enjoyed. The trips do not leave the hotel too early, or return too late, so as to allow everyone to make full

use of the facilities. Guaranteed free time, as well as entertainment, are also key factors that he takes into account to try and make a tour as pleasurable an experience as possible.

It’s nice to have something to look forward to, so why not book yourself onto a tour? The advert opposite shows you what’s on offer. From Scotland’s North West Passage to a guided tour of the Donegal area of Ireland, plus so much more. Visit the website www.unitedgrouptravel.com to see all of the tours available.

Rest assured that you can book with confidence with United Travel. They have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate, which shows that government and industry COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Plus, if your tour is cancelled due to COVID restrictions, you will receive a full refund.

Graham would like to thank all of his wonderful customers that continued to support him throughout 2021 and 2022 and he’s looking forward to welcoming you onboard in 2023!

Tel: 01670 632460 / 07957 141654

Facebook: United Group Travel Ltd

Email: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com www.unitedgrouptravel.com

Clanree Hotel, Co. Donegal

Loch Lomond, part of Scotland’s North West Passage Tour

Your driver Graham looks forward to welcoming you aboard!

£30 PERDEPOSIT SECURESPERSON BOOKINGYOUR

QUALITY COACH TOURS

3 Star Plus Hotels ● All Excursions Included

Crew Onboard

Complimentary Tea/Coffee And Biscuits On Travel Days

CAMBRIDGE, ST ALBANS, ELY & BURY ST EDMUNDS - 3rd April

Cambridge Bar Hill Hotel, 5 days, 4 nights DB&B - £399pp

SCOTLAND’S NORTH WEST PASSAGE - 24th April

Regarded as a trip of a lifetime - 7 days, 6 nights - £720pp*

TWIN CENTRE NORTH & SOUTH WALES - 7th May

Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen & The Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold 8 days, 7 nights DB&B - £715

GUIDED TOUR OF DONEGAL AREA, IRELAND - 10th June

Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 6 days, 5 nights DB&B - £685pp* PLUS OTHER TOURS INCLUDING:

Fine Art Classes in Whitley Bay

Turpentyne offers fine art classes and workshops for Ages 4 - Adults

Are your children showing an interest in creativity? Are you looking for a new activity for them that will occupy and challenge them whilst giving them a life-long skill?

If so, then fine art drawing and painting courses encourage imaginative thinking and are incredibly fun and, what’s more, are available right here in Whitley Bay.

Turpentyne already have an established and registered Arts Award Centre in Gosforth, and have recently opened a new studio on the first floor at 236 Whitley Road.

They offer term-time courses, as well as school break workshops for children from four years upwards. The courses are structured around the revolutionary concept that children are amazingly capable. They can learn to use art materials properly, they can see form and shadow, and they achieve much more artistically than many adults imagine!

Mediums taught include crayon (younger children), marker, charcoal, soft pastel, oil pastel, promarkers, watercolour paint, acrylic paint, acrylic inks and oil paint, and subjects include animals, cartooning, landscape, portraiture, still life, master studies and more.

Turpentyne courses are not your average messy arts and crafts. Students are taught how to "see" as an artist, fostering the understanding of how to draw and paint.

Younger students attend an hour-long weekly lesson, whereas older students' lessons last an hour and a half. Classes are offered Monday - Saturday; full details are available on their website. Bookings for all classes are essential. Unfortunately, no walk-ins are accepted.

Each student's curriculum will be constructed with their skills, interests and educational needs in mind. Materials will be selected by the teachers and rotated regularly to keep students engaged and challenged. Students will be allowed to advance to new and more challenging materials and subjects as their proficiency improves. All materials are supplied in class at no extra cost.

In addition to the building of confidence that results from the ability to render realistically, students also

benefit from art instruction academically. A Stanford University study found that "children in the arts use linguistic and cognitive thinking skills -- such as longterm planning, critiquing and focused attention -- that can reap positive social and academic benefits".

Learning to draw and paint opens a child's eyes to the world in a way that they may have never seen before. They learn to see detail, measure visually, and problem solve, stretching their imaginations while drawing upon prior knowledge and engaging their brains in new ways.

To learn more about the Turpentyne studio and their available courses, visit their website.

Turpentyne, 236 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2TE

www.turpentyne.com

Film Releases

SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS

Genre: Action, Comedy

Age Rating: 12A

Release Date: 17 March

SCREAM VI

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Age Rating: 18

Release Date: 10 March

Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. In Scream VI, Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere and Courteney Cox return to their roles in the franchise alongside Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda and Samara Weaving.

Bestowed with the powers of the gods, Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids are still learning how to juggle teenage life with having adult Super Hero alter-egos. But when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago, Billy - aka Shazam - and his family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world.

world of X, in this astonishing follow-up to the year's most acclaimed horror film. Trapped on her family's isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she's seen in the movies, Pearl's ambitions, temptations, and repressions all collide, in the stunning, technicolor-inspired origin story of X's iconic villain.

AIR

Genre: Drama

Age Rating: TBC

Release Date: 5 April

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

Genre: Action, Thriller

Age Rating: TBC

Release Date: 24 March

ALLELUJAH

Genre: Adventure, Family

Age Rating: 12a

Release Date: 17 March

When the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanizing the local community: they invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. ‘Allelujah’ celebrates the spirit of the elderly patients whilst paying tribute to the deep humanity of the medical staff battling with limited resources and ever-growing demand. Starring Judi Dench and Jennifer Saunders.

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) takes on his most lethal adversaries yet in the upcoming fourth installment of the series. With the price on his head ever increasing, Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld.

From award-winning director Ben Affleck, ‘Air’ reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionised the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand. This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time. Starring Matt Damon and Jason

Bateman

PEARL

Genre: Horror

Age Rating:15

Release Date: 17 March

Another chapter from the twisted

HOW MUCH IS IT?

SUPER MARIO BROS. THE MOVIE

Genre: Drama

Age Rating: TBC

Release Date: 7 April

We can quote instantly. No visit required. We just need to know how many bedrooms you have & your postcode.

A plumber named Mario travels through an underground labyrinth with his brother, Luigi, trying to save a captured princess. Film adaptation of the popular video game.

WE CAN CLEAR. We use a powerful vacuum to reach up and clear debris & even grass from your gutters.

WE CAN CLEAN.

From the ground we clean your guttering & fascia boards to remove unsightly staining.

The Photographer’s Eye PART 2 – LEADING LINES

As part of a series of articles designed to help you take better images, Anne Watson, a member of the Whitley Bay Photographic Society, delves further into the world of composition.

We continue our look at composition to help you create photographs with impact and that can stand out from the millions of images uploaded to the internet each and every day.

In Part 1, we explored the ‘Rule of Thirds’ grid lines to emphasise either the sky or the ground when photographing landscapes or using the intersecting points of the grid to focus the viewers’ attention to a specific part of the image. Another powerful technique is to compose your images using ‘Leading Lines’ to guide the viewer into the image or to the part/s of the image you want their eye to focus on.

Straight lines are a good place to start, as this photographer has done on the beach at Blyth (1), using the pier to guide the viewer’s eye to the impending storm on the horizon. Newcastle’s High Level bridge (2) offered a series of leading lines which leaves the viewer’s eye little opportunity to wander aimlessly around the image.

Once you start looking for them, manmade leading lines are everywhere. A road, a rough footpath, a fence line, a wall – the list is endless.

The natural world rarely provides straight lines but does offer a range of curves which can be used to guide the viewers eye in exactly the same way. In this view of Whitley Bay (3), the photographer has used the curve of the beach and promenade to lead the viewers eye foreground to the interesting cloud formation on the horizon which is where they want you to focus. This image has also used the ‘Rule of Thirds’ to place the sky in the top third of the image.

Leading lines are an easy, but powerful, tool you can use to compose an image where you have an element of control over where the viewers eye starts and where it finishes.

In the next edition we’ll continue looking at composition and at why ‘odds’ are more powerful than ‘evens’ and breaking the ‘Rule of Thirds’ to help your images stand out and get noticed.

If you’re interested in joining the Whitley Bay Photographic Society, please visit www.wbphoto.org

O R C U N E R D C

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 16 Good; 19 Very Good; 22 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

2023 is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. Can you find all of the fictional bunnies hidden in the grid?

Bean

Benjamin

Bigwig

Brer

Bucky

Bugs

Bunnicula

Buster Baxter

Captain Carrot

Cecily Parsley

Cottontail

Flopsy Bunnies

Harvey

Hazel

Honey

Hoppy

Jazz

Lola

Miffy

Pantoufle

Peter

Rabbit

Roger

Thumper

Vibri

Clues Across

1 Scottish plaid (6)

4 Entice, coax (6)

9 Shape with many sides (7)

10 Circulate, deliver (5)

11 Grovel (5)

12 Spiky plant (7)

13 Calendar, schedule (6)

15 Despot, bully (6)

18 Touchable (7)

20 Scrutinise (5)

22 Pretended (5)

23 Teeming, jammed (7)

24 Victim, prey (6)

25 Delicate, fragile (6)

Clues Down

1 Subject matter (5)

2 Let go (7)

3 Seraph, cherub (5)

5 Nimbleness (7)

6 Beginning (5)

7 Essential feature (7)

8 Coalesce (5)

13 Captivate, fascinate (7)

14 Ebb, fade (7)

16 Kept away from (7)

17 Instruct (5)

19 Provide for (5)

20 Leave bread to rise (5)

21 Sea-dwelling duck (5)

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

A Good Read

By Tash Donovan

My Name is Lucy Barton

by Elizabeth Strout

Lucy Barton is both a mother and a daughter. She has a floundering marriage and is in hospital with complications following what should have been a routine operation. Her husband who dislikes hospitals and declines to visit, arranges instead for her estranged mother to sit with her.

Strout’s novel is about a mother and daughter relationship steeped in sadness. Lucy spent her childhood craving maternal love, while her mother seemed incapable of providing it.

This poignant and deeply moving novel explores the complexities of family, love, and forgiveness. Told from Lucy’s viewpoint, the story takes us on a journey through her childhood and into adult life, as she reflects on events in her past and her relationship with her mother.

The novel is written in a simple and straightforward style that somehow belies the emotional depth of the story. Strout’s writing is evocative and powerful; she’s a master of capturing the nuances of human emotion. The characters and their relationships are richly drawn, and relatable. Lucy’s relationship with her mother is at the core of the novel, and Strout explores its dynamics with sensitivity and insight.

Themes of family, love, and forgiveness are woven throughout and Strout’s writing reflects on the passage of time, the power of memory and the strength of the human spirit. There is much in this novel that is not stated explicitly. The reader is left to do some work and the result is a wise, thought-provoking book.

The Girl of Ink & Stars

by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Isabella Riosse (Isa) is a teen trapped on the island of Joya, a land full of myths; forbidden to travel further than the forest that flanks her village by the Governor, and all the while dreaming of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped.

When a string of unsettling events and the disappearance of her closest friend Lupa make it necessary to journey beyond the forest in search of answers, Isa joins a team of explorers on an adventure that will test her mapmaking skills and her courage.

As she follows her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isa discovers the true purpose of her quest: to save the

island itself.

The story is a fantasy set in a parallel magical world. The author draws on mythology and folklore and blends these with themes of friendship, adventure and courage. As a bonus, the text is enhanced with beautiful illustrations and maps.

The Girl of Ink and Stars is officially a children’s novel, but I suspect there are many adults who will also enjoy this richly drawn world and its characters.

Normal People

by Sally Rooney

While this is a book written for adults I think older teens will find a lot to relate to.

The book follows Marianne and Connell through their angsty, often quite pretentious adolescent years (and who among us wasn’t at least a bit pretentious or obnoxious in their teens?) into the complications of early adulthood.

Rooney treads a fine line between evoking irritation at two flawed, slightly unlikeable people, while making those flaws and the angst seem so raw and real that as a reader we begin to care about them.

The novel is one about relationships and how they are affected by both class and social status. Marianne is a smart girl from an affluent family, but this does not protect her from being socially ostracized at school and emotionally abused at home. Connell on the other hand is from a working-class family and enjoys an easy popularity. Connell’s mother works as a cleaner for Marianne’s family, and the teens are drawn to each other and begin a secret sexual relationship, but it falls apart because Connell does not want his friends to find out.

By the time they meet again at university, Marianne is the popular one, and Connell is feeling increasingly depressed and isolated. They are once more drawn to each other as they navigate through a world filled with social expectations. Through Marianne and Connell, Rooney examines our need to impress and perform for others in a world that seems to grow ever more connected online, with so many things left unsaid faceto-face.

Rooney has created a weird, awkward, compelling novel about weird, awkward, compelling people, who find what they really need, and a lot they don’t, in each other. As Marianne spirals into self-destruction and Connell looks for meaning in his life, how far will each of them go to save the other.

To buy these books online while supporting your local independent bookshop, scan the QR code or visit: www.bit.ly/selectbookshop