05 July 2010
Poetry, peace and a pint along the Pennine Way
Poet, Simon ArmitageCelebrated poet, playwright and author, Simon Armitage, CBE, is walking the 264 miles of the Pennine Way from north to south in July in the manner of the old troubadours – giving readings and passing round the hat.
He begins his journey at Kirk Yetholm on 8th July for a challenging first leg through the Cheviot Hills to Uswayford. Mel Whewell, member of the board of Northumberland National Park Authority will be welcoming him to the National Park and walking with him and companions Steve Westwood, National Trail officer, Natural England, and Jonathan Manning, editor of Country Walking magazine.
At each stop along his journey through the first stretch of the national trail, which runs through Northumberland National Park, Communities have shown the Northumbrian passion for the arts and are hosting readings and supporting events where Simon can meet the county’s warm and welcoming public, read his works, answer questions and sign books. All the events are free, but Simon will pass round the hat: “ ...and people can give me what they think I’m worth..”, he says.
The deep peace of the Cheviot Hills in the upper Coquet Valley, is the perfect setting for a first reading to holidaymakers, fellow walkers and local folk. Gareth and Jane Latcham run the busy Rose and Thistle Inn at the pretty village of Alwinton where the reading takes place.
Thursday 8th July Reading: 8pm, Rose & Thistle Inn www.roseandthistlealwinton.com, Alwinton, Northumberland NE65 7BQ . Hosted by Rose & Thistle Inn with Northumberland National Park.
At the next stop in Byrness, Joyce and Colin Taylor rescued the hostel when it was about to close and made it into a welcoming place for walkers to rest up, eat and drink. It is set in the tiny hamlet of Byrness on the edge of Kielder Forest and Northumberland National Park, just a few hundred yards from the Pennine Way.
Friday 9th July Reading: 8pm, Forest View, 7 Otterburn Green, Byrness, NE19 1TS Hosted by Forest View Walkers Accommodation (licensed hostel), www.forestviewbyrness.co.uk
The wide horizons of the open moors between Redesdale and Tarset to the North Tyne Valley, bobbing with cotton grass and scented with heather, followed by the flowery meadows of the valley route to Bellingham, will set Simon up for a traditional Northumberland gathering, where his reading will be supported by talented local musicians.
Saturday 10th July Reading: 8pm, Bellingham Heritage Centre, www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk Station Yard, Woodburn Road, Bellingham NE48 2DF. Hosted by Bellingham Heritage Centre, Also performing will be a talented array of local musicians, singers and a poet. The line-up is Jessica and Martha Carr (fiddle and flute), Don Clegg (‘mouthie’ (harmonica) and ‘pomes’), Gwennie Fraser (Northumberland pipes), Stephen Fry (singer and concertina-player) and David McCracken (songs).
From Bellingham to Hadrian’s Wall, the landscape is remote and uplifting. Passing by the great Wark Forest and its community at Stonehaugh, through the country of the loughs (shallow glacial lakes) with their rich wildlife, to the awesome sight of Hadrian’s Wall perched on it sheer north-facing scarp by Housesteads Roman Fort. From here the Pennine Way and the Hadrian’s Wall Path are one all the way Greenhead.
Monday 12th July Especially for visitors and walkers at Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, there are two readings:
10.00a.m. Northumberland National Park Centre Once Brewed, Hadrian’s Wall. B6318, Bardon Mill, NE47 7AN. B&B courtesy of Once Brewed Youth Hostel. 01434 344 396 tic.oncebrewed@nnpa.org.uk.
8pm, Greenhead Hotel, www.greenheadhotelandhostel.co.uk, Greenhead, Brampton, Carlisle, CA8 7HB, Hosted by Sue & Dave, The Greenhead Hotel Booking: 016977 47411 or email: daveandsuegreenhead@btconnect.com
On 13th July, Simon leaves the National Park and heads through Tynedale and up to more glorious landscapes in the North Pennines AONB.
The next reading is Friday 16 July 2010 at 8pm. It is hosted by North Pennines AONB Partnership & Langdon Beck Hotel, Forest-in-Teesdale, Co. Durham DL12 0XP. The event is free but pre-booking is ESSENTIAL. Call the AONB Partnership on 01388 528801 for information and to book a place.
Speaking for the Authority, Mel Whewell said: “Northumberland National Park Authority is keen to support the rural communities in and along its boundaries with cultural activities because socially thriving communities will help to keep our countryside a living-working place. We are delighted to welcome Simon Armitage to the area and wish him an enjoyable and successful journey”.
Media contact:
Frances Whitehead, Communications Officer
Northumberland National Park Authority
Email: communications@nnpa.org.uk
Telephone: 01434 611542
Fax: 01434 611692
