2018 is another year to be proud of for Traditional Music at Bellingham Show, which took place on Saturday 25th August.
The new, larger 'Northumbrian Piping & Traditional Music' tent was full to the brim with listeners and performers throughout the day, and the Northumbrian piping competitions saw an influx of wonderful young players entering a competition for the very first time! Huge congratulations to Hope and Eliza for their courage and a well done to everyone who took part in this year's competitions.
Northumbrian Piping Competition Results
Novice:
1st: Melanie Rothman (Swindon/Jimmy Allen)
Tied 2nd: Eliza Henderson (Cradle Song/Hesleyside Reel) & Hope Festing (Queen Mary)
Intermediate:
1st: Sarah Tym (Crooked Bawbee/Madame Bonaparte
2nd: Melanie Rothman (Hector the Hero/Parnell's March)
Open:
1st: Edmund Spriggs (Port Patrick/Bristol Hornpipe/Hindley Steel)
2nd: Ian Stephenson (Archie's Fancy/Herd on the Hill)
Cross the Wannies kicked off the afternoon's music with some fantastic Northumbrian favourites, including Don Clegg's 'Walk to Work at Wark' which was received with much amusement.
Next up were the fabulous Alnwick Pipers, led by Susan Clarke on the fiddle. The tent was full to the brim!
Northumbrian singers Abbey Tilley & David McCracken shared the stage for their set, which included Abbey's fantastic rendition of 'Bellingham Show' and David's 'Cushy Butterfield' which had the whole audience joining in for a rousing chorus!
The Tarset Ceilidh band then had toes tapping to their superbly arranged ceilidh dance sets.
The day was topped off with performances from North Tyne Voices and Song Reivers, two choirs under the very capable leadership of Kathryn Davidson Armstrong.
We'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone who came along to perform or to listen, especially those who popped in and offered an extra song or a poem! You all helped make the day very special and a wonderful celebration of our Northumbrian traditions!
Thank you also to The Northumbrian Pipers' Society for providing the competition plaques and trophies, and for their support on the day.
Here's to Bellingham Show 2019!