October 27th 2008
Greater Morpeth Development Trust
PRESS RELEASE
Morpeth gets back into the festive spirit
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 underway 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 22nd 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 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 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 and make 2008 a really memorable festive season."
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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:- Ian Leech
Press Office Wansbeck Council Ashington
Tel:- 079 681 02547
21st October 2008
Greater Morpeth Development Trust
PRESS RELEASE
Broadcaster to address Trust's annual general meeting
Local historian, author and broadcaster John Grundy will be the guest speaker at the annual general meeting of the Greater Morpeth Development Trust next month.
Former college lecturer John Grundy is perhaps best known to countless viewers of regional programmes on both the BBC and Tyne Tees Television including Townscape, Grundy's Wonders and Grundy's Northern Pride.
John has been co-writing and presenting his architectural and heritage programmes for the past decade during which time he has introduced many thousands of people to the delights of the North of England.
The GMDT annual general meeting is being held at Morpeth's Collingwood School on Wednesday November 12th starting at 7pm, and is open to anyone to attend.
There will also be entertainment and a buffet on the evening.
"The meeting is the opportunity for local people to find out more about the work of the Trust and the important role we are playing in the regeneration of Morpeth," said Chief Executive David Lodge.
"At the same time anyone attending the meeting will also have the chance to be involved in the consultation process with regard to prioritising the projects that we will be delivering in and around Morpeth over the next 12 months.
"Anyone will be welcome on the night when we can look forward to an entertaining and enlightening presentation by such a respected historian and broadcaster as John Grundy."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:- Ian Leech
GMDT Press Contact Tel:- 079 681 02547
20th October 2008
Greater Morpeth Development Trust
PRESS RELEASE
Morpeth pupils learning the lessons of recycling
Pupils from Morpeth schools are learning a valuable lesson for the future ahead of a recycling rally in the town next month.
With the help of artists, musicians, dancers and fashion designers they are finding out for themselves that what at first glance may appear to be discarded items of household rubbish can be given a useful new life.
At a series of workshops the children are making everything from plastic flowers and cardboard vases, to fashionable clothes and junk musical instruments, writing songs and learning dances to perform at a recycling rally on Friday November 7th at Morpeth's King Edward VI School.
The rally is being organised by the Greater Morpeth Development Trust in partnership with Castle Morpeth Borough and Northumberland County Councils.
The schools involved in the workshops are Collingwood, Morpeth First, Chantry and Newminister Middles, St Roberts, Stobhillgate, All Saints and Abbeyfields.
Artists Elaine Porter and Kerryann Bell from Eventful North East have been working with youngsters from Morpeth First School, making all sort of decorative items from household waste the children have brought to school.
"What we are trying to show them is that practically everything considered waste can be turned into something useful or decorative," said Elaine. "All the items we are using come from their own homes and would otherwise just have been thrown away."
Castle Morpeth Borough Council's Green and Clean Services Manager, said the initiative was a great way of educating the recyclers of tomorrow about the importance of protecting the environment while having fun re-using household items that might otherwise have been discarded as junk.
The recycling rally will launch a two week a two week showcase of arts and cultural events involving local organisations and groups ranging from the Clock Tower bell ringers to the Chamber of Trade, the St George's Players to the Pipers Association and many more besides.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:- Ian Leech
GDMT Press Contact Tel:- 079 681 02547 |
