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Lindisfarne are headlining this year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic!

Posted on June 1st 2017 by Whats on Northeast

The Northumberland Miners’ Picnic is returning to Woodhorn Museum on Saturday 10th June and playing at the event, which has been going for more than 150 years, the organisers have only gone and booked one of the North East’s most legendary bands!

Lindisfarne will be guaranteed to get the crowd on its feet for their many pioneering folk-rock hits, which combine acoustic instruments such as the mandolin and fiddle with electric blues roots for a foot-stomping musical feast. Get ready to sing along to all their best-loved works, including ‘Lady Eleanor,’ ‘Meet Me On The Corner,’ ‘Run For Home,’ ‘Meet Me On The Corner’ and ‘Fog On The Tyne.’

They’re not the only draw of the historical event though, as a host of bands will be taking to the stage across the day! The Brass Marras (featuring the Ashington Colliery Band, Bedlington Brass Band, Ellington Colliery Band and Jayess Newbiggin Brass Band) will be bringing their traditional yet upbeat sounds, while there’s also set to be swinging tunes from Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra and the duo Alistair Anderson and Dan Walsh.

Providing something a little bit different, the Eliot Smith Dance Company will be performing their triple bill of work PITMAN. It’s set to be a physical yet beautiful exploration of mining culture in the region based on the work of the legendary Pitmen Painters.

Rowan Brown, Chief Executive at Woodhorn Charitable Trust said: “The Picnic is a really significant day for everyone in the North East; it’s an opportunity to commemorate the contribution made by our coal mining communities in shaping our society, economy and landscape, and to look optimistically to our future by celebrating our unique contemporary culture.”

Mr. Brown continued: “This year is particularly special as we are celebrating Ashington’s 150th anniversary. We are working with the Town Council to provide a special programme of educational events in the lead up to the Picnic and Ashington Town Council has generously sponsored LINDISFARNE’s performance. I am extremely grateful for the support of Ashington Town Council and Northumberland County Council, without which the event – now a much-loved part of our annual programme – would simply not be possible.”

As well as the headline acts adding to the celebratory nature of the milestone, the morning will see the traditional Miners’ Memorial Service and wreath laying. Throughout the day there’s also the chance to check out the picnic workshop, pop-up art workshops, street theatre and more entertainment. Plus, why not pop in to see the current exhibition centring on Jeremy Deller’s iconic 2001 work ‘The Battle of Orgreave’?

This year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic is set to be the biggest yet, keeping close to its roots while offering a contemporary twist that’s sure to keep everyone entertained.

The Northumberland Miners’ Picnic takes place on Saturday 10th June. Admission is free, but there are car parking charges. For more information, visit the Woodhorn Museum website.

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