Programme for 2023-24
All meetings start at 7.30 pm in Otterburn Memorial Hall.
Friday 10th March 2023 (Postponed until Friday 28th April due to weather)
Dr Clive Waddington: "Rescued from the Sea: Excavations at Low Hauxley"
Excavations in the cliff at Low Hauxleyhas revealed many surprises, an ancient peat bed, Neolithic remains and a Bronze Age burial cairn amongst others, all leading to a big re-think of important national questions.
Friday 14th April 2024
Freda Thompson: "Curiosities of Hidden Newcastle"
This talk delves into a Newcastle that has many hidden corners, nooks and crannies, to learn from about the mysteries and curiosities that lurk within.
Friday 12th May 2023
Eleanor George : '‘The Bainbridge Family: from Newcastle Department Store to Eshott Hall’
The Bainbridge family are followed over 200 years from the early 1800s to the early 2000s, from the start of their business in Newcastle to their country home at Eshott. Why did they prosper and how did they treat their staff?
Friday 9th June 2023
Stan Owen : 'Travels Taverns and Trivia’
We’ll travel from the old railway village at Reedsmouth all the way up to the new forestry village at Byrness, stopping off at wayside taverns and picking up trivia and tales of historical interest along the route.
July 2023 – Evening visit to The Heritage Centre, Bellingham & Buffet. Date and time to be confirmed.
July and August 2023 : No meetings
Friday 8th September 2023
Alistair Anderson : ‘Alistair Anderson - A life in music’
A fascinating, personal perspective on the past, present and future of music making in Northumberland and the musicians and characters Alistair has met.
Friday 13th October 2023
Jeff Reynalds : ‘Illustrated Stories from Rothbury’s Past’
Jeff will present an eclectic collection of stories, images and mysteries about Rothbury and Coquetdale that he has amassed over many years.
Friday 10th November 2023
Dr Marta Alberti : ‘Life on the Roman Frontier: Vindolanda and Magna.’
Find out more about the Vindolanda and Magna/Carvoran excavations, looking at the finds uncovered during summer 2023 and building a picture of life on the Roman frontier.
Friday 1st December 2023 (Please note the change of date to the printed programme)
Bill Burlton. : ‘Forests of the World’
A broad view of trees from the tropics to the arctic, how forests developed and the tree species and animals in each forest type. The talk will be followed by supper, mulled wine and lots of Christmas cheer.
January 2024 : No meeting
Friday 9th February 2024 (Talk postponed due to 12th April 2024 due to weather)
AGM beginning at 7.00, followed by:
Susie Finlayson : ‘The Great Tapestry of Scotland’
Over 1,000 stitchers worked more than 50,000 hours with enough yarn to scale Ben Nevis 74 times, to create this amazing piece, almost twice the length of the Bayeux tapestry, telling the story of Scotland from pre-history to the present day.