Stories of the North East in Original Music and Poetry

Join us for a gentle evening of poetry and folk tunes with Miggins Fiddle and Harry Gallagher, as they celebrate stories of local heritage, history and people through the mediums of new poetry and music composed in the traditional style. They will be presenting material from their recent publication “Beneath This Ground” which tells the story of a historic burial ground in Newcastle and the stories that lie within. They will also present material from their “Frets n Bows n Tales n Ales” collection of tunes and poems inspired by beers brewed by Cullercoats Brewery (named after stories of the Northumbrian coastline) alongside other feelgood tales and tunes.

Marina Dodgson & Maurice Condie are folk musicians, performing together as Miggins Fiddle. They have a particular interest in composing folk tunes, drawing on their love of Northumbrian music. They are also directors of Phoenix Folk (along with songwriter Adam Holden), a folk music company based in Cullercoats that promotes participation in folk music through activities in the North East of England and online. They run a chamber folk ensemble in High Heaton, a regular programme of folk concerts at Cullercoats Watch House, and a community ceilidh programme in Cullercoats. They also host a weekly programme of music activities online. You can find them most Thursday afternoons playing tunes in Cafe 16 in Newcastle Catherdral. www.phoenixfolk.co.uk

Harry Gallagher is a widely-published poet living in his adopted home of Cullercoats, where the locals show much patience and tolerance towards him. He is often to be found being led by his long-suffering wife around the village, wide-eyed, notebook in hand while daydreaming and making notes. He remains eternally grateful. www.harrygallagherpoet.wordpress.com