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Culture Digest 12.09.25
A round up of the arts and culture stories which caught our attention over the past week or so...
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Sam Wonfor
Cult cinema to light up the coast at Whitley Bay Film Festival
Screenings in lighthouses, halls and village watch houses bring new atmosphere to old favourites, as the volunteer-led festival returns this autumn
Flags fly high to honour Berwick’s women
From munitions workers to fishwives, 20 women’s stories inspire bold public artworks flying across the town
Northumberland National Park chief announces retirement
The man who has been at the helm of Northumberland National Park for two decades is to step down. He talks to Tony Henderson
Colliery paintings capture Durham’s lost pits
Paintings which depict County Durham’s colliery past are sold. Tony Henderson reports
Decade of digs reveals Lindisfarne secrets
Top 10 finds as last in series of digs begins on. Tony Henderson reports
Coastal tales brought to life
Autumn tour from the Border Readers takes inspiration from the shore
Double tribute for young artists and a fisherman's legacy
Tynemouth exhibition celebrates young people’s art project and inspirational figure who backed the venture. Tony Henderson reports
Fashion on the rails at Bowes Museum
What to wear when the new railway came to town? Tony Henderson tracks the changes in fashion as life speeded up.
Mercury Prize shortlist revealed - as Newcastle prepares to take centre stage
With Sam Fender among this year’s contenders, the 2025 awards mark a milestone moment for the region’s growing cultural profile
Looking for Me Friend... and saluting a treasured talent
Victoria Wood’s legacy will be celebrated in song and story at Gosforth Civic Theatre next week. Sam Wonfor hears from the show’s creator and star
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Sam Wonfor
Review: Walk Like a Man, Laurels Theatre
This story of a boy who dares to dream to be something different, by SJ Lowes, had the audience enthralled at the Laurels, Whitley Bay.
© 2025 Sam Wonfor
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