Crime pays for North East telly
Daytime viewers of BBC One – and indeed anytime viewers of BBC iPlayer – will get first sight of new crime drama series The Northumbria Mysteries this coming Friday (October 23).
Those fortunate enough to have joined cast and crew for a preview screening at the Tyneside Cinema this week will be aware that BBC top brass have been watching closely too.
Speaking from the stage, Dan McGolpin, director of BBC iPlayer and TV Channels, said he had been delighted when Helen Munson, commissioning editor for the North East, said she had a script she wanted to do.
Now the script, under lead writer Ash Ditta, has become a series (eight episodes, four to be available on iPlayer soon after broadcast) he was “very excited” to see it put before its first audience.
There was also a supportive message (via screen from Salford) from Matt Brittin, BBC director-general – another indication that the weight of the Corporation is behind this new investment in North East TV production.
North East sets 10,000 jobs target in new culture strategy
Plans to create 10,000 jobs in the North East’s cultural and creative sectors over the next decade have been set out in a new strategy published by the region’s mayoral authority.
The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority has outlined its ambitions for culture, creative industries, heritage and sport between now and 2036, with targets covering employment, business growth, major events and visitor numbers.
As well as creating 10,000 jobs, the authority wants to support more than 8,000 businesses and freelancers to grow, host more than 900 events, including 10 major events, and attract over 10 million visitors to regional events and cultural venues.
The targets form part of the newly published North East Culture, Creative Industries, Heritage and Sport Strategic Framework 2026–2036, which sets out how the authority intends to use its devolved powers, investment and influence to develop the sectors.
The strategy is underpinned by £104m of investment announced earlier this year.
Newcastle's Mercury Fringe strikes its first chord
Newcastle’s Mercury Prize Fringe got underway on Thursday night (October 15), with live music, creativity and cultural celebrations at The Grove setting the tone for the week ahead.
Sunderland’s musical memories to be preserved in heritage project
The people, places and performances that have shaped Sunderland’s musical identity are to be celebrated in a major heritage project backed by more than £156,000 of National Lottery funding.
Sunderland Music City has been awarded £156,166 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Mackem Music Memories, which will gather the city’s musical stories and preserve them for future generations.
The project will explore everything from Sunderland’s earliest recorded choral traditions to the grassroots venues, musicians and audiences that have contributed to its musical life over the decades.
And organisers are appealing to people across Wearside to share their memories, whether they involve an unforgettable concert, a favourite venue or the music that played an important part in their lives. Read more
The academy with a starring role
There are photographs on our hallway wall which have been there for years.
In one, our son is on the People’s Theatre stage, belting out a number from We Will Rock You when he was probably around 11. In another, his younger sister is setting new records for cute in leopard-print for a production of The Lion King.
Nearly a decade later, the whole family can still do the dance from that particular production. In the privacy of our own kitchen, obviously.
Both kids spent years attending Saturday classes at what was then Sage Academy in Newcastle. Neither is pursuing a career in performing arts, but the confidence they gained, the friendships they made and the experience of working together towards performances have stayed with them.
And as what is now SA Performing Arts celebrates its 25th anniversary, I’m reminded that the measure of a stage school isn’t necessarily how many famous faces it produces.
Although, as it happens, SA has a growing collection of those too.
Trafalgar treasure unveiled
The Union flag flown during the Battle of Trafalgar from HMS Royal Sovereign, flagship of Newcastle-born Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, goes on public display for the first time on Saturday (October 17).
It will be on show at Discovery Museum in Newcastle until November to coincide with Trafalgar Day on October 21.
Acquired this summer, the flag was hand-stitched on the way to battle in 1805 by the crew.
North East Museums has raised £502,200 of a £700,000 target to purchase the flag and create a permanent home for it at Discovery Museum. Read more
From Hartlepool to Hollywood’s costume department
A costume specialist who trained in the North East has been sharing the behind-the-scenes story of working on the latest big-screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
Alison Lyons, who studied costume construction at what was then Cleveland College of Art and Design, now The Northern School of Art, worked closely with the film’s stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and George MacKay during the 10-week shoot.
Having previously worked on productions including Downton Abbey and Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Alison secured the job after approaching costume designer Grace Snell.
“I had found out the film was starting production. I reached out to Grace Snell, the film’s designer, and she offered me a place within her team. I feel very lucky to have worked with such a fantastic designer.”
Fresh perspectives on Durham Book Festival
We were delighted to welcome a new generation of reviewers to Cultured. North East for this year’s Durham Book Festival.
Members of New Writing North’s Turn Up for the Books programme, which gives 18–25-year-olds experience in the creative industries, were invited to review festival talks alongside producing an event of their own.
We were also pleased to have Durham University student Gretel Goodgame contributing to our coverage.
Between them, they’ve been reporting back on discussions about writing, publishing, food, identity and more.
The force is strong at Hopetown as Star Wars exhibition heads to Darlington
A galaxy of Star Wars memorabilia is heading to Darlington next year as a touring exhibition celebrating the toys that became almost as famous as the films prepares to land at Hopetown.
May The Toys Be With You opens at the railway heritage attraction on January 9, bringing together rare action figures, vehicles, playsets, original cinema posters and promotional artwork collected over several decades.
The exhibition marks 50 years since George Lucas’s original Star Wars film arrived in cinemas in 1977, launching a franchise that would change both the film industry and the toy market.
Taking the next steps into writing and publishing
Aspiring writers and anyone interested in a career in publishing are invited to Culture House Sunderland on Wednesday, October 21 for The Write Steps, an afternoon of talks and advice from people working in the industry.
Organised by the University of Sunderland and Bloomsbury Publishing, the event begins at 1pm with three free panel sessions featuring local publishers, authors and representatives from the Society of Young Publishers.
A keynote talk and panel discussion involving the Bloomsbury Institute begins at 5pm, followed by a Q&A and networking opportunities.
The event is open to everyone. Places for the afternoon sessions are free, while tickets for the Bloomsbury evening event cost £9.
Woodhorn named UK’s best accessible museum for families
Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland has won a national award recognising its commitment to making visits enjoyable and accessible for families.
The former colliery museum was named Best Accessible Museum at the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Awards 2026, announced in Birmingham on Monday (Oct 12).
The awards are decided by families who make undercover visits to shortlisted attractions.
Judges praised Woodhorn’s welcoming staff and accessibility measures, including braille signage, audio descriptions, sensory spaces, quiet sessions and an accessible play area.
One family judge said: “This is a wonderful place for kids of the North East to learn about their heritage in a fun and interactive way.”
Jo Raw, Northumberland venues manager for North East Museums, said: “This recognition means so much because it reflects the experiences of the families who visit us and the dedication of our team, who work hard every day to ensure everyone feels welcome, supported and able to enjoy all that Woodhorn has to offer.”
Young voices warm up for Mercury Prize
More than 70 schoolchildren from across the North East will bring a little musical magic to Newcastle Central Station on October 22, ahead of this year’s Mercury Prize ceremony.
The LNER Mini Mercury Choir has been rehearsing at St James’ Park for a special pop-up performance featuring two songs, including one by a North East artist shortlisted for this year’s prize.
The performance coincides with the awards ceremony at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, which is hosting the event for the second consecutive year.
Beamish prepares for a haunting Halloween
There could be some unfamiliar faces lurking among the usual inhabitants of Beamish Museum this Halloween as the County Durham attraction prepares to welcome visitors after dark.
Repair, reuse, repeat
From kettles to clocks, mobiles, tablets and lights, plus a host of other electrical items – once they stop working, they become part of the Throwaway Society.
But a growing network of repair and reuse ventures across the North East is tackling the tide of discarded gadgets, with volunteers putting their engineering skills – or simply their enthusiasm for fixing things – to good use.
Tomorrow (October 17) is International Repair Day, and North East co-ordinator Michael Marston is using the event to spread the word about the region’s renew centres.
“The amount of goods, especially electrical, which are discarded is frightening and we can’t continue with this throwaway mentality when so many can be repaired and reused,” said Gateshead-based Michael.
“Seeing this repair and renew sector grow gives us hope.” Read more