Culture Digest 19.12.25
A round up of the arts and culture stories which caught our attention over the past two week or so…
Merry stitchmas!
Newcastle has joined the global granny-square craze with a towering 10ft crocheted Christmas tree created by a group of crafters aged 55 to 87.
The Knitters, Movers and Shakers - a free weekly crafting and movement group run by dance company balletLORENT - produced the tree in just four weeks, stitching together hundreds of colourful squares at their Friday sessions at the John Marley Centre in the West End of the city.
Topped with a golden crocheted star, the tree now stands in the foyer of balletLORENT’s Scotswood studio. No new wool was bought for the project, with the group instead making use of leftover yarn donated or gathered over time.
Preparations in full swing for Gerry and Sewell’s West End debut
Rehearsals are now underway for Gerry and Sewell as the hit North East production gears up for an exciting two-week West End run at London’s Aldwych Theatre from January 13.
Eastlake Productions, which is co-producing the production with Newcastle Theatre Royal, has assembled a stellar cast for its capital outing.
Chelsea Halfpenny, Katherine Dow Blyton, Matty Renton, Patrick Ziza and Bill Fellows among those joining returning actors Jack Robertson, Dean Logan, Becky Clayburn and Erin Mullen, who all appeared in the show’s most recent run at Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Written and directed by Jamie Eastlake, the production continues to build momentum following its acclaimed regional success, comprising two sellout runs at Laurels in Whitley Bay and one at Live Theatre before its promotion to the top of Grey Street.
Gerry and Sewell’s upcoming West End stint marks a major milestone for the team - and audiences who can’t make it down to the capital will get another chance to catch it at the Theatre Royal in June.
Look out for a full report from inside the rehearsal room before the year is out.
County Durham culture programme reveals year-one results
Into the Light, County Durham’s cultural initiative, has shared its first-year results, setting out the scope of work completed to date.
According to figures released by the programme, nearly 600 creative practitioners and freelancers have been supported through commissions and development opportunities, while more than 7,000 people have taken part in workshops, performances and creative activity. Events across the county attracted over 14,000 live audience members, with a reported digital reach of more than 34,000.
Programme director Julia Handelman-Smith said: “These numbers make clear how Into the Light is shining a light on County Durham’s unique and thriving cultural identity. We are supporting creatives and heritage professionals across our county, with our programme bringing celebration and opportunity to residents, creatives and visitors alike.”
Jane Tarr, director North East, Arts Council England, said: “It’s fantastic to see that Into the Light has supported so many artists and engaged so many participants and audiences in its first year – it is a great achievement.”
Artistic projects delivered during the year included Nana’s House, an exhibition by visual artist Ruth Flowers in partnership with Peterlee-based No More Nowt, and two productions by Horden theatre company Ensemble ’84 following its six-month paid training programme.
Funded by Durham County Council, the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund, Into the Light now moves into its second year with further commissions, community projects and research partnerships planned.
Sometimes you have to be a little bit… blocky!
Fenwick Newcastle has a new festive guest - a life-sized LEGO® sculpture of Roald Dhal legend, Matilda, created in partnership with Sunderland Empire to celebrate the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical heading to the region in February.
The brick-built model of the special youngster who champions the excellent notion that ‘sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty’ is on display in the Northumberland Street store’s famous toy department until January 11.
Shoppers can also enter a competition to win a family ticket to the show plus a Tonie Box simply by scanning the QR code beside the model.
Matilda The Musical runs at Sunderland Empire from February 11-28.
Funding boost helps Young Gardeners group to grow
The Alnwick Garden’s Young Gardeners group will soon be able to expand their work after receiving funding for a new polytunnel, made possible through sponsorship of the Water Tower Light Installation in this year’s Winter Lights trail.
The support from housing developer Lovell will help the programme continue offering gardening experience and social opportunities to young people with additional needs.
Lauren St Hilaire, senior partnerships manager at The Alnwick Garden, said: “Thanks to Lovell’s generous sponsorship, we will be able to fund a new polytunnel that will provide invaluable learning opportunities and a space for creativity to flourish.”
The Winter Lights trail runs until January 4.
Miners’ Strike campaigner recognised for lifetime of community service
A woman who played a leading part in the regional and national fight against pit closures during the Miners’ Strike is to be awarded an honorary degree by Durham University.
Miner’s daughter Heather Wood, who has dedicated her life to serving communities across County Durham and beyond, told her story of growing up in the Easington pit community in her 2023 book, Just a Pit Lass.
She said: “It’s always been a goal of mine to write my story, which in so many ways is the story of many working class folk. Our history is not often written by those who lived it. I have no doubt it will never win any great place in the literary world but it’s there, it’s down and it’s all true.
“It’s my story but it’s also a story that is representative of the strong mining families of the British coalfields. My hope is that those reading it will get a sense of the community spirit and the friendships that made mining villages special.”
Heather will receive her Honorary Master of Arts degree during the university’s winter congregation ceremonies at Durham Cathedral from January 8–9.
Castle sale unveils vast hoard of art, antiques and silver
An extensive collection of art, antiques and silver from an “outstanding” North of England mansion house is to be sold by auction.
The Grade I listed Corby Castle, six miles from Carlisle, has been sold after being placed on the market with an asking price of £15m.
The collection will go under the hammer in a three-day sale at Tennants Auctioneers, North Yorkshire, from January 22–24.
Winter trail launched at High Force
A new Polar Quest Trail has been launched at High Force Waterfall - just in time for the Christmas holidays.
Running daily throughout the festive period, the trail at the County Durham attraction transforms the popular circular route to the base of the 21-metre waterfall into a wintry woodland adventure.
Open from 10am to 3pm, families can wander through twinkling trees in search of crisp leaves, a festive wishing well, hidden reindeer, secret polar bears and squirrels stocking up for winter.
The trail is included with all admission tickets, with a £10 online family saver available.
Lindisfarne Festival celebrates national award success
Belated congratulations to the team behind Lindisfarne Festival who were toasting a win at the UK Festival Awards earlier this month.
The event, which was saved from cancellation just weeks ahead of its 10th anniversary event through fresh investment and the return of founding festival director, Conleth Maenpaa, was named as Best Small Festival at the ceremony on December 3.
Excitement now builds for the 2026 edition, with Faithless, Razorlight and The Proclaimers already announced for the main stage. Tickets on sale now.