For the second year running the Blaydon Races Folk Festival was held at Path Head Water Mill on, yes you;ve guessed it, the 9th of June, well to be precise the 8th, 9th and 10th June.

We managed to come up with a dry and warm weekend and the event was a great success with some of the big names of the folk world performing over the weekend to over 200 paying guests.

An unexpected outcome of this weekend was the addition of a new volunteer, myself, Serena Hodgson, and the instigation of a new project. I have a background in primary school teaching, psychiatric nursing and project management, and am a year (and an exam) away from a BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies from the Open University. I intend to combine these skills to operate an enviromental education program based in a Yurt at the far end of the mill site, grants and planning permission permitting, which will hopefully be up and running within the next year. It is a project to which Trevor, Ben and the Trustees have given their full support and we are all looking forward to this exciting project.

Other activities over the summer have been a tractor weekend, craft fayre, children's activity days and heritage open days. Unfortunately the coracle-building workshop had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. However, we intend to run more craft and activity events.

Future dates:

8th/9th September - Heritage Open Days - Come and see the alpaca, Tynedale dyers, spinners & weavers and woodturning. On Sunday have a go at making withy lanterns.

22nd/23rd September - Craft Fayre

27th October (Halloween) - Fancy dress party and bat box building.

Regards Serena Hodgson, Autumn2007