Music at the Riverside in Prudhoe Riverside Park a hit

Music at the Riverside, Prudhoe Riverside Park's third annual festival, was held on Saturday, July 13.

The crowd (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

The festival, while wet at times, had artists performing, local food vans and community groups had lots of fun and laughter, the Prudhoe Community Partnership, which organises the event, said. 

READ MORE: Corbridge Chamber Music Festival to return for 26th year

Angie Scott, mayor of Prudhoe, with Prudhoe Community Band (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

Part of the Prudhoe Arts Festival, Music by the Riverside saw 18 groups of musicians, including the Prudhoe Community Band and the Tyne Valley Big Band, participate.

Central Arcade (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

The Prudhoe Community Partnership coordinates the Arts Festival and Music by the Riverside.

Dave and Barbara Hignett of Tyne Valley Big Band (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

Trustees thanked everyone who attended, local traders and community groups who supported activities, including Prudhoe Youth Project and Northumberland Communities Together. The event aims to raise Prudhoe's profile and attract visitors.

North East magician Paul Innes intrigued the crowd with card tricks and mind-reading.

Magician Paul Innes performed at the event (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

Three choirs – Prudhoe Community Choir, the Gleemen and the Rock Choir – performed popular sing-along songs while Tom Cantwell, Caroline Guirr and Calum Tordoff united to deliver an hour of mixed genres. The Wild Women of Wylam provided much fun and laughter with their music.

Prudhoe Gleemen and conductor Judith Thompson (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

This year, the festival welcomed some new performers. The Story Tellers Street Band told a roving tale through song and children followed their trail around the amphitheatre area.

Central Arcade is a local youth band which performs covers and original work. Kev F (Kevin Fairless), the Bridge End Jazz Band and Sax Appeal (Simon Probyn) all made their Riverside debut and were very well received by the audience. 

Jet Lag on stage (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

The Whistle Testers and Jet Lag provided the dance music for the close of the evening.

Organisers thanked Paul Mooney and Prudhoe’s Music Man for compering the event and the Stage Truck for providing staging and technical support. 

Storytellers Street Band (Image: Moira Wooldridge)

Rapid Response First Aid was thanked for stepping in when the original first aiders withdrew at short notice. Moira Wooldridge was also thanked for photographing the event throughout the day.

The event is free but it relies on financial support.

Prudhoe Community Partnership thanked Thompsons of Prudhoe, Essity and Prudhoe Town Council for their grants and donations. Local businesses donated funds and raffle prizes for fundraising events.

A provisional date for next year's Music at the Riverside is Saturday, July 12.