The Village of Wark

December looks to be a busy months with lots of stuff happening. Everything kicks off with tomorrow, Saturday’s, St Michael’s Christmas Bazaar in the Town Hall from 2 p.m. There will be stalls with locally-made Christmas decorations, cakes, bric-a-brac, tombola and a raffle. Admission is just 50p. To me the Christmas Bazaar is an informal start to the Christmas season.

That very same night, still on Saturday 6 December, you’ll have a chance to see the Christmas Extravaganza in aid of  ‘Lifespan’. It will be a night of music, dancing and comedy. Tickets are £5 on the door and there will be a bar.  The Christmas Extravaganza starts at 7.30 p.m.

The Wark branch of the Royal British Legion is the only one left west of Prudhoe and this year the area raised a magnificent £3,293.93 from 8 villages, Bellingham, Humshaugh, Simonburn, Birtley, Barrasford, Gunnerton, Stonehaugh and of course Wark itself. Thanks go to all the collectors and the businesses that allow the Legion to have collecting tins at their premises.

This Tuesday, 2 December, will have seen more than 90 people sitting down to a free three course Christmas dinner with entertainment afterwards. I’ll give you a full report next week.

The week of the 14th of December is also packed with two events to keep you occupied. First on Wednesday 17th, the Hall hosts the Bellingham Amateur Dramatic Society with their Christmas Review touring the North Tyne Valley that week. The Review features a cast ranging in age from 10 to 82! The productions are always interesting and you can be sure to have a good night out. Tickets are £5 or £3 for concessions and are available from Judith Weir on (01434) 230250 or on the door on the day itself.

Then the following night, Thursday 18 December, we’ve got the Hexham Male Voice Choir giving a concert in St Michael’s Church. Admission is £6 which includes a buffet supper and a glass of wine. The concert starts at 7.30 p.m.