Our local newspaper is the Hexham Courant and it’s always a joy to read. The events page at the back really tells you what season it is. Right now it’s village shows – at least four every week. In a couple of months, it’ll be time for the leek club shows.. not much call for pipes at these – I’ll have to see if any of my veg are up to scratch.

June kicked off fo me with Ovingham Goose Fair – one of the wettest I can remember. Then it was the Humshaugh School Fair which was a great success in baking sunshine. Not quite a village show but this weekend the Farmer’s Market was in held in Hexham – they invited me to go and play and it was a lovely morning. Playlist included The Lea Rigges, Bobby Shaftoe and Cut and Dry Dolly – I’d love to know where the PRS license money went for those pieces (150yrs+ old). A heavy shower came in at midday so I ended with the Raindrop Waltz.

Next week is the Three Churches Fete in Wall (Sat 16th July), Steve Cram is opening the show at 2pm and I’ll be playing a couple of half hour sessions in the church. I even do requests, feel free to ask!

Afer a flurry in July, August is a bit quieter for me – with the exception of the truly tremendous Bellingham Show on Bank Holiday Saturday (27th August). I’ll be sitting the judges chair this year for the Northumbrian Pipes competitions – this has a lot of meaning to me as it’s the first competition I won almost 20 years ago.

Support your local show!