Alwinton Summer Concerts @ Wooler Arts 2021

CONCERTS TO BE HELD IN ST MARY’S CHURCH, WOOLER

After a year in which Covid has devastated our lives, and as we look forward to the return of some kind of normality, we need the joy of live music and music-making more than ever. It was inevitable that our planned season of 2020 concerts would have to be cancelled and initially I tried to re-book as many artists as possible for 2021. It soon became clear that the uncertainties surrounding Covid not only meant that we would have to postpone concerts until later in the year, but that safe distancing in Alwinton Church was not possible.

We had a number of options: cancel the series altogether, cancel the 2021 concerts, or consider moving the concerts to a much larger venue. Musicians certainly need to work and to play to live audiences, so cancelling was soon dismissed as an option. Live-streaming has been a valuable bonus for some artists during lockdown, but we now need to make every effort to get back to live music in a relatively safe environment.

St Mary’s Church in Wooler provides such a location. While it does not have the historic charm or situation of Alwinton, it has other qualities: it is a large, open space with a good acoustic; it will allow audiences to feel safe if physical distancing is still necessary; and it doesn’t have the sightline problems of Alwinton. It is located in a town that offers hospitality, facilities and accommodation, and it is as easy, or even easier, to get to than driving to Alwinton. And, for those wanting to combine their love of culture and outdoor activities, the foothills of the Cheviots are but a walk away. This move coincides with the creation this year of a new initiative – Wooler Arts – and I am very pleased to be able to collaborate with this new organization to make this happen.

We have had to put back our normal May and June dates because of Covid, and our four concerts will now take place in August and September. We have been able to build on our reputation for bringing exciting and original programmes performed by major artists. A summary of the four concerts is shown below: full details can be found on the Concerts Page of the website.

I hope that our regular supporters will find the new location an easy journey and I look forward to welcoming new audience members. This will be a season of four concerts like no other as we emerge from a dark period when we have been starved of most kinds of cultural activity. We hope you will join us in Wooler to celebrate through the unique power of music.

John Casken, Artistic Director