This is the fourth noticeboard since the website was refreshed – I hope it's working for you as a means of keeping you in touch with stuff. So far, it hasn't worked well in terms of getting information back from you. In the hopes of making it quicker and easier for you to respond about things please you can click on the BIG BUTTON BELOW. Pressing on this takes you straight into an email. Lots of opportunities to practise using it right now! 

• Hazel and Chris Metherell are looking for people to sing carols at Care Homes in the Alnwick / Morpeth area on the 17th– 20th December. Day time visits. No requirement to do every session! They need a pool of singers. Readiness to sing in a smallish group is essential and confidence to put in a harmony /descant part (with or without notation) is a bonus. Contact Hazel or Chris directly or email me and I'll pass your details on if you'd like to be involved a little or a lot.

• I'm longing to hear from people who'd like to be members of the music team for the Tudor Revels on January 5. At the moment, it's going to be very quiet. Sign up now by emailing me. See in outline what's involved on the Dances Page

• It would be good to get a booking on for the Village Hall for our next Gilbert and Sullivan in a weekend. March/April time or June/Julyish? It's going to be Iolanthe. If you're keen to take part, let me know if you have a preference or would be happy with either. 

• We've just had a splendid Felton Music Saturday. Many thanks to all who came along, including many for the first time. What did you think of it? What would you like to see included in the sessions? How was the coffee? An outline of what we'll be doing next time (November 10) will appear on the site in a couple of weeks. If you've got a moment it would be great to hear your views.

• It's “The King and I” on Saturday October 6. Come along to Felton Village Hall ready for a 9.30am start. Help yourself to a coffee, put £5 in the box, pick up a score, and sit wherever you want. If you like, volunteer to narrate or read one of the characters so we can tell the story. Costume and props optional! Finish at 12.30 prompt. More info on the Musical in a Morning page.    

• October 13 is the next Music Saturday with a full morning of activities for singers and an afternoon for instrumentalists. We've moved the starting time to 9am for the reading music session. Check out the full schedule on the Music Saturdays page.

• Did you hear Woman's Hour on Tuesday September 25, or see Trust Me, I’m a Doctor the following day? Fascinating research into the positive effect of singing by Nottingham University. You can read more on their blog: http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/newsroom/2018/09/24.

• It's time to start planning rehearsals for the Tudor Revels, which are going to happen on January 5. Do you want to be part of the music team – singing and/or playing (all instruments welcomed)? You can do lots or just a little, difficult or easy. There's music for people to dance to and to listen to. Sign up now by emailing Alison. See in outline what's involved on the Dances page.

• The Drop-Inners have sorted out all their themes to the end of the year. Take a look on the Drop In Singing page and if you've ideas for songs you'd like to sing, email Alison.

• Have you enjoyed being involved in Gilbert and Sullivan in a Weekend? Would you like to join in 2019? It's going to be Iolanthe. The question is – when. Do we stick to the last weekend in June or should we move to March/early April? Email now with your preference if you have one. Read more about it here.
  

• A Confident Singing session has had the thumbs up for Music Saturdays. We now offer a whole morning of interesting activities for singers that complement choral singing. If you know anyone who'd like to come along, do encorage them to give it a go. Not forgetting Ukukeles and Slow Tunes in the afternoon! More details here.
  

• Looking for something fun to do on a damp Autumn afternoon? Check out YouTube for The King and I - there's a performance of the whole show there. You'll be up and running ready for our sing through on October 6. More details here.
  

• Only 3 months to Christmas! Carols on the Bridge are on December 17, and after the success of last year's Twelfth Night Tudor Revels, we're revelling Tudorishly all over again on Saturday January 5. More details here

After a year marking time the Felton Music website is active again! Here are some highlights. Do sign up to the blog to receive regular updates about what is going on.

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• We've just had September's Music Saturday, next month's date is October 13th. You can read more about what we do here.

• Enjoy an afternoon at Brinkburn Priory on Saturday September 22 and listen to the Bridge Singers performing in this magical building. See the event details here.

• Our next Musical in a Morning is only a few weeks away. Saturday October 6 is the date for “The King and I”. Come along to Felton Village Hall for a 9.30 start. More details here.

• Please note the 6th October Early Music concert at Newton-On-The-Moor has been cancelled. We are hoping it will be happen in the Spring. 

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Phew!! Just over a week on and we have all fully recovered from a fantastic 'Feltonbury2018' weekend!!

Forward-planning and feedback from previous events means that this has been the most successful fund-raising event by far and has firmly put it on the village's calendar of events.

Deducting essential expenses we calculate that we have raised in excess of £2,000 for 'The Plot'. As the Constitution of 'The Plot' imposes certain restrictions on how we can spend the money we are currently working out how and where 'The Plot' can spend those donations to give maximum advantage to the Felton and Thirston communities that it was set up to service. Early suggestions include encouraging wider community access to 'The Plot' by improving physical accessibility, installing composting toilets and temporary shelter.

We were also delighted that the increased footfall in the village throughout the day and evening provided a significant benefit to all of the village businesses - all of whom seemed to have an equally successful day. In addition, and behind the scenes, we used, and will continue to use, village services wherever possible to ensure that revenue generation will be retained within the local community.

None of this would have been achieved without the generous contributions of artists, musicians, catering, refreshments, volunteers and businesses - and primarily, through the communities' residents and visitors donations.

Each year 'lessons learnt' are incorporated, which, in conjunction with already established features and new innovative ideas, will endeavour to make 'Feltonbury2019' - Saturday 22nd June 2019 - even better than this year. Watch this space in due course to find out what they will be!!

Once again 'The Plot' congratulates everyone for making it so successful through the 'Feltonbury' concept. Here's a short writeup in the Gazette. https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/fun-in-the-sun-as-feltonbury-hits-the-right-note-once-again-1-9226016

Many thanks to Christophe Chevaugeon, Ian McAllister and Mike Poremba for the photos.

GIULIO TAMPALINI - ITALIAN CLASSICAL GUITARIST - SUNDAY 24TH JUNE - ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH

Saturday 23rd June marks 'Feltonbury2018' - the annual one day 'Music and Arts Festival' at numerous venues throughout the village.

However we are absolutely delighted to welcome Giulio Tampalini as our closing act of 'Feltonbury2018' at St Michael's Church, Felton on the following evening - i.e. Sunday 24th June. 
We are especially privileged that Giulio has taken a diversion away from his North-East Concert Tour to make a repeat return to Felton to perform in St Michael's Church, Felton whose acoustics resonate with guitarist and audience alike. 
Ticket information will be announced soon but this is a unique opportunity to see and hear Giulio's stunning virtuosity

DON'T confuse the dates - so put both dates in your diaries

Saturday 23rd June - 'Feltonbury2018' - numerous village venues
Sunday 24th June - Giulio Tampalini - St Michael and All Angels' Church, Felton

Giulio Tampalini - Italian Classical Guitarist
http://www.giuliotampalini.it/en/