PARANORMAL NORTHUMBERLAND

Northumberland is known for its spectacular countryside and coastline, as well as its rich history and culture. It's no surprise, then, that the county is also home to a wealth of myths, legends, and fantastical tales. In his latest book, "Illustrated Tales of Northumberland," local author Rob Kirkup brings readers a selection of these captivating stories, many of which are set in the county's many castles.

One such tale is set in the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, where a warlock commands a skeletal army to prevent Sir Guy the Seeker from rescuing a maiden in distress on a stormy night. Another legend suggests that King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table may be resting in eternal slumber beneath the Northumberland countryside, waiting to rise again in England's hour of need.

While some of the tales in the book are based on factual events, others have mystical roots, but all are nonetheless intriguing and fascinating. Kirkup, a dedicated ghost hunter from the north east, has had a lifelong fascination with the supernatural and has established himself as an expert in the field with over

50 investigations and several published books on the subject.

"Illustrated Tales of Northumberland" is the latest in Amberley's "Illustrated Tales" series and offers a unique insight into the county's rich folklore and legends. It is available in both print and digital formats, making it a great choice for residents and visitors alike, as well as those interested in heritage and visitor attractions.

Paranormal Northumberland is available to buy from 15th May from www.amberley-books.com and all good bookshops. To buy this book online while supporting your local independent bookshop, visit: uk.bookshop.org/shop/abcmagazines

£2,495

MOUTH OF THE TYNE LINE UP COMPLETE

Legendary Scottish band The Proclaimers will open this year’s Mouth of the Tyne Festival, completing a star studded line up over 4 days.

The duo have added a special north east date into their summer tour, and will perform at Tynemouth Priory and Castle on Thursday 6 July.

Best known for their hits Letter from America, I’m Gonna Be (500 miles), Let’s Get Married, and King of the Road, they have enjoyed huge success around the globe with Gold and Platinum singles and albums in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Proclaimers join post-punk legend Siouxsie on Friday 7 July, former Beautiful South and Housemartins frontman Paul Heaton on Saturday 8 July and Brit Awardwinning Gabrielle on Sunday 9 July, making this year’s line-up one of the best in the festival’s 17 year history.

Punk icon Siouxsie is an Ivor Novello award-winning musician who brings over 40 years of hits from her ground-breaking career with Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Creatures, and as a solo artist. Her show will be one of her first UK shows for a decade.

Special guests on the night are LYR, an ambient rock band comprising of author and current British poet laureate Simon Armitage, singer-songwriter Richard Walters and multi-instrumentalist & producer Patrick Pearson.

Paul Heaton is back on Saturday 8 July, five years after his last sell-out show at the spectacular venue, to perform tracks from throughout his career including classics from The Beautiful South and The Housemartins right through to his solo projects.

Paul, who is known for hits including Caravan of Love, Happy Hour and Song for Whoever, will be joined by a special guest singer who will be revealed soon.

Gabrielle is one of the most successful soul singers of her generation. She scooped two BRIT awards and MOBO Awards for Best Single (‘Give Me A Little More Time’) and Best Album (‘Rise’). After being nominated on five separate occasions, she won her first Ivor Novello Award in 2008 when she was honoured with the prestigious accolade for Outstanding Song Collection.

Gabrielle said: “I can’t wait to party with everyone at Tynemouth and celebrate the record that launched my career three decades ago! Time sure does fly when you are having fun.”

Mouth of the Tyne Festival, supported by Capita and Port of Tyne, is now in its 17th year, and features big outdoor concerts, a programme of free street entertainment, huge community parade and special intimate shows at Playhouse Whitley Bay.

Tickets are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.seetickets.com.

Facebook @mouthofthetynefestival

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SPONSORS WHAT’S ON

AUTHORISED

• A wide variety of Composite Doors

Clues Across

1 Nightclub entertainment (7)

4 Strange and frightening (5)

7 System for detecting aircraft (5)

9 Vertical, erect (7)

10 Passivity, paralysis (7)

11 Emperor, king, monarch (5)

12 Tyrannical dictator (6)

14 Priest or religious leader (6)

18 Plentiful (5)

20 Gaunt, exhausted (7)

22 Scottish pouch worn with a kilt (7)

23 Ceremonial headdress (5)

24 Item in a diary, or notebook (5)

25 Spiny Australian egglaying mammal! (7)

Clues Down

1 Supported, sustained (7)

2 Decorative breast pin (5)

3 Tropical bird with large colourful beak (6)

4 Mistake (5)

5 Constant, uniform (7)

6 Go inside (5)

8 Relative size of two values (5)

13 Assist financially (7)

15 Strict reason (5)

16 Intricate musical solo (7)

17 Become different (6)

18 Passage in supermarket (5)

19 Before the expected time (5)

21 Keep away from (5)

SOLUTIONS

ON PAGE 42

CLAIRE BATTISTA IS AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT NURSE PRESCRIBER AND OWNER OF THE BATT HOUSE WHICH IS BASED IN BEDLINGTON, NORTHUMBERLAND email: thebatthouse@yahoo.com

For anyone considering a treatment, consultations at The Batt House are free of charge, so feel free to book in for a chat.

Monthly payment plans are available.

Booking is so easy you can message us on Facebook or Instagram or simply scan the QR code which leads you straight to the booking system.

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 27 Good; 32 Very Good; 37 Excellent.

WORDSEARCH

Can you find all of the space related words hidden in the grid?

ASTEROID BLACK

HOLE

COMET

EARTH

ECLIPSE

EUROPA

GALAXY

GANYMEDE

HUBBLE

IO

JAMES

WEBB

JUPITER

MARS

MERCURY

METEORITE

MILKY WAY

MOON

NEBULA

NEPTUNE

ORBIT

PLANET

PLEIADES

PLUTO RED GIANT