What We Do! A celebration of community folk ensembles across the North East

**** This event is for members of the Tyneside Fiddle Alliance, Hexham Village Band, Phoenix Chamber Folk Ensemble, Redheughers Ceilidh Band, Glendale Community Band and The Keel Assembly ****

What We Do!

A celebration of community folk ensembles across the North East

Sunday 28th June 2026 (1.20pm – 9.30pm)
St Bartholomew’s Church Hall, Benton

This event will bring together some of the largest community folk ensembles in the North East: Tyneside Fiddle Alliance, Hexham Village Band, Phoenix Chamber Folk Ensemble, Redheughers Ceilidh Band, Glendale Community Band and the newly formed Keel Assembly. It is open to all members of these ensembles, and will be an opportunity to play together, share some favourite repertoire and perform to each other.

Session (1.20pm – 1.50pm)
For those who would like to start the afternoon with a session, David Oliver will lead us in some session tunes.

Playing together (1.50pm – 5.30pm)
During the afternoon, leaders of TFA, HVB, PCFE and Redheughers will take it in turn to teach the whole group one or two favourite tunes and/or arrangements from their ensemble repertoire. There will be a break in the middle for refreshments.

Supper (5.30-6.30pm)
For those that want to, we are organising a fish ‘n’ chip supper, which will be delivered to the venue. You are also welcome to bring your own food, or to leave and return in time for the evening session.

Evening concert and ceilidh (7pm – 9.30pm)
The first part of the evening will be a concert featuring performances from TFA, PFCE, Redheughers and GCB. We will reorganise the room during the interval, so that the Hexham Village Band can lead us all in some ceilidh dancing. We will finish the evening off with some session tunes.

Booking and cost
The cost is £10 per person, but it is important to us that the cost does not create a barrier to any of our members who wish to take part. With this in mind, there is an option on the booking form to attend for free, which we offer on an honesty basis with no questions asked. If you need to use this option, you are welcome to do so. There is also an option to pay a slighter higher rate (£15) for anyone who wishes to contribute a little more to the cost of the event. Fish and chips are optional, and at an additional cost – please see the online booking form (food options appear once you add a ticket to the basket). Guest tickets for the evening session are available for £7 each and you are welcome to order food for your guests when booking. Please book your place by Sunday 21st June.

Venue information
The event will take part in St Bartholomew’s Church Hall in Benton. The church is a short walk from Benton metro station, and there is quite a large car park at the church which we are welcome to use. More details are here: https://www.stbartholomews.org.uk/

Taking part
There is no expectation to prepare for the afternoon session, but we appreciate that it may feel like a lot of new material in a short space of time. With that in mind, sheet music and audio will be made available in advance. Some tunes will be taught by ear. Please be aware that the afternoon session will be loud, with all ensembles playing together. If you are sensitive to noise, you may wish to sit nearer the back. You are also welcome to step out for a break at any time.