Jazz lovers are guaranteed a great time next month whatever the weather.

The Great Whittington Jazz Picnic will go ahead regardless of rain or shine, either as a traditional outdoor event or moving into the village hall if need be.

There will be trad jazz at its best with the Victory V Jazzmen. Original members of the Rivercity Jazzmen will be performing and everyone is welcome to bring along picnics and drinks.

Following last April's sell-out show at Great Whittington Village Hall, CFest present yet another fantastic evening of acoustic music by The Longsands:
Friday April 17th at 7.30pm in Great Whittington Village Hall.
The Longsands are a popular up-and-coming band from Cramlington, and this show sees them play some great covers from the Beatles to the Stereophonics, as well as some of their own great music.

All profits will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust - another good reason to come to this event!

Tickets cost just £5 and are available from Chris Bryce - (01434) 672700 or
07960 981721

There will be a licensed bar, snacks and a raffle on the night too.
For more information, please visit www.greatwhittington.com

There will be a free Cricket Umpiring course held at Tynedale Cricket Club, Hexham, starting on Thursday 29th January 2009 (7pm to 9pm). This is for up and coming umpires, those cricketers who want to know more, qualified umpires (refresher) and anyone interested in becoming involved with this side of cricket.

The course is being run by the Northumberland Cricket Umpires Association and will run for 4 weeks. If you are interested you are invited to turn up on the first evening.

Local cricket leagues always require additional officials with over 30 games most weekends and some on weekdays in the Tynedale area alone.

Most leagues meet umpires expenses for games and you get a free tea! This course is a basic starter/refresher of the rules and those interested can go on to fully qualify as an umpire on future courses.