Susan Barwood Photography

New today in Elements Rothbury lovely vibrant Rothbury coasters by Susan Barwood Photography . Great for gifts, so nice as souvenirs and too nice not to treat yourself. Just £3.50 each or grab a bargain and get 4 for £12.00.

The adults had a great day too! Either performing or enjoying the performances. I just wish I could be in more than one place at the same time as I missed so much but the acts I did see were so good. So here are the photos, all mixed up and in no particular order: Andrew Charleton, who is a passionate supporter of the music festival and everything Rothbury and Coquetdale, was amazing as always. Alistair Anderson on the Northumbrian pipes almost moved me to tears. One of the most beautiful and haunting pieces of music I have heard for a long time. Also in All Saints Church were the incredible Chris Stout and Finlay MacDonald. sounded even more even more wonderful and moving playing in the mart. Loved the A Capella group TRIBE from Wooler too.
The pubs had a bumper day and I managed to make it to The Turk's Head, The Queens Head Rothbury and The Newcastle House Hotel to listen to some great session musicians. Hadrian Clog looked like they were having the time of their lives and Tiny Afro were brilliant in the Turks garden. If I have missed anyone please don't shout at me, I did my best 😀 Just love the buzz of Rothbury Traditional Music Festival Sorry so many superlatives!

We have such lovely and talented children in Rothbury and the Coquet Valley!
They all performed so well in the Children's Competitions at Rothbury Traditional Music Festival Aifionn Sharon Quinn Evans was so good as organiser and compere and the three judges gave some great constructive advice and encouragement.
James Tait has done a fantastic job, too, as teacher. Please note these photos are no good for prints. Anyone who would like a print please contact Aifionn who will give you a link to my gallery where you can buy them cost price in all sizes. Thanks so much to all the committee and especially the nice man who brought me a cup of tea and a pastry.

I was so pleased to be asked to go to The Rothbury Music Festival Youth Concert in The Jubilee Hall on Friday evening. Our local children are so talented! This event was run by The Music Partnership North Schools' Music Service to encourage our local schoolchildren to develop and encourage their love of music. Unfortunately, I had to leave after an hour so wasn't able to get all the acts on camera but most of those I missed are in the Children's Competition photos in the next post. Rothbury Traditional Music Festival thank you so much for all your hard work. James Tait is such a good teacher and inspiration to all his pupils.
A highlight was hearing guest act Niamh Farrell who sang so beautifully.
Thanks so much to T's Cakes and Bakes for a very welcome cup of tea

Our four lovely grandchildren! Love them all to bits!

A lovely day out with Susan Aynsley around the Rye Hill and Thropton sides of the River Coquet. It was such a privilege to see the sheep shearing at Rye Hill too. Those lads work so hard and are impressively fast.

I had been meaning to get back to Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens for ages. I think the last time was 2010! and I had forgotten how magical it is. The quarry garden especially which was created after excavating the sandstone rock to build the hall. As an added bonus there was an exhibition by Ingrid Pollard 'There is Light in the Fissures' She took inspiration from the natural materials which were used to build Belsay. The ropes are meant to represent the tension between nature and the building apparently. I loved her hidden mirrors in the quarry. The animation which is projected onto the castle walls was brilliant. It tells the history of Belsay from the 14th century to date. I ran out of time to go to the lake so must go back soon.

Delighted that The Queen's Head in Rothbury has chosen 16 of my large landscape for the lovely rooms in their hotel. Most of the prints pictured here and many more of our lovely local landscapes are now for sale at Elements Rothbury in various sizes. Thanks so much Jordann The Queens Head. So happy that you and your manager at Punch Taverns like them.

Such a lovely day trip to Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia National Park with Katherine and Freddie.

I always stop when driving near the Lion Bridge in Alnwick to see the Castle in different lights on different days. There was something quintessentially English about this scene a few days ago with our usual impending rain.

Thank you so much Claire and David Carrick for showing me how to get down to the River Coquet opposite Thrum Mill. A picture I have wanted for years. It was really magical! They brought along their lovely grandchildren but sadly it was a little too dangerous for the little one and Claire had to stay behind. One for the Rothbury and Coquetdale Calendar and a print for Elements. Can't thank them both enough!

The whole night was a hoot from start to finish at the Mamma Mia Night at The Rose & Thistle Alwinton. Thanks so much to Mary and Neil and their team for delicious Greek food, the Abba music and karaoke which got everyone up singing, a great Abba quiz from Sarah and to Kirsty who organised the trip for her Keep Fit girls. We had such a laugh which you can hopefully see from the photos. There were some great Abba and Mamma Mia outfits and there's even a few of me taken on a phone. I got the wrong decade with the shoulder pads but hopefully Abba wore them in the 80's!

In and around Alwinton. I love Spring!

More 'Cragside's Iconic Landscapes' tea towels now available in Elements Rothbury
Happy to say they sold out fast!
Can you spot the daft mistake I made in the text for one of the lakes? Now corrected for the new batch and hopefully nobody noticed 😁
Tea towels of Rothbury village's iconic landscapes also available.

Cracking little treats for Easter!

We had a lovely few days earlier in the week in Rothbury with sparkling or misty mornings and beautiful sunsets. Just had time to walk along the River Coquet and get a few shots. You get to meet some lovely dog walkers at this time of the day and I just had to get a shot of these beautiful greyhounds.

These lovely tea towels would make an excellent Mother's Day gift. As long as you promise to do the drying up whenever you can! Too nice to dry dishes with? They also make a lovely wall hanging.
Landscape prints of Rothbury and beyond also make lovely gifts. Priced from £10.00 for the tea towels to £20.00 for the mounted prints. Find them at . Elements Rothbury

Susan Barwood Photography An experienced photographer working in North East England specialising in Weddings and Landscapes

The Red Door is back with a great new look and lovely clothes and accessories.
Good luck Sally and her team.

Love my Spring Bouquet from Sarah FlowersandFoliage Thank you Sarah!for making us feel that spring is just around the corner.

The newly refurbished The Rose & Thistle Alwinton with beautiful comfy chairs, a gorgeous new floor, paint colour and curtains. Loved their 'Vera' corner. Alwinton was renamed 'Lingford' in the ITV series which regularly featured Alwinton and the Rose and Thistle. The views are unbeatable and a new beer garden is now under construction. The food from Neil and Mary is always top class too. Susan and I were first in last Friday and had a lovely lunch. That's Susan Aynsley in the corner saying "don't take my photo!" 😆

Beautiful snowdrops at Biddestone Chapel, Northumberland

Set off at dawn for Linhope Spout in Imgram Valley but didn't realise you have to park the car and do a 45 min. walk so by the time I got to the waterfall there was bright harsh contrasty sunlight. It didn't help that I missed the sign and added another 20 mins before I found it. Never mind, got some nice soft light on the way and I will go back. It's a lovely walk!

Thank you so much to everyone who bought The Rothbury and Coquetdale Calendar 2024. So lovely to hear it has been sent far and wide to friends and family who all have a love for the area in common but especially pleased to report that you all helped me to make a £300 profit to donate to our wonderful Jubilee Hall, the community centre in Rothbury which has helped so many, old and young.
Thanks also to the ladies in Elements and Soulsby's who allowed me to stock them.

Just a few of the photos I took at the dress rehearsal of the brilliant CADS panto "Jack and the Beanstalk' Well done to everyone, your hard work is so appreciated!
It was all great but I especially loved the giant's eye peering through the window. There are lots of chances for the audience of all ages to sing along and participate and just have a great time. Next performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday so don't miss out.

Sunrise on Thursday morning on the path to Thrum Mill. There was a bit of pink in the sky and the snow was still fresh. Such a beautiful morning. Which one should I choose for January in the Rothbury and Coquetdale Calendar 2025? It might be all the snow we get this year.

Night Photography down at Newcastle Quayside. Trying to incorporate nice reflections and a light trail (from a bike}. Ran out of time to get more so another trip is on the cards soon.

Following the Rothbury Highland Pipe Band on New Year's Day. One of the best community get-togethers in the Coquet Valley. Thanks so much to all the members for bringing us such joy. Calling at the Turks Head Rothbury Newcastle House Hotel and The Queen's Head for a pint (or two)

Happy New Year all our family and friends! Our fantastic Rothbury Highland Pipe Band made sure it started so well with most of the village turning out for the parade and the pubs having a field day. Pitch black by the time they got to the Queens Head this year!
Rothbury Christmas lights