Northumberland’s own Woodstock?

Northumberland is to host its very own version of Glastonbury and T in the Park, staging a weekend-long acoustic music festival, courtesy of two local musicians.

Fiona Lander and Paul Mason, who form the Bellingham song-writing duo Landermason, have secured money to organise a new music festival on May 1 and 2 from the Northumberland Uplands Local Action Group (NULAG), which delivers money through the LEADER approach, funded by One North East.

Set in the grounds of the Riverdale Hall, in Bellingham, the two-day event will welcome folk groups like Megson, Whapweasel and the Caffreys.

On the Saturday, Bellingham’s trade and tourism association will hold a traditional farmers’ market in the village and the town hall will open its doors as exhibition space for five local artists.

The event will provide a welcome boost for tourism in the area with over 300 people expected to visit the festival. Local businesses will also be used to provide support services such as marquees and security and they will also be given the opportunity to promote or sell their products at the event itself.

Funding has also been granted for Landermason to buy new equipment for their home-based recording studio and turn it into a commercial space. The duo is hoping to encourage budding amateur musicians from the district to come forward and record their music locally.

NULAG has awarded Paul and Fiona £20,000 towards the total cost of the two projects. Working with its lead partner, Northumberland National Park, NULAG identify worthy recipients for grants in an area stretching from the Tyne Valley up to the Scottish Borders.