Category Archives: Whats On

Join a village clean up on 1 August

Here is a chance to get involved in village activities, make a difference in Witton Gilbert community and show your love for the environment. The clean-up will start from the Witton Gilbert Community Centre (Cooper Hall) on 1 August 2024 and last two hours, from 10am-12 noon.

Clean-up equipment is provided, or bring your own. Refreshments and biscuits are also provided. #litterheroes #nature #WittonGilbert.

For more information, contact Councillor Bev Coult on 07771-840947.

Poster for Witton Gilbert community activity clean-up on 1 August 2025.
Poster for Witton Gilbert community activity clean-up on 1 August 2025.

Wittfest live music this Saturday

UPDATE: After massive success, enjoyment and rain, Wittfest 2025 is already booked for 5 July 2025 and the first 3 bands are lined up. Put it in your diaries.

Coming up this Saturday, 13 July, is Witton Gilbert’s local live music festival, the Wittfest!

It will be at the carpark of the Traveller’s Rest pub.  Doors open at 11am, and first band goes on at 1pm.

Entry is by wristband and tickets are on sale behind the bar at The Travellers Rest pub at £15 each (card or cash) or message John Nixon and Jon Reynolds on Facebook.

Here is the bands line-up for the Wittfest:

1-2pm Lightning Birds

2-4pm The Dee Tees

4-6pm Brit pack

6-8pm Mojoroller 

8-10pm Ha’waysis

Children under 16 are free, although the festival is quite crowded.

The festival raises money for Witton Gilbert’s own community group CHAD Children’s Hopes and Dreams. All of CHAD’s activities are funded through local contributions and events such as the Wittfest.

For more information contact Jon Reynolds or John Nixon via Facebook or the active Witton Gilbert page on Facebook.

Picture credit: Thanks to The Dee Tees for flyer.

Martin McAloon (Prefab Sprout) tour dates

Martin McAloon, formerly bass player of Witton Gilbert’s megastar band the Prefab Sprout, is touring again in 2024. This follows his very successful 2023 tour.

I saw Martin at The Cluny in Newcastle last year and the gig features lots of the Prefab Sprout favourites. His excellent arrangements for guitar amazingly bring the big Sprout sound into just him and his guitar. It was great! It was also fantastic to catch up with him after the show, and get the t-shirt.

According to the tour press release: “Although born with the open road in his blood, Prefab Sprout appear to have had a 40-year aversion to playing live and he hope these new shows “40 YEARS: A VERSION” will address his gigging addiction.

“He’ll be revisiting the repertoire written by his brother Paddy, that stretches back through the classic Prefab Sprout albums: Swoon, Steve McQueen, Protest Songs, Langley Park to Memphis, Jordan: The Comeback, Let’s Change the World With Music, Andromeda Heights, The Gunman and Other Stories, I Trawl The Megahertz, and Crimson / Red.

“Expect all the hits and pared-back acoustic versions of Prefab Sprout’s most beloved songs, along with some storytelling and the opportunity to meet Martin after the show.”

Live shows in the North East include:

  • 16 August – O2 City Hall in Newcastle, where he is opening act for top electronic producer Thomas Dolby. Get your ticket here. (Martin is opening for all the tour)
  • 15 December – The Cluny Newcastle, a friendly venue where you get to see Martin up close. This one sold out last year – get your ticket here.
  • See all the tour gigs below, including the Irish concerts in October.

Here is Martin McAloon’s website with all his tour dates, including the first tour to Ireland after 25 years.

Here is our #PrefabSprout page, linking back to an excellent 2017 post on the wonderful Sproutology website. It gives detailed description of the layout, activities and local memories of the McAloon garage on both sides of Front Street, when it was run by Tommy McAloon,. No doubt many in Witton Gilbert village remember it.

Here is an old Guardian article where Paddy McAloon and Thomas Dolby remember working together on the album Steve McQueen and playing and composing music in Witton Gilbert village and in Consett and London.

Martin McAloon of Prefab Sprout music tour 2024
Martin McAloon of Prefab Sprout from Witton Gilbert village music tour 2024

Wittfest music festival early-bird tickets tomorrow 18 May

Witton Gilbert’s own music festival is coming up on Saturday 13 July, the annual Wittfest. It is held at the lovely Traveller’s Rest pub.

Entry is by wristband and the early-bird price £10 wristbands are on sale tomorrow, 18 May from 2pm-5pm, only at the Traveller’s Rest. After tomorrow they are £15 each. Traveller’s Rest is also having a bottomless brunch tomorrow.

Here is the line-up for the Witfest, with bands all afternoon and evening from 12:30pm – 10pm:

Children under 16 are free, although the festival is quite crowded.

For more information contact Jon Reynolds, John Rooney or John Nixon via the very active Witton Gilbert page on Facebook.

Woodland Wonders! Little Wonders activities

Children’s forest activities
★ Explore the woodland and churchyard
★ Play active outdoor games
★ Discover local wildlife
★ Learn simple green woodwork skills
★ Make crafts from natural materials
★ Listen to stories around the campfire

The activities are led
by a Level 3
Forest school qualified
facilitator

Free
Donations welcome
These activities are strictly for
2-5 years

Children must be accompanied by a
parent/carer

For further information or to
book contact:

Meeting place:
St Michael and All Angels
Church, Coach Lane,
Witton Gilbert, DH7 6SX
Booking essential
Come weather prepared
No dogs please

Halloween Party

Fancy Dress Halloween Party at Witton Gilbert Community Centre on 2nd November 2019 3PM TO 5PM!!!
Entertainment from the amazing Captain Raggy Beard. Tickets £4.

Contact
Helen on 07764897060 for
more information.

Fireworks Display

A fireworks display will be held on Saturday 2nd November. The Bonfire will be lit at 6.30 pm and there will be a Fireworks display at 7.00 pm. Refreshments will be available. Could anyone who would like to help the organisers contact Kristi on 07758 334238

Mindfulness walk

Sensing the Seasons
A 60 minute guided Mindfulness walk through
Witton Dene,
suitable for most abilities

Next walks: Fridays 10-11am
28th June
26th July
30th August

Whatever
the weather,
come prepared.
FREE

To find out more, contact Gillie breath-
ingspacedurham@gmail.com
Tel: 0191 3711387 /07508 471522
Meeting place:
St Michael and All Angels
Church, Coach Lane,
Witton Gilbert, DH7 6SX