This page details the events organised for members of the Friends of Historic Dilston. If you wish to become a member, please follow the instructions on the Membership page. This page will be kept up to date, so please keep coming back to check for new events!

Friends of Historic Dilston welcome bookings from interested parties for Group Visits with Guided Tours and other events/activities. Catering is provided by MENCAP, whose college stands in the same grounds as Dilston Castle and Chapel and whose staff and students run a café on the site. For further information or to make a booking, please contact Mary Rose Ridley: 01661 844157.

• Saturday 27 February – 2.00pm
  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
  
  Followed at 2.30pm by
  THE LOST VILLAGE OF DOTLAND
  Talk by Greg Finch
  
  Through documentary research and by walking the land, local historian Greg Finch has pieced together the story behind the decline of Dotland in Hexhamshire, shown on the OS maps as “a deserted medieval village”. His well-illustrated talk reveals much about the local landscape and society in the pre-industrial period, and sheds light on the personalities involved. His published article on the topic won the ‘best article of the year’ award for 2009 from the British Association of Local History.
  
  
• Saturday 24 April – 2.00pm
  JACOBEAN HOUSES
  Talk by Richard Young
  
  Building Historian Richard Young’s second talk to the Friends covers how 17th-century houses were planned, used and furnished – with particular reference to the Jacobean phase at Dilston. A former teacher and lecturer in interior design and architectural history, Richard has a particular interest in Dilston having worked alongside Frank Giecco on the recent dig. His business Period Profile provides a service helping owners of older properties learn more about the history of their houses, also advising on sympathetic renovations and interior decoration.
  
  
• Saturday 29 May – 2.00pm
  THE BUILDINGS OF THE TYNE VALLEY
  Talk by John Grundy
  
  This talk by the well-known writer and local broadcaster on architecture and townscape John Grundy is guaranteed to be both highly informative and entertaining.
  MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE
  
  
• Saturday 17 July – 2.00pm
  HEXHAM AND THE RADCLIFFE LEGACY
  Talk by Douglas Smith
  
  The talk describes the effect of the execution of Lord Derwentwater on ordinary folk of Hexhamshire and the response of the authorities to the bitter memories that lingered on until finally breaking out in the Riot of 1761.
  Douglas Smith has forbears from the North Tyne going back to 1496, including some at Dilston where they must have known the Radcliffes. He has two passions – historical research and genealogy (particularly of Hexhamshire). With a nephew living in St Germain-en-Laye he is familiar with the town and chateau where the Radcliffes shared the boyhood of the Chevalier at the Jacobite court in exile. His other passion (appropriately) is Scottish and Highland dancing!
  
  
• Thursday 22 July – 6.30pm
  EVENING LATIN MASS in DILSTON CHAPEL
  
  Father Michael Brown, a Parish Priest from Forest Hall, will hold a Latin Mass to mark the Feast Day of St Mary Magdalene to whom the chapel is dedicated. The Friends are invited to join Father Brown’s parishioners in what has become an annual event.
  
  
• Wednesday 25 August – 7.30pm until 9.00pm approx.
  NORTHUMBRIAN MUSIC AND SONG in Dilston Chapel
  CANNY CRACK – Entertainment Band
  
  CANNY CRACK is a popular hobby band that has both individually and collectively won competitions for accompanied/unaccompanied song, ballad and Folk Band categories. It comprises 4 members who enjoy making acoustic Northumbrian Celtic and Traditional music, telling stories and singing songs. Every performance is tailored to each individual occasion, providing a bespoke programme. The musicians are: Anne Dolphin (Northumbrian Piper, also Vocals and Guitar, with some Penny Whistle and Irish Flute – and occasionally Bodhran); Bill Toy (Bodhran, Spoons, Vocals, Monologues); Chris Jones (Mainly Vocals and Guitar, Bodhran, Spoons, Stories, other surprises, including a bit o’ Banjo and dancing Jig-Doll….); Minnie Fraser (Fiddles, Vocals and Recorders). MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE
  
  
• Starting Thursday 9 September for 4 days, from 11.00am to 4.00pm
  ENGLISH HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
  
  A repeat of last year’s highly successful nationally run English Heritage event, which attracted over 300 people to Dilston over a four day period. (The English Heritage Open Days allow the public into heritage sites across the country free of charge.) Guided archaeological and history tours run by North Pennines Archaeology and Friends of Historic Dilston will take place during the above dates. More precise details available nearer the time.
  
  
• Saturday 9 October – ALL DAY EVENT
  ASPECTS OF THE FIFTEEN
  Talk by Leo Gooch – 11.00am
  
  Since the publication of his book The Desperate Faction? The Jacobites of North-East England, in 1995, Leo Gooch has been acknowledged as an authority on the Northumbrian Jacobites. His paper on the Radcliffes of Dilston is featured on the Books section of this website.
  
  HEXHAMSHIRE JACOBITE TRAIL – 2.00pm
  Led by Frances Dickinson – itinerary to be announced
  
  THE NORTHUMBRIAN JACOBITE TRAIL – a guide to walks, drives and places to visit connected with the fact and folklore of the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1745 is available upon application. Price £1.75. (See BOOKS SECTION of this WEBSITE)
  
  
• CHRISTMAS BUFFET
  Venue and date to be announced
  

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