Singing at Featherstone Castle

It's been a busy day today. I had my hair cut by a new hairdresser this morning - so far it seems like a good cut. Then I shopped in Hexham. By the time I'd unpacked it all it was time for a quick lunch and then the drive to Featherstone Castle.

Featherstone sits in beautiful parkland beside the river South Tyne. It is a large rambling gothic mansion. The first manor house was built in the 11th century, then a bigger house in the 13th and a pele tower added in the 14th. Subsequent additions and alterations have produced the current rambling, complex building.

It was used today for a Singing workshop run by the Hadrian Singers from Haltwhistle. There were a few of us who went along to sing with the group. Their conductor is BJ (in this image). She is very enthusiastic, unflappable, has a great voice and the ability to put everyone at their ease, whilst working us very hard!! Here she is during a short tea break, standing on one of the many staircases.

We sang to a small audience of friends and family, then feasted on a shared tea. Time to relax now.