The Spring Fling is now an established part of the Nonsuch calendar. This will be our 4th year at the Copthorne Hotel which occupies a quiet spot fronting the River Tyne, but within a short walk of the Glasshouse (formerly the Sage) music venue, the Baltic modern art gallery and a multitude of bars and restaurants. The hotel is not far from Newcastle Central Station (a hilly walk, bus or taxi) which in turn can be reached by the Metro if you are coming from the airport. The Copthorne has its own parking, which is free to participants.
The format will be similar to previous years:
Tuesday 29th April: An optional meet up meal in the hotel in our own private dining room overlooking the river in the evening (with perhaps a walk beforehand to stretch the legs after travelling?) Following the meal we will have a room available for an informal music session.
Wednesday 30th April: We will have workshops for both hammered and mountain dulcimers – all levels welcome. This year we have guest tutor Damian Clarke, singer, performer and busker extraordinaire, who will be bringing his experience, enthusiasm and skills to the Hammered Dulcimer players, while the Mountain Dulcimer players will use tutors from within their own ranks in a varied programme, for beginners to the more advanced, mixing the familiar with the challenging.
In the evening we will again have our meeting room to “show and tell” what we have been doing during the day or anything else we fancy playing.Separate sessions for mountaineers and hammerers including some suitable for any instrument. Wednesday lunch and teas/coffees included in the price. Evening meals at your own arrangement / cost.
Damian Clarke
Damian is on a musical mission to showcase the Hammered Dulcimer and Hurdy Gurdy, and to improve their appeal to a broad audience. His solo concerts are played mostly on the beautiful Hammered Dulcimer and include tunes and songs that he encourages audiences to sing along to. His playing fits into a broad Celtic style, encompassing many traditional numbers from Ireland and the British Isles, as well as his own compositions. He loves a good story song and is keen to show how the oral tradition works in songs by playing some less well-known versions of traditional folk songs.
Damian is a qualified ex-teacher and so he is experienced at using current teaching and learning techniques, taking into account the age and experience of the group. He has taught in Primary, Middle and Secondary phases, as well as Prisons and U3A centres.
Thursday 1st May: We will begin Thursday with our traditional North-East tunes and songs session – a chance to try and get your vowels around those tricky Geordie words perhaps? And then we will have a guest spot from the wonderful Jez Lowe.
Jez Lowe is a folksinger and songwriter, who I am sure many of you are familiar with from his busy touring schedule, solo, with the Bad Pennies and with the Pitman Poets. He has also, somehow, found time to publish four novels based on North East folk characters, such as Dolly, the Dillen Doll. I am sure that Jez will have some great stories to tell us!
In the afternoon, for those of us who don’t need to rush away, we will have a folk-club style singaround (or tune-around if you don’t sing!).
Thursday lunch is at your own arrangement / cost, but teas/coffees are included in the price.
Extend your trip!
On Monday 28th, for those of us arriving early for the Spring Fling, the Bridge Folk Club in Newcastle will once again welcome us to join with their regulars.
For those of you wanting an even longer stay, the weekend before Spring Fling is the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering which is a traditional Northumbrian event with a parade, competitions and concerts and where Nonsuch will again be represented.
Bookings are now open for the event. The cost is £70 for participants, which includes lunch on the Wednesday and teas/coffees in the breaks. Accommodation is left to you – either at the Copthorne at our special discount rates, or find your own hotel/BnB from the wide selection available in Newcastle.
Accommodation: We have reserved some bedrooms at the Copthorne Hotel for attendees at a special rate of £99 a night single or £109 for a double, including breakfast. These are subject to availability and must be booked by 14th March 2025, after which any remaining rooms will be released. To book, contact reservations on 0191 222 0 333 and quote NONS280425 when making a reservation. A credit or debit card will be required to secure the booking, payment is due on arrival.
Note, there are a wide range of hotels to suit various budgets close by.
Parking: There is a car park at the Copthorne. Attendees at our event can get free parking by getting their parking ticket stamped at reception before leaving.
Bookings for Spring Fling close on 8th April 2025.
Please contact Steve Gray (spring.fling@dulcimer.org.uk) if you would like any further details about the Spring Fling or other things to do while you are staying in Newcastle.
Start learning Geordie now – gan canny!