BIG 900th BIRTHDAY PICNIC
On 11th September 2021 we celebrated the 900th anniversary of the start of building of Norham Castle with a huge free party!
About 400 people attended the celebrations over the course of the afternoon, including our guest of honour His Grace, the Duke of Northumberland.
English Heritage was represented by Kate Anceau who was at that time responsible for their Free to Enter Sites (North).
Newcastle Array (based in Newcastle Castle) gave armoury and combat demonstrations and set up a mediaeval fair -including some gruesome medical instruments. Norham Village Band and Norham Choir provided musical entertainment, and tribal dancers Luna Nigra danced.
The whole event culminated in the Duke of Northumberland cutting two huge birthday cakes baked and decorated, and very generously donated by James Ford & Son from Norham.
After the party The Duke, along with George Straughen, the then Chair of Norham Parish Council, raised a flag (appropriately the Northumberland one) for the first time on the new flagpole on the village green, paid for by public subscription.
PHOTO GALLERY
Our grateful thanks to Jim Gibson Photography for the photos of this special occasion.
KNIGHTCROWS PHOTO GALLERY
THE KNIGHTCROWS!
As part of the celebration weekend, Norham residents were encouraged to join in in the time-honoured fashion, by making scarecrows – or on this occasion Knightcrows , as we asked that they be Castle themed – and they did not disappoint!
The Duke of Nothumberland acted as judge though the identity of the winner is now lost in the mists of time. He was paid for his services with the gift of a salmon fishing fly ‘Norham Butcher’ (named after RG Foreman & Son in the village) and it is fair to say he was delighted with it!
