Sheriff and Deputy Lord Mayor Jackie Slesenger joined ex-Newcastle United footballer Nobby Solano to officially launch the eighth Jesmond Community Festival. The launch took place at the New Northumbria Hotel on Thursday (26th April) when locals gathered to enjoy music and performances from some of Jesmond’s brightest talents.

The Festival has grown in size and stature and this year local residents will have the chance to enjoy 89 events across 18 days that take advantage of local culture, food and the environment, there promises to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Former Newcastle United and current Hartlepool football player Nolberto Solano attended the launch – he used to live in Jesmond – greeting guests and signing autographs for avid fans whilst the Peruvian music group “Apu” performed a number of songs.

Nobby Solano speaks with JesmondLocal reporters

The festival parade takes place today (28th April) from 11.30am onwards and finishes its journey though Jesmond in the playground at West Jesmond School. JesmondLocal will be there with its own stall, where our reporters will be creating in just three hours the first news-sheet for Jesmond Community Festival, with information about upcoming events, interviews and creative comic strips.

For the first time this year, JesmondLocal will also be holding three journalism bootcamps for a dozen volunteers from the Jesmond community, who want to gain an insight into journalism practices and learn how to share their stories in an engaging, accurate and professional way.