Jesmond Community Festival 2018 kicks-off this weekend, with more than 100 events for local people to experience and enjoy. Reporting by Madeleine Letherby and Thomas Goodall

Lord Mayor Linda Wright and town crier Marjorie Dodds launched the three-week festival on Tuesday (May 1st) at a lunch at Billabong Bar in the Caledonia Hotel on Osborne Road, which was attended by more than 50 people, including local councillors and some of the organisers of festival events.

Linda Wright, who launched the 2017 festival too, told JesmondLocal that she was excited to be able to attend events this year. “This year, I will have the time to attend, whereas last year I was so busy attending to duties,” said the Lord Mayor, who steps down from her role later this month.

Lord Mayor Linda Wright opens Jesmond Community Festival 2018 – photo by Madeleine Letherby

The Peruvian band Apu returned to entertained the guests with live pan-pipe music and the Caledonia Hotel provided food and refreshments.

Apu perform for the audience at the launch event – photo by Thomas Goodall

Chris Clarke, a trustee of Jesmond Community Forum, told JesmondLocal that this year the organisers have aimed to provide a mix of new events and old favourites. “Usually there is a mixture (of events), some are very regular and happen each year and we also try and encourage people to come up with a few new ideas to keep the whole thing fresh. Some things, if they have been a particular success one year we try and make sure we get them back.”

According to Clarke, crowd-pleasing events that proved popular last year, such as the Wylam Brewery Tour, are back this year as are the musical performances from Newcastle and Northumbria University student bands.

The Jesmond Residents Association has made further efforts this year to engage with the student community in Jesmond and increase their attendance at the festival. Clarke said: “It would be nice to get more local students aware of what’s going on in Jesmond and things students would be interested in.”

Town crier, and Jesmond resident, Marjorie Dodds gave a passionate opening speech which included bell-ringing to much applause. Dodds said she was hoping to attend as many events as possible and was particularly looking forward to the music concerts and events at the library and pool.

Town crier Marjorie Dodds – photo by Madeleine Letherby

JesmondLocal also spoke to Royal Grammar School headmaster John Fern who said that he was encouraging his students to be as involved as possible. “I’m aware that some of our musicians are involved in a number of events. Similarly a number of the students involved in our Christian Union are linked with one of the local churches.

“There is quite a range of events, so I would hope that given both residents and students will throw themselves into it wholeheartedly.”

Dave Cross, chair of Jesmond Community Forum, told JesmondLocal that the two objectives of the festival are to “celebrate all the activities going on here in Jesmond and make people feel proud to be part of it. We also want to spread the word to let people in the local communities know there are organisations doing things they might enjoy. It’s about addressing the feeling of isolationism and weakening barriers, so that people feel welcome in their own community.”

Jesmond Community Festival begins this Saturday, May 5^th, with a Grand Festival Fair followed by other events running throughout the day, and finishing with a Jazz Night at Jesmond Library.

The festival runs until May 27th and a full list of events can be found on the festival website, the Jesmond Community Festival Facebook page and in the festival listings brochures that have been distributed around Jesmond.

Guests mingle at the festival launch event – photo by Thomas Goodall