Despite the current difficulties we really want to keep engaged with both our members and visitors. Our hope is to inform, entertain and possibly amuse you, offering at least some distraction from the current crisis. Don't forget to check our social media channels, too. We will do everything we possibly can to keep in touch.
Please note that all the contributions here are the views and opinions of the contributors!
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My first ever solo performance
Elin is a Viola player for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and has written a blog for us on the lock-down from a musician’s viewpoint.
What does it mean to you to be an NYO musician? Tell us what excites you about NYO and what you're looking forward to the most?
It means the world for me to get into NYO! I am really looking forward to performing and sharing music with others as well as being surrounded by amazing young musicians and working with professionals.
Farcical sausages
"Writing is like sausage making in my view; you'll all be happier in the end if you just eat the final product without knowing what's gone into it."
George R. R. Martin
Good for the soul
What once seemed impossible is now possible. We have realised when we must, we can. Although we have yet to fully understand what ‘The New Normal’ will look like we all agree that our post COVID normal will change.
Literary and Philosophical Jesmond – Walk 1
Literature, local history and philosophy (and a bit of exercise) are brought together in three short walks around Jesmond by local author Keith Jewitt. The first starts at Jesmond Metro station...
The Lit & Phil’s Young Writers’ Awards
As well as lending books, the Lit & Phil encourages people to write them! And none more so than young writers (who we hope will grow to be old writers one day). The Lit & Phil's Young Writers' Award is one such endeavour to encourage young people to write.
The Story of Elizabeth Gould – An Extraordinary Bird Woman
Bird prints were quite easy to find in second-hand bookshops 50 years ago. Each had a title at the bottom giving the bird’s name iand on either side of the main title were the credits: “del”, short for delineavit, to indicate the artist who drew the image; “lith” – lithographit – for the draughtsman responsible for transferring the design to lithographic stone; and “imp” – impressit – for the printer. One name occurred more than any other in these credits – either as del or lith or, indeed, both – Gould.
Two Witty Uncles
Reality has always been bursting with dreamers whose hopes are enveloped in energy. Yes, it is possible to confront the things that can destroy us, but not without wisdom on our side. You must take a stand against desire. Only a prophet of the grid may bring forth this evolution of health.
Emily Davison
A short presentation about political activist and suffragette Emily Davison, who was killed at the Epsom Derby in 1913 by the King's horse and buried in Morpeth.
Food
Food is often uppermost in our minds and perhaps even more so at the moment! The Lit & Phil's librarian goes on an entertaining short tour through some byways of the library's collection of older recipe books.
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