Walkabout in Acorn Road
Marjorie Dodds, our local town crier helped celebrate the first day of this year’s Jesmond Community Festival with a walkabout in Acorn Road, surprising shoppers and handing out festival programmes!
2026 Festival Launched!
The 2026 Jesmond Community Festival has had its official launch, hosted this year by Holy Trinity Church, who devised a craft activity which resulted in some splendid Festival Flags and Bunting.
Rev Tim Sanderson welcomed visitors to Holy Trinity, whilst Sharon Challand told us about some of the festival activities taking place in the church. The Chair of Jesmond Community Forum, Dave Cross, recalled the roots of the festival in a music festival organised by the Council, in the Dene, 50 years ago. This version of JesFest sadly petered out after a few years, before being revived by the Forum in 2005, as a community-led event. Finally, Councillor Dr Sarah Peters congratulated all the community groups and volunteers involved in putting together the festival, and declared this year’s programme officially underway!
Orchard Plant Stall
Jesmond Community Orchard’s Plant Stall on Acorn Road enjoyed perfect weather on the first day of this year’s Community Festival. One person to visit the stall was Marjorie Dodds, our local Town Crier.
Semitones Change of Venue
The concert by Semitones, originally planned to take place at Wordsworth House on May 17, has had to be cancelled, but instead Semitones will be performing at Fleming Court, Burdon Terrace, on the same day.
Family Adventure Drop-In
Will you be looking for something for your kids to do when it gets to the late May Half-Term Holiday? There are several alternatives here in the festival programme, including the Family Adventure Drop-In planned by the 4th Newcastle Scouts on Bank Holiday, 25 May (10 am – 1 pm). This will be held in the Jesmond Parish Church Halls, Eskdale Terrace.
Jesmond Vale Walk now fully booked
The Friends of Jesmond Dene have informed us that their walk on 30 May is now fully booked. There are places available on most of the other guided walks mentioned in the festival programme, but our advice is to book up as soon as possible. For example we understand that there are still places available on the walks in Jesmond Old Cemetery and St Andrew’s Cemetery.