Thousands flock to fun-filled Puffin Festival
It was another weekend of fun and puffins at Amble Puffin Festival, with the weather holding out for the crowds and performers until the very end.
“We want to thank everyone who came to the Puffin Festival and helped make it another brilliant event,” said a spokesperson for the festival. “We were delighted once again to host the fabulous Bare Toed Dance company who put on aerial displays and workshops, and we want to thank all the musicians, artists, performers, stall holders and volunteers who helped to make it another wonderful festival.”
Bare Toed Dance Company performed and held workshops
Organisers estimated that thousands of people visited the Festival over the May Bank Holiday Saturday and Sunday.
Amble Puffin Festival has always been an eclectic event with an artistic and environmental theme, and this year was no exception. The puffins themselves made an appearance via the Coquet Island live feed puffin cam and the RSPB were on hand to answer puffin related questions. An impromptu competition was held to see who could sound the most like a real puffin, with judging from Dr Paul Morrison, all adding to the fun.
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- dancing to Meze Mundo
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- Best in Show
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- Byker Hillbillies
Dog Show
The dog show was organised by Northumberland Dog Rescue with judging from Coquet Vets. A spokesperson said they were delighted with the turnout. “We welcomed nearly 150 dogs plus their owners and families, with visitors coming from near and far including our Best In Show winner from Newcastle.”
Ranger Jane’s beach activities were very popular
Beach activities
Ranger Jane held beach activities at the Little Shore including making a giant puffin and a pirate ship. Jane said ” It was a really lovely weekend with the local community and visiting families. We had glorious sunshine on Saturday with activities including making a giant puffin sand castle, we decorated the puffin with black sea coal, white cockle shells & driftwood together. Lots of families helped with litter picking and a Beach Bingo Scavenger hunt. On Sunday we made a giant pirate ship sand castle with families and decorated it with sea coal and cockles together, with litter picking and beach Bingo.”
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- artist and Tommy Noddy
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- Landscape artist winners and judges
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- stalls at the Festival
Landscape artist competition
The inaugural Puffin Festival Landscape Artist of the Year organised by Dovecote Street Arts was a hailed as big success with first prize of an overnight stay at a suite in Radcliffes Lodge awarded to Saskia Wischnewski. Second prize went to Tim Wood, and third to Lynne Fordham who both received £50 vouchers for a meal at the Old Boat House. A spokesperson for Dovecote Street Arts said “Well done to all 14 hardy contestants who braved all the elements during the day to produce a brilliant range of artworks”.
In addition there were creative workshops from Dry Water Arts, walks, talks, and of course Tommy Noddy the Giant Puffin, they all combined to make another successful event.
Anna Williams
