Spring Folk

Spring Folk is a folk music tuition weekend held in Bellingham, Northumberland.

• Brilliant Tutors
• Wonderful Food
• Fantastic Sessions
• Superb Company

In February 2024, I hosted Winter Folk with Ian Lowthian, Eryn Rae, Ruth Brown, and Holly Clarke. It was a roaring success and a great way to get rid of the winter blues.

November 2024 saw us welcome back Ian, Holly, Ruth, with the addition of Catriona Macdonald for Autumn Folk. Another fantastic weekend!

In March 2025, we were fortunate to have Ian Lowthian, Nancy Kerr, Laura-Beth Salter, and Catriona Macdonald.

Now 2026 is upon us with Ian, Catriona, Laura-Beth and we welcome Siobhan Miller to the Spring Folk line-up!

The Tutors

Ian Lowthian
Ian Lowthian is loved the world over for his attention to detail, preparedness, absolute breadth of knowledge, and warm welcoming nature with the odd funny story. Ian is a very popular accordion tutor and this class has sold out quickly in previous years.
This accordion class is suitable for intermediate and advanced players. The class is not suitable for absolute beginners. You must be able to play a few tunes and scales and have some proficiency on the instrument.

Catriona Macdonald
Catriona is a native of Shetland who now lives in the borders. She’s known for her fabulous solo albums as well as her work with String Sisters, Vamm, and Blazin’ Fiddles. Catriona leads the Newcastle University Folk Music Degree and the combination of her extraordinarily beautiful playing and her attention to detail when teaching make her coveted as a tutor.
The fiddle class is suitable for intermediate and advanced players and those beginners who are stretching towards intermediate. It’s not suitable for beginners.

Siobhan Miller
Four-time winner of the Best Singer awards at the Scots Trads, Siobhan Miller is a well known and well loved Scottish folk singer and song writer. She was a founder member of Salt House before embarking on her solo work with her own band. Her singing class is suitable for all who feel comfortable singing in a small group. There may be the chance for solo work but this will not be compulsory.

Laura-Beth Salter
Laura-Beth Salter is a familiar face on the UK national folk scene as a sought after mandolin player, composer, and tutor. Her work with The Shee and Kinnaris Quintet garners great praise. Originally from Linconshire, Laura-Beth studied on the Newcastle Folk Degree before moving to Glasgow. She’s steeped in the British mandolin and tune scene whilst her first love is bluegrass and old-time. Her workshops for mixed instruments are sure to be very fun!

Kathryn Davidson
That’s me! I’m the organiser. I spent a decade working for Sage Gateshead (now The Glasshouse) running the Folkworks Education programmes including the beloved Folkworks Summer Schools. I’m a primary school music teacher, community choir leader, folk singer, and whistle player. I can’t help myself and get a huge kick out of seeing people learning and loving folk music. I like nothing better than seeing peoples faces when they come out a workshop frazzled and full of joy!

The Timetable and How it Works

The weekend can be residential or non-residential. Those choosing residential get their own hotel room. Non-residential places are available for those who don’t wish to stay over. We do have space for a small number of camper vans and there is a caravan site just down the road.
The weekend runs from 3pm Friday to 3pm Sunday. There are more than 12 hours of tuition across the three days plus an evening concert by the tutors and sessions and sing-a-rounds.
When signing up you choose your ‘main instrument’ and let us know preferences for a band workshop. The band workshops give you the opportunity to work with another tutor, a different group of musicians, and to work on collaborative elements of your musicality. There is always an option of ‘band with singing’ and the opportunity to specify a band with no singing!

Friday
2.30pm Feel free to arrive and find your room.
3pm Official Welcome and registration
3.30pm Main Instrument (2.5hrs tutors to schedule short breaks as needed)
6pm Drinks before dinner
7pm 3 course dinner in the restaurant
9pm Tutors showcase followed by a tune and song session in the bar.

Saturday
9am Warm-up
9.30am Main Instrument (1.5hrs)
11am Coffee Break
11.30am Main Instrument (1.5hrs)
1.00pm Soup and sandwich lunch
2.00pm Band (1.5hrs)
3.30pm Coffee Break
4.00pm Band (1hrs)
5.00pm free time (swim, walk, nap, have a drink etc.)
7.30pm 3 course dinner in the restaurant
9pm Songs and tunes. The first hour of the tune session will be slow and steady with suggested repertoire sent out in advance.

Sunday
9am Warm-up
9.30am Band (1.5hrs)
11am Coffee Break
11.30am Main Instrument (1.5hrs)
1pm Soup and sandwich Lunch
2pm Sharing Performance
3pm Home Time.

Costs and Booking
Residential: £395
All the tuition and music. B&B Friday and Saturday in your own hotel room. 3 course dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Light lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Tea and coffee on Saturday and Sunday.

Non-residential: £260
All music and tuition. 3 course dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Light lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Tea and coffee on Saturday and Sunday.

Booking Form click here

Terms and Conditions
Your place is not secured until payment is made in full. Payment details are in the booking form.
The organisers reserve the right to cancel and refund in full. This will only happen if there are not enough people to run the course.
Places are non-refundable but they are transferable. If you are unable to attend please contact Kathryn as soon as you can