January in Northumberland can feel very far from anywhere. On the evening of 16th January, however, Bell View transported its audience rather further than usual — all the way to the polar regions, courtesy of the irrepressible Steve Newman.
Steve’s talk drew a warm and appreciative crowd, lured in by the promise of tales from the far ends of the earth and the rather more immediate draw of light “polar” refreshments. In the event, both delivered. However, it has to be said that the snot-coloured frozen vodka was rather more interesting than planned. Steve’s storytelling was vivid, immersive and frequently surprising, offering a window into landscapes that most of us will only ever encounter through the accounts of those fortunate enough to experience them directly.
Events like this sit at the heart of what Bell View is for. We are not simply a service provider; we are a community hub, and a community hub should be a place where people gather, learn, wonder and connect. An evening of extraordinary stories, shared with neighbours and friends in a warm room on a dark January night, is exactly that.
Free entry with donations gratefully received ensured that the evening was accessible to all — a principle Bell View takes seriously. Every donation goes directly towards keeping Bell View here, serving the 300 square miles of rural North Northumberland that we exist to support.
Our thanks go to Steve Newman for giving his time and his stories so generously. We hope he’ll be back.