A NEW book by Tillmouth-based poet and author Noel Hodgson has just been launched.
Dancing Over Cheviot is the follow-up to his 2003 debut Below Flodden and echoes its hugely successful combination of poetry, prose and photographs.
The new collection features more than 50 poems on a wide variety of subjects, including historical f
igures with local connections, such as Lord Collingwood who planted oak trees on his Hethpool estate for use in the building of English naval vessels.
There are also more recent noteworthy events such as the annual Chevy Chase and the ongoing debates about the merits of wind power and its potential effects on the Northumbrian countryside.
Noel, a 'semi-retired' teacher, also has roots in Lesbury, Howick, Chatton, Wooler and Kilham.
He is about to start work on a gymnastics handbook for use by teachers, while continuing to write his poetry, some of which will doubtless find itself in a third collection of his uniquely locally flavoured verse.
The new book also features fascinating background detail about the poems, their various subjects and how they came to be written.
Many of the poems are accompanied by photographs taken by Alnwick-based Kevin Temple.
The book was designed by graphic designer Bill Grisdale from Alnwick and printed in Berwick.
Dancing Over Cheviot is published by the Reiver Press, priced £6.90 and can be found at various outlets, ordered at bookshops or available via www.noelhodgson.co.uk.
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