Funding lifeline for Teesdale's youth folk group

A YOUTH music project that has been surviving on a shoe-string has been given a significant boost.
Folk group Cream Tees,  enjoyed funding from the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership before it was wound down this year.
But the band will be able to carry on for at least another school term after receiving money from Teesdale Action Partnership.
The youth group was formed to carry on the tradition of folk music in Teesdale.
Cream Tees organiser Neil Diment said the money would ensure that the young musicians could continue to enjoy workshops and sessions with folk degree tutors Niamh Boadle and Anna Hughes, from Newcastle University.
He added: “Newcastle University is unique in having an undergraduate course where you can go and study folk music. The money will enable us to have at least six sessions next term.”
He added that the students also benefit from the one-and-a-half hour sessions every other week because it gives them valuable teaching experience.
The cash will also enable Cream Tees to put on a concert at Newbiggin Chapel next year. The event, which may will  be the last in the chapel because it is closing due to a dwindling congregation, will feature music written by upper dale folk musician Mark Anderson, who is credited with writing the version of Scarborough Fair that Simon and Garfunkel made famous.
Mr Diment said: “It is wonderful that we will be performing some of his tunes only a stone’s throw from where he lived and recorded.”
The event takes place on Saturday, March 18, at 2pm and will be preceded by a workshop with the students at The Hub, in Barnard Castle.
As for the future of the group, Mr Diment said: “We can continue on a shoestring and we are actively seeking sponsorship. We have put another bid to the Arts Council, hopefully that will keep us going until the next year.”