The festival starts on Saturday 6 June and finishes on Saturday 20 June, but the fun will begin earlier in Darlington. Events include:
- Printmaking workshops on Tuesday 26 May (Cockerton Library) and Thursday 28 May (Crown Street Library) – both sessions are 10am to 1pm. Join Teesside Print Group for this family-friendly session and create printed books using the River Tees as inspiration. Free, but booking is essential – call 01325 461320
- Ellen Phethean and Anna Woodfoord – Wednesday 3 June, 1:30pm, Crown Street Library. Join poet and playwright Ellen Phethean (‘Portrait of the Quince as an Older Woman’) and poet Anna Woodford (‘Birdhouse’) for a poetry and writing workshop. Call 01325 348610 for more information.
- Jay’s Animal Encounters – Library favourite Jay Gunn returns to introduce children to some furry, scaly and fluffy friends! £2 per child, booking essential – call 01325 349610
- Monday 8 June – 2pm, Crown Street Library
- Thursday 11 June – 9:15am, Cockerton Library
- Friday 12 June – 10:30am and 2pm, Crown Street Library
- History Wardrobe ‘Frocks on Parade’ – Tuesday 9 June, 2:30pm, Crown Street Library. The ever-popular History Wardrobe return to the town to present fifty years of fabulous fashions – a journey of the clothes we wore through five decades. £7, booking essential – call 01325 349610.
- Michael Rudd ‘Travellers to Teesdale through the ages’ – Thursday 11 June, 2pm, Crown Street Library. Find out how the history and geography of Teesdale has influenced writers and artists through the centuries – from Charles Dickens to JMW Turner. £2 per ticket, booking essential – call 01325 349610.
Poet Nick Toczek and author Alan Gibbons will also be visiting local schools as part of the festival.
Crossing the Tees is brought to you by Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington Library Services and is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. For more information visit www.crossingthetees.org.