Folklore documentary series available to watch on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and YouTube
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Once around the sun via the North of England
Once around the sun via the North of England
Gatherings Northumberland is a feature-length documentary that delves into the county's most enduring cultural customs and folk rituals. Northumberland is renowned for its stunning landmarks and historical depth, but it's only via the region's living folklore that we really understand the relationship between people and place.
Once around the sun via the North of England
Once around the sun via the North of England
Once around the sun via the North of England
Gatherings Northumberland is an observational documentary filmed over one calendar year. The concept is ‘once around the sun via the North of England’. The story is told by the voices of the communities themselves. Through the use of archives, we witness how these practices are handed down through generations, and explore what they represent today.
About the filmmaker
Once around the sun via the North of England
About the filmmaker
Since 2006, Dave Brewis has filmed over 120 folk rituals and seasonal customs building an extensive video archive of folklore subject matter primarily from the UK and France. Dave runs the production company TEN80 and in 2025 produced the six-part documentary series ‘Gatherings,’ currently available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. His work
Since 2006, Dave Brewis has filmed over 120 folk rituals and seasonal customs building an extensive video archive of folklore subject matter primarily from the UK and France. Dave runs the production company TEN80 and in 2025 produced the six-part documentary series ‘Gatherings,’ currently available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. His work is artistically shot, features extraordinary interviews, and contains all the building blocks necessary for engaging storytelling across both short-form and long-form documentary and factual content.
Production & Partners
Where communities gather
Our documentary begins on New Year's Eve at The Tar-Bar’l in Allendale, where we meet some very Northumbrian characters (and one or two vikings) within the context of fire, renewal and community spirit. Sparks fly in the cold January wind.
Where the seasons are marked
Yes, that’s a vicar in the river. We travel north in February to the River Tweed for Blessing the Salmon Fishing at Norham. The village, on the border with Scotland, was once the resting place for the sacred remains of Cuthbert – Northumberland’s Patron Saint. This introduce notions of Northumbria’s Golden Age, which remains a thread within the film.
Where games are still played
Northumberland is the only county in England with its own musical instrument to boast an unbroken playing tradition. The Northumbrian Pipes provides a score for landscape and belonging, and a returning motif for the film. Naturally we shift to the town of Alnwick for Shrovetide Football, a ritualised, communal conflict contained by custom. We dive into the history of the game, follow the local characters and bring you all the action.
Where pilgrims take route
As Spring arrives we follow Northern Cross on their annual pilgrimage to Holy Island, crossing Northumberland’s national park via Hadrian’s wall. The film traces the group’s epic journey, which ends as they cross barefoot at low tide to the island of Lindisfarne on Good Friday in time for Easter celebrations.
Where summer is a lark
Ovingham Goose Fair is an important feature of the national folklore calendar as it has roots in commerce. At one time this custom died out but was revived by locals in the 1970s. With the use of unseen archives we tell the story, while soaking up the beery atmosphere of this year’s fair in this historic Northumbrian village, on the banks of the River Tyne. It’s hot inside that costume!
Where customs don’t die
In Britain, it was fairly common to dance around a communal fire on Old Midsummer Eve, which – since the calendar change in 1752 – has occurred on 4th July. By the end of the 19th century, most of these cultural customs had died out, with one notable exception that continues to thrive today. This Northumberland documentary follows the villagers of Whalton at the height of summer as they celebrate around their annual Ba’al fire.
Where harvest is ritualised
Northumberland has a rural economy, and marking the time of the harvest is a deeply embedded custom. This Northumberland documentary follows a contemporary local Folklore Society as they master the craft of corn dolly making in preparation for their inaugural ‘Harvest Gathering’, a new seasonal event that celebrates nature and honours folk rituals of the past.
And where dark skies matter
International Dark Sky Status allows Northumbrians to view celestial objects much like our ancestors did, reconnecting us with cultural customs Northumberland has cherished for generations. Through stunning photography, this Northumberland documentary draws inspiration from the night sky as we explore the county’s ancient sites. The winter solstice provides a moment of reflection before the journey ends. Once around the sun via the north of England.