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 exploring the county's most enduring rituals and seasonal customs. Northumberland is well known for stunning landmarks and historical depth, but it's only via the region's living folklore that we truly see the relationship between people and place. This experiential film offers a fresh contemporary view of a region with unrivalled depth.
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
Filmed over one calendar year, the concept is ‘once around the sun via the North of England’. The resultant documentary is observational in style, with the stories told only by the communities themselves. With the use of archives we see how these practices are handed down through time, and explore what these rituals represent today within the context of belonging and our relationship with nature.
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 customs, building an extensive video archive of folklore subject matter primarily from the UK and France. Dave runs production company TEN80 and last year produced the six part TV documentary series ‘Gatherings’ currently on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. His work is artistically sho
Since 2006 Dave Brewis has filmed over 120 folk rituals and customs, building an extensive video archive of folklore subject matter primarily from the UK and France. Dave runs production company TEN80 and last year produced the six part TV documentary series ‘Gatherings’ currently on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. His work is artistically shot, features extraordinary interviews and contains all the building blocks necessary for storytelling across short-form and long-form documentary/factual.
Production & Partners
Where communities gather
Our documentary begins on New Year's Eve at The Tar-Bar’l in Allendale, where we meet some fine Northumbrian characters (and one or two vikings) within the context of fire, renewal and community spirit. Sparks do fly in the 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 means fun
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 fallen on 4th July. By the end of the 19th century all these rituals had died out except for one, which continues to thrive today. The film 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, often while giving thanks, is a tradition truly embedded. The film follows a contemporary local Folklore Society as they master the craft of corn dolly making, before their inaugural ‘Harvest Gathering’, a new seasonal event which celebrates nature and echoes the past.
And where dark skies matter
International Dark Sky Status means Northumbrians can see celestial objects in the same way as our ancestors once did. With stunning photography, the film takes its cues from the night sky as we position ourselves at the county’s ancient sites. The film gradually comes to a point of reflection as we approach winter solstice, where the voyage ends. Once around the sun via the north of England.