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Parks across South Tyneside are gearing up for a month-long programme of music and children's entertainment starting from next week (Monday 2 August).

Â鶹ÊÓƵ has organised the series of free family-friendly events to help support local communities over the school holidays. Entertainment is being provided across Borough's parks and green spaces, as well as the stunning Harton Quays Park area, enabling local people to enjoy activities right on their doorstep this summer.

They include a mix of afternoon performances from some of the region's finest brass and jazz musicians, local artists and a selection of children's entertainers providing a whole host of fun games and activities.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ with responsibility for culture and leisure, said: "We're delighted to be able to bring back some live music and family fun for local people to enjoy this summer.

"In this year's programme of events, we bring the entertainment into the heart of our local communities, with a wonderful variety of performances taking place in the lovely parks across our towns and villages.

"We are very much looking forward to seeing our residents of all ages taking advantage of the free acts and activities right on their doorstep. After an incredibly challenging year, we're sure our local communities will be ready to enjoy some light summer entertainment in the open-air once again."

Around 35 events are taking place from Monday 2 August through to the bank holiday weekend on Sunday 29 August.

This includes the exciting new Customs House family play Peggy Pearpot, for children aged four to seven. Peggy Pearpot cries when she is sad, frustrated, worried, angry, annoyed and happy. Join Peggy as she explores the world inside a tear drop and tries to understand how to communicate her feelings.

Local families can also join Tree Stump Theatre for The Ballad of Billie and the Tree Stump!,featuring music, laughter and some serious silliness as two actors bring a story to life that the whole family can enjoy.

The fun starts next week (from Monday 2 August) with Cornthwaite Park in Whitburn and South Marine Park in South Shields taking centre stage. Highlights include children's entertainment from Kendrick and Tree Stump Theatre as well as musical performances by Cats Night Out, Vieux Carre Jazzmen, Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band and Westoe Brass Ensemble.

Hebburn's Carr Ellison Park and the newly restored North Marine Park in South Shields will host events in the following week (from Monday 9 August), with children's entertainer Tony Junior, Jenn Cherene Duo and the Cockerton Band also joining the line-up.

From Monday 16 August, activities will continue across Grange Park in East Boldon, West Park in South Shields, Cornthwaite Park and Carr Ellison Park and will also include The Customs House play Peggy Pearpot as well as Craghead Colliery Band.

The programme of activity will close in the last week of August (from Monday 23 August) with performances in West Park Jarrow and Harton Quays Park, where the Amphitheatre next to the Customs House will feature performances from popular local musician Jen Stevens and a vocal performance from Custom Voices.

The events have been organised with support from local 'Friends Of' parks groups and Council partners, including The Customs House, and part funded by Arts Council England and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Events are weather permitting and will be subject to any Covid guidelines in place at the time of the event.

The alternative events programme aligns with the Council's core priorities, as set out earlier this year, to support Borough families as well as town centres, high streets, villages and hospitality.

For full details of the August programme of free summer park events visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/parkevents or follow on social media: Facebook (South Tyneside Events) or Twitter @stynesideevents