To celebrate the biggest event that Hartlepool as ever staged, Hartlepool Tall Ships, 2010, Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience is busy organising it’s own ‘Meet the Georgians’, three day event.

The Regency period in Britain ran from 1811 – 1820. It was a period characterised by excess in all things, particularly in its ruler the Prince Regent, later George IV.

During these three days in August 2010, Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience will become a bustling Georgian seaport, filled with colour, costumes and comedy, traditional entertainment, swordfighting displays and much more. Look out for further details.

Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience is the North East of England’s premier maritime attraction and is a wonderful re-creation of an 18^th century naval seaport. Centrepiece is the stunning ship HMS Trincomalee which is the oldest warship afloat in Europe. The Maritime Experience offers a day packed with fun and adventure for all ages and truly makes history come to life.

Don’t forget that we’re a permanent attraction and open everyday (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day)…. just one of the reasons to re-visit Hartlepool when the Tall Ships leave.

It is hard to believe that such a national institution as a nice cup of tea had not been heard of in Britain before the 1660s. Find out about the cultivation of tea, how it came to Britain and the rituals that have developed around its making and drinking.

Time: Daily 10.00am – 5.00pm (during The Tall Ships Races, 10.00am – 7.00pm, 10^th August 5.00pm)   Saturday 24^th July – Sunday 17^th October

They perform spell bounding arrangements of sea shanties and traditional songs from their native country and around the world with the most edible and tender harmonies.  They bring a real international flavour to the festival and can be seen and heard on the Sea Stage on each of the four days. 

Sam mixes songs from his home county with traditional southern stompers on his big 12 string guitar and resonator.  This year has seen him tour the US and make his debut at Glastonbury.

They sing traditional shanties and forebitters, ballads and love songs in beautiful four part harmony, with delicacy and passion and precision. They have appeared at festivals throughout Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Norway, Ireland and the Channel Islands

Using fiddle and melodeon, they play and sing with an infectious enjoyment and love for the music, winning them fans wherever they go.

From rhythmic foot stomping tunes to powerful interpretations of songs and ballads, their playing always guarantees to engage and inspire those who hear.

(now based in North Yorkshire) with a growing reputation as a true bearer of songs.  Having written some of the finest songs in recent years inspired by the sea, Wendy interweaves tales of heroism, love tragedy and much more with haunting melodies and .  She will be performing solo on Monday 9^th and with her band Blind Summat on Sunday 8th 

They play music from across the UK with a focus on English Traditional music with an exciting and energetic twist. The trio is made up of brother and sister Alex and Hannah Cumming and John Dyer combining piano accordian, bouzouki, fiddle and flute

Traditionally, in Marske, during the summer, the period of the last week in July and the first week in August was reserved by most of the fishermen to work the boats full time. The middle Saturday of this fortnight was the fishermen’s day out. This consisted of a trip down the coast to Staithes or Whitby, encamping in a pub, producing the accordion and banjo and singing songs.  From this tradition there has emerged the wonderful North East institution that is the Marske Fisherman’s Choir.  Don’t miss your chance to see them on Sunday 8^th August.

Widely regarded as one of the finest singers on the folk scene, Benny will be performing on the Sea Stage on Sunday 8^th and Monday 9^th and espousing his love of the vast musical culture of the North East which grew from the heavy industries of coal, steel and ship building.

Who met in the green pastures of Cambridge University.  Beautiful arrangements of English and Irish tunes combined with toe tapping stomps will be ringing out all over the Headland throughout the four days of the festival from this young, fun and engaging quintet

This much respected globetrotting troubadour will be singing from his vast self penned collection of song, conjuring up the imagery of the North Sea and the North Yorkshire moors and the men and women who’ve toiled on them. Richard will be performing solo on Sunday 8^th and with the hearty Endeavour Shantymen on Monday 9^th

They perform spell bounding arrangements of sea shanties and traditional songs from their native country and around the world with the most edible and tender harmonies.  They bring a real international flavour to the festival and can be seen and heard on the Sea Stage on each of the four days. 

(now based in North Yorkshire) with a growing reputation as a true bearer of songs.  Having written some of the finest songs in recent years inspired by the sea, Wendy interweaves tales of heroism, love tragedy and much more with haunting melodies and .  She will be performing solo on Monday 9^th and with her band Blind Summat on Sunday 8th

They play music from across the UK with a focus on English Traditional music with an exciting and energetic twist. The trio is made up of brother and sister Alex and Hannah Cumming and John Dyer combining piano accordian, bouzouki, fiddle and flute

They sing traditional shanties and forebitters, ballads and love songs in beautiful four part harmony, with delicacy and passion and precision. They have appeared at festivals throughout Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Norway, Ireland and the Channel Islands

has been one of the stalwarts of the North East folk scene for many years.  Having sung with various groups including Brocade and the Judith Haswell Band, she is now enjoying a solo career and will be performing on the Sea Stage on Sunday 8^th.

Known affectionately as the ‘miserable mandolin’ player, Iain is a musician of great integrity.  With a voice that can raise rafters but also invoke tears, Iain sings songs from the land and the sea with great passion.  Catch him on the Headland on Sunday 8^th and Monday 9^th August.

Enjoy 600 metres of a spectacular World Market with choices galore of food & drink, crafts, clothing, jewellery and accessories.  The organisers will draw together a number of elements – providing colour and character, blending exotic and sustainable, offering eco-friendly, original and creative.

Brought to you by NHS Hartlepool.  Focus on promoting healthy lifestyles.  Located in the earth zone.  Will include yoga demos, exercise demos, Cyber Coach, Kitchen Academy family cookery workshops and smoothie bikes, cookery demos in the Northumbria Larder Demo kitchen.  Celebrity guests include Mr Motivator, Aldo Zilli and Ed Baines. Outdoor activities such as netball, basketball and rugby lead by the Hartlepool Sporting Association.

The team from BBC One’s Bang Goes the Theory are coming to the Hartlepool Tall Ships Race, and they want you to get hands-on with science. Join them as they explore, stretch and explode science live on stage in their free shows taking place each hour, and then have a go yourself in the amazing Interactive Area. They’ll be taking a fresh look at how science shapes the world around us – and there’s nothing that they won’t put to the test. It’s a “can’t be missed” show for “anyone who is remotely curious about life, the universe and pretty much everything”. Don’t miss your chance to meet the presenters and ask them your science questions, or do some street science with Dr. Yan. Check out the Hands-on section at bbc.co.uk/bang for science demos that you can do at home and more information about what the team will be up to this summer.

From Saturday 7^th to Tuesday 10^th August, Middleton Grange will have its very own stand (Stand 2E) in the action packed Fire Zone at the Tall Ships Village in Hartlepool Marina, which will play host to live bands on stage plus a host of stalls and thrilling entertainment!

Middleton Grange will be running a FREE shuttle bus to the centre from the Old Cemetery Road, at the entrance to the Headland. On selected journeys there will be a number of Middleton Grange gift cards throughout the vehicle, so everyone is in with a chance to be a lucky winner!

We will also be hosting some fantastic activities in centre including children’s face painting, a balloon modeller, the chance to meet and have your photo taken with the legendary Jack Sparrow and ride our FREE surf simulator!

With 140 stores, Middleton Grange will be providing some fantastic offers as well as some tempting deals from our numerous café’s.

For more information visit www.middleton-grange.co.uk

Frantic-fiddling and banter galore from these festival superstars, who recently had them queuing round the block at Music Live, weeks after selling out the main auditorium [nearly 1500 seats!] at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

The Wildcats are the biggest band on Teesside by a diddly-aye country mile!  If you’ve seen them before, then you’ll know why. If not, then expect a joyous hands-in-the-air, jump-up-and-down singalong mashup of everything from the Pogues to the Flintstones theme tune – irreverent covers, and original smashes by the bucketload. All this plus a special guest appearance by another local superstar, Jessica ‘Over the Rainbow’ Robinson. Get down early to secure your place!

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change

"A flamboyant hybrid of Bette Midler and Mary Poppins...fascinating razzle-dazzle mix of magic, original comedy and intelligent glamour…" – Time Out

"The funniest woman on the circuit" – The Guardian

We are delighted, really really delighted, to bring you Romany Diva, Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year [that means she’s the VERY BEST, in case you didn’t know].

Charismatic, very funny and ever-so-slightly nuts, a couple of years ago Romany was granted the honour of being selected to appear before the Queen on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 80th birthday. She now performs her own cabaret show for discerning audiences around the world, with recent show attendees including Johnny Depp, Richard Branson, and Dame Judy Dench. And now audiences in Hartlepool have a chance to join that exalted group. How good is that?!

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change

Hailing from Northern Ireland, Martin Bigpig is a one-man comedy sensation! Very much the comedian’s comedian, he has been the support act of choice for Frankie Boyle, Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Jasper Carrot, Johnny Vegas, Steve Coogan, and once – oddly enough - Tina Turner. And the critics love him too:

"He wore us out with laughter … Irrepressible exuberance" - The Scotsman

"Explosive visual comedian who should carry a Government Health Warning"  - City Life

"Off-beat, unusual, outrageous" - Time Out

“Extremely funny” - Peter Kay

“A very funny lad, with the best beard in the business” - Johnny Vegas

“Martin is the act that has influenced me the most.  The UK comedy circuit would not be the same without him” - Frankie Boyle Shows

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change

"A flamboyant hybrid of Bette Midler and Mary Poppins...fascinating razzle-dazzle mix of magic, original comedy and intelligent glamour…" – Time Out

"The funniest woman on the circuit" – The Guardian

We are delighted, really really delighted, to bring you Romany Diva, Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year [that means she’s the VERY BEST, in case you didn’t know].

Charismatic, very funny and ever-so-slightly nuts, a couple of years ago Romany was granted the honour of being selected to appear before the Queen on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 80th birthday. She now performs her own cabaret show for discerning audiences around the world, with recent show attendees including Johnny Depp, Richard Branson, and Dame Judy Dench. And now audiences in Hartlepool have a chance to join that exalted group. How good is that?!

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change

Steve Royle is an actor, writer, comedian, juggler, and all-round charmer, who you may well have caught supporting the likes of Steve Coogan, Peter Kay, Dave Spikey or Badly Drawn Boy [spot the odd one out!]. Others will recognise him from his appearances on Phoenix Nights or Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere. This Comedy Store regular and former resident at The World Famous Blackpool Tower is a laugh-a-minute act guaranteed to put a smile on the face of audiences young and old, so bring your kids and drag your granny along!

Hailing from Northern Ireland, Martin Bigpig is a one-man comedy sensation! Very much the comedian’s comedian, he has been the support act of choice for Frankie Boyle, Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Jasper Carrot, Johnny Vegas, Steve Coogan, and once – oddly enough - Tina Turner. And the critics love him too:

"He wore us out with laughter … Irrepressible exuberance" - The Scotsman

"Explosive visual comedian who should carry a Government Health Warning"  - City Life

"Off-beat, unusual, outrageous" - Time Out

“Extremely funny” - Peter Kay

“A very funny lad, with the best beard in the business” - Johnny Vegas

“Martin is the act that has influenced me the most.  The UK comedy circuit would not be the same without him” - Frankie Boyle Shows

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change

"A flamboyant hybrid of Bette Midler and Mary Poppins...fascinating razzle-dazzle mix of magic, original comedy and intelligent glamour…" – Time Out

"The funniest woman on the circuit" – The Guardian

We are delighted, really really delighted, to bring you Romany Diva, Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year [that means she’s the VERY BEST, in case you didn’t know].

Charismatic, very funny and ever-so-slightly nuts, a couple of years ago Romany was granted the honour of being selected to appear before the Queen on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 80th birthday. She now performs her own cabaret show for discerning audiences around the world, with recent show attendees including Johnny Depp, Richard Branson, and Dame Judy Dench. And now audiences in Hartlepool have a chance to join that exalted group. How good is that?!

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change

Aussie charmer AJ balances on things, escapes from seemingly impossible situations, juggles stuff that shouldn’t be juggled, and does the splits in a way that makes our eyes water. We’re delighted that he’s on board as our resident host for three days of cabaret, music, and general shenanigans brought to you by Tall Ships 2010 in association with our friends at Ten Feet Tall. MC for the evening from 5pm

Hot Potato is a fantastic new monthly comedy night at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre featuring some of the hottest talent on the circuit right now.  And the good news is that we’ve joined up with the Hot Potato team to bring you 3 nights of fun-packed comedy, music and cabaret as part of the Tall Ships entertainment programme.  Expect thrills, spills and belly laughs galore in the first half of the show, followed by mapdcap musical antics from the likes of the Wildcats of Kilkenny, and the Bagdhaddies. The aim is to create a lively busking / street-theatre vibe, where anything goes, and you can just roll up at any point in the evening to join in the fun. See you down there!

which spent 18months in the UK Charts and contained ‘The Riverboat Song’ and ‘Day We Caught The Train’.  “Marching Already” followed which reached No1 in the charts, their second of 5 Top 10 albums! They’ve gone from strength to strength in recent years, selling out UK tours and being voted best band at V festival in 2007

a 39-year-old Belfast-based musician who has brought a dash of drama and vaudeville flair to the singer-songwriter’s art.

 His latest release, The Stage, A Book And The Silver Screen, is his most ambitious project to date, a triple threat combining two albums and an EP, each a separate strand inspired by the world of words.

 One album, The Silent World of Hector Mann, takes its cue from Paul Auster’s 2002 novel A Book of Illusions; the other features songs Wilson wrote for a new stage adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children, while the EP features the first ever recording of five songs written in 1950 by Kurt Weill for an abandoned musical version of Huckleberry Finn.

 Witty, eclectic and often dazzling, The Stage, A Book And The Silver Screen acts as an elegant rebuttal to anyone who would argue that the trend for consuming music in bite-sized chunks has dulled the ambition of songwriters.” The Herald

They consist of Jake Bowser (keyboards, vocals), James Dale (vocals, bass), Nicky Francis (drums, vocals), Thomas Hastings (vocals, various instruments), John Herbert (vocals, guitar) and Dominic Keshavarz (lead guitar, vocals). Some of these people have beards and look a little bit like members of ELO circa 1975. This may or may not be significant.

Goldheart Assembly released their debut album ‘Wolves And Thieves’ on fierce panda records in March,and you can’t say it hasn’t been a long time a’coming: since forming at the close of 2008 the sextet have spent much of their spare time carefully nurturing an ebullient live fanbase via the BBC Introducing Stages at Glastonbury and Reading / Leeds and ravishingly received performances at Latitude, the Camden Crawl, Swn and In The City, not to mention a mini-tour with The Low Anthem and a sold out Borderline in October. All this off the back of little more than one limited 7” single release, ‘So Long St Christopher’ on Heron Recordings, and the sort of seemingly carefree approach to live performances where the charm comes first and the tunes impact later.

 Fittingly then ‘Wolves And Thieves’ was recorded by the band themselves in a makeshift studio amongst the old steam engines at the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum in Norfolk in the middle of 2009. It was then finished and mixed with Laurie Latham (Echo & The Bunnymen, Squeeze, Ian Dury & The Blockheads) at Helicon Mountain studios in Greenwich. So ‘Wolves And Thieves’ was started in the warmth of a bucolic East Anglian summer and completed in the blizzards which landed on the sixth day of Christmas in Southeast London. These details may or may not be more significant than the number of beards in the line-up.

The key to Goldheart Assembly could well be that they are music lovers first and wannabe rock stars second. This means that they can be playful, even knockabout in their approach to live shows but in the studio there is fearsomely disciplined side which pays minute attention to the details of the drum sound, the hum of the harmonies…the near-invisible things that the passionate musician dwells upon. And this means that the likes of ‘Hope Hung High’, ‘The Last Decade’ and lead-off single ‘King Of Rome’ can sound epic without being pompous, poppy without sounding trashy and blindingly cool with apparently very little effort. Not for nothing did a thoroughly Goldhearted Steve Lamacq observe that “They take a joyous acoustic beardy bunch of ideas and mess around with them like a cat playing with a ball of string.”

a stones throw away from the idyllic fishing town of Whitby. After seeing her play live Inspiral Carpets Clint Boon invited Elaine to record some demos at his home studio. The culmination of this would turn out to be the recording of her first album Into The Spotlight released on Clint’s new label Booney Tunes. Since the release of the album Elaine has gone on to play with a host of successful artists including James Blunt, K T Tunstall, Bonny Prince Billy, King Creosote and Sophie B Hawkins. Elaine also enjoyed a rapturous reception at The Greenman and The Wickerman festivals, which were a highlight of her year 2005. Elaine’s success continued apace and her fan base significantly increased after receiving airplay on Radio 2 as well as numerous regional stations. So, on to 2006 and, after touring extensively and fine-tuning her powerful live performance, Elaine finished recording her second album, Waves. Released on Cosmos Recordings and featuring members of Lamb on double bass, cello, drums and electric bass. The album was recorded at Manchesters Analogue Catalogue and was engineered by Julie McLarnon (Lambchop, Nine Black Alps). Waves was released nationally in July 2006 to great critical acclaim. Mojo, Uncut, RocknReel, Terescope,The Sun....etc all gave fantastic reviews of the album! Waves also received masses of radio airplay including national stations BBCRadio 2, 3 and 4! Followed a successful Summer of touring and Festivals with the likes of Diane Cluck, Jose Gonzalos, Donavan, The Sky Green Leopards, Fionn Regan and many more. In 2007 Elaine released a series of EP's called the DADGAD Series, which she recorded in three different houses she lived in that year all influenced by the three different areas and landscapes. The DADGAd Series were all recorded solo on classical guitar which adds to the intimate and personal atmosphere of these recordings. With only 50 made of each they all sold out immediately to collectors of Elaines work. 2008 brings some changes to Elaine's material, picking up the pace a little, working with a new band, drums, bass, electric guitar gives a slightly more up beat larger sound to her new material. The new songs are much more edgy and slightly more agressive, heavily influenced by the open road and the unknown, looking forward not backwards this time.

toured all over Europe, supported the likes of Coldplay and played at the Leeds and Reading festivals. In 2004 the band signed a five-album record deal with D Records and released debut album Resolved, which received rave reviews.

“Mercedes' Sharon Pinchen has the kind of voice that immediately evokes the sublimely ornate, yet it's a humble Hartlepool soul that lends their dreamy, atmospheric sound a unique charm. Their debut album 'Resolved' throws up numerous slow-building gems taken to perilous heights by her effortless falsetto, floated on a slow-sea of guitar and string melancholy.”

They are now back up and running after a chilling out period. The band sees Gary "Goo" on Guitar and Phil on Drums, alongside Sharon and Mark from the original line up. They are getting busy writing new material and getting back into gigging with a new, more raw and powerful version of Mercedes.

At 4pm on Sunday the 8^th August there will be the prize-giving ceremony to celebrate all the successful ships and their crews after the long and testing race.

The ships compete in four classes, based, generally, upon the size of the vessel. Ranked as classes A, B, C and D there is a prize to be awarded for the first, second and third placed ship in each category. There are also two further prizes for the following categories: ‘1^st across the finish line’ and ‘1^st to finish on corrected time’.

So, in total, there will be 14 prizes distributed to a captain and crew member from the winning ships, all in full view of the crowds in the Tall Ships Village as it takes place on the main stage!

Churches Together have brought together a service led by the Bishop of Jarrow and including a Mass Choir, Silver Band and readings.

Broadcast onto the screen on the main stage at various times each day. Hartlepool Tall Ships is capturing the imagination of millions including some of the best known names in the region and the UK – many of whom have contributed to our Talking Heads video on show in the Tall Ships Village. You’ll recognise their voices and their faces - but you will be surprised by how they make use of Hartlepool’s splendid maritime resources.

A memorable marching display by representatives from every ship in the race, often in traditional costumes or even fancy-dress! Hundreds of parade participants will follow a route out of the Tall Ships Village, along Middleton Road before turning onto Marina Way to the Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience roundabout and then return and retrace the same route to the Tall Ships Village.

It is envisaged that the parade will be supplemented with lively music and street theatre making this a real spectacle for all ages to enjoy.

Enjoy three nights of spectacular fireworks, expertly delivered by our Official Fireworks Sponsor, G2 Fireworks.  Everybody’s favourite, the exciting displays will be fired from the South Pier and can be watched by all from The Tall Ships Village, Headland Promenade and Seaton Promenade.  And with three nightly shows you don’t need to miss out!

Let's Circus are a pioneering circus arts outreach company based in Newcastle upon Tyne. They have created six new roaming street theatre acts for Hartlepool's Tall Ships Races that will bring a colourful and playful element to the event. This world premiere of locally grown street theatre will be performed by young performance artists from across the district. Look out for the their roaming characters throughout the festival site including quirky Coral Gardeners, languid Starfish Workmen, beautiful Jelly Ladies and charismatic Stilting Sailors.

Enjoy the traditions of the Town Moor Fair, the ‘Official Tall Ships Fair’.  As well as the usual thrills and spills to excite and entertain, a 42 diameter giant wheel will be taking centre stage at the fair along with ‘Megatower’, an impressive new ride making its first visit to Hartlepool.

The fair will run throughout The Tall Ships Races finishing on Tuesday the 10th August.

Middleton Grange will be running a FREE shuttle bus to the centre from the Old Cemetery Road, at the entrance to the Headland. On selected journeys there will be a number of Middleton Grange gift cards throughout the vehicle, so everyone is in with a chance to be a lucky winner!

We will also be hosting some fantastic activities in the shopping centre including children’s face painting, a balloon modeller, the chance to meet and have your photo taken with the legendary Jack Sparrow (Saturday only) and ride our FREE surf simulator!

Sunday opening hourse are10.30am - 4.30pm.

The artwork for the posters was developed by Ken Dunn from photographs, taken by himself, of the Headland area, Seaton Carew, Marina and a view from the top of Christchurch Tower. The posters are based on the Art Deco Railway posters of the 1930's/40's and 50's. The Art Deco movement comprised a mix of decorative styles including simplification, distortion, abstraction and the use of intense colours. The backgrounds used in the posters are easily recognisable and well-known areas of Hartlepool, and the figures comprise a mixture of true Art Deco-style 1930's/40's figurative styles and fashions alongside more current fashion styles. Three of the posters have been done in a 'composite' style, consisting of a number of well-known local landmarks arranged together to form imaginative compositions.

To mark the coming of The Tall Ships Races and the Georgian celebrations at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, the exhibition will focus on the depiction of fighting ships during the reign of George III. Split into two themes the exhibition will look at British naval power at the height of this period and the emergence of a distinctive national style of marine painting. Please check for galelry opening times: 01429 - 869706