An all-time favourite attraction to the North East, Beamish Living North Museum welcomes visitors to leap through time this half term in their Changing Tune event that explores music through time.

Reporter Darcie Rawlings jumped back in time on a visit to Beamish Living Museum in Stanley, to experience the different musical eras at the Music Through Time event (Monday, February 19).

The first stop on the bus at Beamish was the brand new 1950’s town – still under construction the 1950’s town is truly coming together, and the addition of a more recent decade adds a refreshing new element to the museum.

The Northern Echo: See just how much music technology has changed over the years with a display from the museum’s

I visited the Leasingthorne Colliery Welfare Hall and Community Centre to see just how much music technology has changed over the years with a display from the museum’s collection of music objects over time.

The Northern Echo: Check out all those records from the Beamish Museum collection

Reflecting on more recent music like Kylie Minogue was a trip down memory lane with many visitors saying ‘I had that album as a child’ with radio and cassette tapes, to less recent records of Greece and West Side Story to fiddles and gramophones right at the other end of the display.

The Northern Echo: You may be able to catch my creations as examples if you pop in for a visit

Visitors were also getting crafty in the Welfare Hall able to create and decorate their records as part of the event– I joined in creating a Johnny Cash-themed record in true 1950’s style and a Grease the musical record. You may be able to catch my creations as examples if you pop in for a visit.

The 1950s welfare hall will also be rocking with musical performances throughout the February half-term.

The Northern Echo: We visited 1820s Pockerley Old Hall to enjoy a fantastic array of Georgian music

I also headed to the 1820s Pockerley Old Hall to listen to an array of classic Georgian music beside the fire. Known to be an extraordinary era in classical music this performance was atmospheric as it radiated through the Pockerley Old Hall property.

Performed on an English Guitar Georgian music was my favourite musical era of the Music Through Time experience. 

The Northern Echo: We also called into the Masonic Hall for a music lesson

I also called into the 1900s Town to visit the Masonic Hall for a music lesson where visitors could join the chorus and play instruments alongside the music teacher.

The Northern Echo: The chorus of 'Dont Dilly Dally on the Way'

Children were having a ball at the Masonic Hall in a clatter of musical triangles and cabanas as the 1919 song "Don't Dilly Dally on the Way" about working-class life in London, was performed.

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Changing Tunes: Music Through Time, is a great excuse to head to Beamish this half term to witness the musical talents of staff at the living museum and to experience classical songs and old ditties from eras gone by.

The event is included in admission and is free for Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members and runs from Saturday, February 17 until Sunday, February 25.

For more information, including a full programme of performances during Changing Tunes: Music Through Time, as well as upcoming events and opening times, visit www.beamish.org.uk.