A DEDICATED volunteer with a love of the stage has found a way of entertaining people during the pandemic.

Hexhamshire farmer David Nixon is a well known member of the Hexham-based Queen's Hall Theatre Club.

Over the years he's starred in many productions, but is also a writer, director and producer of numerous performances.

But while both amateur and professional stage productions have suffered during the coronavirus pandemic, David has found a way of staying true to the motto, 'the show must go on'.

Since the first lockdown last year he has written, produced, directed and appeared in a number of plays that he has performed on Zoom with his own amateur dramatics group, On The Move Theatre.

He’s kept many of adults, as well as youngsters as young as 10 entertained regularly over the last 12 months, giving them all the opportunity to continue to be part of the theatre in some way during the pandemic, whilst bringing the community together during these times.

David's productions, including rewrites of Richard III and Macbeth, have attracted audiences from across the UK and as far afield as Germany, who have logged on via a link he sends out on Zoom.

David's wife Catherine said: "He's done all this all while still farming, all in his own time and for free, all just to bring everyone together.

"He's self taught himself how to negotiate Zoom, learning from scratch the technicalities, to using special effects and background screens during performances, and encouraging cast members to dress up for their roles.

"He's done so much over the decades - a truly selfless, hardworking, humble, modest man who only wants for others."

Every week, the Courant bestows its Person of the Week honour on a citizen who has done something special during the pandemic.

David, who is well known across the Tyne Valley, is man who never seeks the limelight and is happy to work behind the scenes on the projects he loves, for the benefit of others.

David is befitting of the honour, and we look forward to hearing of further success of his, both on screen and back on the Queen's Hall stage.