A BAND which played a part in history when it performed to a crowd of nearly 30,000 people will bring music to Wylam. 

Howay the Lasses - a group which combines music and storytelling to celebrate North East women - performed their song of the same name at St James' Park when Newcastle United Women played Barnsley WFC in the Women's FA Cup in November.

The band, made up of classically-trained concert pianist Annie Ball, singer-songwriter Bronwen (Bronnie) Davies-Jones, cellist Katie Tertell and singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones, performed the track written as a tribute to the NUFC women at half time on the pitch.

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They said: "The North East of England is rich with the discoveries, achievements and successes of women across all strands of life from writers, poets and painters, to engineers, champions of industry and social reformers.

"Some of these stories, both contemporary and historical, are known to a degree - others not so well. Not many at all have been determinedly celebrated in original songs within the musical storytelling tradition.

"We’re glad to share through our music how these women have inspired us and helped to shape the region and the wider world. As we’ve collaborated together and forged new creative ground, our hope is that the legacy of these songs and our live tour performances will inspire audiences and musicians to explore more deeply the role and contribution of women in North East life."

The group form part of the Wylam Winter Tales Festival line up, which will run from February 3-6, showcasing local storytelling, music, poetry, spoken word, crafts, film and history.

They added: "The response from the match has been wonderful, and further still, we have had such a wonderful response from the album and our tour.

"Each and every character we have written about are amazing women, and although we cannot meet some of them, being historic figures, we are so delighted to have met some of the inspirational women we’ve had the pleasure of researching and putting pen to paper for."

The band will tour again next autumn after a short break for Christmas.