A NORTH Tyne folk singer has won another songwriting competition.

Singer-songwriter Maggie Feeney, 71, won the traditional songwriting competition at The Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering, judged by Northumbrian folk musician Johnny Handle, for her song Far Horizons. 

Last year, the song also took the top spot in the competition for original song at the Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival.

Far Horizons explores the history of Northumberland and the borders from Roman times to the present day.

Maggie, a former teacher, has been singing most of her life, but only started writing about six years ago.

"I've got about six or seven of my own songs now," she said. "I keep writing songs in a traditional flavour about the area, about Northumberland."

"I like to write about the history of the area and any interesting stories that we find," she added.

Maggie will be singing at Wark Town Hall on Saturday, May 20 as part of a live music evening organised by Ian K Brown.

The event will also feature Ian, Louise Ainsley, Neil McHardy and Miserable Les.

Hexham Courant: