North East Folklore Society: Nikki Bell

Written By Holly Emmett
Nikki Bell from North East Folklore Society

North East Folklore Society curate local lore and host folk events centring around the North East - Sunderland, Newcastle, Durham and Northumberland and is ran by Nikki Bell. They stand out as a champion of creating community, sharing stories and allowing people to connect back to their North East roots. Northern Folklore Archive had the pleasure of chatting to Nikki about all things North East, utilising folklore as a means of returning to ‘analogue’ and the infamous Lambton Worm!

Northern Folklore Archive: What is it about folklore, and the folk community, in the North East that inspired you to begin North East Folklore Society?

Nikki: I've always been a bit obsessed about all things wyrd - the sites, stories, traditions, and music - and have enjoyed travelling around the UK to immerse myself in as many experiences as possible.

I love how rooted it makes me feel to the seasons, people, and history. But a lot of what I found didn't feel like me, so I felt like an observer rather than a participant. I started the Society because I wanted to build a community closer to home around the folklore shaped by steel, coal, sea, and hills that makes our region so epic.

The NE has so many stories and traditions specific to the area because of it's history and I love how industrial and working class many elements are. I find so much joy in learning about this and wanted to share it with others. Basically, I wanted to meet cool AF people and do cool AF things!

You've spoken about utilising folklore as a means of 'returning to analogue', as someone who yearns for whimsy myself, I find the connection between folklore and being more 'hands-on' with life fascinating. Are you hoping folklore will help return us to a more analogue time?

I believe it can act as an anchor to live a more analogue life, aye!

Intentionally engaging with folklore can encourage reading books for research or enjoyment, travelling to sites to explore, going to gigs, exhibits or talks to have a more immersive experience, and of course the dances and festivals that get us out into the community.

Digital is ace and makes things so much more accessible though - it's about balance and being intentional with how you use digital. I know from my experience I lean more towards analogue because of my interest in folk.

Which piece of folklore from the North East is your favourite? You can mention multiple, I know I'd struggle to pick one story, custom or tradition!

Ahhhh, what's your wordcount? :')

Obviously the Lambton Worm is the GOAT - it was the first folklore tale I heard and my primary school years heavily revolved around this wyrm; school trips, the local park, plays - so it feels really nostalgic and 'like home'.

The Lambton Worm was one of the very first stories I published on the website. I love the story so much, I love that a little boy got into so much trouble for skipping church that it led to the slaying of a gigantic worm!

And I'm fascinated about the mining folklore and traditions we have here too, including the Rapper Sword mummers play which is still kicking about in various places. I was really excited to learn we have our own version of the Mari Lywd in our mining communities and will spent the rest of my days hunting down a photo so I can see what it actually looked it!

Folklore is all about 'folk', do you enjoy being an active part of the North East Folk community, and do you have any events/meet-ups planned for 2026?

I love it - I needed it and is a big part of why I set up the Society so it's lovely to see it grow. It's more important than ever to have community; to feel seen, supported, and be able to share ideas, good vibes, and support. I hope people find it here.

Coming up we have an informal meet up for a picky tea and book swapping, a film and live music night featuring archived folkloric footage from the NE, another book launch event, and a walk to celebrate Imbolc. We're totes open to collaborations so if someone has an idea, I'd love to make it happen - this is how a few of these events have come about! Just email northeastfolkloresociety@gmail.com and we'll get a chat in and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear when events go live.

Lastly (and I'm asking this to everyone) one of the Northern Folklore Duo is a huge film fan, so this question is purely for him... what is your favourite film?!

This might be a basic answer but Midsommar. The pacing and visuals were right up my street!

I’ll be biased for a second, because this is our website and I’m allowed!, I was so excited to be able to chat with Nikki as the North East Folklore Society was one of the first accounts on Instagram we followed when Northern Folklore Archive was just a spark of an idea. Nikki does so much for the North East folk community and I hope it keeps going from strength to strength! Be sure to follow them @northeastfolkloresociety on Instagram.

 

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Holly Emmett
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