THE LAND THE LIGHT THE LOCALS

REPORT ON 2003 – 2004 EVENT

The New Year music event The Land The Light The Locals has been hailed a great success by all who attended.  Visitors from Holland, Germany, Switzerland and the UK descended on the Borders for 5 days of music and were given a taste of Borders culture and hospitality.

The opening welcome concert on the Sunday evening with Real Time, featuring Kenny Speirs, Judy Dinning, Tommy Roseburgh and Ian Anderson, was held in the Weensland Function Suite in Hawick.  This gave everyone the opportunity to meet and also to renew friendships, already established in previous years.

Next day a lunch time session at the Royal Hotel, in Jedburgh, gave musicians of all nationalities an opportunity to share their music. 

 That evening, a packed audience at the Cross Keys in Denholm experienced a full programme provided by Carlenjig, Fiddler’s Leap and Single Malt, all local Border bands.  Impromptu performances by Wattie Robson, Gary Forrest and Ian Anderson, and young fiddle students taught by Jimmy Nagle added to the variety of the evening.

 On Tuesday, Kelso Ice Rink was the venue for a curling ‘bonspiel’ when it was a delight to see Scots, English, Dutch, German and Swiss all learning together the ancient Scottish sport – thoroughly enjoyed by all – then followed by a music session in the bar.

 Hawick Town Hall was the venue that evening for an action packed concert by local ‘heroes’ Scocha – Ian, Dave and Phil entertained the audience with their lively music and banter.  Selkirk’s Jackie McGuckian captured the hearts of the audience with her beautiful, unaccompanied songs – a perfect balance for Scocha.

 On Hogmanay, Selkirk Glass gave a glass-making demonstration followed by lunch.  Then O’Mallys was the perfect venue for the afternoon music session when the bar was packed with a great array of talent including fiddles, banjos, guitars and accordions and even a flute.  Dancing practise also took place in preparation for the evening Ceilidh, which was in the Tait Hall, Kelso. 

 That evening the Tait Hall was a packed evening with many foreigners and locals sporting the traditional kilt.  Reel Rhythm, an extremely talented young band, all aged under 17, provided the necessary reels and jigs to make a perfect ceilidh.  The evening was compered by Malcolm McEwen whose stories and songs entertained throughout the night.  A ‘sprinkling’ of games and individual ‘turns’ added to a wonderful, magical evening which, for many was the highlight of the week.

 No-one expected the weather on New Years Day to be so good after the previous evening’s snow.  Approx 70 people headed to Ancrum to walk up to Peinel Heugh monument.  At the top whisky macs warmed the walkers while Scocha entertained in their inimitable lively style. 

 The views from the top were fantastic.

 Ancrum Village Hall provided the setting for another aspect of Borders culture with stories and songs by John Nichol and Hilary Bell, who had the audience entranced.  Language no barrier here as John’s facial expressions and actions and Hilary’s beautiful voice said it all.

 For those who had energy left Stampers provided the venue for the evening party.

 The final session at the Buccleuch Arms in St Boswells was an occasion to reflect on a busy 5 days and also to exchange addresses and share some more songs and music.

Evaluation questionnaires have provided organisers with valuable feedback and proof of the success of the event.  Many will again return to make the LLL a worthwhile annual event in the Borders music calendar.  Sincere thanks to all who contributed to its success.

This event was made possible by European funding provided by the Hawick Area Regeneration Grant.   The Hawick Area Regeneration Grant is administered by the Hawick Partnership and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Scottish Enterprise Borders and Scottish Borders Council. It is a 3-year project to provide a local “community development fund” to assist with projects that can demonstrate economic, social and/or environmental benefits to local communities.

Hawick Partnership aims to make Hawick a better place to live, work and invest. It comprises of local people, local organisations and a variety of public agencies working together to improve their community. Hawick Partnership is part of the Hawick Regeneration Initiative, a 3-year project funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Scottish Enterprise Borders and Scottish Borders Council.

Working with public, private and community sectors in supporting 'New Ways', the economic development strategy for the Scottish Borders, Hawick Partnership aims to develop the potential of individuals and businesses for the overall benefit of the community and the environment.

Pat Douglas

March 2004

(all images re-produced by kind permission of r Ian Oliver LRPS)