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2008 - 2009 Programme
Hello again from the glorious Scottish Borders, in the middle of a summer that doesn’t know what to do with itself – one minute baking hot, the next torrential rain and flooding.
It makes it difficult to plan what to do, and maybe that is why one of our favourite sayings around here is it never rains in the pub!
It has taken us quite a while to recover from last year’s 10th anniversary LLL festival, but now it’s time to start thinking about the next one and how to make it even better. You wouldn’t expect us to make too many changes to such a popular programme of events, so you’ll be pleased to hear that all the main features you keep telling us you like will be the backbone of the festival
once more.
When our first festival took place, Hawick lads IAIN SCOTT and DAVIE CHAPMAN were playing around the local pubs and clubs to anyone that would listen for the price of a few beers. Now they front a five piece band that is the biggest crowd-puller of any musical genre in the Borders, and have recently returned from sell-out concert dates in Canada. Thankfully, SCOCHA haven’t forgotten where they came from, remaining true and loyal to their roots and headlining our main concert once again. This time they are supported by HUW CHIDGEY and CATHERINE HANDLEY, thus forging a link with that first festival, because before returning to his Welsh homeland Huw was one of the
founding fathers of this event.
HAWICK SINGS was such a successful innovation at last year’s event that it looks like becoming a regular feature in years to come. There is such a wealth of talent in the local area on display, with particular emphasis this night being placed on very young performers and some slightly longer in the tooth - most of the stars of this show will either be under 16 or over 70! Many visitors reported that this was their favourite event last year, especially enjoying the informal atmosphere and local humour. The main event of the festival is of course the HOGMANAY CEILIDH, where you can party and dance away the old year and bring in the new with the LOUISE DOUGLAS BAND. At just 19 years old, local lass Louise lets everyone rest assured that the future of Border traditional fiddle music is in very safe hands, and what better way to celebrate the start of 2009 in the country and with the people that invented Hogmanay! Away from the stage and the concert hall there are several traditional sessions, where locals and visitors alike are encouraged to take part or just sit in and enjoy the atmosphere and listen to some fantastic music.
Well known local performers like SHANKEND MAC, HENRY DOUGLAS, CARLENJIG , WATTIE ROBSON and LES SNEDDON will be rubbing shoulders with visitors from all over the UK and Europe in sessions where virtually anything goes! No rest for the wicked, so we will again be asking you to join us on our NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK, culminating in the HERDS’ SUPPER hosted once more by wonderful singer HILLARY BELL and the irrepressible JOHN NICHOL.
This year a great new Italian café has been opened right here in Denholm. Run by local musician Rob Armstrong and his wife Natasha, The DENHOLM MEET has quickly become established as a great place for good food and a new venue for the best of live music. Our farewell session will be held there, after which, when those that have to go hit the road, ferry or airport, the festival is truly rounded off by our survivors’ concert with top international folk band REAL TIME at The Wynd Theatre in Melrose. Phew!!
If you require any further information please contact me direct -
kennyspeirs53@hotmail.com -we’re all waiting to welcome you back to the Scottish Borders and to the friendliest festival you’ll ever find!
All the very best,
www.thelandthelightthelocals.com
© Copyright 2005 by LLL
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