Hello again!

It's summer time here in the Scottish Borders, but you'd hardly know it! We've had the worst weather anyone can remember for this time of year, and although we're used to it, it would be nice to get a dry round of golf in before the season's out. Still, whenever visitors to Scotland complain about the weather I always say, "It never rains in the pub!" At least we've always got Hogmanay to look forward to, when you're always guaranteed sunny smiles and a warm welcome whatever the forecast.

This year’s event will be an extra-special one, because it will be the tenth time we’ve held it! It’s hard to believe that it’s been running so long, but the LLL festival just keeps going from strength to strength. I’ve no doubt that the secret of its success lies in the title Ros Halley dreamt up all those years ago– we are so fortunate to live in such beautiful surroundings, a landscape that defines us and shapes the Border character. And we’ve always kept the festival small and accessible, so that visitors and locals alike can enjoy joining in with home-grown musicians and story-tellers in an informal and friendly atmosphere that has become the envy of many more high profile and costly events.


Costs are always a concern, of course, and this year is the first time the festival will be completely self-supporting, with no grants or awards supplementing our income from ticket sales. Consequently, there has been a small increase in prices, but I’m sure you’ll agree that the price for a five day event still is incredible value for money. Cost cutting does mean that this will be the only printed newsletter you will receive, and I would ask you to refer to our website or to contact me direct by email or telephone from now on.


The 10th LLL festival will contain all the features that visitors keep asking for year in, year out. It kicks off on 29th December with our main concert, featuring SCOCHA and REAL TIME, a repeat of the sell-out night held last year in Jedburgh Town Hall. The following day sees a traditional session in the pub at Bonchester Bridge, hosted by popular local band CARLENJIG. That evening, a special concert will be arranged by the organisers of HAWICK SINGS. Over the summer months many different performers get together each week to put on a real old-fashioned night of entertainment to raise money for local charities, and they are staging this extra evening as a one-off especially for our festival. The Hogmanay celebrations begin with another session, this time led by LES SNEDDON and WATTIE ROBSON, and then at night we have our showcase event, the HOGMANAY CEILIDH, a terrific Scottish dance and party hosted by the LOUISE DOUGLAS BAND.


Following last year, when an ugly lynch-mob of about 60 exhausted, wet and bedraggled people were waiting for me in Selkirk, I hereby promise that the New Year’s Day walk will be more sheltered and on the flat! It’s character building and good for the soul, you know! Well, if nothing else it gives you an appetite for your traditional supper of soup and stovies, with first rate entertainment from the incomparable JOHN NICHOL and HILARY BELL. For those of you with the stamina and constitution of a horse, please contact Scocha direct via www.scocha.com for details of their less than traditional New Year’s night party, while others might like to join me and DON DAVIES from Lymm Folk Club for a wind-down session in the FOX AND HOUNDS, Denholm. The farewell session takes place at the Buccleuch Arms, St. Boswells, although there will be the traditional survivors’ concert by REAL TIME in The Wynd Theatre, Melrose at night – call the venue on (0044) (0)1896 820028 to reserve tickets for that one.

So, that’s it! Please keep checking our website www.thelandthelightthelocals.com where regular updates will be posted. And remember, numbers are limited because our venues are small and intimate, so please book early to avoid disappointment by returning the form enclosed with this newsletter. All the very best from Denholm, and we’re all looking forward very much to seeing you here as we celebrate 10 years together.

Kenny Speirs.