the Land, the Light, the Locals 2013-14

STOP PRESS Sunday 29th December Main Concert for LLL EMILY SMITH TRIO.

the Land, the Light, the Locals 2012-13

Pictures from the 2012-13 events are available here

Hello again from the heart of the beautiful Scottish Border countryside, where preparations are well under way for our fifteenth annual Hogmanay Festival. Every year people go away saying that this one was the best yet, so we’re pulling out all the stops to keep up that tradition.

Once more we are receiving enquiries from far and near, and I’m delighted to say that a chance meeting with some Norwegian music fans on the Ferry ‘Cross The Mersey a few years back has led to twelve of them coming over the North Sea to join us this time. Denholm already has strong links with Norway via Bill and Lena Woodcock and the Harbour Band from Stavanger, so we locals know what to expect - the Vikings are coming!

Saturday 29th December The festival kicks off as always with our main concert, and we have pulled off a major coup by attracting THE OLD BLIND DOGS to open our celebrations. From their Aberdeenshire roots this four-piece band has become one of Scotland’s top folk exports all over the world, and there’s no doubt they’ll raise the roof at Denholm Village Hall. Special Guest will be Kieran Halpin.

The following day sees the start of our hugely popular traditional music sessions, and this time we have added a very special new venue to our programme. Two of our main festival stalwarts, SHANKEND MAC and TOMMY ROSEBURGH, now own the Gordon Arms Hotel in the Yarrow Valley. Tommy has moved his studio there, and the partnership are transforming the hotel into a major centre for traditional music, so where better to hold our opening session, and who knows, maybe some of you will return as guests at other times of the year where you’ll always find a warm and friendly welcome and no doubt a couple of tunes in the bar!

Later that evening you will be invited to join the regulars at HAWICK SINGS, where you’ll be amazed by the great diversity of local talent on display, all in the town’s special atmosphere of homespun entertainment.

In the Borders we call 31st December Auld Year’s Night, and the festivities begin with our music session in the Royal Hotel, Jedburgh. Then it’s back to Denholm for our showcase event, the HOGMANAY CEILIDH, with Scottish dancing and party games through the Bells to the JOCK THOMPSON BAND. I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one with a bang!

New Year’s Day 2013 begins with a walk through our spectacular Border landscape, followed by our HERDS’ SUPPER at Ashkirk Village Hall where your hosts will be the incomparable JOHN NICHOL and HILARY BELL. For those still standing there will be another session in the evening at the Fox and Hounds, Denholm – I must try that pub…they say it’s very good!

So that’s it – five unforgettable days and nights of music, dancing and much laughter, a time when old friendships are renewed and new ones begin. We hope you can join us in our beautiful Border home, and I’m sure when you leave you’ll take a little piece of Scotland with you in your hearts!

Images from previous events are still available

2011-12
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09
2007-08
2006-07