Girvan’s 40th

Girvan Traditional Folk Festival 2nd to 4th May 2014

www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk Welcome • to the 40th Girvan Festival

Sadly we have to note the recent passing of two mighty characters of the folk scene. Firstly, last year, the untimely loss of John McCreadie a musician singer and songsmith of note. For a time John was on our organising committee. We are also the poorer since the recent passing of John Eaglesham. John was a founding member of the Clutha, the first folk group ever encountered by many of us and a man who We are delighted to be able to welcome you for many was the main reason we got into to a weekend of celebrations to mark the traditional music. 40th Girvan Traditional Folk Festival. We have already been marking this great achievement We would ask you again to maintain the with an exhibition of photographs from early quiet order at the campsite which we aim festivals, firstly, in the Glasgow Concert Hall to achieve as in previous years through a “...The Girvan Festival story parallels a and currently in the McKechnie Institute here successful liaison between Castle Security on in Girvan. site and Police Scotland. We intend to remove time which will be seen as a golden age for any persons causing disorder from the site traditional music...” Here is not the place to relate the history of and remind you that in accordance with the festival, rather we will enthuse about South Ayrshire bylaws the consumption of the great line-up of guests, starting with alcohol in open public spaces is prohibited. Altan the legendary Irish group who have Altan • Arthur Johnstone and The Stars Band made two other appearances at Girvan over A final word of thanks to all who help us put on the festival and it only remains for us to Fiona Hunter Band • Ellen & Kevin Mitchell • Chris Miles the years. A formidable array of traditional singers have also been assembled and wish you an unforgettable 40th birthday Heather Heywood • Robyn Stapleton Trio • Billy Henderson as usual we have aimed for a very broad celebration with the best traditional music May Mayberry • Mike Hancock, children’s entertainer appeal with children’s events, competitions, and song. Colin McAllister and Frances Logan, storytellers workshops, concerts, storytelling and more The Tattiehowkers Ceilidh Band informal sessions throughout the town. Enjoy yourselves.

It is only fitting at this stage that we The Girvan Festival Committee acknowledge with gratitude the invaluable support of our funders, South Ayrshire Maggie Macrae, Robert Jardine, Ian Council, Carrick Futures and the Weir Trust Fitzimmons, Gordon Potter, Colin McAllister, Concerts • Ceilidhs • Sessions • Workshops • Competitions and also the support of the Robb family who David Girvan, David Walker, Kathy Hobkirk, have donated to the festival in memory of Sheila McMath, Liz Clark, Alec Oattes, John Bobby. McDowall. Alec Clarke, Graham Charlton. Page  Page  General Information Tickets: Tickets are available from the tickets, programmes, raffle prizewinners festival office at the Westcliffe Hotel or announcements, general information may still be purchased on line at www. and guests CDs, there is a special range of girvanfolkfestival.co.uk Prices remain souvenir 40th celebration merchandise in unchanged from last year. Weekend tickets the form of sweat shirts, hoodies and T-shirts THE GIRVAN FESTIVAL ... are very good value and a huge saving at £35 available. and £30 concessionary for under 18’s, senior citizens and unwaged. Proof of entitlement Campsite: The campsite on the McCreath is required. Children aged 14 and under will Park is adjacent to the golf course car park An incomplete history be admitted to events fee if accompanied by and the access route is marked clearly on the weekend ticket holders. map in this programme. Admission is £14 per adult per weekend and £7 for accompanied The festival started at an interesting time Ticket Prices: under 16s. A coloured wristband will be and was a period which many would issued to all paying campers, anyone not describe as a golden age musically. This Opening Concert / Bobby Robb displaying a wristband will be required to was not necessarily because of they were Tribute Concert - £10 / £8 pay or leave the site. The security staff will young themselves, although that might Academy Concert / Farewell Concert not admit to the campsite anyone who does have played a part in it. It was a time when - £15 / £12 not appear to be attending the festival and Scottish was emerging. Irish music was more dominant than it is now but the Workshops / Competitions - £4 will require anyone causing public disorder to leave the site. Please respect the rules of groups and gatherings that were to lead to Late Ceilidh - £5 the campsite and other campers. No camping the emergence of seminal bands such as Saturday all Day Ticket - £25 / £20 adjacent to residential properties, remain on Bobby Robb , Ossian and the Boys of the Sunday all Day Ticket - £20 / £18 the main field. Do not light fires. Lough were coming together. Some of Girvan’s strengths. It is The festival didn’t come out of nowhere, Weekend Ticket Conditions: Given Please note: the consumption of alcohol a family festival. • Its constitution there was experience to build on. Its roots the size of venues not all Weekend ticket is not permitted in the Academy Theatre or and defined focus. • Although it has were in a common group of friends and a holders might be able to gain entry to the the Carrick Buildings and remind you that a core committee, it is ‘owned’ by same event so priority will only be given in accordance with South Ayrshire bylaws shared experience of folk clubs. At that time a larger group of people. • It seeks in Ayrshire you could go to a folk club every to Weekend ticket holders until 10 minutes the consumption of alcohol in open public out performers rather than following before the start of each concert. spaces is prohibited. night of the week. Most of the audiences current trends. • It books ‘special stayed relatively static, but singers and people’ – not necessarily stars, but musicians moved around broadening their Competitions and Workshops PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS people with an X factor. • Its links experiences. There were also other festivals Competition entry forms are available at the with Ireland and . • It isn’t which served as role models including Festival Shop and at the door of the event. Front Cover Photograph • David Scobie a ‘manufactured’ festival, it grew Kinross, Newcastleton and The Inverness Folk Pre- enrolment for workshops is also advised Girvan Harbour, (Guests page) • Pete largely from established folk clubs Festival. to help the tutors with their preparation. Heywood and is organised by enthusiasts. • It The majority of the historic photographs • remains small and acoustic. • It is One particularly key moment in the The Festival Shop: The Festival Alistair Chafer respected and trusted - an honest conception of the festival was an informal The Wellpark Suite • Gordon Hotchkiss shop is at the Westcliffe Hotel. As well as festival. weekend in Sandhead. That happened as a consequence of Pete and Heather Heywood Page  Page  having a May holiday in Portpatrick, near Girvan establishes its identity Girvan wasn’t necessarily unique, but it Stranraer, where they had fallen in with was perhaps unusual in that its style of some local musicians. During the course of The festival consciously called itself the organisation was relaxed yet efficient. that week, one of the musicians married the Girvan Traditional Folk Festival. It wasn’t You can’t write the history of the early daughter of the owner of the Tigh Na Mara a pretentious claim, the organisers knew years of the festival from the minutes of pub in Sandhead and during the evening the score, but it did help define where the meetings, because there weren’t any. People celebrations, plans were hatched to return festival’s roots lay and a definition that contributed where they could and there was for an informal weekend. That weekend became a self fulfilling prophecy. Some a general consensus behind the direction could best be described as a ‘festival fringe’ festivals get a particular reputation, in the festival was heading. The festival was without a festival. The sun shone that Girvan’s case it was known as a ‘singers blessed with a number of competent and weekend and enthusiasm ran high. Pete and festival’. That didn’t mean that it wasn’t committed people and there was as little Heather subsequently started a folk club in strong instrumentally, because it developed demarcation as possible between guests, Kilmarnock – assisted by others, but that a fearsome reputation for its musical organisers and participants. The line ups is part of a different story. The Kilmarnock sessions, rather it reflected the centrality of of the first two or three festivals cemented Traditional Folk Club (KTFC) started in song in the Scottish folk revival. Girvan’s identity and laid foundations for May 1974 and planning for the first Girvan a period when Girvan achieved a status far Traditional Folk Festival started around the Looking back at how these various festival above its relatively modest size. same time, leading up to the birth of the personalities developed, it is fairly clear that festival on the May Bank Holiday weekend, self definition, allied to a particular artistic The first changes 1975. booking policy, attracted audiences with Festival poster from year 5. (Note the Weekend reasonably common expectations. The first major change in the festival came Ticket price and apologies 35 years on for Bobby Robb, Ben Robb and Harry Aitken, spelling Gordeanna’s name wrong!) The festival had a written constitution about six years in. Ben was a miner and when by that time the established line up of although it wasn’t ever published. It spoke the local coal mine closed, Ben and Marianne the folk group The Lave, were the musical about a core focus on traditional music with moved to central Scotland. At the same time backbone of the festival committee, but as a commitment to local content, national Harry and Iola moved to Cornwall leaving a the saying says – behind very successful man content and to including musicians from large gap in the committee. Given the close is a woman. In Girvan’s case the respective beyond Scotland’s borders. relationship with the Kilmarnock Folk Club, wives, Nancy Robb, Marianne Robb and Iola it wasn’t too much of a surprise when Pete Aitken were fully involved. Iola was the first Relationship with the folk clubs Heywood was asked to join the organising Treasurer, Marianne, with Ben, contributed team. hugely over the years coordinating the stewards over the festival weekends. Nancy There was a close relationship between the Living around thirty miles from Girvan, Pete Robb was the mother figure. The Robb house festival and the folk clubs. The festival was foresaw difficulties in being fully involved in Girvan has provided hospitality for many seen as an opportunity to do something with the essential local fundraising activities Some of the Guests and organisers (year Two) a travelling folkie and daughter Beverley, extra, aiming for a higher status of guests for the festival and decided to approach the who years later was to become a key member at times, but perhaps the most important Scottish Tourist Board (STB) as a potential of the committee, recounts the many times function was its ability to bring combinations sponsor. At the time he was unaware that when the children wondered who they might of people together in one place. Travel was the STB was starting to develop an Arts find sleeping downstairs when they woke up less easy in those days and festivals were Tourism strategy, the approach was timely. in the morning. meeting places bringing people from all parts of the country together. The Folk Festival was founded at

Page  Page  that time with the help of the STB who were A fuller history of Girvan Festival remains a Altan keen to encourage an event that would work in progress and so a lot is summarised spread over two weekends. The Edinburgh here in a few sentences. There was the period Altan have had a special relationship with Folk Festival announced itself as Scotland’s when The Kings Arms became the hub of the Girvan over the years and it is fitting that longest festival, a ten day event, although it festival with the legendary singing sessions they return to be with us for the 40th festival. was in effect more a double weekend festival under The Dome. Many fondly remember the First booked as Frankie and Mairead, they linked with some midweek events. Morton’s era when the owner had come to have appeared in various line ups over the conclusion that the best thing for him to do years. They were clearly attracting attention The STB saw the potential of the Girvan was to go to bed and leave us to it. The Late from festivals worldwide when Frankie was Festival and recognised that it needed an Night Extra’s at the Catholic Hall; Sessions in diagnosed with a life threatening illness. element of professional promotion. They The Queens, The Royal, The Westcliffe, The When we were first aware that Frankie was ill, offered advice and a one off £1,000 grant Southfield and The Ailsa; The world premiere The Four Provinces Ceili Band and other guests (year Two) Pete spoke with Mairead at an Altan concert for marketing, resulting in a kickstart that of The Singing Kettle; Walt Michael & Co who in Kilmarnock and said “Any time you want to had an impact for years to come. The total played on the first Singing Kettle LP as The come back to Girvan just say the word”. That budget for the festival at that time was Caper Caillie Band; Grants Centenary and the word came back sooner than he expected probably of the order of about £2,000 and a William Grants All Star Ceilidh Band; Tennants and Dervish had already been booked for promotional spend of that magnitude, which centenary which allowed us to bring The the coming year. The result was two of the included 10,000 brochures with distribution Wellpark Suite to Girvan; Regular coverage premier Irish bands appearing that year throughout the STB network, seemed from BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk, – Altan and Dervish. It may not have been disproportionate. The festival committee Radio Ulster’s Folk Club and even BBC Radio planned, but it certainly worked. We have decided to raise their sights and added The 2’s main production unit recognising that some very special memories from that time Boys of the Lough to an already impressive something special was happening. and, thankfully, some recordings to help line up of guests. Mary Stewart and Bily Henderson play for the children keep those memories alive. New voices / New Projects . STB’s advice was to package festival tickets with accommodation so making it easy for Many performances at Girvan can be looked people to attend. What it gave the festival at as ‘debut’ performances. It was a creative was an audience who were committed to time and Girvan reflected what was going on. festival tickets in advance and advanced The ‘premiere’ of The Singing Kettle stage ticket sales meant that the committee could show was at Girvan, Girvan was the only plan ahead with confidence. Suddenly the folk festival performance of The Wellpark festival was firing on all cylinders heralding Suite. Altan, Dervish, Croabh Rua, Arcady, the era when the festival extended to the Liam O’Flynn, The Voice Squad, Mary Black whole of the long Bank Holiday weekend. The and many other Irish performers spread Sunday evening concert became one of the their wings and made connections through highlights of the weekend and the Monday Girvan. Girvan gave a platform to new became an informal wind down. This was a songwriting in the tradition. Again that story period when Girvan gained recognition and deserves further attention but suffice to say was regarded by many as the best festival in at this point that many significant songs were Scotland at the time. aired at Girvan. The Wellpark Suite

Page  Page  Spin offs

Girvan didn’t invent the folk festival concept, This blurring of boundaries was a it built on what was happening at the time. It deliberate policy of the organisers. One of is difficult to pin down what impact it had on the areas where this worked particularly other festivals which followed, but events in well was in the sessions, late night extras, Girvan had some impact on Dumfries, Arran invitation concerts and the legendary and Shetland and others and by setting high front hall gatherings under ‘the dome’ at standards coupled with informality, paved The King’s Arms. The booked guests were the way for festivals like . briefed to encourage sessions to start, and also briefed to step back once they were going to give the floor to the visitor. 21 years and transition Informality was the aim, but in order to achieve this, invisible structures were After 21 years there was a change in created. The Queens was the original hub committee, resulting partly from changes of the Festival and The Royal became a in local government, and looking back, place for singers’ sessions. At some point perhaps some tiredness among those who The Ailsa became the place where the took it to that point. The transition wasn’t Irish contingent would flock to and The without its pains and misunderstandings Westcliffe, Southfield, The Harbour Bar The Macrae Family - The Macrazies! but a new leadership emerged which to its and others, each establishing their own 40 Years and The future credit has sustained the festival to its 40 year identity. milestone. We refer to Girvan as a family festival As the Festival grew The King’s Arms and over 40 years that family has grown; The festival has a distinctive booking policy became the hub and a special relationship children have become fully fledged Although there were many regular faces, developed with the Morton family musicians and we have witnessed a full each year’s guest list tended to be quite who owned the hotel at that time. The range of hatches, matches and sadly some distinctive. Many of the guests only made Westcliffe was another hub at the same despatches. one official appearance, a few were booked time and in later years became the Reaching a milestone gives you the excuse a handful of times over the years, others organizational heart of the Festival. The to look back and also the opportunity to appeared at various times in different groups Festival was firing on all cylinders and any look forward. The two, past and future, Late Night Ceilidh at The Catholic Hall or combinations, some became part of the space which welcomed participants was are not disconnected. Girvan Festival backbone organization, helping to make the used. Relaxed sessions even extended didn’t happen by accident and the hard Festival tick. There was a small committee to the Monday, with quite a few people work, mostly behind the scenes will doing necessary planning work throughout stopping off at The Tam O’Shanter in probably never be fully appreciated. the year, but come the Festival weekend, a Kirkoswald. It was hardly a mid-point of Many faces will change before we reach visitor would be hard pushed to determine the homeward journey for anyone, being the 50th milestone. The older ones among exactly who the organizers were and the just a few miles outside of Girvan, but it us will be concerned with legacy, the demarcations between organiser, booked was a step in the right direction. younger ones will take things forward, artist and paying visitors were very blurred. possibly in different ways, but hopefully with similar values.

Page 10 Page 11 Friday 2nd May Saturday 3rd May

Opening Concert Evening Concert Westcliffe Hotel, 8pm Girvan Academy 7.30pm Robyn Stapleton Trio with Claire Hastings • Arthur Johnstone and the Stars Band • Ellen Arthur Johnstone and the Stars Band and Kevin Mitchell • Altan

Singers Concert Dance Ceilidh / Concert Catholic Hall, 10pm Catholic Hall 11.pm Ellen and Kevin Mitchell, Chris Miles, Heather Tattiehowkers Ceilidh Band and a look back Heywood, Billy Henderson and May Mayberry to earlier years with previous guests Adam McNaughtan Saturday 3rd May Sunday 4th May

Competitions Competitions Westcliffe Hotel, 11am Westcliffe Hotel 11am Songwriting • Traditional Singing Story Telling Verse Recitation

Heather Heywood Children’s Singing Workshop Family Ceilidh Catholic Hall, 11.30am – 12.30 Catholic Hall 1pm-3pm Billy Henderson and Susie Kelly Billy Henderson, Mike Hancock, Susie Kelly, Maggie Macrae Story telling Workshop Pat McNulty and Kevin Mitchell The Hamilton Arms 11.30am Open Stage / Folk Group A story telling session in French and English Competition - Westcliffe 3pm. with our French visitors from Torcy Farewell Concert Circus Skills Workshop Catholic Hall 7.30pm Catholic Hall 1pm- 4pm Robyn Stapleton Trio with Claire Hastings • Fiona Hunter Band Mike Hancock Billy Henderson

Bobby Robb Tribute Concert The 40th Birthday Concert Hamilton Arms 2pm Catholic Hall 10pm May Mayberry, Arthur Johnstone, Robyn Celebration of 40 years of Girvan Festival Stapleton & Claire Hastings, Chris Miles, with assembled guests. (Priority to Weekend Billy Henderson, Jim Bainbridge, Heather ticket holders). Heywood. Programme of Events Page 12 Page 13 Workshops • Carrick Buildings The Sessions Scene Saturday 3rd May Sunday 4th May 1pm - 2.30pm 1pm-2.30pm

Whistle - Stephen Heffernan Traditional Singing - Chris Miles Stephen will start with the basics and Chris explores what is going on when we find time to talk about different styles of choose, learn and sing a song. playing. - Carol Anderson - Hajimi Takahashi Carol will introduce you to a new tune and Haji will start with simple accompaniment give some hints on improving tone and and progress to more advanced styles if technique. desired. Sunday 4th May Saturday 3rd May 2.30pm -4pm Sessions over the Saturday 3rd May 2.30 pm – 4pm weekend at: - George Butterworth All commencing at 2pm: The Button Box (Melodeon) - George will teach a new tune or two and give Vaults – Failte; The Anchor Bar Stephen Heffernan hints to improve performance. • The Vaults - The Scotia Band; The Roxy - Stephen will get any beginners started or Home Made Jam give advice about improving technique. Bodhran – Frank Maguire • The Victory Bar Frank will reveal the secrets of good bodhran • The Anchor Bar Saturday Evening - Commencing Playing in a Folk Group playing. 8pm: The Vaults - Robyn - Members of the Stars band will give • The Hamilton Arms the benefit of their experience of Stapleton Trio with Claire accompanyingSome of the Guestssingers and and organisers playing (year with Two) • The Roxy Hastings; The Hamilton Arms other musicians. – Home Made Jam

Friday 2nd May Sunday 4th May

The Vaults - The Kelly Collective; Commencing 2pm: The Vaults The Victory Bar - The Scotia - The Scotia Band; The Anchor Band; The Anchor Bar - McGill Bar - Failte; The Hamilton Arms and Co; The Hamilton Arms - Arthur Johnstone and the Stars Instruments not provided: Bring your own instruments – Failte. Band; The Roxy - McGill and Co.

Page 14 Page 15 Ewan MacLennan Katie Harrigan Sean Donnelly Soloists Ewan McVicar Keith Hancock Sheena Wellington Finbar Magee Kevin Mitchell Sid Kipper Adam McNaughtan Gabriel McCardle Kieran Halpin Siobhan Miller GUESTS THROUGH Aileen Carr Alistair Hulett Geordie Murison Kristina Olsen Stan Patman Alistair MacDonald Gill Bowman Liam O’Flynn Steve Turner 40 YEARS of Alistair Ogilvy Gilly Hewitt Lionel McClelland Tim Lyons Allan Taylor Gordeanna McCulloch Lizzie Higgins Tommy McCarthy Aly Bain Gordon Bok Lucy Pringle Tony Capstick GirvaN FESTIVALS Amy Lord Gus Langlands Maggie McInnes Tony Hall Arthur Johnstone Hamish Henderson Marilyn Middleton Pollock Tony MacMahon Barbara Dymock Heather Heywood Martin Carthy Tony McManus Berit Sondergaard Iain MacKintosh Martin Hall Tony Sullivan Billy Henderson Ian Bruce Martyn Wyndham-Read Tufty Swift Billy Jackson Ian Hardie Mary Black Vin Garbutt Bob Blair Isabel Sutherland Maureen Jelks Willie Scott Bob Fox Jack Beck May Mayberry Bobby Robb Jack Foley Mick Elliot

Breda McKinney Janet Weatherston Mick Peat Wille Scott with his son Brian Peters Janice Clark Nancy Nicholson Cathal McConnell Jim Bainbridge Niamh Parsons Chris Foster Jim McFarland Norman Kennedy Chris Miles Jimmy Hutchison Norman Stewart Colin McAllister John Foreman Paddy Tunny Colin Ross John Hunter Pat McNulty Colum Sands John James Pat Ryan Harry, Bobby and Ben • The Lave Danny Kyle John Kirkpatrick Pete Coe Dave Burland John McCormick Peter Bellamy Dave Goulder John McCreadie Phyllis Martin Davy Steele John McPartland Ray Fisher Di Henderson John Mouldon Robin Laing John Watt Roisin White Donal Maguire Johnny Coppin Sara Grey Eddie Walker June Tabor Scott Gardner Elizabeth Stewart Kathy Hobkirk Sean Cannon Page 16 Page 17 Duos Len Graham & Jack Lynch Ayr & Prestwick Reel & Strathspey Society Len Graham & John Campbell Back of the Moon Aileen Carr & Maureen Jelks Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman Barbara Dymock Band Alison McMorland & Geordie McIntyre Mairead ni Mhaonaigh & Frankie Kennedy Barluath Alistair Hulett & Roy Bailey Malcolm Bushby & Rosie Lindsay Battlefield Band Anne Dodson & Matt Szostak Mark Roberts & Sandal Astrausky Beginish Bob Blair & Finlay Allison Martin Carthy & Beolach Bob Bray & John Scaife Mike Smith & Eamonn Costello Billy Ross, John Martin & Norman Chalmers Bob Fox & Bennie Graham Nick Caffrey & Ed McGurk Blackeyed Biddy Bob Fox & Stu Luckley Partners in Crime Blazing Brian McNeill & Alan Reid Pauline Cato & Tom McConville Bosca Ceoil and Fiddle Brian Miller & Charlie Soane Polisses and Candymen Boys of the Lough Brian Peters & Gordon Tyrrell Rick & Lorraine Lee Burach Carol Anderson & Martin MacDonald Sara Grey & Ellie Ellis Calasaig Carolina Shout Sara Grey & Keiron Means Canned Haggis Chris Miles & Gordeanna McCulloch Sheila Stewart & Ian Mcgregor Cathal McConnell, John Coakley & Christie O’Leary Cathy Stewart and Belle Stewart Cilla Fisher & Artie Tresize Sileas Claire Mann & Dave Wood Sylvia Barnes & Sandy Stanage Ceolbeg Derek & Dorothy Elliot Tam Spiers & Arthur Watson Chorda Dick Gaughan & Brian McNeill The Kipper Family Coila Duncan Chisholm & Ivan Drever The Stewarts of Blair Coope, Boys & Simpson Ellen & Kevin Mitchell The Wrigley Sisters Crannachan Findask (Willie Lindsay & Stuart Campbell) Tom & Barbara Brown Craobh Rua Gavin & Claire Livingston Tom McConville & Dave Newey Daimh Geof & Pennie Harris Danu Gerry O’Connor & Francie McPhail Groups Deaf Shepherd Hilary James & Simon Mayor Deanta Huw & Tony Williams Adam McCulloch Trio Dervish Ivan Drever & Duncan Chisholm Altan Drumlin Jennifer & Hazel Wrigley Annie Grace & Disgraceful Company Eclipse First Jim & Sylvia Barnes Any Old Time Emily Smith Band John Leonard & John Squires Appalacian Strings Fiona Hunter Band John Watt & Davie Stewart Ar Log Fon A Bhord Ken Campbell & Chris Miller Arcady Fuaim Len Graham & Garry O’Briain Arthur Johnstone & The Stars Band Grada Ray Fisher Page 18 Page 19 Harem Scarem Setanta Heritage Shepheard, Spiers & Watson Highland Connection Smalltalk Itchy Fingers Smeddum Jock Tamson’s Bairns Smeltstigel John Wright Band Stramash Jolly Jack Stranraer Reel & Strathspey Society Killultagh and friends Stravaig Krag Folk Tabard Lunasa Tam Cat’s Band Lurach The Boroughloch Trio Lyra Celtica The Bourtree Hillbilies Makvirag The Busking Sharks Malin Head The Clutha The Davy Steele Band The Boys of the Lough Michael, McCreesh & Co The Easy Club Mick West Band The Fisher Family Mirk The Gaugers Nomos The Govan Spoonful Waterson:Carthy The High Level Ranters Not the One O’Clock Gang The Ideal Band Oige The Mick West Band Old Hickory The Paul McKenna Band Ossian The Rub Quadrille The Sanna R Cajun The Shee Radical Road The Spiers Family Rallion The Voice Squad Roaring Jelly The Watersons Robyn Stapleton Trio The Wellpark Suite Rosie Stewart, Barry Gleeson, Luke Cheevers Tinkler Maidgie Runt of the Litter Up in the Air Sangsters Urban Riot

The High Level Ranters Scottish Step Dance Company Walt Michael & Company Session A9 Yorkshire Relish Page 20 Page 21 Dance Colin McAllister Frances Logan All Set Dancers with Mary Fox Heather Yule Ceilidh Folk Jack Lynch Wallace Academy School Ceilidh Band John Campbell Clan na Gael Judith Alexander Colin McKechnie Band Kati Valk Colin McKechnie Ceilidh Band Marie Chiffmine Freeland Barbour & Sandy Coghill Marion Kenny Kilmarnock Womens Morris Pauline Cordiner The Tattiehowkers Roger Dobson’s Band Taffy Thomas The Belfast Set Dancers Triinu Guerrin & Kadri Karu The Cheviot Ranters Walter McCorrisken The Coalpit Allstars Wendy Welch The Country Players The Donal Dubh Ceilidh Band Children’s Shows Cilla Fisher & Artie Trezise The Four Provinces Ceili Band The Gallivanters Crooked Jack Stravaig The Girvan Pipe Band Dumfries Folk Club - Punch & Judy The Monrovians Gila’s New Stage Theatre Company The Newcastle Electric Ceildh band Hatrick the Clown The Oatcakes Major Mustard’s Travelling Show The Oatcakes Ceilidh Commandos Mike Hancock The Occasionals Peter Lawless White - Suitcase Circus The Tattiehowkers Ceilidh Band Ric Taylor The Wallochmor Ceildh Band Sam Thomas The William Grants All Star Ceilidh Band The Chipolatas The Craig Players Story tellers The Musical Mystery Tour Setanta with Colin McAllister The Singing Kettle Ceilidh Dance at The Beach Pavillion Barbara McDermitt Tosspot Theatre Cath Little Claire McNicol Claire Mulholland

Page 22 Page 23 Our Guests GirvaN FESTIVAL 2014

Altan • Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh Arthur Johnstone Robyn Stapleton

Altan •Ciaran Curran Altan • Ciaran Tourish Chris Miles Mike Hancock Colin McAllister May Mayberry

The Stars Band Frances Logan Billy Henderson Fiona Hunter Tattiehowkers Ceilidh Band Ellen & Kevin Mitchell Heather Heywood Page 24 Page 25 Ellen and Kevin Mitchell Ellen About our Guests and Kevin’s repertoire of traditional Irish and Altan We are delighted to have Altan to Scottish songs are a kist o riches in their own head our 40th celebration, one of the best right and their singing is just sublime. Irish traditional bands who have reached and stayed at the top since their early Chris Miles It’s lovely being at a performances at Girvan. Equally good at singaround and seeing the whole room pulsating reels or jigs or haunting Irish songs. transfixed by Chris’ stunning performances. Maybe I took that a bit too far. Arthur Johnstone and the Stars Band Another group who over Billy Henderson has been an John Campbell • Story Teller the 40 years have given us the best of folk integral part of the festival over the years but entertainment on their frequent visits to it is especially lovely to be able to hear him “... Girvan has had a committment to the festival. Grand singing from Arthur with solo. Also, he and Susie Kelly will be getting consistently good accompaniment from the children singing over the weekend. story telling for many years. We fondly Brian, Charlie and Gavin. remember the visits from John along with his friend and singer Len Graham .” Heather Heywood Another terrific Robyn Stapleton Trio with singer who, along with husband Pete, has always supported Girvan Festival and made Robyn was on the list Claire Hastings an inestimable contribution. Frankie Kennedy and for Girvan long before she won Traditional Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh Young Musician of the Year in January. She will be singing with Claire Hastings, another Mike Hancock The children’s circus graduate of the RCS, the rest of the band skills workshop will be in Mike’s capable “... Many people have fond memories being Stephen Heffernan on button box and hands. He may also be masquerading as all of Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh and Frankie whistle and Hajimi Takahashi on guitar. sorts of other characters. Kennedy sitting on a windowsill in the Queens Hotel playing session tunes all day.” Fiona Hunter Band After singing Colin McAllister & Frances with Malinky for several years, Fiona Logan Our story tellers in residence continues to go from strength to strength will be part of a collaboration with our with her own band, herself on vocals, Innes friends from Torcy, continuing our ever Watson on guitar and Euan Burton on double strengthening Scottish French fries – sorry bass. (Sunday only) ties - and grabbing our attention with amazing stories. May Mayberry Another very Jack Foley • important piece of the jigsaw of Girvan Tattiehowkers Ceilidh Band “... Jack represents the many great Festival, May’s contribution has been Ayrshire’s finest crop of musicians will entice constant and too much in the background. A you onto the dance floor. Between dances, associated with Girvan over higher profle for May’s beautiful singing and there will be guests from previous years, a the years.” songwriting talents is long overdue. nostalgic theme apt for the 40th Festival. Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 The festival is grateful to ASDA, Girvan, for the provision of water for the campsite.

Page 42 Page 43 Folk Legacy • Historic live recordings helping to tell the story of the last 50 years of folk music from a variety of perspectives.

Traditional Arts Development, a community interest company, is working on projects telling the story of the past 40 years of the Girvan Folk Festival in the context of the wider history of folk music in Scotland and beyond. To hear some sounds directly relating to Girvan visit their photo and sound archive project at www.girvanfestival.trad.org.uk

If you have any photographs, recordings or memories to share, we would love to hear from you. We are interested in material directly or indirectly related to Girvan. Contact us through our website or email [email protected]

Page 44 Page 45 TRADITIOGIRVANNAL FOLK FESTIVAL 40 Years • The Girvan Folk Festival Era

An exhibition by Pete Heywood and John Slavin with historic images by various photographers including Alistair Chafer, Peter Fairbairn, Gordon Hotchkiss, Dave Munro, Pete Heywood, Vivienne Bloomfield and Martin Hillstead.

On display at The Mckechnie Institute, Girvan, until late June. Also currently at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and sheduled for The Stonehaven Folk Festival, July 2014.

“...The Girvan Festival story parallels a time which will come to be seen as a golden age for traditional music...”

www.girvanfestival.trad.org.uk Page 46 Page 47 www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk Page 48