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Linlithgow Folk Festival Association
Friendly Folk in Linlithgow!
Linlithgow Folk Festival
5th-9th September 2012
Folk Session at the Black Bitch Tavern - Sunday 20th May from 2.00pm
Our next Folk Session, on Sunday 20th May, will be held at the Black Bitch Tavern in Linlithgow from 2.00pm onwards. A map showing the location of the Black Bitch Tavern can be found here: http://www.linlithgow.com/maps.htm (in block A2).
For your information, a list of all session dates in 2012 can be found on our sessions page.
Spring Concert - Duncan McCrone Trio with Skirlie - Saturday 26th May
Our spring concert will be held on Saturday 26th May from 8pm at the Queen Margaret Hall on Blackness Road, Linlithgow.
The Duncan McCrone Trio (www.duncanmccrone.com) will be supported 
by local band skirLie.
Tickets cost £10 and are available from:
Norman Cummings Textiles, 75 The Vennel, Linlithgow or by telephoning 01506 842013.
TAM ANDERSON (BIG TAM – sapperqmsi)
The sad news reached us yesterday morning, of the passing of one of our regular Festival performers and session attenders, Tam Anderson on 2nd April 2012. "Big Tam frae Musselburgh" was well-known and much liked by many throughout the festival and session network in the Lothians and beyond, but especially Musselburgh, Newtongrange (Nitten), Edinburgh Folk Club, Penicuik, as well as Linlithgow.
As befits a former military man, his trademark was to bellow "SING" at the top of his voice at the start of any choruses, waking any snoozing sessioners up with a jump, and stopping any talkative ones in mid-sentence: and of course, his orders had to be obeyed! He cut a striking figure – "the man in white" - on the Nora Devine stage at our Festival, and his "SING" could probably be heard all the way to Edinburgh.
His wide repertoire included "My Bonnie Moorhen", "My Bonnie Yew Tree", "Ye Jacobites" and other favourite Scottish and Irish songs. You could always rely on him for great banter and lightning-fast repartee at any session. He was due to appear at Nitten in their annual charity Lesley Hale memorial concert, and, in January did take part, with a motley crew from Nitten Folk Club, as one of "The Jolly Beggars" in Burns' cantata at Balerno Folk Club.
He also wrote poetry, winning the Nitten Poetry competition in 2010 with his harrowing account of his service in the Falklands conflict, when he survived his ship being shelled, swimming through icy cold water, and then, on crawling ashore, being shot. How poignant that he should die on the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war starting. Tam was a clinical psychologist who worked at the Edinburgh Erskine Centre, helping his fellow veterans of various conflicts to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Goodbye Tam, RIP, there's a big hole in our hearts: get them all SINGING up there!
Link to video of The Jolly Beggars: Tam's solo at 9 mins 55 secs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxidXcDC8BY
Trish Santer
Linlithgow Folk Festival Co-ordinator
- 04.04.12
COCKLEROY - "Within these Palace Walls"
If you have followed the activities of the LFFA you will know that the duo COCKLEROY consists of Bob Proudfoot and Neil Macdonald and you will probably have heard them at monthly folk sessions, the Festival outdoor ceilidhs, the Nora Devine Stage at the Cross, the Canal Musical Cruises, LFFA Hogmannay Party, etc - Linlithgow can't get enough ... sorry, can't get rid of this pair.
They came together initially within the Black Bitch Band which LFFA formed to fulfill an invitation to play at a Scottish music festival in Moscow (no, not the one in Ayrshire!) and this 5-piece produced and recorded at the time a CD of songs and tunes all relating to the town. This has sold very well over the past 8 years and few copies remain.
Bearing this in mind, Neil and Bob decided to gather together some of the many songs which they have written on local matters and record these in another CD dedicated to the town of Linlithgow in which both have settled.
Eight such tracks have been set alongside four personal favourites which they hope will have more widespread appeal, beyond the world of the Black Bitches.
Track list:
1. Within These Palace Walls - guess which Palace this is about?
2. March of the Cameron Men / Hielan' Laddie - two perennial stirring Marches Day favourites.
3. Mary's Song - a more sombre look at the women who reap the results of our mission in Afghanistan.
4. Black Bitch Blues - a celebration of LFFA and their legendary sessions, local history and the very bitch herself!
5. Linlithgow Loch - we don't have Nessie in our Loch, but we do have Bob's haunting tune inspired by the water which flanks the Palace.
6. La Mairches Bamba - a tongue in cheek look at Sambalistic Band's toe-tapping involvement in Marches Day.
7. Another Sentimental Journey - dedicated to their German friend Martha whose life story is celebrated here in a new song set to an old tune.
8. The Vulcans Skiffle Group - Bob's recollections of his first musical outings in a three-man (or boy) skiffle group.
9. Neil and the Surge of the Sea - to a haunting gaelic air, Neil traces the great-uncle he was named after but never met.
10. Katie Wearie's Tree - written to mark the unveiling of the statue of this legendary lady in June 2011
11. Today Lithca Mairches Were Banned - surely not? The Mairches? Banned?
12. The Roke and the Wee Pickle Tow - undoubtedly the Town's signature tune!
The CD "WITHIN THESE PALACE WALLS" is out now and available at a cost of £7 at from GEO WILSON, NEWSAGENTS shop at 3 The Vennel, Linlithgow.
Alternatively, by post and cheque for £8 (inclusive of P and P) made out to "Neil Macdonald" and sent to Cockleroy, 10 Avon Place, Strawberry Bank, Linlithgow EH49 6BL, West Lothian, Scotland.
MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2011
Linlithgow Folk Festival was one of four nominees for the Event of the Year award at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Friends of the festival were kind enough to nominate us, and then vote for us.
The prestigious showcase event was held on Saturday 3rd December in Perth Concert Hall.
Unfortunately we didnt come home with the award. Well done to Orkney Folk Festival who came out on top. However, we are very happy that we were even considered for this award - and roll on next year!
The MG ALBA TRAD AWARDS ceremony will be shown on BBC ALBA at 10pm on Monday 5th December and repeated on Friday 9th December at 9pm (a 90 minute programme).
The full list of winners is here: http://www.scottishcultureonline.com/mgalbascotstradmusicawardswinners/
Voluntary Sector Gateway (West Lothian) Volunteer Awards 2011
We are 
delighted to inform you that the Linlithgow Folk Festival Association won the award for the Community Arts Volunteers of the Year at the Voluntary Sector Gateway (West Lothian) Volunteer Awards 2011.
The event was held at the Hilcroft Hotel in Whitburn on Wednesday 23rd November to celebrate volunteering across West Lothian. The picture opposite shows a few members of our committee with the winning trophy.
We are delighted to have won - though realise we will now need to put on an even BETTER Linlithgow Folk Festival in 2012!
The 2011 Festival - the best yet!The 13th Linlithgow Folk Festival was the best yet! For those of you who couldn't attend, you can find out what you missed by clicking onto the Festival page and having a look at our programme. You might also like to look back at all the great times we had: see |
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Sessions
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Photo Gallery
View photos and videos of the 2011 Festival, previous Festivals and other LFFA Events.
Friends of Linlithgow Festival
Find out more about us and please sign up to our “Friends” listing if you wish to be kept informed of our news, and when tickets for our events throughout the year go on sale. It costs nothing, but donations are always appreciated!
Linlithgow
This historic town is a Royal Burgh located in the central lowlands of Scotland - about 20 miles from Edinburgh and under an hour from Glasgow by train or car. It is the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and the preserved ruins of the Royal Palace can be visited in a picturesque setting next to Linlithgow Loch. The town has many other attractions and facilities for visitors, including a vibrant music culture.
See www.linlithgow.com for more.
Linlithgow Folk Festival Association (LFFA)
The Association has been active in the town for over 10 years and attracts many big names in the music industry throughout the year - especially during the main Folk Festival event, held annually during the second weekend in September.
The “Friendly Folk in Linlithgow" aim is:
“To develop traditional and contemporary music throughout West Lothian”
Everyone is welcome at our sessions, concerts and workshops…so why not come along and join in … we look forward to seeing you.