DOWNLOAD Festival Program 2017 (PDF)
A Very Warm Welcome to the 2017 Festival
The Theme of the 2017 Festival week is CARNIVAL
Here’s a selection of Events being held at this year’s 2017 Festival Week.
More Events, and more detail on the Events listed below can be found in the soon to be published Festival 2017 handbook. There should be one popping through your door soon (Haddington Town addresses only), or one can be picked up from the Library at the John Gray Centre.
Tickets and information on the events unless stated are available from the Festival Events Desk, which is located within the Corn Exchange during the Festival Café’s every weekday.
WEEK LONG EVENTS
BLOOMING HADDINGTON:- FIND THE GOAT Haddington’s Mascot is the Goat and as such over the years a lot of Goats have been displayed within the town. Blooming Haddington are bringing you the competition to find all the goats around the town. Entry forms from Joe Forte, Fabrication and Library
FRIDAY 26th MAY
7.30pm-12.30am CORN EXCHANGE:- Haddington Pipe Band ‘SCOTS NIGHT’ Tickets are £12 or £10 concession, Under 16’s MUST be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own food and drink. Tickets from Joe Forte, David Leckie 07952 327664, Liz McDougall 01620 823974
SATURDAY 27th MAY
9am-1pm COURT STREET:- OUTDOOR FARMERS MARKET Purchase the delights of locally produced food at its best. Held on the Last Saturday of every month.
9am-5pm WHITTINGHAME DRIVE 3G PITCHES:- HADDINGTON ATHLETIC FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL Start of a 2 day Festival of Football that will see 450 children invited to play friendly games from the ages of 5 to 13 including girls teams. Spectators welcome for free with refreshments, BBQ & variety of stalls will be available.
10am-12noon CORN EXHANGE:- COFFEE MORNING AND PLANT SALE Your chance to buy some superb plants. Coffee, Tea and home baking are also on sale. Raffle. Organised by Haddington Gardening Club
10am-2pm AMISFIELD WALLED GARDEN:- OPEN WEEK Open for visitors. Tours of the A listed garden available. Plants for Sale. Refreshments available. By car, enter from the East entrance to Amisfield Park, near Abbey Bridge from the road to Stevenson. On foot, via public footpath through golf course or along the north side of the Tyne.
7:30pm-12:30am TOWN HOUSE:- Natasha Hall & George Wilson Canadian born Violinist Natasha Hall and Scots musician George Wilson, Pianist share some of the most passionate and virtuosic works ranging from Mozart to Prokofiev including the legendary Richard Strauss Sonata. Tickets via the Queens Hall Edinburgh and Kelsey’s in Haddington
11:30am-12:30pm TOWN HOUSE:- Haddington Concert Society Presents “ Food For The Soul” ‘ST MARYS MUSIC SCHOOL JAZZ COMBO’ Cool Jazz featuring music by Herbie Hancock, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington performed by our own Musicians from St Marys School Haddington. ADMISSION IS FREE Children welcome
SUNDAY 28th MAY
9am-5pm WHITTINGHAME DRIVE 3G PITCHES:- HADDINGTON ATHLETIC FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL Second day of the Festival of Football that will conclude the 2 day event with trophies on offer to all players. Spectators welcome for free with refreshments, BBQ & variety of stalls will be available.
1:45pm COURT STREET:- PARADE OF ORGANISATIONS All of the Haddington Organisations march through the town to the War Memorial. The Burgh Flag will be carried by a member of the Community Council.
2pm WAR MEMORIAL:- ST. MARY’S PARISH CHURCH & WREATH LAYING CEREMONY The Rev. Jennifer Macrae will conduct the Festival Service. Wreath Laying by one of our Community Councillors (The rehearsal for the parade flag bearers will be held on Saturday, 27th May 2017 at 10am – meet at the Church gates) Wreath kindly donated by Erica’s Florist
2:15pm ST. MARY’S PARISH CHURCH:- SERVICE TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 2017 FESTIVAL. The Community Council wish to extend a cordial invitation to all organisations to participate in the parade and service. The parade will be under the direction of Sandy Mackinnon. Haddington Pipe Band will lead the parade.
7:30pm-12:30am HADDINGTON TOWN HOUSE:- ACCORDIAN NIGHT Haddington Festival Accordion Club, guest artiste Clappy Doo ceilidh band, compere Graeme Munro, 7pm start, entry £5, musicians free! Raffle and BYOB
MONDAY 29th MAY
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- CRAFT FAIR, PLANT & TABLE TOP SALE Search around for some colourful plants for your garden and patio, some fine crafts by local East Lothian crafters. You may even find some hidden treasures at the table top stall. Hire of tables – £15.00 daily for a stall at the weekday cafes payable to Haddington Festival at the Festival Desk.
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- FESTIVAL CAFÉ Organised by HADDINGTON KINGSMEADOW SCHOOL Come along and support the local Infant School PTA and have a little lunch, coffee and browse the sale tables.
10am-2pm AMISFIELD WALLED GARDEN:- OPEN WEEK Open for visitors. Tours of the A listed garden available. Plants for Sale. Refreshments available. Directions as per 27th May.
6:30pm-8pm CORN EXCHANGE:- CHILDREN’S PET SHOW ANY KIND OF SMALL PET can enter. Admission:- Adult £1, Children 50p Pets 50p per pet. (refreshments will be on sale). Registration at Corn Exchange from 6.00 pm to 6.25 pm. Judging will commence at 6.30 pm prompt!
7:30pm-8:45pm ST MARY’S PARISH CHURCH:- Garleton Singers Concert The Garleton Singers choir perform in the fantastic St Mary’s Parish Church. Admission £10 (child £3) on the door or in advance from choir members, Betty’s of Haddington and Hilary’s Deli. Refreshments will be available.
TUESDAY 30th MAY
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- CRAFT FAIR, PLANT & TABLE TOP SALE Search around for some colourful plants for your garden and patio, some fine crafts by local East Lothian crafters. You may even find some hidden treasures at the table top stall. Hire of tables – £15.00 daily for a stall at the weekday cafes payable to Haddington Festival at the Festival Desk.
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- FESTIVAL CAFÉ Organised by HADDINGTON INFANT SCHOOL PTA Come along and support the local Infant School PTA and have a little lunch, coffee and browse the sale tables.
10am-12noon TOWN HOUSE:- COFFEE MORNING Organised by Haddington & District Probus Club Coffee and Raffle. Tickets £2.00 from Festival Office and Probus members.
10am-2pm AMISFIELD WALLED GARDEN:- OPEN WEEK Open for visitors. Tours of the A listed garden available. Plants for Sale. Refreshments available. Directions as per 27th May.
6pm JOHN GRAY CENTRE :- Blooming Haddington Garden Tour Blooming Haddington were formed in September 2013 and in 2016 were crowned best medium town in Great Britain. The walk will be a tour of what we show the judges when they come to visit Haddington.
6:30pm-9pm HADDINGTON BOWLING CLUB:- BINGO NIGHT Eyes Down for a night of Bingo Fun. First Game at 7:30pm, Bingo Caller is our very own Community Councillor Margaret Ingle
WEDNESDAY 31st MAY
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- CRAFT FAIR, PLANT & TABLE TOP SALE Search around for some colourful plants for your garden and patio, some fine crafts by local East Lothian crafters. You may even find some hidden treasures at the table top stall. Hire of tables – £15.00 daily for a stall at the weekday cafes payable to Haddington Festival at the Festival Desk.
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- FESTIVAL CAFÉ Organised by GIRL GUIDING HADDINGTON Come along and support the local Girl Guides and have a little lunch, coffee and browse the sale tables. All proceeds go to the local Guide funds.
10am-2pm AMISFIELD WALLED GARDEN:- OPEN WEEK Open for visitors. Tours of the A listed garden available. Plants for Sale. Refreshments available. Directions as per 27th May.
6pm—9pm NUNGATE BRIDGE:- H.E.G. RIVER TYNE FUN & GAMES NIGHT Fun Filled evening with Toy Boat race, Sports, Food, Ice Cream Inflatable slides & other attractions organised by the Haddington Events Group
7pm-9pm LADY KITTY’S GARDEN:- PÉTANQUE Haddington Twinning Association welcomes everyone to a ‘small corner of France’ for this evening. Try your hand at a game of Pétanque help if required with the rules and how to play. Boules will be provided or bring your own Admission is free.
7pm WATERLOO BRIDGE, POLDRATE:- FLOAT YOUR BOAT NEW for 2017.Toy Boat Race Starting at Waterloo Bridge with the Finish at Nungate bridge at around 8pm. BOY YOUR TOY BOATS £1.00 each from Festival Office or Stall on the night. Prizes:-First – £50:-2nd prize £25.00 and 3rd prize £15.00
7:15pm NUNGATE BRIDGE:- TUG OF WAR Free for all ages. Boys v Girls, Dads v Mums, Pubs v Clubs. Show up on the day and show off your pulling power
7:45pm NUNGATE BRIDGE:- Children’s Races organised by Tyne & District Squash Club A light hearted piece of little fun competition for all ages,
8pm NUNGATE BRIDGE:- FLOAT YOUR BOAT FINISH LINE Thrilling finale of the Float Your Boat Race come find out if you are the winner.
THURSDAY 1st JUNE
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- CRAFT FAIR, PLANT & TABLE TOP SALE Search around for some colourful plants for your garden and patio, some fine crafts by local East Lothian crafters. Hire of tables – £15.00 daily for a stall at the weekday cafes payable to Haddington Festival at the Festival Desk.
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- FESTIVAL CAFÉ Organised by St MARY’S RC PRIMARY SCHOOL HADDINGTON Come along and support the local St Marys school and have a little lunch, coffee and browse the sale tables. All proceeds go to the local School funds.
10am-2pm AMISFIELD WALLED GARDEN:- OPEN WEEK Open for visitors. Tours of the A listed garden available. Plants for Sale. Refreshments available. Directions as per 27th May.
1:45pm TRINITY CENTRE:- FILM CLUB “Jackie” with Natalie Portman The film tells the story of Jackie Kennedy in the aftermath of her husbands killing. Entrance is £2 and this includes refreshments. Everyone welcome.
4:30pm CORN EXCHANGE:- Festival Junior Table Tennis Tournament Sponsored by EDF Energy www.edfenergy.com Boys and Girls Singles events for U10s, U12s, U14s & U17s. Prizes and refreshments. £2 per entry. Email entries to pete@haddingtonttc.com
6pm JOHN GRAY CENTRE :- Blooming Haddington Garden Tour Blooming Haddington were formed in September 2013 and in 2016 were crowned best medium town in Great Britain. The walk will be a tour of what we show the judges when they come to visit Haddington.
7pm-9pm TOWN HOUSE:- LOOSE WUMMIN Join Bob Mitchell & his ‘Loose Wummin’ Liz McDougall (Haddington Pipe Band), Effie Renton (friends of the river Tyne), Liz Booth (East Coast FM) & Lorna Croally (Girl guiding Haddington) as they discuss the hot topics. Tickets £5 available from Betty’s of Haddington and Events Group Table at festival café.
FRIDAY 2nd JUNE
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- CRAFT FAIR, PLANT & TABLE TOP SALE Search around for some colourful plants for your garden and patio, some fine crafts by local East Lothian crafters. You may even find some hidden treasures at the table top stall. Hire of tables – £15.00 daily for a stall at the weekday cafes payable to Haddington Festival at the Festival Desk.
10pm-2pm AMISFIELD WALLED GARDEN:- OPEN WEEK Open for visitors. Tours of the A listed garden available. Plants for Sale. Refreshments available. Directions as per 27th May.
10am-2pm CORN EXCHANGE:- FESTIVAL CAFÉ Organised by St MARY’S PLAYGROUP Come along and support the local Playgroup and have a little lunch, coffee and browse the sale tables. All proceeds go to the local Playgroup funds.
2pm-4pm COMMUNITY ARTS HUB:- Carnival Mask Making Carnival mask making for kids – Friday 2nd June 2-4 pm for 8years upwards booking advisable £3 per child Book at the hub or via our web-site www.madeineastlothian.orgor FB: Community Arts Hub, Haddington
6pm-9pm NEILSON PARK:- Friday Night Shows Stewarts Funfair will be open in Neilson Park for a few hours.
8pm RAILWAY HOTEL :- Bob Mitchell’s Festival Quiz In its 26th year Bob Mitchell’s Quiz is one of the busiest nights of the week. Entries £5 per team to Festival Box Office, Railway Hotel or Bob Mitchell 01620 822029, email bobmitchell6@tiscalli.co.uk
SATURDAY 3rd JUNE
10am-2pm AMISFIELD WALLED GARDEN:- OPEN WEEK Open for visitors. Tours of the A listed garden available. Plants for Sale. Refreshments available. Directions as per 27th May.
12noon-5pm AUBIGNY ASTROPITCH:- U18s (Boys & Girls) HOCKEY 7s Tournament Organised by Haddington Ladies Hockey Club, Cake and Raffle stall, BBQ. teams should be mixed boys and girls. It costs £35 to enter a team. Teams can have a squad of up to 14 players. There must be at least 3 girls on the pitch from each team at all times. Spectators Free
12 NOON WHITTINGHAME DRIVE:- FESTIVAL FUN DAY FANCY DRESS JUDGING and PRIZEGIVING
Extra consideration given to those who dress up in this years Carnival theme. Judging will be on the grass verge on the north side of Whittingehame Drive and starts at 12 noon sharp. Prizes for Best Dressed Individuals, Best Dressed Groups and Best Dressed method of transport in the categories of Pre-School, 5-10 years, 11-16 years, Adult.
12:15pm WHITTINGHAME DRIVE:- FESTIVAL FUN DAY FANCY DRESS PARADE led by THE HADDINGTON PIPE BAND
Parade to be led by the Pipe band starting at Whittingehame Drive, Hardgate, High Street, Court Street, up by the Railway, Hope Park, Lydgate, down past Tesco’s , Market Street, turn right into Hardgate, Sidegate up past Maitlandfield along Mill Wynd into Neilson park.
12:30pm—5pm NEILSON PARK:- FESTIVAL FUN DAY organised by HADDINGTON EVENTS GROUP
THE SHOWS by Stewarts Funfair:- a selection of fun fair rides for all the family opening at 12pm until 5pm
CRAFT TENT and SALE STALLS:- Arts and craft items for sale to the public along with other stalls from Local groups providing you with some items to win, browse and buy.
FACEPAINTING:- by Lori’s Creations. Children face painting £3, 2 for £5 Adults £4.
OWL MAGIC:- Owl Magic is the largest travelling owl display team in Scotland , come and view the birds on display and get your photo taken with them. Aerial Display to be held at 3pm (weather dependant)
EDINBURGH AND LOTHIANS MINI OWNERS CLUB DISPLAY:- From 11am to 4pm – A collection of cars from classics to future classics. Meander through the cars and talk to their owners. Try your luck on the bottle stall. Contact the club if you want to display your car or join the club. www.elmoc.co.uk
‘TEA’ IN THE PARK by Haddington Events Group. Come along and relax with a cup of coffee and home baking and watch all the activities around the park! Open all Day until 4pm
The mighty Edinburgh Samba School :- bringing good vibes from Brazilian street parties to the Haddington Festival Fun Day. A lively, colourful drumming performance guaranteed to get everyone dancing to amazing beats.
SPORTS HUB:-‘COME and TRY’ and DEMO SPORTS: – Open To all Sports clubs willing to participate will be putting together a programme from 1pm to about 4pm.
BRIDGE CENTRE MUSIC PROJECT STAGE:- An array of local talent from the Bridge Centre Music Project showing off their musical talents through the day.
Children’s Races Organised by Tyne and District Squash club:- 2:30pm join up in the middle of the park to see if you’re the fastest in Haddington
FOOD, DRINK AND ICE CREAM AVAILABLE THOUROUT THE DAY AROUND THE PARK
3pm—3:15pm NEILSON PARK:- Haddington Running Club Festival 5k & 10k Road Races The route Starts in Neilson park and continues on country “B” Class roads out skirting Haddington. 10K Entry £12/£14, 5K 3:15pm Entry £6/£8, Registration is at Aubigny Sports Centre opening at 1pm. More info at Running Club Web Site:-www.haddingtonrunning.club. ENTER ONLINE AT www.entrycentral.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Haddington Community Council and Haddington Events Group would like to thank all of the Local Groups and Businesses who have taken part in this years festivities. All the advertising in this programme pays for the printing and distribution to every household in Haddington for free so please show your support and shop locally.
And of course you the Haddington Public without everyone the Festival would not be as successful as it is.
The following organisations have provided us with support and may not have been mentioned in this programme. Brunton Theatre Musselburgh, East Lothian Council, Haddington Garden Trust, Haddington Library, Holy Trinity Church, Knox Academy School, Haddington Fireworks, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland.
Photographs used in this years Program
Front Cover— Diana McLuckie
Pet Show—Paul Darling, Ian Grey
Parade route background—Diana McLuckie
Fun Day—Chris McEwan, Diana McLuckie, TESS, OWL Magic, Paul Darling
Lost Haddington—Courtesy of John Hamilton
Want to take part or help our next year? Then get in touch with us haddingtonevents@yahoo.com