East Lothian Courier | News | Festival’s flowers stay

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 22nd May, 2008 08:10

Festival’s flowers stay

FLOWERS will remain a feature of the Haddington Festival, in its 40th milestone year, despite a demonstration of “flower power” by disgruntled council gardeners.

Organisers predict that the festival, which starts on Sunday, will be the best yet.

East Lothian’s countryside and landscape department has traditionally supplied flowers for the festival stage, but employees angered by possible wage pruning under the new ‘single status’ equal pay structure from June 1, are refusing to help out.

“We are confident that we can obtain substitute floral displays from another source in the private sector,” said festival co-ordinator, Jan Wilson.

A parade of local organisations in Court Street at 1.45pm launches the 18-day cultural marathon, made possible by sponsorship and the unfailing support of residents and business people alike.

Well-known local benefactor, pensioner Fraser Spowage, of Knox Court, has donated £500 to the festival fund, described as a “ fantastic gesture of support,” by Mrs Wilson.

“The strength of community support for the festival never ceases to amaze me,” said Mrs Wilson, chair of Haddington and District Community Council.“I cannot thank them enough.”

She promised “something for everyone” in the wide-ranging festival programme.

Among the more unusual events will be a sponsored Sing for Life hymn marathon at Holy Trinity Church from 3pm on Sunday.

Participants will aim to sing 50 hymns, non-stop, in aid of The Anthony Nolan Trust.

On Sunday evening, Blazin’ Fiddles, one of Scotland’s top traditional bands, will be packing them in at the Corn Exchange. While on the following Sunday (May 31) Haddington Concert Society will present a free concert by soprano Katy Thomson at the Town House.

Haddington and District Seniors Film Club is running a week of films on the theme of Hollywood Legends, from May 26-30, starting daily at 2pm, in the Trinity Centre.

Meanwhile, acclaimed Dunbar artist Carmen Ambrozevich is to judge this year’s Peter Potter Gallery Haddington Festival open art exhibition.

The exhibition, which runs from Sunday, to June 19, is expected to attract around 200 entries from all over Scotland.

Another highlight on the creative front is the East Lothian Embroiderers’ Guild exhibition and sale in the Town House this weekend.

The exhibition is due to preview tonight (Friday) from 7pm to 9pm, opening tomorrow from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday from 12noon to 4pm.

Local history is also well catered for, with festival stalwart Jack Tully-Jackson chronicling the lives of refugee Jewish children in East Lothian during the Second World War, through his Balfour’s Bairns exhibition at St Mary’s Parish Church.

Tickets for all events are available from the Festival Box Office (01620 822198) and programmes are on sale at local shops.

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