FIFTY years of Dunbar Civic Week can finally be celebrated – two years later than planned.

The annual celebration was established in 1970 to mark the 600th anniversary of the town’s Royal Charter, granted by King David II, which created the Burgh of Dunbar.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 50th anniversary in 2020 was sidelined, but the full event at last gets under way this weekend.

This year’s Civic Week runs from Saturday to next Sunday (June 19).

Saturday, June 11

  • 8am-8pm: A day of pilates and yoga classes in aid of Cancer Research UK – Core, 49 High Street. Head along to Core and join in a pilates or yoga class as part of a 12-hour class marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK. There are classes suitable for everyone, from babies to people who would prefer to exercise sitting down and restorative classes. Pilates, yoga, yoga for relaxation, yoga for pregnancy, yoga for babies, children and teens are all available – make a donation in the bucket on the day or through the JustGiving page. Suggested donation £5-10. Booking is recommended at coredunbar.co.uk
  • 11am-noon: Open cricket session – Dunbar Cricket Club, Winterfield Park, North Road. A chance to have a go at this friendly open session before the club’s home game. There will be games such as ‘beat the bowler’ and ‘how many times can you hit the stumps in 30 seconds’.
  • 11.30am: Community parade departs outside Dunbar Leisure Pool. Meet from 11am onwards for 11.30am departure to Bleachingfield Park. The Dunbar Royal British Legion Pipe Band will lead the parade, followed by the royal court carried in the coastal rowing club’s skiffs. It is hoped that, weather-dependent, a larger-than-life John Muir will make an appearance. All ages and everyone are welcome, and people are encouraged to dress up for the competition.
  • Noon: Royal court and Civic Week Queen crowning ceremony, Bleachingfield Park. Bella Firstbrook will be crowned the 2022 Civic Queen. The 2022 royal court are: queen’s consort – Junior Williams; queen’s attendants – Elsie Campbell and Ellie Mae Alexander; page boys – Thomas Maher and Fio Carpico; flower girls – Pippa Laval and Kenzie Prior. Stuart Craig is the master of ceremonies for the afternoon and SESCOT Radio will provide the PA.
  • 12.30-4pm: Fun day at Bleachingfield Park. The newly crowned Civic Queen Bella Firstbrook will open the fun day. This year’s fun day includes a magician, performances from local dance schools and the chance to take a fun picture in the photobooth. There will be pony rides, arts and crafts, face painting, a climbing wall and an assault bike challenge. There is also a bouncy castle, slides and assault course, plus the chance to learn skills at the nature base camp or take time out to listen to storytellers. Food and drink stalls and craft stalls are also on offer.
  • 2-4pm: Try bowls at West Barns Bowling Club, Edinburgh Road. One of two ‘try bowls’ sessions during Civic Week. There will be a set-up for both adults and children to go along and have a go at playing bowls in a fun environment, with bowls-related games and challenges. There is also a barbecue and the public bar will be open.
  • 5.30-9pm: Civic Week Summer Sounds in the Park, Lauderdale Park. Civic Week, in collaboration with the Wishing Tree by the Sea, Barbarella Beets and the Royal Mackintosh Hotel, are running an evening of food, drink and funky summer vibes at Lauderdale Park. There will be a silent disco from 6pm to 7.30pm (book tickets in advance) and DJ Gary Mac from 7pm to 9pm (free). There will be deckchairs out and large outdoor games for children. All are welcome. Silent disco tickets are £5 per session (three sessions available), from dunbarcivicweeksilentdisco.bpt.me

Sunday, June 12

  • 7-9am: Kosa Yoga – morning beach yoga and sea swim to kickstart the day. Meet at Belhaven Surf Centre. Join Wilder Outdoor Education for an energising yoga session. There is an optional sea swim (carried out at participants’ own risk) afterwards for extra zing and complimentary herbal tea to enjoy for all. This event is suitable for beginners and those with more experience. Cost: £10 (100 per cent of all proceeds will be donated to the Scottish Refugee Council, which is supporting Ukrainian children and families who have moved to the UK). The event is limited to 15 spaces. Pre-book online at bookwhen.com/kosayogadunbar
  • 6-6.30pm: Gospel singalong – Dunbar Baptist Church on Facebook Live. Dunbar Baptist Church invites the community to join them virtually for an uplifting evening of Gospel music. Visit Dunbar Baptist Church’s Facebook page to join in: facebook.com/dunbar-baptist-church-151041418245150

Monday, June 13

  • 2-4pm: Tea dance, up the close at Dunbar Royal British Legion and Club, 147 High Street. Music by Ewan Galloway. All ages are welcome. Tickets are £3.50, pay at the door.
  • 6.30pm: Belhaven Civic Week Sea Dip – Belhaven Beach, meet at the bridge. Salty Sisters outdoor swimming group are inviting everyone to their sea dip. Participants swim at their own risk. Check the Dunbar Civic Week Facebook page for updates closer to the time in case of bad weather. All are welcome.
  • 6.30-8pm: Dunbar Guiding coffee evening – Dunbar Parish Church Hall. An intergenerational coffee evening fundraiser with games, cake stall and more takes place. Everyone is encouraged to go along for a tea, coffee or juice to celebrate Civic Week with Dunbar Brownies, Guides and Rangers. All are welcome. The cost (includes drink and biscuits) is £2 adult, £1.50 concessions, 50p child aged five-plus.
  • 7pm: Dunbar Community Council’s Community Awards – Town House. The community council’s annual awards honour people who live or work in Dunbar and who in the past 12 months have made a significant contribution to the community. The Civic Week Queen will be in attendance.

Tuesday, June 14

  • 7-8.30pm: Fossil walk at Barns Ness with the Edinburgh Geological Society. Join geologists from the Edinburgh Geological Society for a short walk exploring the limestone at Barns Ness and the stories that the rocks can tell of their origin in a warm, shallow sea at the equator. Participants will find lots of fossils and evidence of changing conditions as different sedimentary rocks formed 330 million years ago. Meet at the east end of the Whitesands Beach. For more information, contact Angus Miller – promotion@edinburgheolsoc.org or 07979 971310.

Wednesday, June 15

  • 5.45pm for 6pm: Five-a-side football tournament – Hallhill Sports Centre. Primary 5-7 girls and boys are welcome to take part in this fun tournament organised by the Dunbar United Colts football coaches. Entry is £1 per child. Those taking part can form a team of a maximum of six players. Registration is available on the night. For more information, visit dunbarcolts.com
  • 6pm: Dunbar Cycle Club evening social ride – Bleachingfield Centre. Dunbar Cycle Club is inviting people to join a 50km evening social ride leaving from Bleachingfield and finishing at the pub (optional).
  • 6-7.30pm: Try bowls at West Barns Bowling Club. The club’s second try bowls session during Civic Week, for both adults and children. All are welcome. The event is free.
  • 6.30pm: Beetle drive with Belhaven Guides – Belhaven Church. Family fun open to all ages. All are welcome, admission costs £1.
  • 6.45-8.30pm: Film showing – Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery. North Light Arts are screening In Our Hands: Seeding Change, a film of hope and inspiration. This 60-minute film documents a growing movement of farmers and food workers who are committed to creating vibrant farms, living soils, thriving food markets and a fairer food system for all. The event is free but booking is required at eventbrite.co.uk/e/318920990267

Thursday, June 16

  • 11am-3pm : Dunbar Community Petanque – Lauderdale Park. Open day for all to have a go.
  • 6pm-midnight: Pop-up supper ‘From the harbour to the chapel’ – Harbour Chapel. Local chef Jo Lawrence of Jo’s Kitchen serves a three-course menu, while there is live music and a bar. The cost is £37.50 per person. To book tickets, email info@jos-kitchen.co.uk and see the menu at jos-kitchen.co.uk
  • 7pm: Modern boardgames for beginners with Dunbar Boardgame Club – Belhaven Church Stables. Boardgames have come a long way since Monopoly, Risk and Scrabble – the event is a chance to try the hobby and learn a few party games, family-themed games and/or strategy games. All are welcome and no experience is required. Visit facebook.com/dunbarboardgameclub for more information. The event is free, with an optional donation of £2.50 per person.
  • 7-9pm: Poetry book launch – Dunbar Library. Black Agnes Press presents Kaleidoscopic Birds, with Ruth Gilchrist and Lesley-May Miller. All are welcome.

Friday, June 17

  • 1-4.30pm: North Light Arts Workshop: Secrets of Soil – soil microscopy and art workshop for adults and children at Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery. The event is a chance to discover the complex and fascinating world under our feet which sustains a large proportion of life on earth. Attendees can take a look at the wonder of soil using special high-magnification microscopes brought by the ASCUS laboratory and draw what they see if they wish to in an art activity led by artist Natalie Taylor. Workshop sessions are one hour long – there are three different time slots to choose from. The event is free but booking is required at bit.ly/3ax9occ
  • 2.30-3.30pm: Harry Potter event – Dunbar Library. There will be a quiz, scavenger hunt, colouring in and prizes for best costume. The event is for ages eight and under. Booking is required.
  • 7.30-11pm: Civic Week and Momentum Entertainment present a comedy special – Dunbar Royal British Legion and Club. Fresh from selling out the King’s Theatre in Glasgow, double Scottish Comedy Award winner Susie McCabe headlines the first Dunbar Civic Week Comedy Special, supported by host Steven Davidson and three other acts. Tickets cost £12 and are expected to sell out fast. Booking is required.
  • 7.45-9.45pm: Kosa Yoga – evening beach yoga and fire to start the weekend with a positive vibe – Belhaven Surf Centre. Wilder Outdoor Education invites people to join for a relaxing, wind down yoga session to dissolve the stresses from the working week. Afterwards a fire will be lit and there is the chance to enjoy a quiet meditation listening to the sounds of nature. The event includes complimentary herbal tea to enjoy round the fire. This event is suitable for beginners and those with more experience. The cost is £10 and 100 per cent of all proceeds will be donated to the Scottish Refugee Council, which is supporting Ukrainian children and families who have moved to the UK. The event is limited to 15 spaces. Pre-book online at bookwhen.com/kosayogadunbar

Saturday, June 18

  • 10am: Dunbar Cycle Club Family Ride – Lauderdale Park. Join Dunbar Cycle Club for this 60-90-minute mystery tour. Start/finish at Lauderdale Park.
  • 10am: Dunbar United Colts Football Festival – Hallhill Sports Centre. Dunbar United Colts host an annual football festival (first post-Covid). Football clubs are invited to attend and play in a football festival format, playing against opposing teams. There will be a barbecue and snacks available. All are welcome.
  • 10am-3pm: Dunbar Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2022 – north wall of Victoria Harbour. A creative fun day out with prizes. Participants can paint or draw their favourite view from the north wall, looking out to sea or in towards the harbour and town. The event is open to all artists and absolute beginners. Those interested can register by text to receive more information: 07902 788614.
  • 2pm: Belhaven Parish Church annual fete. The Dunbar Civic Week Queen will open the fete. There will be home baking, ice cream, toys, refreshments, bric-a-brac, plants, games and Dance Discovery will put on a display of dancing in the church.
  • 2-4pm: Civic Week Afternoon – Big Bairns Little Bairns at The Strawberry Barn. A family-friendly afternoon of dancing, glow sticks, face glitter and smiles is offered. Tickets cost £3.50 for children and £5 for adults and are available from dunbarcivicweekbigbairnslittlebairns.bpt.me
  • 7pm-1am: Civic Week presents Definitely Oasis, with support from Pages – The Strawberry Barn. Top Oasis tribute band Definitely Oasis are joined by Pages, an up-and-coming Edinburgh-based band with their new single Black and Blue. There is a DJ after the bands. Doors open at 7pm, the first band is on at 7.30pm, the DJ set is 11pm. The event is for over-18s only. ID is required for entry for under-25s. Tickets are available from skiddle.com/e/36078444
  • 7.30pm: Civic Week quiz night – Dunbar Bowling Club. Quizmaster Derek Griffiths will lead the evening. There will be a cash prize, bar and raffle. All money raised will go into the 2023 Civic Week funds. Tickets are £6 per person, teams of four or five. Pre-booking is essential.

Sunday, June 19

  • 9.30-11.15am: The Creatives necklace workshop (for families) – West Barns Village Hall. This workshop invites parents and children to be creative together. Participants will create their own unique statement necklace using the techniques of wet felting, embroidery embellishment and air drying clay. The cost is £10 per person. Children can attend alone or they can bring a creative adult. To book a space, email thecreativesdunbar@gmail.com
  • 10am: Petanque competition – Lauderdale Park. Hosted by Dunbar and District Twinning Association, the day will start at 10am with the official opening. It will be a triples competition limited to 12 teams, with leagues of three playing timed games in the morning. The top two teams qualify to the main competition and the third teams play in the plate. It will be a straight knockout in the afternoon. Entry fee is £5 per person, with just over half the money being paid out in prizes and a cup being presented to the overall winners. The Dunbar and District Twinning Association Petanque Cup will be played for annually.
  • 2pm: Modern boardgames for families, with Dunbar Boardgame Club – Belhaven Church Hall. A chance to introduce children to a selection of fun, family-friendly boardgames which don’t involve a computer, phone or gaming console. All are welcome and no experience is required – children should be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The event is free, with optional donation of £2.50/per person.
  • 6.30-7.30pm: Civic Week Thanksgiving service – Dunbar Battery. This multidenominational service marks the end of Civic Week. The Salvation Army will provide the music and the senior royal court members will be in attendance. Everyone is welcome.

Weeklong activities

  • Pop-up pre-loved shop and drop-in – BeGreen Dunbar, June 11-17: People can pop in to browse the donated clothing, bric-a-brac and media and find out more about the Relay for Life Dunbar event on June 25-26. For more information, call Elaine on 07912 577150.
  • Drop-in craft activity – John Muir’s Birthplace, Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. Family-friendly drop-in craft activity. The suggested donation is £2. Full details on jmbt.org.uk
  • Drop-in craft activity – Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, Monday to Sunday 1-5pm. Family-friendly drop-in craft activity. The suggested donation is £2.
  • Coast to Coast Surf School – Belhaven Surf Centre. Twenty-five per cent discount for all surf and SUP lessons during Civic Week. Use the following codes when booking CIVICWEEKSURF (for ages seven and over) and CIVICWEEKSUP (for ages 13 and over). Visit c2csurfschool.com for more information.
  • ‘Dunbar, a safe haven’ exhibition – Dunbar Town House, daily 1-5pm. Fire, siege, occupation, disaster, celebration and working lives – for centuries, Dunbar’s coast and harbour areas have remained a safe refuge in times of conflict, with a strong community spirit which continues today. Dunbar and District History Society’s exhibition looks at some of the stories, activities and changes which have taken place there over the years.
  • North Light Arts exhibition ‘Terra Infirma’ – Dunbar Town House, 1-5pm (late opening until 6.30pm on June 15). North Light Arts’ artist in residence Natalie Taylor presents a fresh look at one of the most overlooked and undervalued substances on earth: soil. This exhibition showcases Natalie’s own work alongside collaborative pieces made with people from the local community. Entry is free.
  • Competition and theme. A competition for everyone to take part – the theme focuses on three words taken from the Dunbar Trades’ Association re-branding: Historic-Independent-Wild. Participants can take one, two or all three words, interpret them as they wish, be creative and dress up, join the community parade and/or go along to the fun day. There will be prizes on the stage at the fun day for the best dressed individuals and groups.