Concert in Aid of the National Deaf Children's Society. Saturday 21st April at 8 p.m. at The Black Bitch, Linlithgow
Review
The West Lothian Songwriters' Group has held its first showcase event, on behalf of the National Deaf Children's Society. Eight of the songwriters and musicians involved in the Group performed a wide range of their music, to an appreciative audience.We were very pleased to welcome, as our special guest, Tom Clelland from Lanark, a member of the Lanark Songwriters Group. Tom is an accomplished performer of his own songs, which range from the contemplative to the narrative. His easy style, and thoughtful accompaniments were much enjoyed by everyone present. Tom informed us that much of his best music has been written in the two years since he resumed songwriting after a long break. Those present who have been ploughing a similar lonely furrow found this both a source of relief and inspiration!
The National Deaf Children's Society carries out a huge of amount of valuable work with children and young people with hearing loss. We are pleased to have raised £102 for their activities, by supporting June Fotheringham in her marathon walk along the Great Wall of China.
Our particular thanks to the management of the Black Bitch, for providing us with a free venue, and thus ensuring that all proceeds could go to the NDCS. To find out how to get to the Black Bitch, go here.
Christmas Concert 2001
Monday 10th December 2001 at
The Blackness Inn, Blackness
Review
We felt that having survived as a group our first year of activity, it would be worth celebrating the fact in style. Over forty people assembled at the Blackness Inn, which is rapidly becoming one of West Lothian's established folk venues. (Those of us who are old enough will remember when Blackness was actually in West Lothian, as opposed to its current status as part of Falkirk Council.)
Several of our members performed a couple of songs apiece, and we were particularly happy to offer a longer slot to Neil Macdonald and Tom Fairnie, each of whom has recently produced a CD.
A particularly pleasant task for the Group was the awarding of the first ever Songwriting Award for West Lothian. Paul Streater, current chair of the group's committee, explained the enormous difficulty that had been experienced in deciding how to make this award. Of the prolific and enthusiastic membership of the group, the decision had finally been made in favour of the member who had shown the most development during the year, was consistently writing songs of a high calibre, and who had clearly used the experience of membership of the group to help in this. The decision had in the end been made without any dispute to award the engraved quaich to Ian McClafferty.
The standard of Ian's work is well illustrated by the fact that Paul, for one, had not realised that Ian had not previously written a song before joining the group!
Our thanks to June and her staff at the Blackness Inn for their hospitality and the great food!
Particular thanks to those who made the evening such a success - Martin Boland (MC) and Brian Brownhill (sound). Brian's recording of the evening has been subsequently admired, and may well be published as the group's first CD. Watch this space, and the sales table at future events!Thanks also to those group members and supporters who donated raffle prizes so generously. Among the prizes were original paintings and drawings, and hand-made jewellery, as well as the traditional wines and spirits. Probably the best set of prizes I've ever seen at a small event!
We are sure that there will other events in the coming months. Keep an eye on this website and on the local press for details.
For more information about the West Lothian Songwriters Group, please contact:
Martin Borland 01506 440669, or
Paul Streater 01506 843592
West Lothian Council SONGWRITING WORKSHOP on 12th May 2001
To find out more about folk music in West Lothian, visit Linlithgow Folk Festival Association
copyright Paul Streater November 2000
This page last updated 02.04.02
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