Gatehouse of Fleet Festival Group

01/12/2023

It's bandcamp Friday good people - hop on over, give my new album a spin and if you like it why not buy it for a friend's Christmas? If you hate it, buy it for an enemy's Christmas. Everyone's a winner!
https://alanofgalloway.bandcamp.com/album/not-angry-just-disappointed

20/10/2023

The Annual General Meeting of Gatehouse of Fleet Festival Group will be held in the Masonic Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet at 8.30pm on Friday 27 October.

Agenda

1. Apologies / Sederunt
2.Chairman's Report
2. Treasurer's Report
3. Election of Office Bearers
4. Any other competent business

As ever, we'd be delighted to see new volunteers for the Committee and to help with the work of the Festival!

30/09/2023

Save the date! Midsummer Music June 21-23 2024 :D

01/09/2023

📣 Wow! I hae been shortlisted for Scots Speaker o the Year at the Scots Language Awards 2023📣

This is my FIFTH CONSECUTIVE shortlist nomination. No won yet! 🤣

Voting is now open and will close on 10th September.
Winners will be announced on 16th September at the Scots Language Awards ceremony.

Check the website for venue and ticket details.

https://projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotslanguageawards/nominees-announced-for-scots-language-awards-2023/

Click Vote Noo button. 😉 (My profile information still tae gan up cos I was delayed in sending it. Should be up soon. You lot ken what I get up tae when it comes tae speaking, writing and performing in Scots language.)

08/08/2023

Our pals Janice Burns and Jon Doran featured on Radio 3's "In Tune" yesterday. You can catch up with then here from about 1:07 in. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001p7v6?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Brilliant to see them getting some national exposure, and we're glad to say we were well ahead of the trend ;)

Well done, guys!

https://www.facebook.com/janandjon

Composer Dai Fujikura and folk duo Janice Burns and Jon Doran join Sean Rafferty.

04/07/2023

*** LOST PROPERTY****

Adult Black fleece top left behind at the Samba Drumming Workshop at the festival.....anyone missing this? If so please let us know. It's with one o the team.

27/06/2023

Ye normally hear oor Susi Briggs singing the blues with Wave Blues Band in the region but here she is doing something different!
Daunder through Thistles is a show she is part of with other musicians, poets and storytellers.
After thier debut show at the Edinburgh International Storytelling Festival they recieved a glittering full page review in the Scotsman newspaper.
So if you love contemporary blended with traditional and enjoy Scots and Gaelic music and spoken word get yersel alang tae the Quarrymen's Arts Centre in Creetown this Saturday 730pm.

26/06/2023

Folks! If your on Instagram and you love us please give us a follow.

26/06/2023

What a treat to have these images sent to us from a photographer who was visiting the Midsummer Music Festival Gatehouse of Fleet at the weekend.

Featuring Rudebeard Hunter and McMustard Bob Hollis and others.

Thank you so much Graham Peters. These are stunning!!

( Baldrick Peters on Facebook.)

25/06/2023

Thank you Tarena Dickie for sending these over.
Susi Briggs getting everyone organised for the "Cross the Road " song when Hunter and McMustard were playing.
Susi loved holding the sunflower up like a lollipop lady and leading the way! 😄 🤣 😂

Susi is desperate tae see film footage o this so please tag her or us. 😄 🤣

25/06/2023

Thank you so so much to EVERYONE who made Midsummer Music Festival happen.
Susi meant to keep the page updated with photos throughout the weekend but got so caught up in the busy joyful melee that she lost track. She's not sorry about that. She was having a great time.

Here are some images and videos of our wonderful wee festival 😊 more will be added here in this photo album over time. Please share your memories and images/clips.

So much gratitude and love to our community and the all the team who make this happen! 💕 🎶

24/06/2023

A great crowd enjoying Bob Hollis in the Masonic Garden just now! The Razorbills on at 5pm, and Rudebeard and Hunter and McMustard from 7.30pm in the Ship Garden. Get yerselves oot!

24/06/2023

Midsummer Music Festival 23rd to 25th June GATEHOUSE OF FLEET

The Open Mic is underway with the wonderful Martin Smith hosting. 😀 The incredible ladies of the Macmillan Cancer Support are providing delicious cakes and beverages. ONLY £1 for cake and tea.. 😋 .come on down for a lovely morning o entertainment. FREE ENTRY

24/06/2023

The Roger Hampshire Stage is ready!! What a team!

🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻

24/06/2023

Midsummer Music Festival

What's on TODAY SATURDAY 24th June

🌟 11:30-13:30 OPEN MIC event with Macmillan Coffee Morning raising funds for Macmillan. –
Gatehouse of Fleet Community Centre

Join us for this special Open Mic event; bring your voice, your talents and show the folk of Gatehouse what you can do! Hosted by oor beloved local Troubadour Martin Smith

Hosted alongside our local Macmillan fundraisers who will be providing delicious refreshments in exchange for your donations.

4pm onwards Masonic Arms

🌟 Bob Hollis is a singer known for his extensive repertoire and powerhouse vocals. With songs from all eras delivered with power, prowess, and passion, Bob is sure to captivate any audience of all ages. From sharing the stage with N-Dubz, to opening for Big Country, here’s a man who’s ready to entertain you!

AND ✨️

🌟 The Razorbills, Gatehouse's very own folk-rockers, are delighted to be returning to performance for the first time since Covid struck, teaming up with former singer Alan McClure for their appearance at Midsummer Music. With two albums favourably reviewed in the national music press and an EP to their credit, the band will be performing songs from their 13 year career as well as a few cover versions to finish off the afternoon in the Masonic garden with a bit of sparkle.

Roger Hampshire Stage 730pm onwards
The-Ship-Inn Gardens

🌟 Rudebeard specialises in energetic, sweaty, sweary, usually loud & occasionally thoughtful Ska-punk, fast ska, slow ska, ska that’s not really ska and one attempted Scottish Fitba anthem, cos why no? Five Eps later and they’ve accrued a back catalogue larger than you should reasonably expect.

🌟 Hunter & McMustard

Hunter & McMustard write songs they describe as lowlander contemporary folk and roll with bluegrass, rockabilly, country, folk and comedy influences. An eclectic modern take on folk music with a social and global consciousness. This weekend, they’ll be bringing this fantastic sound to Gatehouse of Fleet.
Colonel John McMustard is the frontman of genre hopping ultimate festival band Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5. Colin Hunter is an Ayrshire born and bred singer songwriter with heartfelt emotive lyrics.

This is a Free event but donations will be welcome. So expect a volunteer with a shoogly bucket passing through the venue. Give what ye can. It helps us to keep this event open to all budgets.

You can find the programme locally or online at
https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/whats-on/

23/06/2023

Woo hoo! MIDSUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL 23RD TO 25TH JUNE starts today! Free 3 day festival packed full of music to enjoy from open mic, workshop, jam sessions to concerts. Please check what's on on our website or grab a programme from local shops, pubs and cafes.

https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/

Pick up your FREE copy of the Midsummer Music Festival Programme at local shops one week prior to the event, for all the news, venue map and more to guide you through the weekend!

www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk

20/06/2023

Midsummer Music Festival

What's on featuring....

SATURDAY 24th June
11:30-13:30 OPEN MIC event with Macmillan Coffee Morning raising funds for Macmillan. –
Gatehouse of Fleet Community Centre

Join us for this special Open Mic event; bring your voice, your talents and show the folk of Gatehouse what you can do!

Hosted alongside our local Macmillan fundraisers who will be providing delicious refreshments in exchange for your donations.

Programmes available locally or online at
https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/whats-on/

20/06/2023

This Friday!!

23rd June
18:30-20:00 Samba Drumming Workshop – Gatehouse of Fleet Community Centre

Kicking off the Midsummer Music Festival Weekend is a fantastic Samba Drumming Workshop by Terremoto Samba.This fun and interactive workshop is free of charge and will really get you in the mood for music. All ages and abilities welcomed, children must be accompanied by an adult.

20/06/2023

Get your Midsummer Music Festival programme in the following places in Gatehouse of Fleet.

The Crafty Crow Ltd The-Ship-Inn The Mill on the Fleet Gatehouse Store Galloway Lodge Masonic Arms TGB Gatehouse shop, Spar, Bank of Fleet Hotel

Midsummer Music Festival 23rd to 25th June GATEHOUSE OF FLEET DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

No tickets. Donations Based Free Festival ✨️

19/06/2023

Blast fae the past!!

Years ago Gatehouse of Fleet Festival was a WEEK LONG FOLK FESTIVAL.

Friendships and romance blossomed 🌸 💓

Thank you to our beloved friend Martin Smith for sending us these images. We do have a large scrapbook archive of those heady days when we could have a fundraising party on a steep hill in our local castle! 😀

Remember Midsummer Night's Dram folks? ✨️ This is what inspired the new festival name when we reformed after a long break over ten years ago now.

Look at our Martin. Isn't he handsome? Still is. Ye can see him leading the Woodburner session and the open mic during the festival weekend.
We don't know what we would do without him!

See the full programme and our history online or check out the paper one available locally.

Midsummer Music Festival 23rd to 25th June GATEHOUSE OF FLEET

https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/history/

18/06/2023

*some archive photos *

Saturday 24th June Masonic Arms we have the incredible Bob Hollis and The Razorbills gracing the garden stage for Midsummer Music.

That's not all that's happening at Midsummer Music Festival 23rd to 25th June GATEHOUSE OF FLEET. See our online programme for more details or look out for the programme from one of the local shops. 😀

https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/whats-on/

18/06/2023

*photos from archive*

The incredible Rudebeard and Hunter and McMustard will be gracing the Roger Hampshire Stage on Saturday 24th June at this year's Midsummer Music Festival.
The stage is named after our dear friend Roger and is sited next to the river in the beautiful gardens by the The-Ship-Inn.
Featuring Bicycle powered sound wizardry! That's right! The electric for the stage is generated by cycling!

Midsummer Music Festival runs from 23rd to 25th June. Music sessions and open mic included in the programme so if you play, join in!

To see the full programme of this wonderful three day free event please visit the website or pick up a programme locally.
Free event with donations welcomed. Expect shoogly buckets 😉
https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/whats-on/

17/06/2023

Midsummer Music Festival has been around for a long long time and over the years we have seen many musicians, punters and team volunteers. Each and every one bringing their own special magic to the summer event.
Long before we reinvented the festival as Midsummer Music the festival was a week long folk festival. With summer and autumn fundraisers at Cardoness Castle, Midsummer Night's Dram and Oktober Beerfest.

If you want to share a photo or your own special memories please share in the comments. We would love to hear from you 😊

To read more about the history of this event please check out the website

https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/history/

16/06/2023

Obligatory annual photie o Susi Briggs keekin oot from behind the big Midsummer Music sign. 🎶

23 to 25th June GATEHOUSE OF FLEET
Midsummer Music

Find out more at

https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/

15/06/2023

Hunter & McMustard – Roger Hampshire Stage, Ship Inn Gardens
9pm Sat 24th June

Hunter & McMustard write songs they describe as lowlander contemporary folk and roll with bluegrass, rockabilly, country, folk and comedy influences. An eclectic modern take on folk music with a social and global consciousness. This weekend, they’ll be bringing this fantastic sound to Gatehouse of Fleet.
Colonel John McMustard is the frontman of genre hopping ultimate festival band Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5. Colin Hunter is an Ayrshire born and bred singer songwriter with heartfelt emotive lyrics.

The-Ship-Inn

15/06/2023

Roger Hampshire Stage Sat 24th June 730pm
The Ship Inn Gardens
Midsummer Music Festival 2023

Formed in 2018, Rudebeard specialises in energetic, sweaty, sweary, usually loud & occasionally thoughtful Ska-punk, fast ska, slow ska, ska that’s not really ska and one attempted Scottish Fitba anthem, cos why no? Five Eps later and they’ve accrued a back catalogue larger than you should reasonably expect.

The-Ship-Inn

15/06/2023

Masonic Arms Sat 24th June 5pm

The Razorbills, Gatehouse's very own folk-rockers, are delighted to be returning to performance for the first time since Covid struck, teaming up with former singer Alan McClure for their appearance at Midsummer Music. With two albums favourably reviewed in the national music press and an EP to their credit, the band will be performing songs from their 13 year career as well as a few cover versions to finish off the afternoon in the Masonic garden with a bit of sparkle.
Masonic Arms

14/06/2023

Midsummer Music Festival Gatehouse of Fleet
Fri 23rd to Sun 25th June

Bob Hollis is a singer known for his extensive repetoire and powerhouse vocals. With songs from all eras delivered with power, prowess, and passion, Bob is sure to captivate any audience of all ages. From sharing the stage with N-Dubz, to opening for Big Country, here’s a man who’s ready to entertain you!

Masonic Arms
Saturday 24th June 4pm

See programme or website for more details on what's on at the Midsummer Music Festival weekend!

https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/whats-on/

Masonic Arms

14/06/2023

This amazing 3 day festival is FREE!


The Midsummer Music Festival is completely run by volunteers, who freely give their time, effort and energy into creating an amazing event to promote music and make it accessible to all. The costs to run this incredible event are high though, and that is why we really, really need your donations.

There are many ways to donate. You can donate any amount via the button below and pay online…

Otherwise expect a bucket to be shoogled fer yer shiny coins and pretty paper notes at the events. 😉🌻🌻🌻
Give what ye can.

This amazing 3 day festival is FREE!   The Midsummer Music Festival is completely run by volunteers, who freely give their time, effort and energy into creating an amazing event to promote music and make it accessible to all. The costs to run this incredible event are high though, and that is why w...

14/06/2023

Pick up your FREE copy of the Midsummer Music Festival Programme at local shops one week prior to the event, for all the news, venue map and more to guide you through the weekend!

www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk

27/05/2023

Looking for businesses who would like to advertise in our programmes... our programmes are A5, and filled with band info, venue info and lots more useful info!

Available FREE of charge in local shops the week before the festival, they're sure to be a hit and your business name and message can be in it with an advert available from just £50. Plus of course, your support will help make a much loved local event even better!

Message us on here or check out our website for more info: https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk/advertise/

07/05/2023

We've three amazing days of the Midsummer Music Festival lined up for you this year, and we'll shortly be announcing some of the incredible acts and sessions we have planned... as always we rely on the generosity and support of of sponsors to help make this volunteer run event truly brilliant, so if you, as an individual or business, could help us with sponsorship, please let us know asap, either by messaging us here on Facebook, via email to [email protected] or via our website: https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk

We really appreciate your support in helping us to make this festival happen. ❤️

05/05/2023

Blast from the festival past... a few pics from 2019 to whet yer appetite...(less than 50 days to go!)

NOT IN ANY CHRONOLIGICAL ORDER----it was all a happy magical musical blur anyways!

04/05/2023

Nice shiny new website for the Midsummer Music Festival, please do take a peek, it's less than 50 days to go... and there's still time to sponsor this event to help make it even more amazing, full details are on the website...

https://www.midsummermusicfestival.co.uk

17/10/2022

You may have already heard about the Local Food Gathering in Gatehouse this Friday (21st October)? It's open to anyone who wants to hear and talk about fairer, healthier and more sustainable food systems. Details below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gatehouse-of-fleet-local-food-gathering-tickets-415396119977

The Local Food Gatherings are for anyone interested in food across D&G to connect and network. Across the region every Friday in October.

20/06/2022

Our friend Iain took this clip. Thank you.

Wave Blues Band and Cameron o Hagan sang "come up and see me sometime " a song written by our dear departed friend Roger Hampshire.
Mini Midsummer Music Festival named this stage The Roger Hampshire Stage.
Roger inspired both Susi (vocalist Wave Blues Band)and Cameron to be musicians many years ago. Roger, a bluesman and his wife Lyn (also a musician) started Gatehouse of Fleet Festival Group many years ago. It has had many different guises and formats, all with community at it's core.

We as his friends never got to say a proper farewell to Roger or could fully be there for his family because of covid rules around gathering. Like a lot of people, that was the hardest cruelest thing about the lockdowns.

It was absolutely fitting that we had a celebratory moment of his legacy and love at the first festival event since his passing.
A respectful and loving wave farewell to an inspiring freind. From all of us who create Midsummer Music and that includes all those who attend the events.

This was heartfelt and pure.

Susi extends a huge thanks to her bandmates, some who had never heard the song before. Huge thanks to Cameron for jamming in wi us. It was absolutely amazing, healing and the right thing to do! ❤️