Newsletter Issue 2

march 17th 2007

Hello and welcome to the first Knockengorroch Newsletter!

This is a new regular feature to keep you up to date with what's going on 'down on the farm' in-between festivals! You’ll also be able to check the latest version on the website.

Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Line-up!

The World Ceilidh: 18-20 May. The Hairth: 14-16 September.

It'll be hard to beat 2006, but the World Ceilidh's line-up is looking better than ever and is now up on our website. Tickets for both festivals are now on sale.

CALLING ALL CREW!!
Hard-working, fun loving individuals are needed again to help make the Knockengorroch May World Ceilidh possible !!
We need crew who will be available from Thursday 17th May until Monday the 21st May. Jobs available include gate/box office crew, traffic stewards, kitchen crew, bar staff, office crew, stage stewards, night shifters, pre and post-production crew and drivers.
You get all your meals provided and get to camp in the exciting crew camping area. Being crew means meeting loads of new, friendly people and having lots of fun, including the introduction of a crew ‘fancy dress Friday’ this year!
Crew are part of an essential team who make the running of the festival possible. You can pick-up valuable skills such as team work, dealing with the public, production skills, office and administration skills, events co-ordination, catering, bar experience ... the list goes on.
We are looking for hard working, conscientious people, willing to put in some effort to make this festival even better than the last one... Help us make it happen!
Crew applications are available to download from the website or email: crew@knockengorroch.org.uk

CALLING ALL CREATIVE CREW!
We are currently in the process of updating and expanding the new website and there will be a special dedicated crew area. We need your photos, comments, poems, songs and feedback to adorn its pages to encourage other lovely people to crew at the festival….
Please email any photos or contributions to crew@knockengorroch.org.uk

New Website
We are now proud to announce that the new Knockengorroch website is now up and running. You can buy tickets, sign up for info, learn more about Knockengorroch and read the first chapters of Simon’s ‘Book of Knockengorroch’ (see below), view artist info, view the festival gallery and buy Knockengorroch T-shirts!

Friends of Knockengorroch

Knockengorroch is much more than two fantastic festivals a year. We aim to promote cultural and environmental heritage, whilst bringing new musical cultures to the area and contributing to sustainable rural regeneration. You’ll soon be able to sign up to support Knockengorroch’s work, and become part of the Knockengorroch community. Look out for our new friends scheme which is coming soon!

Book of Knockengorroch. A word from Simon…

‘The winter has been wet and warm’ says Simon Gordon, son of Elizabeth Maelor, descended from Madoc ap Maelor of Valecrucis, a descendant of no less than old king Cole of Kyle, whose task it is now to feed the cows. ‘Looking well on Knokengorroch meadow are the Bo coos: Dumni, Morag, Maisie, Molly, Fingaul, Bo-bell, Bow and Brownie, fit to yank a haybale clear out of my hands in the most impolite fashion if their daily feed is late. They are impatient for new grass, as am I who serves their needs, for which I am rewarded with their more or less complete obedience, give or take a marauding adventure or two that is, of which more I will tell of later. All the world should be a cow man or cow woman for a while, or at least a day or two!
World Ceilidh 2007 draws closer by the day. I must get back to work - too much to do - most undone. If you are with me so far read the first chapter of the Bo-Airy Book of Knockengorroch on our improved website, and learn more about the folk of Scotland’s Blackfoot glens…’
For more on the Book of Knockengorroch click here.

Knockengorroch establishing itself on the international circuit

WOMEX: Knockengorroch CIC attended WOMEX world music expo in Seville in October. This was a fantastic opportunity for two representatives to establish the festivals on the international scene and meet others in the industry for future collaborations. The expo was a four day affair with a trade fair, conferences and showcases. Other promoters, world music agents, international arts councils and press were there, and its already looking as though some of our promoting over those days will definitely pay off in the future.

Celtic Connections. Another great Celtic Connections in Glasgow has just come to a close, and Knockengorroch was there as a delegate. We met other festival organizers, promoters and funders in Scotland and further afield and discussed touring collaborations and ways to bring more international artists to Scotland in the future. Watch this space!