Veterans’ Day in the Scottish Borders 2008
Thursday, June 12 2008
Popular Hawick singers Alan Brydon of Scocha and teenager Graeme Tinlin, champion Highland dancer Tracey Graham from Galashiels and Selkirk Silver Band will all be helping to mark 2008 Veterans’ Day on Friday 27 June in the Borders.
The day is an annual event celebrating the contribution made by all those who have served in the armed services and raising public awareness of veterans and the individual challenges they face.
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and the Royal British Legion Scotland will be hosting events to commemorate Veterans’ Day in the Scottish Borders.
The main event on Veterans’ Day itself will be a concert in Kelso’s Tait Hall compered by SBC Convener and Edinburgh Tattoo presenter, Alasdair Hutton, which will mingle young talent from across the Borders with veterans.
Artists will include the young, lively Graham dancers; Alan Brydon, part of the famous local band Scocha; piper Roddy McIntyre and Graeme Tinlin, a young singer who is establishing a reputation locally.
There will also be music from the Selkirk Silver Band and the recital of a poem written by Kelso High School pupils following their recent battlefield tour.
Major Cath Livingstone, a TA doctor who has been on active service in Iraq, will talk about her experiences and Berwickshire Lord Lieutenant, Major Alexander Trotter, will make a presentation of veterans’ badges.
“I am excited and proud at the prospect of presenting another Veterans’ Day concert in the Borders,” said Alasdair Hutton. “Service veterans have put themselves at risk for us sometimes in pretty inhospitable conditions and it is right that we should mark what they have done and are still doing. To know that we care about their service is a great encouragement when servicemen and women are far from home.”
Tickets, priced at £2.50, are available at Kelso Library and Royal British Legion Scotland branches in the Borders or at the door on the night. The concert will start at 7.30 pm.
On Wednesday 25 June at 2.30 pm there will be readings of war poetry in Kelso Library at which anyone can read their own favourite poetry from all theatres of war. Everyone is welcome to this free event, however, as space is limited please contact Kelso Library to book.
At 7pm on 25 June, there will be an illustrated talk on the life and bravery of Piper Daniel Laidlaw VC, of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, by his great grandson Kevin Laidlaw, at the Royal British Legion Scotland in Roxburgh Street, Kelso. Tickets for this free event are available from Kelso Library, Royal British Legion Scotland Kelso branch or at the door on the night.
For further details or to book any of the above events please contact:
Kelso Library
Bowmont Street
KELSO
(01573) 223171
or
Alasdair Hutton 01573 224369 or 07753 625734
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