Festival set to be bigger and better

Aug 20 2008 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

THE Scribbler's Picnic charity music festival this Sunday at Bridgehaugh will be bigger and better than ever.

It is staged each year in memory of musician, teacher and former Stirling Observer columnist Graham Whitelaw, who died in 2001.

Have a look at some of the names on the Fubar-sponsored Main Stage (in no particular order): Beat That (Stirling samba band), Devious Dixter (winners of Stirlingshire schools’ Battle of the Bands), Bury The Hobbit, Canadian country artist Steve Doucette,Too Old To Die Young (Alan Longmuir and friends), Crossroads, Albannach, Bad Boogaloo, The Jack Daniels Experience, Ted Christopher and Bannockburn, Must Be Something, The Hype, The Encierro and The Shermans.

And don’t miss Main Stage performances from Stageworx, including pupil Elliot Greer who starred on Kid's Starz inTheir Eyes as Ricky Wilson from Kaiser Chiefs.

For a change of musical direction, pay a visit to the Random Rhythms’ Rock Tent. Just look at this exciting line-up: Mama Mayhem, The Two Helens, The Korovas, The Colony, The Capulets, The Old Brig, Corode, Aisle 11, Kalamazoo, Wrath, Macduff and Co, Billy V Ninja, Raging Bull, First Year Thieves and Barry Alban.

The Acoustic Cafe area, hosted by Bugsy McLean, will showcase the best local talent in an intimate setting.

And Stirling Folk Club will host the Folk Arena inside the main rugby club building with artistes such as Rudiegin, Reel Ale, the Fraser McKinnon Ceilidgh Band, Stushie, Trilogy, Sarah Cull and Heather Downie, Both Sides of Tweed and much more.

This year, there will be an additional stage added to the line-up.

The organisers were approached by the family of a teenager called Thomas Ivey from Crieff who died last year. Thomas, who was a keen drummer, will have his drum kit used on stage by other acts as a fitting memorial.

On stage will be The Leads, Dignan Dowell and White, Struan, Day Of Days, The Shine, Nanny McPhee, Aletha, Photojoint, Antracite, Friday First and Moisonous Pushroom.

There will be an on-site licensed bar hosted by The Fubar, as well as food stalls, children's rides and bouncy castles, A number of local charity groups and organisations will be hosting their own stalls to raise funds for themselves.

Additional entertainment will include a charity football match involving Dukla Pumpherston, displays by local dance and sports groups, the Alba Reinactment Society and Riverside Drama Club.

The event runs from noon until after 6pm and it will be officially opened by Labour MP Anne McGuire and SNP MSP Bruce Crawford. Entry cost £5 for adults and £3 for children £3. Proceeds go to CHAS, Strathcarron Hospice, Maggies Centres, Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care.