Sparkling Dunbar Strikes Gold Again!
What a stupendous event we had with our highest attendance yet with visitors enjoying superb events to arouse their interest. Relaxing in the sunshine, sparkling on the harbour waters, people came from near and far to enjoy the day. So many participated in our ‘Pirates and the Sea’ fancy-dress theme with enthusiasm and amazing outfits. Even a local yachtsman joined in the fun with a Jolly Roger sail!
'Tis oft heard whispered hereabouts, by Blackheart Wemyss of the Waterfront, that the booty spirited away amounted to nigh close on £1,000+ --- but dead men don't tell no tales, see... or else. (all funds gratefully received by DHT and will be popped into the treasure chest for next years' event)
Big Blu Pizza, The Donut Man, Sno Cream Ices, The Tasty Toastie and Bisset's Fish Van had queues all day long, whilst many plonked themselves onto the upcycled creel benches, painted by children at our Environmental Open Day, to enjoy a liquid refreshment provided by the Linton Hotel & Steakhouse.
Stalls were provided by Hoth Crochet, Sweet Delights, Cats Eyes Crafts, Handpict, Salt Pig Sea Salts, The Soap Farm, Lark and Sea and the RSPB --- a superb selection of quirky crafts and artisan foods, whilst Dominique Oldham painted hundreds of little faces.
The Battery was bustling with a fantastic turnout with the super-appreciative audience tapping toes to mellifluous music and smiling widely at the wonderful children from Dance Discovery. The quality of music at this year’s event, performed by Luke Hunter, Vinyl ’85, The Soul Foundation, Waiting for Pedro and Damson Jam was to be applauded, and was professionally projected by Liam Morrison and his ELJam crew.
One visitor from the West Coast, with family, wrote "We all thoroughly enjoyed it. We spent a fair bit of time exploring the town generally, not just the festival, which I guess is one of the main aims of the event."
Perhaps one of the most astounding things was the lack of litter during and after the event. We would like to thank everyone for being so responsible.
Finally, a huge thank you to the family and friends who worked tirelessly on the lead-up and on the day. Their support was phenomenal, and this event would not have been the success it was without their endless efforts to assist.
Looking forward to 2020 already!
photos by Kenny Maule, click "Read More" for photo 2.
'Auld Alliance' with Arte*
In October Dunbar Castle was the subject of a film made by Arte*, fronted by Dunbar's well-known historian, Roy Pugh, who explained the story of Black Agnes, the castle's many French connections over the centuries and the 'Auld Alliance'. Filming took place at the Battery on Lamer Island, probably the main site used to deploy Edward III's catapults during the siege between January and June 1338. The film's release date is not yet decided but we'll let you know! It should eventually be available free online
* Arte is a major film company based in Strasbourg which makes cultural films and documentaries, drama, pop, arts, science and news. https://www.arte.tv/
Photos by George Wilson
Click <READ MORE> to see 'Roy on the Rocks'
Oor Millie --- update
Oor Millie -- update
Remember back in the summer we recorded Oor Miilie’s arrival in Dunbar? Well, she’s since been in Cromwell Harbour while Neil Brunton and his crew have fettled her during the last few months, even over Christmas when we were at home watching TV and eating.
After some final “sortin’ oot” in Broadhaven on the maintenance bay, she’s been pronounced “shipshape and Dunbar fashion” and has now joined the fishing fleet.
Good Luck Neil, for 2020 and beyond…...
Photo by Kenny Maule
Maggie, your time has come….
Above: exploratory archaeology dig.
Planning permission has now been obtained for the new stores at the Maggie. Work is due to start early-February, repositioning the wall outside the current stores, widening this area by 1.2m. Next will be stripping the grass and soil, building the new ramped-access and shortly afterwards installing the new stores.
Archaeologists may be seen peering into the turf --- smuggled gold doubloons or pieces-of-eight, anyone?
Photo by Quentin Dimmer
