The Tweed Valley website has been shortlisted in the Scottish Borders Awards 2008 in the “Award for Best Use of IT in a Tourism Related Business” category.
The winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on Friday 3 October at Springwood Hall, Border Union Showground, Kelso.
Northern music lovers are in for a real treat when Jacqui McShee's Pentangle presents an all-new show at The Eastgate Theatre on Sunday 7 September.
The concert features the current line-up with Jacqui McShee on vocals, Gerry Conway on drums and percussion, Spencer Cozens on keyboards, Alan Thompson on bass, and Gary Foot on saxophone and flute.
As a bonus, the evening will feature an opening slot by singer/songwriter David Hughes.
Jacqui is in the news: the original 1960s Pentangle line-up staged its fortieth anniversary tour this year, a reunion which attracted much media coverage for Jacqui with appearances on television and rave reviews in the music press and national newspapers.
Now Jacqui is touring with her own band presenting an evening of musical magic. As well as a selection of songs first recorded with the original line-up, Jacqui McShee's Pentangle plays a mixture of new self-penned songs, traditional numbers and jazz standards.
Jacqui is looking forward to being back on the road. "I'm really pleased we are playing at The Eastgate Theatre” she says. “I've always loved doing shows in the north; the audience is particularly warm and appreciative and we've had some great times in the Borders."
Although Jacqui McShee's Pentangle has been labelled 'jazz-folk' the music defies pigeonholing and the concert's wide-ranging repertoire will appeal to most musical tastes. The band's current line-up makes groundbreaking music and, just like the original group, Jacqui's unique voice is always to the fore.
For tickets and information call the box office on 01721 725777
28 August Thursday 7.30pm
Dancers
Akelarre Dancers
Akelarre is a dance group which performs Basque dances in the traditional, colourful costumes of the country. Thirty male and female dancers of mixed ages are accompanied by four musicians for this lively international dance display.
30 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Robin Hutt
Much in demand as a recital and concerto soloist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist and composer, Robin combines his playing with teaching work in Edinburgh schools. He has also composed for Edinburgh Camerata, plays timpani and principal percussion with Edinburgh Symphony Baroque, and is a member of St Michael and All Saint's Choir.
Mon 1 Sep 7.30pm
Festival Lecture - The Reivers
Talk
A talk by well known author Alistair Moffat, and sponsored by the Tweeddale Society. Born and raised in Kelso, Alistair has been Chairman of STV, Director of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, founder of the Borders Book Festival as well as finding time to become a prolific author.
Thu 4 & Fri 5 Sep 7.30pm
Men of the World
Drama
Coach drivers see all walks of life. Three of them are preparing to take a gaggle of assorted Saga louts on a mystery trip to Scarborough and pass the time by reminiscing about the eccentrics encountered on previous trips. But are not the drivers more eccentric than their passengers?
21 August Thursday 7.30pm
Music
Rave On - A Tribute To Buddy Holly
Marc Robinson and his Counterfeit Crickets take you back to the days when cars had fins, the suits were sharp, and frothy coffee in the local café was the height of cool. The band rolls back the years with numbers including Rave On, Raining in My Heart and Doesn't Matter Any More, and the authentic sound of Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
22 August Friday 7.30pm
Music
Jeff Barnhart
Sit back and enjoy an evening of jazz piano music, in the capable hands of Jeff Barnhart. Since launching his professional career in his home state of Connecticut at the age of just 14, Jeff has established a reputation as a soloist and band member all over the globe.
23 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Erlings New Orleans Jazz Band No 2
Erling Norberg has been playing in jazz bands for over 50 years. He headed the Tuxedo Jazz Band when they guested at the Peebles International Jazz Festival in 2004 and he reckoned that was good…but his latest band is even better... possibly the best jazz band ever!
24 August - 14 September Daily
Exhibition
Through The Lens
An exhibition of work from local photographers Tom Oliver and Dave Sargent. The subject matter is wide, including pictures from Arts Festival events as well as other creative work. In addition, images from a children's photography competition called 'Knee High Peebles' will form part of this exhibition from 30th August onwards.
26 August Tuesday 7.30pm
Music
Julian Goodacre's Wonderful World Of Bagpipes
Peebles bagpipe maker Julian Goodacre has been playing, making, researching, designing and composing on pipes for the last 25 years. He shares his enthusiasm and knowledge, along with his collection of pipes from the UK and beyond, to create an entertaining celebration of the world of bagpipes and their music. Expect surprises!
27 August Wednesday 7.30pm
Music
Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder
Jamie Laval is one of the top Scottish fiddlers on the international circuit today. Joined by mandolin virtuoso Ashley Broder, the duo play traditional Irish and Scottish music with hints of classical refinement and the influence of ethnic music from around the world - a unique approach to roots-based acoustic music.
28 August Thursday 7.30pm
Dancers
Akelare Dancers
Akelare is a dance group which performs Basque dances in the traditional, colourful costumes of the country. Thirty male and female dancers of mixed ages are accompanied by four musicians for this lively international dance display.
The Guardian today publishes a list of Top 10 day trips from Edinburgh if the Festivals are getting too much - so well done to Traquair for coming in at number 6!
Read the full article here.
1 August Friday 7.30pm
Drama
Hostage
Alone, in chains and darkness, James is a hostage of religious fundamentalists; back home, a woman struggles for his freedom. But this is 1474, when Trinitarian friars in Peebles are dedicated to redeeming captives from the Moors...
2 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Frank Usher And The Border Boogie Band
Frank Usher is known all over the world for his work with the singer Fish, but when he comes home he plays with his fellow rockers The Border Boogie Band. Their heady mix of hard-rockin’, smooth croonin’ and foot-stompin’ rhythms will ensure everybody has a good time.
3 August Sunday 7.30pm
Music
Twelfth Day Duo
Orcadian Catriona Price and Esther Swift from Peebles come from opposite ends of the Scottish folk scene but both are enthusiastic about incorporating as many different influences into their writing and arranging as possible and work extensively in folk, jazz and classical music through the medium of harp and fiddle.
4 – 22 August Daily
Exhibition
Faces & Spaces
A photographic mixture by Dougie Johnston of Galawater Photography. This exhibition focuses in particular on images of theatre performances, Border events and landscapes.
FREE
“Mountain bikers climb into bed in Tweed Valley”
What do Britney Spears, Spooky Wood and Blue Velvet all have in common?
If you know that they are all names of some of the sections at Glentress Mountain Bike Centre near Peebles then chances are you are one of the 200,000 bikers who visit there each year.
Glentress is reputed to be the best mountain biking course in Britain and truly delivers a world class adventure product. The Tweed Valley Tourist Consortia recognises the importance of mountain biking tourists to the area but want to encourage more of them to stay a little longer and discover the wealth of other things that this stunning area has to offer.
As a result of listening to mountain bikers and finding out exactly what they would need from accommodation, they have developed a brand new Mountain Bikers Hospitality Scheme. This is a special collection of hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering properties which are totally geared up to providing mountain bikers with everything they need for the perfect break.
As well as offering a lovely place to stay and a wonderful bike friendly welcome they can be assured of safe lockable storage for their prized mountain bike, bike washing and maintenance area, a clothes drying room and plenty of quality high carb meals to re-fuel for the next day’s adventure.
The Tweed Valley is the first area in Scotland to provide mountain bikers with a hospitality scheme which assures them of finding accommodation which is genuinely mountain bike friendly and focussed on providing them with a world class mountain biking experience in this beautiful corner of Scotland.
To find out how to book just visit www.visittweedvalley.co.uk and look out for the sign at accommodation properties throughout the Tweed Valley.
25 July Friday 7.30pm
Music
Jamie's Be A Star Night
With an eager and enthusiastic following, Jamie Boyd-Russell's open mic format offers 15 minutes of fame for all you budding stars. Come along and watch these guys and gals strut their stuff to entertain and amaze you... or get up on stage yourself why don’t you?
26 July Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Strange Brew
Classic rockers Strange Brew return to the Eastgate for an evening of tunes from the likes of Cream, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy and many more. Support comes from Floozie Soo frontman Ken Barrett and Gecko 3 double bass master Paul Gilbody. An evening not to be missed by local rock fans!
27 July Sunday
Music
Jazz Masters of Funk
Colin Scougal and his nine piece band are coming to jazz up the Eastgate with their funky sounds. Swing along with the Jazz Masters of Funk as they bring you the best hits from Tom Jones, Robbie Williams, Frank Sinatra, The Carpenters, Abba, Neil Diamond, Lionel Ritchie and many more.
1 August Friday 7.30pm
Drama
Hostage
Alone, in chains and darkness, James Douglas is a hostage in the hands of Muslim fundamentalists. Back in Scotland, a young woman campaigns for his release. But this is the 15th century, and Trinitarian friars at the Holy Cross in Peebles are dedicated to Redemption of the Christian captives of the Moors...
Tweed Theatre returns by popular demand with this excellent topical production written by local playwright Jenny Chapman. The show has also been booked by a venue for the Edinburgh Fringe this year.
Don't let the wet weather or the credit crunch get you down - take advantage of our amazing July offers and enjoy a week, or a few days at innerhaven at a price that won't break the bank. With just one week left to fill in July, we're offering you and your friends these last-minute offers:
Offer 1 - 7 nights from 20th - 27th July @ £500 (instead of £600)
Offer 2 - 4 nights between 20th and 27th July @ £300 (instead of £380)
Offer 3 - 3 nights between 20th and 27th July @ £240 (instead of £300)
Remember that innerhaven sleeps 2 to 6 people in luxury, and at these rates, can
make for an extra special break in the Scottish Borders.
With space for 6 people, invite a few friends, have a BBQ, bag a few salmon, or even get in some early season practice on the course - try a round at Cardrona, or throw yourself down some of Scotland's best mountain biking trails!
innerhaven's only a stone's throw from the best that the area has to offer visitors, but with self catering holiday accommodation of such a high calibre, you would be forgiven for just relaxing with a cold beer, kicking back and watching the Leithen water tumbling past our garden. Please quote 'Summer Special' at time of booking.
6 July Film Sunday
Ironman (12A) 2.30pm
Robert Downey Jnr stars as wealthy industrialist Tony Stark who following an ironic accident has to build himself an armoured suit to survive and escape the clutches of terrorists. Tony Stark, a weapons designer, gains new ethics after being captured by terrorists and decides to combat the forces of evil in an armoured suit. But the suit has other advantages and Tony decides to use its technology and make an improved version to fight against evil. This is an action-packed blockbuster with outstanding special effects and great watchability that will have you on the edge of your seat. This is a film for fans of Spiderman and other superhero flicks. Heroes aren't Born. They're Built!
9 July Wednesday 7.30pm
Music
Anna Massie Band
A fiddle, mandolin and tenor banjo player, who also excels in flatpicking on the guitar, Anna is joined by guitarist/vocalist Jenn Butterworth and accordionist and border piper Mairearad Green. The band were named Best Folk Band at the 2006 Scots Trad Music Awards, and their energetic performances are winning them a growing fan base.
11 July Friday 7.30pm
Clairvoyant
Jenny Docherty
Jenny Docherty is a medium with a large and devoted following. Priding herself on her amazing accuracy, Jenny gives exact names of people, places, streets, relationships and occupations. Add some charisma and a touch of humour, and audiences are guaranteed to leave feeling good.
