British National XC Mountainbike Champs 2009

Innerleithen MTB Racing and I-Cycles, along with some help from the TVTC bring you the British National XC Mountainbike Champs 2009. This year it is a combined event, with Descent Gear/MSC Bikes providing the Downhill Champs. Double the fun!

I-cycles are on Traquair Road. Don't forget to call in for any bike or nutrition supplies or last minute repairs, you will drive past on your way to the venue.

Top Five Reasons why you should ride the British National XC Champs
1. The course ! Interesting and challenging, to test the skills of our very best riders
2. Races for all, with the Championship race for licence holders and Sport and Open Fun races for non licence holders
3. Big fat UCI points in the Senior Championship race, the best chance all year in Britain
4. £1000 prize fund and loads of kit to give away
5. A great weekend out, plenty to do in the beautiful Tweed Valley, trade pitches and food stalls in the arena and a quiet camping area for XC

The Championship races are open to BC licence holders, but there is something for everyone with a Sport race open to non-licence holders of any age over 19 on the sunday, and the Fun Open race over one lap on the saturday. If you have entered the Downhill you can ride the Fun Open race for a fiver! Just bring a suitable bike...

The Champs closes a week of festivities in Innerleithen with the St Ronans Games taking place the week before.

Looking for somewhere to stay?
www.visittweedvalley.co.uk

Entry
Online entry available.

Sponsorship opportunities
Contact helenmfindlay@yahoo.co.uk for information on how you can support this event.

Closing Dates
Championship races - BC licence required - closing date 19th June
Sport race - no licence required - closing date 12th July
Open Fun race - closing date 17th July, day entry if places left

Camping
A campsite will be made available, details on this website soon. Camping for the XC riders will be separate from the DH and trade camping, please indicate on your online entry if you will be using the camping. You will need to report to the XC registration to get your camping token, and must have pre-booked. No pre-booking, no token = no camping.

Schedule
Schedule and lap numbers below - this is subject to change so please check the event website for confirmation and the noticeboard at the registration tent. Masters riders will be gridded according to National Rankings as close to the event as possible. Categories may be merged to create a championship. Medals will be handed out for the 5 year age bands in Masters and Vets, with the overall winner in each category taking the Champion's jersey.

Timing
Event timing will be provided by Finishline. Chips issued at registration on the saturday. You must return the chips after your race, missing/non-returned chips will be charged for at £15. Chips attach to the bike, on the frame above the bottom bracket, chip facing downwards.

Schedule
Friday:
12.00 - 16.30 XC and DH course inspection walk only, and DH Comms Inspection
18.00 - 20.00 DH registration

Saturday:
08:00 - 11.00 DH Registration and XC Comms Inspection
11:00 - 16.30 XC Registration
09.30 - 17:00 DH Open practice
17:00 - 17:30 DH Expert and Elite practice only
13.30 - 16.30 XC Marshalled practice
16:45 - 17.00 XC Riders and Teams meeting
17.00 - 18.30 XC Open/Fun race
17:45 - 17:50 DH Riders meeting

Sunday:
09:00 - 10:45 DH Open Practise
09.00 - 11.00 XC Race 1 - Youth/Juv/Jun
11.30 - 12.00 XC Race 1 Podiums
11.00 - 13.00 XC Race 2 - Masters/Vets
13.30 - 14.00 XC Race 2 Podiums
11.00 - 14.00 DH Seeding runs
13.00 - 15.30 XC Race 3 - Seniors/Espoirs/Sport
14.30 - 17.30 DH Race runs
16.30 - 17.00 XC Race 3 Podiums
18.00 - All DH Podiums

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c 30 April 2009

Thursday 30th April 7.30pm
Music
Rumba Caliente
Rumba Caliente is one of the UK's most exciting salsa-soul groups, combining musicians from the heartlands of salsa (Venezuela, Cuba and New York) with some of Scotland's most exciting jazz and world music players. The group effortlessly moves from salsa to soul, latin-jazz to funk, raga to rumba and back to salsa again. The group have built a fantastic reputation for thrilling live shows, playing the Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Cork Jazz festivals and have appeared live in session on Radio Scotland, and Radio 3's "World Root's" show.

Friday 1st May 7.30pm
Drama
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story has enthralled and fascinated the world for more than a hundred years. Perhaps because a Mr Hyde lurks deep within us all, watching…and waiting... 'A truly remarkable piece of drama... intriguing and thought-provoking', presented by Isosceles and directed by Jim Dunk. Jim has worked in teaching and spent 24 years as a professional actor, theatre director and more latterly a writer, working in theatre, television, film and radio. Eastgate Book Tickets

Peebles, Saturday 2nd May 7.30pm
Music
Elbow Jane Band
A premiere five-piece acoustic band comprising guitars, bazouki, mandolin, piano, bass, percussion and expressive vocals. From thought-provoking self-penned songs, to unique interpretations of the world's best songsmiths; from the emotion of O'Carolan, to the techniques of Tommy Emmanuel; from sensitive ballads, through infectious rhythms, to luring harmonies, gaining them a reputation as one of the top acoustic roots bands on the live music scene.

Sunday 3rd May
Film
Bolt (PG) 2.30pm
Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) tells the story of a dog who is convinced that his role as a super dog is reality. The perfect family film.
Frost / Nixon (15) 7.30pm
A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.

Tuesday 5th May 7.30pm
Music
Eliza Carthy
Yorkshire-born Eliza Carthy began touring at the age of 14, and has gone on to perform and record with a stunning array of musical legends including Joan Baez, Damon Albarn, Paul Weller and the Wainwrights. Both as a fiddle player and as a gloriously natural singer, she makes traditional music relevant to new audiences with her intelligent, charismatic and boundary-crossing performances.

Thursday 7th May 1pm
Drama
Ploughman's Platters and Plays
Rowan Tree Theatre Company unveil the results of their 21st birthday playwriting competition, at this lunch-hour event. Michael Mackenzie and other Rowan Tree actors will read excerpts from selected scripts before the winner is announced. Sponsored by Playwrights Studio Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association, Scottish Borders Council.
£5 (inc ploughman's lunch)

Friday 8th May 7.30pm
Music
Karan Casey
A legend in her own right, Karan Casey has long been one of the most innovative, provocative and imitated singers in Irish traditional and folk music. ‘Casey's voice is among the loveliest in folk music and she's a wonderful interpreter of both contemporary and traditional material.' (Boston Globe)

Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William

The Tweed Valley Tourist Consortium will be exhibiting at the Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William on the 6th & 7th June 2009. Thanks to Ian at MB7 and The Clan we will have a presence at the biggest and best mountain biking event in the world. Whether your coming to see the 4x, DH, XC, Trials or just for a wander around the biking village call in and see what the Tweed Valley has to offer or just to say hello. See you there?

The Outdoors Show, Birmingham NEC, 27th - 29th March

Phew, just back from promoting Visittweedvalley at The Outdoors Show at the NEC in Birmingham where Scotland’s mountain bike display team, ‘The Clan’ who, along with the help of some of the TVTC members built a mini Glentress with a brilliant ‘have-a-go area’ and a fantastic trials show.

The Outdoors Show covers everything from walking, canoeing, golf and fishing to biking and climbing. Upwards of 30,000 people were there to have a go at some of the activities, shop at the many outlets or to find out more about all the outdoor activities and where best to go, The Tweed Valley we hope!!

As part of the bike arena the TVTC setup a fantastic stand to promote the Tweed Valley and display all the excellent activities and accommodation within the valley.

From early on the Friday to late on the Sunday the stand was busy with enthusiasts, families, groups and clubs all wanting to know more about the Tweed Valley and what was on offer and when to visit. From the response on the stand it certainly looks as though lots people are heading this way to enjoy the best of what the Tweed Valley has to offer.

Kailzie Gardens Osprey Update

New for 2009 - larger live screens, new species on camera including nesting Herons, new wildlife displays and the School Holiday Nature Club for children on Wednesdays afternoons 1-4pm, which offers crafts, games and hands-on fun. Free for Kids – no Booking required.

2009 dates: Open Monday 6th April, closes 31st August. Open 10am- 5pm daily.
Cost £1 per adult, children free but MUST be accompanied.
Large groups and school visits etc also catered for: please contact the Osprey Centre Officer for details: Emma Rawling phone 07530310376 or email tweedvalleyospreys@yahoo.co.uk

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c 23 April 2009

23-24 & 26 April, Thursday & Friday 7.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Drama
'Allo'Allo
Tweed Theatre is proud to present 'Allo, 'Allo based on the famous TV series and written by David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd. This hilarious play features René Artois, a café owner in Nazi-occupied France, whose efforts to appease a range of opposing factions, without being killed, provides great entertainment. Good moaning - don't miss it!

Tuesday 28th April 7.30pm
Lecture
Plants, Peaks and Passes in the Karakoram
Dave Binns, photographer and plant collector, shares another exploration of wild places. This time the mountains at the Western end of the Greater Himalaya: Nanga Parbat, Kara Karakoram and the Hindu Kush. In aid of the Eastgate sponsored by Cabbage Hall Woodwork.

Thursday 30th April 7.30pm
Music
Rumba Caliente
Rumba Caliente is one of the UK's most exciting salsa-soul groups, combining musicians from the heartlands of salsa (Venezuela, Cuba and New York) with some of Scotland's most exciting jazz and world music players. The group effortlessly moves from salsa to soul, latin-jazz to funk, raga to rumba and back to salsa again. The group have built a fantastic reputation for thrilling live shows, playing the Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Cork Jazz festivals and have appeared live in session on Radio Scotland, and Radio 3's "World Root's" show.

Friday 1st May 7.30pm
Drama
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story has enthralled and fascinated the world for more than a hundred years. Perhaps because a Mr Hyde lurks deep within us all, watching…and waiting... 'A truly remarkable piece of drama... intriguing and thought-provoking', presented by Isosceles and directed by Jim Dunk. Jim has worked in teaching and spent 24 years as a professional actor, theatre director and more latterly a writer, working in theatre, television, film and radio.

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c 16 April 2009

Thursday 16th April 7.30pm
Music
Cabaret Baby
An international group of outstanding musicians drawn from classical, improvised, electronic, and rock backgrounds enter new territory with Cabaret Baby. They mix an ultra-resourceful nine-piece instrumental line up with live electronics and DJ sets. 'An irreverent stronk that sounds somewhere between the Happy End, The Threepenny Opera and Guys and Dolls.' (The Herald)
NB this show has unallocated seating

Saturday 18th April 7.30pm
Music
DAIMH
This exciting combination of musicians fuse together their individual styles on bagpipes, fiddle, banjo, guitar, bodhran and mandola to create a unique and compelling sound. Their music is a very high energy, fast-flowing mixture of tunes and songs, which knows no boundaries.

Sunday 19th April
Film
Hotel for Dogs (U) 2.30pm
Two orphans set up a Shangri-La for dogs in an old abandoned hotel - much to the annoyance of the local authority dog catcher and the police.
Revolutionary Road (15) 7.30pm
A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

20 April - 2 May
Exhibition
Himalayan Journey
An exhibition of photographs taken in Nepal and Pakistan by local horticulturist Dave Binns; images include several of the highest mountains in the world, high alpine plants and portraits.
Don't miss Dave's talk about his travels on Tuesday 28th April at 7.30pm.

23-24 & 26 April, Thursday & Friday 7.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Drama
'Allo'Allo
Tweed Theatre is proud to present 'Allo, 'Allo based on the famous TV series and written by David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd. This hilarious play features René Artois, a café owner in Nazi-occupied France, whose efforts to appease a range of opposing factions, without being killed, provides great entertainment. Good moaning - don't miss it!

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c 9 April 2009

Friday 10th April 7.30pm
Family
The Top 50 Greatest Scots Of All Time Ever
Both a celebration and deconstruction of the truly great iconic figures of our history and culture. This comic show satirises that cultural nihilism, while at the same time celebrating some of the truly great achievements of a small, northern European colony. Vladimir McTavish's most ambitious work to date incorporating stand-up, songs, poetry, video and visual images.

Saturday 11th April 7.30pm
Dance
Easter Jive Party
The Friends of the Eastgate invite you to the second Jive Party-following the fantastic success of the December fundraiser. If you can jive, or would like to learn how to enjoy dancing to live rock 'n' roll music, this is for you. Ticket includes jive tuition. Book early! A fundraiser for friends of the Eastagate.
NB this show has unallocated seating

Tuesday 14th April 7.30pm
Music
Rachel Harrington
Rachel is a roots musician in the truest and purest sense, an artist who really understands and conveys the deep link between country and soul. She performs as a duo with multi-instrumentalist Zak Borden on vocal, mandolin and guitar to name but a few. A unique blend of inspirational, uplifting and exhilarating music.

14th to 17th April
EASTER Dance School - Fiona Henderson School of Dancing
9.00 AM to 12.30 AM for P1 to P6
1.00 PM to 4.30 PM for P7, S1 - 6

Thursday 16th April 7.30pm
Music
Cabaret Baby
An international group of outstanding musicians drawn from classical, improvised, electronic, and rock backgrounds enter new territory with Cabaret Baby. They mix an ultra-resourceful nine-piece instrumental line up with live electronics and DJ sets. 'An irreverent stronk that sounds somewhere between the Happy End, The Threepenny Opera and Guys and Dolls.' (The Herald)
NB this show has unallocated seating

Saturday 18th April 7.30pm
Music
DAIMH
This exciting combination of musicians fuse together their individual styles on bagpipes, fiddle, banjo, guitar, bodhran and mandola to create a unique and compelling sound. Their music is a very high energy, fast-flowing mixture of tunes and songs, which knows no boundaries.

5th April 2009 - MBUK/BikeRadar.com Demo Day

If you are looking to purchase a new bike and not sure what you want, or have your eye on a particular model and would like to test it in the comfort of the best trail centre in the UK then you need to come along to MBUK/Bikeradar.com Demo Day at Glentress.

The event is totally FREE and will give you an opportunity to test and compare some of the latest and best bikes on the market. There'll be technical staff from What Mountain Bike, MBUK and BikeRadar.com on hand to help point you in the direction of the right bike for you. Booking advised

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c 2 April 2009

30 March - 4 April
5 & Kicking!
It's 5th Birthday Week At The Eastgate and In keeping with its strong community ties, the Eastgate invites you to celebrate its 5th birthday. During this week of fun and celebrations, come and take a look at what you can do. Each day you can take part in creative workshops and theatre tours. Come and quiz the project architect about the building's distinctive features. Whether you wish to look behind the scenes, learn an on-stage skill or attend a class in anything from henna painting, portraiture, photography, felt making, etching or body percussioin, this is the week to do it. Book it all now - so you miss nothing!

Saturday 4th April 7.30pm
Music
Tannahill Weavers
Traditional Scottish music at its best - as tight and versatile as any band in the Celtic music scene, the Tannahills can summon rock-n-roll intensity or haunting introspection. ‘An especially eloquent mixture of the old and the new' (New York Times)

Sunday 5th April
Film
The Secret Of Moonacre (U) 2.30pm
The secrets are revealed in a book inherited by a lonely little girl Maria, who discovers a past world about Moonacre Manor, where she lives with her companion and her cold, reserved uncle.
Slumdog Millionaire 5.00pm & 7.30pm
The story of the life of an impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik, who becomes a contestant on the Hindi version of Who Wants to be A Millionaire?, wins, and is then suspected of cheating.

Wednesday 8th April
Family
Animation Workshop
Learn how cartoons and films are made and how animation works with Red Kite Animation.
10.00am - 1.00pm for 8-12 year olds
2.00pm - 5.00pm for 13-18year olds

Friday 10th April 7.30pm
Family
The Top 50 Greatest Scots Of All Time Ever
Both a celebration and deconstruction of the truly great iconic figures of our history and culture. This comic show satirises that cultural nihilism, while at the same time celebrating some of the truly great achievements of a small, northern European colony. Vladimir McTavish's most ambitious work to date incorporating stand-up, songs, poetry, video and visual images.

Book tickets.