Horseshoe Inn WIns a New Award

Congratulations to award-winning member's the Horseshoe Inn at Eddleston. Head chef, Patrick Bardoulet, has now been named Rural Chef of the Year 2009 at the Scottish Chef Awards in Glasgow on 10th May.

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c 14 May 2009

Sunday 17th May
Film
Pink Panther 2 (PG) 2.30pm
Inspector Jacques Clouseau is up against a globe-trotting thief who specialises in stealing historical artefacts.
Milk (15) 7.30pm
Oscar winner Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk – the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the USA.

Tuesday 19th May 7.30pm
Music
Stairwell Sisters
The Stairwell Sisters are knocking ‘em dead from the shores of Lake Wobegone to the stages of London and Scotland, with their high-energy picking and buck dancing. They are one of America’s most highly regarded old-time Appalachian string bands and their latest self released album, Get Off Your Money, stretches the boundaries of old-time music while still staying true to its traditional roots. Not only a great musical night, this is a rare chance to enjoy some history through music and dance with a demonstration of Scottish clog dancing by John Sikorski (originally from Skye). Joining the line up is Hawick-born master fiddler Wattie Robson, one of Scotland’s leading traditional musicians, who says he is an admirer of the band’s music and is all set for the tour.

Wednesday 20th May 7.30pm
Music
James Yorkston & Lisa Knapp
This show brings together two major names from the contemporary folk world. Lisa Knapp has emerged as a highly distinctive voice with a radiant style of traditional folk and self-penned song, while Fife man, James Yorkston continues at the forefront of the nu-folk scene and as a member of The Fence Collective, spearheading developments in the genre.

Friday 22nd May 7.30pm
Music
Open Mic Variety Night
Whether you can sing, dance, act or tell a joke, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your talent. If you’re interested in performing then contact Jamie Boyd Russell on 01721 722407. Anything goes, so come along and show us what you’ve got!

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c 7 May 2009

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)

Saturday 9th May 7.30pm
Music
Fondoo
Fondoo returns to the Eastgate with an eclectic mix of original live music. Headlining are fantastic Edinburgh based indie / rock band Rieser. Also featured are the shabby chic jazz of The Makin 4 and acclaimed pop / rock Borders band Big Wave; with acoustic sets provided by Kristian Labak, Rob Howell and James Gibson.

Wednesday 13th May 7.30pm
Music
The Chris Stout Theory
This quintet takes traditional music into new and exciting territories. Whilst demonstrating the discipline of a classical ensemble and a jazz group’s sense of adventure this group achieves a celebration incorporating all the spirit, flair and roots of traditional music. Their technique integrates atmospheric solo fiddle airs and intricate quicksilver passages to the kind of rollicking Shetland, Scandinavian hoolie that Chris’s fans know and love so well. ‘They are out there beyond the reach of almost anyone.’ (Maverick magazine)

Thursday 14th May 7.30pm
Family
An Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan
Come and enjoy the very model of a modern musical medley – performed by singers from the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Edinburgh. With excerpts from all the favourite operas – Pirates, Pinafore, Patience, and many more – matching Gilbert’s witty words to Sullivan’s seductive tunes, this promises to be a night to remember.

Friday 15th May 7.30pm
Drama
After Mary Rose
Harry, a shell-shocked soldier, is trying to piece his life back together with the help of a psychiatrist. Digging deeper, the psychiatrist uncovers a mysterious secret that takes Harry back to his childhood home for a journey into the past that leads to a suprising encounter in the present. Based on a play by JM Barrie, this is a dark and atmospheric new production by Magnetic North, a theatre company based in Scotland. It was formed in 1999 to create and develop new work with playwrights and other practitioners. The company's work has been funded by Scottish Arts Council, Glasgow City Council, Awards for All, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation.

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!