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Culture Champion Finalist

1 Oct 19
by Billie Jones
Duncan Chisholm performing to a captivated audience at the McMillan Hall in 2019

It was with much delight that we heard last week that our Festival Director, Nathon Jones, has been selected as a finalist in the Culture Champion of the Year category at the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards 2019, and will head to Easterbrook Hall on 8th November for the prestigious awards ceremony.

A panel of independent judges chose their shortlists from more than 600 nominations received from Dumfries & Galloway Life readers across 20 categories, in the sectors of Community, Food & Drink, Culture & Sports, Enterprise, and Young People so it's a real honour for our Director to have been picked from those entries as a finalist and in what is an extra special year - the 10th Anniversary - of the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards.

Those of you that know Nathon will know that, after self-funding the festival in 2014, he has worked tirelessly, driven by a passion and committment to bringing high-quality, traditional music, dance and language to Dumfries & Galloway, to deliver what is now Internationally recognised as one of Scotland's best traditional music & dance festivals.

It is a fantastic achievement to be shortlisted and we would like to wish him the very best of luck this November and hope that he can finally bring home an award for the festival and Trad Music Trust.

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In Other News

Outstanding sponsorship support from Five Kingdoms Brewery

Serving local produce ensures that the project supports local businesses and the local community. A huge favourite are the beers from Five Kingdoms Brewery which are brewed in Isle of Whithorn. We are hugely grateful to Alastair and his team for their very generous support for this year's festival.  

12 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Workshops at this year's festival

With so many outstanding musicians in Newton Stewart this weekend it would be foolish not to take full advantage, and we've done just that with a superb programme of traditional music workshops which are included as part of the Weekend Pass ticket, £10 per adult or £Free for under 25s.  

11 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Highland dancing competition unable to go ahead this year

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the postponement of this year's Highland dancing competition at Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Continued funding cuts have meant some very difficult decisions have had to be made, however we do hope to bring this back in 2025.  

26 Jun 24
Nathon Jones

More Trad News

Trad Music Trust

The 10th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival takes place over the 12th-14th July 2024. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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