FRIDAY 3 MAY - Wigtown Book Town

FRIDAY 3 MAY SATURDAY 4 MAY

The Wigtown Writers’ Gathering Walk: Greet the Dawn Chorus
9.15am-5pm County Buildings (£9.50) 5.30am – 7.30am, Crook of Baldoon (free)

Wigtown Writers’ Gathering is a unique opportunity The RSPB warden at the Crook of Baldoon Nature
for writers from (and beyond) Dumfries & Galloway to Reserve, Paul Tarling, leads an early morning walk to
congregate. The Wigtown Writers’ Gathering’s focus is hear the dawn chorus.
to support established and emerging writers in Supported by the RSPB
developing their practice through workshops,
breakout groups, and networking. The day-long event Drop-in Workshop:
also offers one-to-one sessions with publishing Drypoint Printmaking
professionals including novelist Louise Welsh. 10am-5pm, The Studio, Harbour Rd (£3)
Bookings for workshops are limited on a first-come,
first-served basis. To register and buy tickets, visit: Printmaker Jennifer Smith will help you create a
http://wigtownwritersgathering2013.eventbrite.co.uk or printing plate using drypoint techniques which she
reserve a ticket on 01988 402036. will hand-ink and roll through her converted mangle
Supported by Creative Scotland printing press. Quick and fun with no mess. No need to
book, just drop in and have a go.
Wigtown Book Festival Dinner and
Charity Auction Linda Lewis: Writing for Women’s
7.30pm, Bladnoch Distillery (£30) Magazines
10am-11.45am, The Bookshop (£4)
The 15th Wigtown Book Festival takes place from 27
September to 6 October. Please join us for a charity The author of The Writer’s Treasury of Ideas, Linda
dinner to raise funds for this year’s event, including Lewis has sold hundreds of short stories and magazine
the children’s and young people’s programme. Ticket articles during the course of her writing life, as well as
price includes a three-course meal, tea, coffee and producing three short guides for writers. She offers a
welcome drink. Auction lots donated by visiting masterclass in how to think up, craft and sell features.
authors and other supporters.
David Devereux: John MacTaggart
Music: The Mermaids and the Scottish Gallovidian
7.30pm, The Old Bank Bookshop (£5) Encyclopaedia
10.30am, Byre Books (£4)
When the two MacFarlane Sisters won the Wigtown
Book Festival talent contest last year, the comedian When John MacTaggart published his survey of
Natalie Haynes described them as looking like Galloway and its people in 1824, it was swiftly
“mermaids with the voices of angels”. Since then withdrawn after offending local sensibilities. Today it’s
they’ve played throughout Scotland, as well as seen as a classic of observation and wit and its author
auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent. They return with – a Galloway farmer’s son, newspaper editor and
their haunting blend of vocals, ukulele, guitar and engineer – is regarded as one of Scotland’s earliest
piano, new songs and covers. ethnographers. David Devereux, until recently curator
of the Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright, tells
The Mermaids, Friday 7.30pm MacTaggart’s story.
Sponsored by Byre Books

CHILDREN Renita Boyle: Hare, There and
Everywhere
10.30am, Box of Frogs and the Gardens
(£2.50)

Where oh where is Dash the Hare? Help Renita Boyle
search. Join in songs, games and activities, and meet a
cast of crazy woodland critters. Featuring felted
woodland critters by Sarah Jane Coleby. (Ages 5-11.)
Sponsored by The Box of Frogs.

Wigtown Spring Weekend 3-6 May 2013

Merryn Fergusson: Louise Welsh, Saturday 12 noon
What Is Wrong with ME?
12 noon, The Bookshop (£5) Struan Stevenson: So Much Wind - The
Myth of Green Energy
For three years, Merryn Fergusson’s teenage son, 3pm, The Bookshop (£5)
Chris, was unable to go to school because of ME,
otherwise known as chronic fatigue syndrome. During Struan Stevenson MEP doesn’t dispute that climate
that time, she kept a diary. Drawing on this candid and change is one of the biggest challenges facing
heartbreaking account, she tells the story of the illness mankind. But, he argues, the time has come to expose
from Chris’s viewpoint and his family’s. She also what he considers to be Scotland’s green energy myth.
explores the history of the baffling medical condition Wind turbines violate the principle of fairness by
since the 1930s. The author will be in conversation transferring huge amounts of money from the poor to
with Cathy Agnew and retired paediatric consultant Dr the rich and they despoil Scotland’s landscape.
Nigel Speight, a leading UK specialist in ME.
Sponsored by Wigtown Festival Company Mary Smith: Drunk Chickens and Burnt
Macaroni - Real Stories of Afghan
Louise Welsh: The Girl on the Stairs Women
12 noon, The Old Bank Bookshop (£5) 4.30pm, The Old Bank Bookshop (£4)

Louise Welsh’s psychological chiller The Girl on the Mary Smith’s book offers a rare insight into the lives of
Stairs has been described as ‘powerful, impressive and Afghan women. What emerges is not a tale of
as black as sin’ (The Spectator) and ‘a masterclass in victimhood but of courageous women, determined to
sustained tension and hold-your-breath suspense’ make the best of life. The author, who worked in
(The Bookseller) with echoes of Don’t Look Now and Afghanistan for several years, takes readers on a
The Turn of the Screw. One of Scotland’s most popular journey from the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif to the
writers discusses her latest book. remote mountainous region of Hazara Jat, allowing
Sponsored by Wigtown Festival Company them to get to know these women and their families.

Frances Wilkins: A Nest of Smugglers in Rab Wilson: 1957 Flying Scot Film Show
Dumfries and Galloway 1688 to 1850 6pm, Byre Books (£4)
1.30pm The Bookshop (£5)
Once upon a time, a Flying Scot bicycle was the dream
The craze for tea, brandy and wine and the proximity of many a working-class boy in Scotland. They were
by sea to England made Dumfries & Galloway a prime expensive, exotic and extremely desirable. Rab
location for smugglers – and often the law could do Wilson’s sonnet sequence, set to a jazz score by Ben
little to stop them. Frances Wilkins’ compelling Bryden, is a celebration of that era and of Glasgow’s
account draws on national and local archives, as well faded industrial might. This film of the work was shot
as tales from the descendants of revenue officers, during the 2011 Wigtown Book Festival.
sailors and smugglers.

Bike Ride: Cycle into Spring
Meet 1.30pm, Byre Books (free)

Join Rab Wilson, author of 1957 Flying Scot, and Brian
Ferguson of Kirkcowan Cycles for a two-wheeled
exploration of the Machars. Bring your own bike or
contact Sarah Jane Colby on 01671830286 to hire for
£10. Lasts approximately 3 hours.

CHILDREN Theatre:
Tall Tales for Wee Folk
3pm, Baptist Church (£1 with voluntary
donation)

Join magical storyteller Kreestan Sennakie and Milo
the Magical Mutt on a fantastical journey through a
world of imagination in this fun theatrical
extravaganza. Presented by Quids In Theatre
Company. Suitable for ages 3-8.
Sponsored by The Swallow Theatre.

Wigtown Spring Weekend 3-6 May 2013

Dinner with Alyne Jones: Vanishing SUNDAY 5 MAY
Scotland
7.30pm, ReadingLasses (3 courses £15, 2 CHILDREN Nature Activities
courses £12.95) 10am-4pm Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre
(free, unless listed separately)
Alyne Jones is a cultural historian based in Moniaive. Drop-in fun and games for all.
For the past 20 years, she has collected an oral and
visual archive of folklore and life in South West Supported by the RSPB
Scotland. Join her over dinner as she talks about the
quest to save Scotland’s disappearing traditions. CHILDREN Mad Science Drop-in
Booking recommended. 11am-3.30pm drop-in, Church Hall,
Lochancroft Lane (free)
Theatre: Double Take
7.30pm Swallow Theatre, Ravenstone (£8) Release your inner scientist with Dr Rebecca Crawford
from Glasgow University and the Wild Science Festival
Quids In Theatre Company present two one-act plays. team. Make a butterfly feeder or a bee, explore flying
Jerry and Tom by Rick Cleveland. saucers, explode a film canister, or build whatever
Jerry and Tom are hitmen: one a master, the other a takes your imagination. For all ages. No booking
novice. But, as this dark comedy shows, because your required.
job involves death, it doesn’t mean you can avoid the
trials of everyday life. Jessica Fox: Three Things You Need to
All an Act by Annie James Know About Rockets
Brothers Dale and Joey are the two musketeers: me for 12 noon, The Bookshop (£4)
you and you for me, until a tramp arrives in the night
to stir uncomfortable memories. Jessica Fox was a twentysomething film-maker living
in Los Angeles and working for Nasa. Then one day she
Walk to Fear had a vision of working in a secondhand bookshop in
9pm, meet outside County Buildings (£5 Scotland. Her memoir – a Waterstone’s Scottish Book
per team of 4) of the Month – tells of her unlikely journey to
Wigtown.
Take a terrorising tour around Wigtown’s dark streets
but beware of what lies ahead: they’ll chase you as fast Paul Tarling: Wetland Restoration Along
as they can. Some are alive – and some are dead! Wigtown Bay
(Family event for ages 12 and above). 12 noon, Byre Books (£4)

Paul Tarling of the RSPB talks about how the work
undertaken at Crook of Baldoon wildlife reserve fits
within a wider aim of restoring Scotland's wetlands.
Supported by the RSPB

CHILDREN Alexa Seagrave:
The Hungry Otter
12 noon, Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre (£2)

Tales from the river bank for younger children from
the RSPB’s community and wildlife officer. (Ages 5-9).

Jayne Baldwin: Elsie Mackay
1.30pm The Bookshop (£4)

A pioneering aviatrix and actress, Elsie Mackay took
up flying in 1923 and was frequently seen in the skies
above Galloway. By 1928, she had set her heart on
becoming the first woman pilot to fly the Atlantic.
Jayne Baldwin tells the story of her extraordinary life
and tragic death.

Jessica Fox, Sunday 12 noon

Wigtown Spring Weekend 3-6 May 2013

CHILDREN Workshop: Book It! With Julie Andrew Nicholson, Monday 10.30am and 1.30pm
Houston
1.30-3pm, Bookend Studio (£5) Music: Mairi Campbell and David
Francis: Revival! and The Red Earth
Local artist Julie Houston offers endless ways to get 6pm Wigtown Parish Church (£5)
creative with old books and magazines.
Playing together as The Cast, Mairi Campbell and
CHILDREN Bookbug Rhymetime David Francis are two of Scotland’s best known folk
3pm, Wigtown Library (free) musicians. Mairi has sung for President Clinton and
contributed to the score of the Sex and the City film. In
Join us for songs, rhymes and stories tailored to the their latest show, they tell through their music the
youngest Spring Weekenders. (Ages 0-5.) moving and surprising story of Mairi’s family, a tale
that sweeps from the religious heartlands of the
Patrick Laurie: The Black Grouse Western Isles to China’s Yangtze River. ‘Mairi’s voice
3pm The Bookshop (£5) should be listed’, The Scotsman
Sponsored by The Old Bank Bookshop & Beltie Books
Patrick Laurie discusses his beautifully illustrated new
book, the first to be written about this fascinating, Dinner: Celebrate Spring Festival
severely declining species. Lively natural history is 6pm ReadingLasses (3 courses £15, 2
interwoven with his account of his on-going battle to courses £12.95)
reintroduce them to his farm in the Scottish Borders. A
story of a desperate struggle to survive against nearly- The menu of this special dinner reflects a weekend of
impossible odds in modern Britain. events and offers a chance to meet craft makers in an
Sponsored by Wigtown Festival Company informal environment. Licensed bistro. Booking
recommended.
Kriss Nichol: In Desolate Corners,
Shadows Crouch Please support Scotland’s National
3pm The Old Bank Bookshop (£4) Book Town by visiting the bookshops.
With over a quarter of million titles,
Grace has always been strange. But when her
granddaughter dies in her care and her grandson runs you’ll be spoilt for choice
away, things come to a head. Kriss Nichol reads from
her novel about a family on the verge of destruction
and discusses publishing through print on demand.

CHILDREN Storytelling: How Notter to
Spotter an Otter with Renita Boyle
3pm Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre (free)

Drop your kids off and visit the Spring Fair.

Mike Marshall: McMillan – The Couple
Who Built the Family Business
4.30pm, The Bookshop (£4)

From humble beginnings in Stranraer, Janet and
Hammy McMillan built up one of Scotland’s most
successful hotel businesses, one that includes the
North West Castle, the Kirroughtree, Glenapp and the
Cally Palace. Mike Marshall discusses his biography.

Book Town Writers with Linda Lewis:
The Book Town Works
4.30pm, The Old Bank Bookshop (£4)

Now in its second year, Wigtown’s writing group has
made its mark with a number of short listed, award-
winning and published short stories and poems. Come
along to an event guaranteed to pull your emotional
strings as they read from their work: gentle humour,
uplifting words – and the odd murder.

Wigtown Spring Weekend 3-6 May 2013

MONDAY 6 MAY CHILDREN Andrew Nicholson: Viking
Board Games
CHILDREN Nature Activities 1.30pm, Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre (£3)
10am-4pm Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre
(free, unless listed separately) Discover what it meant to be a Viking through board
Drop-in fun and games for all. games (Ages 7-12)

Supported by the RSPB Ted Cowan: Wit and Wisdom of
Wigtownshire
Andrew Nicholson: The Vikings in 1.30pm, Wigtown Golf Club (£4)
Galloway
10.30am, Byre Books (£4) Wigtownshire has been described as the last place
before you fall into the sea; but it’s also renowned for
When the Vikings invaded Scotland, Galloway was on its independent-minded inhabitants. Ted Cowan,
the frontline, and the influence of the Norsemen Emeritus Professor of Scottish History at Glasgow
persists today. Andrew Nicholson, Dumfries & University, considers the local wit and wisdom – from
Galloway archaeology officer, tells their story. Andrew folk tradition, to the work of such writers as Andrew
is also known as Guthrum Thorwulfsson. A Viking re- Symson, who wrote the earliest description of
enactor, he has even made his own battle axe. Galloway, and James Viscount Stair who compiled his
Sponsored by Byre Books massive work on Scots law at Carsecreuch.
Sponsored by The Old Bank Bookshop
Jacquie Swift’s Topsy Turvy, Gan
Tapsalteerie Janet Butterworth: Whithorn, Ancient
10.30am The Old Bank Bookshop (£4 in aid Place of Pilgrimage
of the Alexandra Unit, Dumfries) 3pm, Byre Books (£4)

Before her death this year, Jacquie Swift compiled a Ever since St Ninian came ashore in the Dark Ages
final verse anthology, published in aid of the bringing Christianity to the southern Picts, Whithorn
Alexandra Unit, Dumfries and MacMillan Cancer has been a spiritual centre for Scotland, and until the
Support. Read here by members of the U3A, they Reformation, pilgrimage supported the local economy.
show her resilience and unstoppable sense of humour. Janet Butterworth of the Whithorn Trust discusses.
With translations into Scots by Phyllis Martin.
CHILDREN Alexa Seagrave:
CHILDREN Renita Boyle: Not a Cloud in The Utterley Otterleys
the Sky 3pm, Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre (£2)
10.30am, Church Hall (free)
More tales from the river bank for younger children
There was no cloud in the sky, not a drop of rain – from the RSPB’s wildlife officer. (Ages 5-9).
but Noah built a boat anyway. Join Renita Boyle for
the launch of her newest book, an hour of family fun CHILDREN Jean Atkin: The Crow House
complete with singing, boat building, crafts and 3pm, The Bookshop (£4)
snacks. (Ages 5-11).
Sponsored by The Box of Frogs and Wigtown Messy Jean Atkin wrote The Crow House after Wigtown’s
Church Georgian bookshops and blue estuary grabbed her
imagination and wouldn’t let go. Soon people began to
John Nelson: A Broken Shoe – The Clue appear: a girl leading a pony through a snowy
that Hanged George Watson graveyard; a boy opening an old door that led into a
12 noon The Old Bank Bookshop (£4) pine forest. An award-winning poet, the author works
as a writer in education. (Ages 9+).
In 1811 John Kerr, followed the trail of his stolen
horse 150 miles from Ayrshire to a Highland glen. The Music: Red Rose, White Rose
thief he found was to become the last man hanged for 4.30pm, Catholic Church (£4)
horse stealing in Scotland. John Nelson has researched
and written the story of his ancestor’s remarkable On the eve of the battle of Flodden in 1513, the wife
pursuit. This illustrated talk shows the author and his and lover of James IV share their thoughts. JoAnne
companions as they retraced the historic ride. Mackay, as the Wife, Mary Tudor, and Mary Smith as
the Mistress, Janet Bairars, join musicians Vivien and
Richard Jones of the Galloway Consort playing 16th-
century music. Based on a short story by Vivien Jones.
Sponsored by The Old Bank Bookshop

Wigtown Spring Weekend 3-6 May 2013

EXHIBITIONS & ACTIVITIES Nicky McDonald: Letterpress &
Book Binding Workshop
Wigtown Spring Fair
10am-4pm, daily, The Bookshop (£75 Booking
10am-4pm, Sun & Mon, County Buildings, Main Hall essential)
(free) Relaxed, friendly tuition in the heart of Wigtown
New for 2013: browse more than 25 stalls. Food and with two tutors, using traditional materials and an
drink, arts and crafts, plants, homeware and more. Adana printing press. Take home two beautiful,
With an emphasis on high-quality products from finished journals. All materials and lunch provided.
Dumfries & Galloway and beyond, it’s the perfect
place to find inspirational presents. Alyne Jones: Knit Sanquhar
Muffatees
Jennifer Smith: Prints
10am-12 & 2pm-4pm, Sat & Sun, ReadingLasses (2
10am-5pm daily, The Studio Harbour Rd and at hour session £12/all day £20 cost inc materials)
ReadingLasses (free) A muffatee is a tube-like fingerless mitt that covers
Printmaker Jennifer Smith exhibits prints created the wrist and the hand. Alyne Jones shows how to
using collagraph and drypoint processes. Inspired knit one: drop in for a session or stay for the day.
by the beauty of Wigtownshire, her recent work
explores the Machars’ diverse coastal landscapes. Guerrilla Poetry

Phil McMenemy: Photographs All day, Sun, ReadingLasses (free)
Expect the unexpected with pop up readings from
10am-5pm, Book Corner (free) local writers throughout the day.
Stunning images of Dumfries & Galloway from the
award-winning Laurieston-based photographer. Crafter & Maker Show, Tell, See

Hope London: Drawing & Seeing 10am-5pm daily, ReadingLasses (free)
Join crafters for leatherwork, spinning, art and more.
ReadingLasses 10am-4.30pm Sun & Mon (£5) Watch them work, have a go and pick up a bargain.
Artist Hope London leads relaxed drop-in sessions
about enhancing your ability to see the world around Children’s Face Painting
you, finding beauty in ordinary things. You'll have a
chance to try drawing in black and white as well as 10am-5pm, daily, ReadingLasses
colour, and to create work to take home. All Come and get your face painted in the VW Camper
materials provided or bring your own. Van outside ReadingLasses.

BOOKING DETAILS

Tickets can be booked by phone
(01988 403222) or in person at the
County Buildings, Wigtown. Box office
open during business hours; £1 fee
applies to all card bookings. Events last
50 minutes unless stated. For more
information about visiting Wigtown, go to
www.wigtownbookfestival.com

SPRING WEEKEND CAFE

Run by the Wigtown Book Festival
volunteers, open Sunday and Monday in
the Supper Room, County Buildings
(10am - 5pm). Join us for teas, coffees,
soup and sandwiches.

Jennifer Smith: Rigg Bay VII

Wigtown Spring Weekend 3-6 May 2013

Printed by Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press. Cover image by Colin Tennant Photography