CampsieMAYFEST was once held live with a FREE art exhibition, FREE music Concerts and FREE workshops for all ages. As always, Milton of Campsie Village Hall Trust (a Registered Charity) provided the Hall FREE for Campsie Festivals Association’s celebration of the Arts. Public donations direct to the Hall Trust exceeded £1,000 – a record!

The festival kicked off with the MAYFEST Campsie Countryside Walk led by Neill Kitchener of Strathkelvin Ramblers. On thier arrival at the restored Milton of Campsie railway station the walkers were greeted with Scottish folk music provided by Campsie Folk Players and excellent coffee donated by The Fells Coffee House.   

Thanks are due to Sieglinde Bucher and Elke Hinton for organising the exciting Exhibition of original Art.  Andrew Greig, Village Hall Trustee, gave the festival opening speech, while delightful music was provided by Campsie Scottish Folk Players. 15% of the pictures were sold and the favourite painting prize was won by Shannon Meechan for her mysterious painting of Lennox Castle ruin.

Four concerts catered for many musical  tastes. These were ‘Songs through the Ages’ by The Lydia De Rosa Singers, Pop-Rock by ‘Factor Forte’ who got people dancing, great swing from Aubrey Gerber’s Sounds of Jazz and, to finish, The Whistlebinkies with superb Celtic folk to a full house. These fine performers are thanked very much.

Children and adults enjoyed both the Creative Story-writing Workshop, run by author Claire Millar and the inventive Art Workshop given by renowned artist, Mark Mulholland.

The Young Folk on Stage show was again organised by Michael Boyle to whom special thanks for attracting 30 children. Kenwil’s gift of fine Certificates for performances was much appreciated.

Many thanks to those who helped with refreshments, door duty and dealing with the stage, furniture, lighting and sound system.

Advertising work by the CFA Social Media Team was much appreciated – notably from Rhona Boyle for extensive face-book postings, Penny Bow’s fine website and poster designs and Helen Kepellian’s ticketing set-up. Thanks to all who dealt with posters and flyers, the Kirkintilloch Herald for articles and Milton of Campsie Community Council for distributing the Mayfest programme in their Newsletter.

Campsie Festivals Association was successful in grant applications to cover costs of contributors and materials. Thanks are due to CFA Treasurer, Neill Simpson, who obtained essential awards from The Community Remobilisation Fund, The Coop Local Community Fund and East Dunbartonshire Arts Council.