The first Rothbury Traditional Music Festival was held in 1977 after three Rothbury Residents Tony Sandford, John Hennessy and John MacKay spent time researching and visiting music festivals over the period of a year - one of these festivals took place at Newcastleton on the Scottish Borders. They enjoyed it so much that on returning to Rothbury they came to the conclusion that such a festival would go down very well here. The Rothbury festival is based very much on the Newcastleton Festival and retains a great use of local talent and traditional music.

A Committee was formed to which Alistair Anderson and his wife Liz were asked to join. Alistair, a well known professional musician was able to supply the musical knowledge and contacts and became the "artistic director". John Ashley, a local teacher joined them and a treasurer was found in the form of Thomson Bathgate. Ian Murray (a drummer), finally made up the inaugural Committee.

The first festival proved to be popular so it was decided to hold it again the following year. In the second festival the childrens' competitions for local first and middle schools were included, and the adult competitions were increased. Most years since then extra events have been added. We now hold ceilidhs, dances, workshops, 19 competitions (including awards for under 14/16yrs), outdoor dance displays, puppets, mummers. Profits from the festival are ploughed back into the following year's festival, apart from the funding of childrens' music classes.

Over the years the Committee have endeavoured to encourage local children to learn to play, sing and compose poetry and to this end we have run classes throughout the year and worked closely with the local schools. The children have grown up with music, song, dance and poetry as a natural part of their lives which will stay with them and provide a rich heritage for future generations. In the First School we have Lynn Tocker (a previous BBC Radio 2 Young Traditional Musician of The Year and a wonderful accordionist) teaching young children to play the penny whistle. Lynn's sister Marie runs The Irish Dancing Group who perform regularly at the Festival and are a joy to watch as are the Scottish Dancers. For the past 2 years Kathryn Tickell (a Committee member and player of Northumbrian pipes and fiddle fame) has run fiddle and ceilidh band classes and her young ceilidh band "The Rothbury Ranters" are going from strength to strength. Their enthusiasm, energy and enjoyment is a delight to witness. They will be performing at this year's festival as well as entering various competitions.

Rothbury have their own Highland Pipe Band, who open the outdoor proceedings with a display of their marching and playing skills. If the weather is good there are many musicians playing outside. Some years our Ceilidhs are held in the local animal auction mart, which is a superb arena-like venue with great acoustics and tremendous atmosphere.

Rothbury is a village (approx. 1,700 population) steeped in tradition and retains an unspoilt atmosphere and through the support of local councils, organisations, and people the festival has become well established in a friendly setting in which to enjoy music of the Borders and beyond. We attract musicians, singers, dancers, poets and audiences from a wide area, who enjoy the simplicity of the festival.. It's success is very much due the easiness of the local people, performers, helpers, audiences, hotels, B & B's, all helping to make the visitors feel part of the community for the weekend.

Rothbury and the Coquet Valley have a lot to offer as well as their beautiful scenery - WHY NOT GIVE US A TRY

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