South Ayrshire Council News

Burns an a that

Planning is already under way for the 2008 Burns an a that Festival, which promises to be an exciting, dynamic and vibrant celebration of Robert Burns and Scottish traditional and contemporary culture.

The festival, first held in 2002, has become well established in the Scottish events and festivals calendar, bringing thousands of visitors to Ayrshire year after year.

Following a successful 2007 festival, the Burns Festival Company, wh ich manages the festival has been seeking to appoint a company to manage the production of the festival for the next two years.

Tom Cairns, Chair of Burns Festival Company said: “The burns an’ a’ that! Festival continues to go from strength to strength and we have great ambitions to grow the scale, content and quality of the festival further over the coming years ,

“Following a competitive tendering process I am delighted that we have been able to secure the services of, Liz Hobbs Concerts and Events who will work with us to further develop the festival.

“Liz and her team have a fantastic track record of developing, managing and producing major events around the UK. Earlier this year she produced the highly successful Rock at the Racecourse event at Ayr Racecourse, demonstrating her ability to produce a brand new event in the area. Liz ’s creativity and vision for the burns an’ a’ that! Festival mirrors our own ambitions. I would like to congratulate Liz and look forward to working with her to take the festival to a new level”

Speaking about the appointment Liz Hobbs added: “I am delighted to have been asked to produce the 2008 and 2009 burns an’ a’ that! Festival. The festival is already successful and I am looking forward to building on this to attract new audiences and encourage existing festival goers to keep returning.

“By bringing fresh ideas and new events to the festival we aim to cater for all tastes and all ages, while retaining the specific link to Burns and wider Scottish culture. Producing the event will be a team effort and I know that I will be working with dedicated people who want, as I do, to make sure that the burns an’ a’ that! Festival becomes a truly international event.”

With a new company in place to produce the festival , the search is now on for a new Festival Director. This is an exciting opportunity for a forward thinking person with vision and drive to be at the heart of a well established event.

Tom Cairns said: “The Ayrshire economy receives a very welcome boost during the Festival and we must build on this. As we move towards 2009, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Burns and year of Homecoming Scotland, the spotlight will be on Burns, Ayrshire and Scotland and it is crucial that the Festival grows and attracts a wide range of high profile artists that will encourage new people to attend, and regular visitors to return.

“The position of Festival Director is critical in achieving this. We’re looking for someone to join us at what is an exciting time for the burns an’ a’ that! festival. We’re seeking someone with a track record and a passion for delivering high quality events, who relishes new challenges and enjoys working with a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations.”

It’s never too early to get involved in the 2008 festival, with the core programme taking place from 19th- 26th May. Rachel McCallum, Project Executive with the festival said: “ The 2007 festival saw many individuals, businesses and community groups organising events which featured in the festival programme and we are keen to start the process for 2008 now. I’d like to encourage anyone who would like to be part of the 2008 festival to get in touch with me to discuss their ideas.” Rachel can be contacted at the festival office on 01292 612477 or email rachel.mccallum@burnsfestival.com