3 Harbours Festival - Bulletin #1 - Fishing, Ceilidh, Word Sunday & Press

Fishing Community go into local schools

The 3 Harbours Arts Festival 2007 really got started last Thursday when three members of Fishing Community went to Prestonpans infants school, Prestonpans Primary and St Gabriels Primary to tell stories of the fishing industry of the 3 harbours, in particular Morisons Haven. Archie Johnston brought in an angular Fish caught the night before which caught the imagination of the children of the 3 classes that Archie spoke to.

The children had many questions like "What is the biggest fish you ever caught". Archie replied a seven foot shark, with a glint in his eye and went on to tell the story of its capture.

Tom Thomson brought a beautiful model boat to show the children the skill, craftsmanship and tradition of boat building that comes out of this area, while Tom Donaldson told the history of Morisons Haven and including a 16th
cargo ship. What was so interesting was the amount of children that have a direct family link to this fishing industry in Prestonpans.

Inspired by such wonderful stories, the children will explore their own creativity together with poet Ron Butlin and we can all look forward to reading their stories during the festival.

Each child in all four primary schools will then be asked to make a paper boat, that will become part of the 1000 boat flotilla that will be placed on Morisons Haven on the 1st June. At dusk the boats will be floodlit with a blue wavy light. This along with artworks in Cockenzie Harbour and Port Seton Harbour, alongside the Cockenzie Powerstation Chimneys, will be lit up and will herald this years 3 Harbours Arts Festival.

As part of the work in schools we are planning on making paper boats:
see video here
see photos here

Fundraiser at Cockenzie British Legion

Last Saturday saw our fundraiser at Cockenzie British Legion, many people
turned out for a entertaining night with the dance band "Clutching at
Straws" giving us a great time. Around £1800 was raise through the raffle,
auction, etc.

Word Sunday 3rd June

Our main Literature event is nearly finalised, with a great line up of Poets, writers, etc. This will in the next newsletter.

Press coverage this week

east lothian courier
scotsman


Andrew Crummy, 3 Harbours Arts Festival