november 5 - 11 | 2014
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Charm of Celtic culture By KYLIE WILSON
RHYTHM OF LIFE:
Ross Lucas and Mel Tompkins are heavily involved in the local Celtic music scene and the Beechworth Celtic Festival. PHOTO: Wendy Stephens
GARDENING WITH
JILL
RSPCA
FILM
MILKY
PRIDE
WITH
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
THE streets of Beechworth will again pulse with the vibrancy of Celtic music, dance and culture during this weekend’s Beechworth Celtic Festival. It’s been 20 years since the festival was first conceived in the back of John Harvey’s Scottish Shop in Beechworth as an initiative of the Beechworth and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc, with six people, including Mr Harvey, forming the organising committee. It was born out of a strong appreciation of the area’s historical links to Celtic culture, which current organising committee chair Ross Lucas says is just as relevant today. Ross, with wife Lorraine, have run Beechworth’s Hotel Nicholas for 13 years, and he has been on the committee for the past four years. He said the festival offered a lot of benefits to Beechworth, both economically and socially, and it was important the town “never forget where we came from”. Fellow committee member and local musician Mel Tompkins, has seen the festival from both sides, performing as well as coordinating events. A Stanley resident who has lived in the area for some 30 years, he has fond memories of performing at the inaugural festival, and will once again be performing this year with folk band Jigid. “I’m passionate about trying to get the community involved in the festival,” he said, highlighting the Beechworth Tattoo community concert – this Saturday from 8pm, featuring performers and light shows. continued page |
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