BRIDGE OF ALLAN IN THE FRAME FOR NEW ARTS FESTIVAL

HISTORIC TOWN AIMS TO BECOME MAJOR “CULTURAL DESTINATION”

The picturesque Victorian town of Bridge of Allan is the stunning setting for Scotland’s latest Creative Arts festival.

The inaugural Bridge of Allan Creative Arts Festival will showcase works by 60 Scottish artists at three locations in the town in November.

The community run event has been organised by Bridge of Allan Events Association and will feature artists, glass workers, wood turners, ceramicists, textile crafters, photographers, weavers and jewellery makers.

Organisers hope the festival will become a mainstay of the Scottish arts scene, and help promote the town as a cultural destination.

Community activists are working on plans for a major festival in 2014 when a series of international sporting and commemorative events will turn the spotlight on the region, including the Ryder Cup, due to be held at nearby Gleneagles, Homecoming Scotland and the 700thanniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. Community representatives also hope to capitalise on the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Plans for a Creative Arts Festival were outlined in a community plan, published earlier this year, which includes a series of initiatives designed to enhance community facilities, protect the town’s environment and heritage, and promote local businesses.

Amy Drewery, a member of the Bridge of Allan Events Association, said: “We listened carefully to the views of local residents about how we could improve the town and create a better living environment for local people. The Creative Arts Festival is the first of a number of community initiatives designed to make Bridge of Allan an even better place to live, work and visit.

“Bridge of Allan is the ideal setting for a new Creative Arts Festival, located close to Scotland’s newest city, Stirling, and just an hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh. With artists from across Scotland showcasing their work, we hope to encourage visitors from across the country to come to Bridge of Allan to enjoy our celebration of the creative arts.”

She added: “2014 will be an important year for Scotland and particularly for Stirlingshire, as we mark the 700thanniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn and the staging of the Ryder Cup. With the eyes of the world on Stirlingshire, our aim for 2014 is to create a cultural destination for Scottish creative arts, with a festival that will put Bridge of Allan firmly on the map as an arts centre and a tourist destination.”

Councillor Fergus Woods, Provost of Stirling, said: “I am delighted that the Bridge of Allan Community are taking this exciting initiative. With the creative talent we enjoy in the Stirling area, we have much to offer. This adds weight to our concept of Stirling and its urban surroundings becoming a festival city with a wide range of cultural events happening throughout the year. It bodes well for us in the run-up to the 2014 celebrations."

The free event takes place at three central locations in Bridge of Allan – The Royal Hotel, Chalmer’s Hall, Johnhoneyman Hall & St Saviour’s Church – on Saturday 5 November, from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

For the latest updates on the Bridge of Allan Creative Arts Festival visit www.facebook.com/BridgeofAllanArtsCraftFestival or www.twitter.com/bofa_arts

-ENDS-

More information:

Amy Drewery

Tel: 07817768707

Email: bofaeventsgroup@live.co.uk