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News from The Deckchair

This year's Fringe by the Sea is bigger and better than ever before.

Over 50 performances in a 6 day period – covering all that is best in festival fun and entertainment.

From what you told us you liked last year, we have stuck to the staple diet of brilliant music [of all types], lots of comedy, visiting Authors ‘In-Conversation’, and plenty for the kids. BUT, we’ve gone and added much, much more! Read through the whole of the programme and find out just what is on offer – you’ll be amazed, delighted – and spoilt for choice!

Bring friends, bring your sleeping bags, bring yourselves, .............bring your cheque book!

Sponsors and Supporters

We rely heavily on a great many people and organisations for their support in putting on Fringe by the Sea. Sponsorship – in cash and in kind – is absolutely vital, so we thank them all sincerely for that help. You can see the logos featured throughout the Programme and on the website. We would ask that you, in turn, support them by using their services and talents whenever possible.

In particular we are hugely grateful for the financial support from longstanding sponsors -

as well as first timers -

We could not operate without some major sponsorship-in-kind as well, so we again thank -

We also have a new group this year, in the form of Supporters of the Fringe. Mainly drawn from the local area, they are demonstrating their support by contributing to the programme production and featuring their logo/name on it. Again, their help is invaluable – so please make sure you ‘shop local’ whenever you get the chance!

Grant funding has been received from both East Lothian Council and EventScotland – and we gratefully acknowledge their support.

Shop Art

One of this year’s brand new innovations is the Shop Art twinning programme.

Many shops in the town centre have volunteered themselves to be matched up with a local artist, and over the period of Fringe by the Sea, will be displaying – and selling – works of art from their premises. Make sure you pick up one of the leaflets about this co-operative endeavour and use the map to travel the length of the High Street visiting some lovely shops with beautiful things to buy!

ScotRail to the Rescue!

Complaints over the last two years have been few and far between, but the biggest disappointment by far was that visitors down from 'the big smoke' for the day, were having to get a train back up to Edinburgh very early – missing out on a bit of late night action. But not any more!

ScotRail are putting on a 11.55pm train every night - Tuesday to Sunday – calling at all stations on its way back up to Edinburgh.

Food & Drink.

As ever, the Old Pulteney Spiegeltent will be open from early to late – with a full bar service and great food available outwith performance times. In addition, however, we will have the Waterloo Bistro Yurt alongside. St Andrew Blackadder will have a bar with wine, bottled beer and soft drinks – before performances and at intervals. The Masonic Hall will offer a full bar before and after performances being held there in the evenings.

Booking Details.

Tickets can be bought in a number of ways this year;

Website – www.fringebythesea.com / www.fringebythesea.co.uk

In person – Greens & Blues, High Street, North Berwick; The Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick.

Also for selected performances, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe office or website.

Children Given Centrestage for Fringe by the Sea

We are making a real effort to create a very special part of the fun especially for the younger audiences. Although we have had fantastic numbers of children and young adults turning out in the previous years, the shows dedicated to these groups were not extensive. This year, though, we are able to offer a much more comprehensive selection of delights – both to sit and watch, but also to take part in! This is very much due to grant funding from the Community Wellbeing Department of East Lothian Council – and we are indebted for their support.

Walk the Toun

Dave Berry does what he does best! Like a stick of rock he has North Berwick written right through him – and during his guided walks around the town, you will learn many things interesting and surprising, from history to geography, botanical to cultural. Thursday and Friday, starting from the Spiegeltent at 10am.

On Saturday, he switches to Salty Dog/Master Mariner, with his Lighthouse discourse in the Masonic Hall – also 10am.

Visit by the 'Reaper'

Nothing grim about this 70 foot double masted herring drifter that will sail into North Berwick on late Monday or early Tuesday [tide dependant] under full sail. Celebrating the start of his year’s Fringe by the Sea, it will have a volunteer crew of sailing enthusiasts to welcome you aboard and tell you all about the life of the herring fleet in it’s hayday.

Open Mic

There will be three Open Mic sessions; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1pm -2pm. Aimed at mainly acoustic entertainers of all kinds. You will be entertaining the lunchtime audience – so volume and 'family-friendly' are basic criteria for a slot. Email Eric at eric@fringebythesea.com for more information, or call 07771 540 772.

'Medicine Walk'

With Wendy Robertson Fyfe.

A maximum of 6 people to join Wendy on 6/7 hour day of walking ‘experience’ from Yellowcraig to North Berwick. For full details, contact Wendy at wendy.fyfe@btinternet.com or look at www.inner-source.co.uk. The price per person of £60 includes re-usable Walk Pack with materials for the day.

Flix@Six

This year we are delighted to have linked up with Filmhouse in Edinburgh to bring some of the highlights from their recent 25^th Anniversary Retrospective. Iconic flims brought especially to North Berwick for your appreciation.Enjoy!

Dance Base Workshop

Your turn to get into action, with a 'full-on' session of frantic dance action, courtesy of Dance Base - shipped in at great expense from the big city! Lycra on and move with the groove........................

Animation Workshops

Red Kite – probably best known for bringing Dennis the Menace to life! – are running two workshops during the week. Only small numbers, so everyone gets a chance to create something memorable. Book early.