And here’s a hand, my trusty fiere! Download on sale from Hogmanay to Burns Night as symbol of cross-border support
Scotland’s Big Burns Supper festival is putting a special version of Auld Lang Syne on sale from Hogmanay to Burns Night to raise funds for the flood disaster in Cumbria.
The initiative aims to extend a helping hand from people in Scotland to their neighbours just over the border.
Performed by singer Holly Little with the Dumfries Community Choir, and arranged by musician Robert Shields, it is sung in the original Scots to a Celtic rock soundtrack.
Graham Main, Choir Leader and Big Burns Supper Artistic Director, said: “This is a brilliant version for Hogmanay and a great way to show our friends in Cumbria that the community in Dumfries and Galloway supports them.
“We couldn’t think of a better song in the world to show our love right now”
The project has been driven forward by 22-year-old Big Burns Supper volunteer Allison Mclellan.
Graham added: “This idea was superb and Allison has been brilliant at getting everything sorted out to make it work.”
Jane Humphries, head of the Cumbria Community Foundation grants panel, which is spearheading the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal, said: “We are extremely touched by so many generous offers of help and support to the people of Cumbria.
“The recording of Auld Lang Syne by Holly Little and the Dumfries Community Choir is a great way of raising vital funds for families and individuals affected by flooding at this terrible time and our thanks go out to the organisers and our friends across the border.”
Big Burns Supper is a nine-day festival wrapped around the Bard’s birthday on 25 January and the 2016 event will mark its fifth birthday.
The Auld Lang Syne recording has an important part in the history of BBS as it was one of the festival’s first creations when it began in 2012. Since then it has gone from strength to strength and is now one of Scotland’s largest winter events.
Downloads cost 79p with all money going to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal and are available from noon on 31 December through to midnight on 25 January.
They are available from the Big Burns Supper website at http://bigburnssupper.com.
Dumfries and Galloway Choir’s Auld Lang Syne to Raise Money for Cumbrian Floods
