Barbara Dickson to star at Hops in the Garden Festival

Barbara Dickson is looking forward to the event. Picture: Brian Aris

Dickson will play at Hops in the Garden on Saturday, July 9 as part of an all-day line-up of musicians and performers at the event in the grounds of The Walled Garden at Archerfield.

All profits from the day will go to national respite centre, Leuchie House – a specialist centre near North Berwick providing short respite breaks for people with neurological conditions such as MS and Parkinson’s.

“I am really pleased to be taking part in Hops in the Garden,” said Dickson.

“It will be terrific to enjoy the lovely surroundings of Archerfield and to sing some songs to help raise the profile of the fantastic work of Leuchie House. I hope lots of people come along. It’s going to be a great day.”

The music and ale festival is the brainchild of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary surgeon Simon Paterson-Brown, who plays guitar in his spare time with the Prov Johnstone Band. The 12-piece band has played many charity gigs over the past 10 years, raising more than £150,000 for various good causes.

“The Prov Johnstone Band were looking for a venue and charity for this year and The Walled Garden is an ideal setting,” he said.

“It therefore made sense to choose a charity based in East Lothian and there could be none better than Leuchie House. We hope that in addition to raising much-needed funds, we will also bring the great work Leuchie does to a much wider audience.

“We are so thrilled that Barbara Dickson kindly agreed to come along and all we need now is a sunny day.”

After getting The Walled Garden and Archerfield-based brewers Knops Beer on board, Simon set about securing a full day line-up of music guaranteed to suit all tastes. The programme includes jazz, folk, 1960s rock & roll, soul, Scottish and swing, plus Strictly Come Dancing-style dance competitions, children’s music and entertainment by Mr Boom and an air display.

As well as Dickson and the Prov Johnstone Band, the mix of national and local talent includes the Esk Valley Swing Band, Fayne and the Cruisers, the Uncertainty Principle, the North Berwick Pipe Band, Ron Shaw and his cello, Leonheart and the North Berwick High School Ukulele Orchestra.

Completing the offering on the day will be a selection of Lothian street food and local drinks suppliers.

The festival, which has been part-funded by East Lothian Council, with additional sponsorship and support from many businesses, runs from 11am-11pm.

Tickets are available from Leuchie House on 01620 892864. (Adult tickets £10 in advance, £15 on the door. Under 18s go free.) A bus will be available to take festival-goers back to Edinburgh after the event.

• Find more information at www.leuchiehouse.org.uk