Stranraer Oyster Festival Programme 2019

2019 PROGRAMME

13-15 SEP ’19

Bigger, better & even more delicious!

A WARM WELCOME

O

n behalf of the Stranraer Development Trust Board, all the staff at Oyster HQ, and for the third time, it is my greatest pleasure to welcome you all to Stranraer Oyster Festival 2019. If you have travelled to be here, or you are just visiting and happened across this wonderful event, you are especially welcome to our Festival and our Town.

This year we will attempt again to deliver bigger and better, with extended opening and exciting new additions to the programme. But this has been the toughest year for everyone involved with Stranraer Oyster Festival and we have all had to work extremely hard to achieve our goals.

The intensity of effort was no greater in January than it was in July.

Reduced funding opportunities, staff departures and arrivals, exciting local events competing for sponsorship and difficult times for businesses all over made the financial a real challenge. And for those reasons this event, the third Stranraer Oyster Festival, will be the one that feels most rewarding for all of us involved.

To that end I would like to offer the most sincere vote of gratitude to not just the Board and staff for their incredible dig and determination to deliver for the community, but to the community itself for their support in attending and assisting through volunteering for this year’s Festival.

This event is for you, and it is impossible without you.

I mentioned it has been a tough shift and so the biggest show of appreciation must go to the local businesses who made this possible as well as the major funders who heard our story, appreciated our plight and stepped up to the mark so that we could all enjoy Stranraer Oyster Festival 2019. Particular mention must go to Glenmorangie and The Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Company Ltd who are not only supporting us for the third consecutive year but have backed up with substantially more than previous years to allow the event to proceed. I think I can say thank you on behalf of the entire community to them both.

For now it is over to Tony Singh, the Dangleberries, our talented musicians, our 80-odd market stall holders, our guests from Holyrood and an incredible kids entertainment plan to enthral and entertain us all.

This year we are excited to extend the party well into Friday night with a late bar, live music and the chance to dance til you drop! As the marquees come down on Monday morning, you can all rest assured that everyone at Oyster HQ will be very quickly on to planning for next season and delivering a spectacular event to coincide with Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020. For now, safe home and thank you for all your invaluable support once again.

Romano Petrucci Chair, Stranraer Development Trust

SCOTLAND’S WILD, NATIVE OYSTERS Nestled in a secret location under the sparkling clear waters of Loch Ryan is one of the rarest and most precious oyster beds in the world – Scotland’s last wild, native oyster fishery.

The Loch Ryan oyster bed dates back to 1701, when King William III granted a Royal Charter to the Wallace family. While all of Scotland’s other native oyster beds have been harvested to extinction, the family custodianship of Loch Ryan’s has ensured its protection.

Over the last twenty years the Wallace family have worked with Tristan and David Hugh-Jones to manage Loch Ryan’s oysters. This successful partnership has seen the bed double in size through careful, sustainable management. As the last native oyster bed of any significance left in Scotland, the Loch Ryan team take their responsibilities to it incredibly seriously, returning 95% of each catch, gently and gradually dispersing the oysters across the loch to encourage breeding and the growth of the oyster bed.

Stranraer Oyster Festival has worked closely with Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery to develop and deliver our festival. Our local wild, native oysters are of course the focal point, but our oyster festival also celebrates the people who harvest the oysters, the chefs who prepare and serve them, the local community who live alongside Loch Ryan and the young people of our community for whom the world is their oyster.

All About O ysters

!

with Tristan Hugh-Jones y Groves Bobb accompanied by Isles) r ste Oy of or th (au

15 Sep 2:45–3:45pm, Sun e Kitchen Marque and a Loch Ryan Oysters her local ot huge selection of to try le ab seafood is avail l in the va sti fe e throughout th rquee!

Entertainment Ma

2019 PROGRAMME | 3

THE #SHUCKOFF IS BACK! For the third year, Seafood Scotland brings its hotly anticipated Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships back to the Stranraer Oyster Festival!

Chefs, oyster growers, producers, fishermen and industry professionals will battle it out against each other and the clock in a bid to be named Scottish Oyster Shucking Champion 2019. The winner will go on to represent Scotland at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway.

Hosted by Guinness World Record holder and world champion oyster shucker, Patrick McMurray, aka Shucker Paddy, shuckers will compete against the clock through heats, quarter and semi-finals before two finalists shuck it out to win the coveted title and take home the trophy.

Scottish O yster Shucking

Championship

!

t 14 Sep 11:30am–2:30pm, Sa rquee.

Entertainment Ma

4 | STRANRAER OYSTER FESTIVAL

An energetic, risky and fun competition and it’s great fun to watch.

THE SHUCKOFF IS NOT TO BE MISSED - IT’LL BE A SHELL OF A FIGHT!

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS TONY SINGH

TICKETS £3

Celebrity chef Tony Singh will be inspiring and entertaining us with his fantastic demo events.

There’s the exclusive ‘An Audience with Tony Singh’ event (£20) on Friday at 8pm with canapés and fizz, and Tony’s chef demos (£3) on Saturday at 11am and 3pm, and on Sunday at 11.30am in the Kitchen Marquee.

THE BIG OYSTER BASH Our sensational sell-out Big Oyster Bash is back and it’s bursting with even more fun and fabulousness! This party on the ice rink at North West Castle includes live music by The Dangleberries, a fabulous auction, buffet, oyster bar and compering by Mr Gavin Wallace. It’s sure to sell out so book your tickets early!

TICKETS £20

SCOTTISH OYSTER EATING CHAMPIONSHIP Do you have what it takes to be an oyster eating champion? You’ll need to eat 6 oysters and drink a pint of ale, the fastest two from each heat will go into the final and the winner will receive an Oyster Eating Champion trophy! Want to take part? Sign up on Sunday morning, places allocated on a first come first served basis.

PLUS! Look out for raffles and competitions, prizes include a weekend driving an Audi Q5 courtesy of Lookers Audi in Glasgow and some of Scotland’s finest malt whisky courtesy of Glenmorangie.

2019 PROGRAMME | 5

WHAT’S ON

*CHARGES APPLY PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS & BOOKING INFO

FRIDAY NIGHT IS PARTY NIGHT! 6–6:30PM HARBOUR AREA

OYSTER LANDING AND OPENING CEREMONY

6–7:30PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

COOKERY DEMO WITH MARIE-CLAIRE JAMES

6–10PM MARKET MARQUEE

TWILIGHT MARKET

6:30–7:30PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

DAFFY DILL SHOW

7:45–8:45PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

SILENT DISCO WITH JOHN MUNRO

8-9PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

AN AUDIENCE WITH TONY SINGH* £20 (MAXIMUM 50 PLACES AVAILABLE)

9PM EAST PIER

FIREWORKS DISPLAY

6PM–MIDNIGHT ENTERTAINMENT MARQUEE

LIVE MUSIC FROM STRANRAER MUSIC TOWN, DANCING, STREET FOOD, LATE LATE BAR!

SATURDAY 11AM–12PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

£3

TONY SINGH – DEMO 1*

11AM–4PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES

11AM–4PM AGNEW PARK

CHILDREN’S OUTDOOR FUN SPORTS AND GAMES

11AM–4PM BURNS HOUSE SLIPWAY

CHILDREN’S STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING (FREE - BOOK ONLINE)

11AM–6PM MARKET MARQUEE

MAKERS MARKET

11AM–7:30PM ENTERTAINMENT MARQUEE

LIVE MUSIC, BAR, STREET FOOD

11:30AM–2:30PM ENTERTAINMENT MARQUEE

THE SCOTTISH OYSTER SHUCKING CHAMPIONSHIPS

12–2PM HARBOUR AREA

EXTREME POND DIPPING

12:15–1:15PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

COOKERY DEMO WITH CHEF DAVID ALEXANDER OF GLENAPP CASTLE

1:30–2:30PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

COOKERY DEMO WITH NICK MORRIS, STATION HOUSE COOKERY SCHOOL

6 | STRANRAER OYSTER FESTIVAL

SATURDAY (CONTINUED) 3–4PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

£3

TONY SINGH – DEMO 2*

3–4PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

ROAD-RUNNER CHILDREN’S SHOW

6–7:30PM TOUR 1 8:15–9:45PM TOUR 2 CASTLE OF ST JOHN

SECRET STRANRAER MOSTLY GHOSTLY TOURS*

7:30PM–LATE NORTH WEST CASTLE HOTEL

£20 THE BIG OYSTER BASH*

SUNDAY 11–11:30AM KITCHEN MARQUEE

THE STORY OF LOCH RYAN LOCAL HISTORY TALK

11AM–12PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

DAFFY DILL SHOW

11AM–4PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES

11AM–4PM BURNS HOUSE SLIPWAY

CHILDREN’S STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING (FREE - BOOK ONLINE)

11AM–5PM MARKET MARQUEE

MAKERS MARKET

11AM–5:30PM ENTERTAINMENT MARQUEE

LIVE MUSIC, BAR, STREET FOOD

11:30AM–12:30PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

TONY SINGH – DEMO 3*

£3

12–2PM HARBOUR AREA

EXTREME POND DIPPING

12:30PM & 1PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

OYSTER EATING COMPETITION – HEATS 1 & 2

1:30–2:30PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

COOKERY DEMO WITH CHEF DOUGLAS LISI FROM TIGH NA MARA HOTEL

2–2:30PM ENTERTAINMENT MARQUEE

OYSTER EATING COMPETITION – FINAL

2–3PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

DAFFY DILL SHOW

2:45–3:45PM KITCHEN MARQUEE

ALL ABOUT OYSTERS WITH TRISTAN HUGH-JONES AND BOBBY GROVES

3–4PM CHILDREN’S MARQUEE

SILENT DISCO

4–5PM ENTERTAINMENT MARQUEE

LAST ORDERS AT THE BAR AND CLOSING CELEBRATIONS 2019 PROGRAMME | 7

Š Peter Robinson

EventScotland is proud to support the Stranraer Oyster Festival.

Scotland is the perfect stage for events and in 2020 the Year of Coasts and Waters will be celebrated with a year-long programme of events and activities. From water inspired myths and legends to historic harbours, sweeping coastlines to the very best in seafood, whisky, wildlife and wellness - Scotland’s enviable reputation for unspoiled beaches, rich natural and cultural heritage and thrill-seeking adventure activities will be showcased.

FAMILY FUN! FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN There’s fun, entertainment and activities all weekend at Stranraer Oyster Festival for young visitors. Daffy Dill will delight with her amazing stage show featuring bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles! Road Runner will get everyone moving with music and fun. The Children’s Marquee will be packed with activities and crafts all weekend and the Let’s Get Sporty team will be in nearby Agnew Park with active fun and games!

FOR OLDER CHILDREN & TEENS John Munro’s Silent Disco was so popular at last year’s festival that we’re holding two this year! So on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, pop on your headsets and get dancing in the Children’s Marquee. New for 2019 is an amazing opportunity for young people to try Stand Up Paddle Boarding out on Loch Ryan with Adventure Carrick. Suitable for people aged 10-18 years old, there are one hour tuition slots available completely free of charge, but book early as we expect this to book up fast! Plus, head over to Agnew Park for the MyPod mobile youth centre.

FOR EVERYONE Friday evening’s Opening Ceremony with live music and spectacular fireworks is a perfect start to Stranraer Oyster Festival. Browse the Makers Market, tuck into tasty street food, explore what’s at the bottom of Loch Ryan with Extreme Pond Dipping and find out all about Stranraer’s dark history with Mostly Ghostly’s Secret Stranraer event.

2019 PROGRAMME | 9

EXPLORE STRANRAER!

EXPLORE STRANRAER!

Situated in scenic south west Scotland, Stranraer, on the shores of Loch Ryan, has always had a strong connection with the sea and coast.

Traditionally Stranraer was the main ferry port for travelling to Northern Ireland. In 2011 the ferries moved away from Stranraer to nearby Cairnryan and Stranraer’s waterfront is now being transformed into a beautiful marina with attractive parks and leisure facilities, perfect for family fun and relaxing strolls. The loch plays host to local sailing and rowing clubs, a vast array of sea life, many boats and water sports, fishermen and much more.

In the town itself visitors will find an appealing variety of independently owned shops, cafes and restaurants, alongside heritage centres and leisure activities. We encourage you to spend a while enjoying the sights and the warmth of Stranraer, and we hope you’ll be back to visit us again very soon!

CASTLE OF ST JOHN Right in the heart of Stranraer is the imposing Castle of St John. Over the centuries the castle has been used as a home, a local court, a military garrison and a prison. Visit the castle to uncover the story of the medieval landowners who built and lived in the castle, the Government troops who used it as their headquarters during the ‘Killing Times’ in the 1680s and the criminals imprisoned in the castle during the 19th century.

THE RHINS OF GALLOWAY The hammer-head peninsula that Stranraer resides upon is called the Rhins of Galloway. Within this relatively small area is a wealth of things to see and do, from the famous lighthouse and RSPB reserve at the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point, to the exotic Logan Botanic Gardens, Portpatrick and its beautiful harbour, Logan Fish Pond, Glenluce Abbey and Castle Kennedy Gardens.

10 | STRANRAER OYSTER FESTIVAL

1. AGNEW CRES

10. HANOVER STREET

R&S WINDOWS

GALLOWAY BRIDAL

TRES CHIC LOREBURN HOUSING FIDLERS DUNNS BARBOURS

4. CAIRNRYAN ROAD

11. HARBOUR STREET

HENRYS BAY HOUSE

SKILLS STATION

5. CASTLE STREET

12. HIGH STREET

EAST BY WEST G2G INFORMATION HUB

FRAZER HARE

6. CHARLOTTE STREET

MCMILLAN BAIN

MCKENZIES TV CENTRAL CAFÉ SWPC TESCO

14. LEWIS STREET

7. EDINBURGH ROAD

16. NORTH STRAND STREET

NFU MUTUAL

MCLEANS TAXIS STRANRAER FITBA BAR

2. ACADEMY STREET ACADEMY VETS

3. BRIDGE STREET

13. HIGH PARK AVENUE

CARE SOLUTIONS

15. LONDON ROAD MORRISONS

8. GEORGE STREET COFFEE BEAN SMITH & VALENTINE TOWNHOUSE PHYSIO

17. PORT RODIE

9. CHURCH STREET

G&C ALLDRED

NORTH WEST CASTLE HOTEL

18. SUN STREET

ARKHOUSE INN J& CO BROKERS LTD

Gateway 2 Galloway For the duration of the Festival, the G2G information hub will be relocated from Castle Street to the festival site.

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Festival admission: WEEKEND

£5

DAY

£3

CHILD UNDER 12

FREE

Academy Vets Arkhouse Inn Audi Lookers Barbours Bay House Beko Biocell Agri

WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Blomberg Care Solutions Castle Kennedy Gardens Dennis Thomson Dunns Dunragit Kennels East By West Easy Hotels Fidlers Frazer Hare G&C Alldred Galloway Bridal Glenmorangie Green Valley House to Home Howdens Ianotti J & Co Brokers Ltd Jewsons KM Engineering Lochryan Oyster Co Ltd Loreburn Housing Mckenzies Mclean’s Taxis

www.stranraeroysterfestival.com @stranraeroysterfestival

McMillan Bain Morrisons R C Wallace R&S Windows

Photography: Peter Robinson, Colin Tennant, Stephen Jolly, Robert Perry, Michael Proudlock

Skill Station Smith & Valentine SWPC Tesco Bags Of Help The Coffee Bean Tigh Na Mara Townhouse Physio Tres Chic W G McHarg & Co Ltd