In 2007 GANGHUT worked in partnership with the Scottish Sculpture Workshop and the people of the Aberdeenshire village of Lumsden.
GANGHUT lived in Lumsden over a 6-month period to help rejuvenate the sadly defunct, local gala day!
Taking part in the village AGM, delivering workshops in the primary school/village hall and talking with the community an ambitious plan was hatched.
The GANGHUT Lumsden Festival
Saturday August 11th 2007, 12 - 9pm
"GANGHUT are delighted to announce that the greatest show on earth, The GANGHUT Lumsden Festival is taking place on Saturday the 11th of August in Farmer Pat Dunn's field, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire.
The event is a result of GANGHUT working closely with The Scottish Sculpture Workshop and the Lumsden community at large over an intensive six-month period, to re-invigorate the spirit of the village Gala, a key focal point for rural communities.
The day will kick off at midday with celebratory procession from Lumsden Primary School at the south end of the village featuring steam powered contraptions, mobile disco with mini disco dancing troop, floats, motorbikes, GANGHUT marching band, piper, best dressed wheelbarrows and more! As the procession works its way through Lumsden you will be able to admire bunting and decoration made by all members of the community.
Upon arrival at SSW everyone will be invited in to Pat Dunn's field, which GANGHUT have transformed into a field of dreams! Admire the 100 heraldic flags made equally by Will aged 5 from Lumsden to Toby Paterson aged 32 from Glasgow. Gasp at the towering structures, stages, stalls, cinema, monumental arches, hot tub, crazy caravan and watchtower!
Once you've caught your breath perhaps you'd like a cup of tea and piece of cake with the over 50's, or purchase some original hand made souvenirs from the Lumsden kids stall. Feeling peckish why not feast from the SSW techie's BBQ+Smoker and if your man enough challenge Eden 'the grey donkey' Jolly to a game of Squennis, a game so devilishly random it bends the natural rules of time and space.
But the fun is only just starting as the day moves up a gear there will be sack racing, pie eating, arm wrestling, slow bike racing, beat the goalie, farmer's walk…a completely fresh take on all the traditional highland gala games.
What's that, you want more? OK there will be a world premiere of the brand spanking new Derek Scott Lodge cinematic musical wonderment featuring a cast of dozens, a rare chance to see the unparalleled Jeep Solid live and direct, the hard rocking darn tootin' Little Wolves and for the first time on full size instruments as the day draws to a close - the one, the only GANGBAND.
If at any point during the day you feel disorientated, confused or just fancy a chat just look out for the familiar green overalls of GANGHUT and they will be happy to help you out or tell you a tale. They may exaggerate about the size of the trout t
hey caught or the bowls they play with, the price of their drills or how hard they've worked but you can bet you will walk away with a little bit of GANGHUT in your heart. Remember with GANGHUT you need back up? You got it! "
