A WEEKEND of music and celebrating spring has been organised to continue the legacy of the late Lorraine Mulholland.

The New Beginnings Flower and Music Festival will bring together three Peeblesshire churches to celebrate music in the community.

Lorraine was one of the organisers behind the festival before she passed away in April 2020.

Andrew Henthorn, director of music at Eddleston Voices, said: “The inspiration for the festival came from the local communities who wanted to honour Lorraine, who died suddenly in April 2020.

“Lorraine’s great passion was music and she inspired so many people to take part – whether it was singing, joining the junior choir or Eddleston Voices, learning to play the piano, or encouraging others to attend the Nomad Beat Community Music School, where she was chair for several years.

“People who knew Lorraine wanted to create a legacy for her and the New Beginnings Festival will bring people together to experience three very special events.”

The New Beginnings Flower and Music Festival will take place from today (Friday, April 22) until Sunday (April 24), launching this evening with a sit-down concert at Peebles Old Church from 7.30pm-9pm.

On Saturday there will be a drop in event at Eddleston Church from 2pm-4pm. And the final festival event on Sunday will be a drop in event at Stobo Kirk.

Andrew added: “The music will be varied and will include folk, modern choral and the infectious beat of the Nomad Beat Demon Drummers.”

Flowers, teas, coffees and cakes will be available from Eddleston Village Hall and Stobo Village Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival was originally planned as an event to bring together the three churches to get to know each other better and take part in activities they all share in common.

Across the weekend donations will be collected to help support a project run by Nomad Beat Community Music School.

MIND THE MUSIC! is a project created by Nomad Beat to help people living with mental health issues come together as a group to make music

Roddy Macfarlane, manager at Nomad Beat, said: “MIND THE MUSIC! is a weekly, free group which has been developed by Nomad Beat and NHS Borders to enhance the lives of people living with low-mood and mental ill-health.

“The project explores the benefits of social music-making and absolutely no musical experience is required.

“It really makes a positive difference to people and Lorraine would have been so pleased at how music can help to change lives.”