Welcome to the latest edition of The Gallows Rant, the sporadic newsletter first started by the late Alistair Hulett and now dedicated to ongoing news about his music and from the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust (UK) and the Alistair Hulett Memorial Fund (Aus).

2013 looks to becoming an exciting and eventful time for both the AHMT and the AHMF with the Tributes and fund-raising concerts …

News from the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust (AHMT), UK

3rd Alistair Hulett Memorial Concert at Celtic Connections
The 2013 Tribute concert will take place again at Celtic Connections at St Andrews in the Square on Burns Night, the 25th of January. The concert will celebrate Red Clydeside, the totemic time of ascendant socialist struggle nearly a century ago, including workers’ leader John MacLean’s twice-foiled imprisonment and the largest ever deployment of British troops on British soil, after 100,000 protestors raised the red flag in George Square, lives through Alistair’s CD Red Clydeside. Alistair’s CD of 2002 with Dave Swarbrick will be celebrated with performances by the great political song doyen Roy Bailey, Laggan co-founder Arthur Johnstone, multi award winning Karine Polwart and other special guests. Tickets available from Celtic Connections

Victor Jara Concert
An AHMT fund-raising concert celebrating the life of Chilean revolutionary, poet and singer songwriter Victor Jara will take place in the month of September on the anniversary of his death. Peggy Seeger will be headlining the concert. Further information will be made available in the next few months.

Grants
The Artists Assistant Grant and the General Grant (UK) is open for entries.
The Artists Assistance Grant is for primarily aimed at individuals or bands looking for assistance for specific needs such as costs for touring.
The General Grant is primarily available for organisations or community groups to help meet a wide range of costs, including activities and events; equipment or materials; marketing and awareness-raising initiatives, fund raising activities and CD manufacturing.
Application forms can be downloaded from the website.

Merchandise
Two new t-shirts will be on sale, ‘Red Clydeside- Dont Sign Up for War’ and ‘John Maclean’ in various sizes, will be available for purchase via the website. The CD which has been out of stock, ‘In Sleepy Scotland’ is now available once again. At £10 plus postage and packaging.

2012 / 2013 Songs of Social Justice Award
AHMT 2012/2013 Songs for Social Justice Award competition has been extended till the 31st of June 2013. The competition is open to songwriters and musicians from across the UK and will focus on songs promoting equality and social justice. The AHMT has again appointed a select panel of judges from among experienced songwriters and singers and the Trustees will decide the award based on the panel’s advice. Entries should be on a CD with an accompanying lyrics sheet and should be sent to The Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust, 19 Millar Grove, Hamilton ML3 9BF.