Girvan has always sought to look both forwards and backwards at the same time – forwards to encourage youth, backwards to anchor ourselves in time.
If we only look forwards, we may lose track of what we stand for; if we only look backwards, we may become fossilised and of diminishing interest to most. It is essential, however, for the promoters of traditions to help provide links between what has been and what is yet to come. And, in our midst, especially amongst the travelling people, are those whose own life experiences make that bridge.
Girvan is delighted to have shared the musical experiences of different generations of the likes of the Stewarts of Blair, and without them, where would the rest of us stand?