Mudcat Alternative British Folk Awards

Here is the announcement you have all been waiting for. THIS YEARS WINNERS ARE:

PUB/CLUB FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR
For the second year running, the winner is George Papavgeris. This year, though, a special mention to Duncan McFarlane who came a close second.

PUB/CLUB MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
John Kirkpatrick won the award this year, with special mentions for John Breeze and Simon Ritchie.

BEST "NON COMMERCIAL" GROUP / DUO
Mary Humphries & Anahata were outright winners, being way out in front in this category.

BEST "NON COMMERCIAL" CD
This year's winner is "Guide Cats for The Blind" (compilation), with a special mention for "A Little Bit Off The Top" by Den Giddens

HORIZONTAL AWARD (Best drinker)
Once again, this was awarded to Hilary Ward who continues to claim that she doesn't remember drinking very much.

BEST FOLK CLUB
As might be expected, voting was quite spread on this one. In the end, there was a draw this year between the Bothy Folk Club, Southport and St Albans Windward. Special mentions also go to three close runners-up, (i) Everyman Folk Club, Benhall Green Nr Saxmundham, Suffolk, (ii) Llantrisant folk club and (iii) The Moorland Folk Club.

BEST PUB SESSION (REGULAR)
Once more goes to The Bull in Barton-Le-Clay who managed to muster more votes than all their rivals added together.

BEST PUB SESSION (FESTIVAL)
This is awarded to the Tap and Spile , Whitby with The Bedford at Sidmouth coming a close second. The Middle Earth, Whitby deserves a special mention having been narrowly pushed into third place.

BEST FOLK FESTIVAL
This award goes to Whitby, with Warwick coming a fairly close second this year.

BEST FOLK DRAMA (the "We do it in the road award")
There was heavy voting for all three nominations in this section but, in the end, the award goes to Cornwall Songwriters for "The Cry of Tin" ahead of the Belchamp Morris Men and Pace Egging at Lancaster Maritime Festival who drew for second place.

BEST REGULAR DANCE EVENT
The nomination for this category was uncontended (though supported by a number of you). The award therefore goes to Unicorn Ceilidhs, Hichin.

BEST LOCAL FOLK MAGAZINE
Similarly uncontended in this section was Unicorn (Beds, Herts, Bucks), and the award goes to them.

SPECIAL AWARDS THIS YEAR
Two SPECIAL AWARDS were made this year.

Special Session Award (formerly the award for the best non-existent session)
This was awarded to Windward, St Albans who managed to notch up 6 different permanent addresses in 2 months.

This Year's Lifetime Achievement Award
Was awarded to Malcolm Douglas for his work in revising and re-issuing the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs(now published as "Classic English Folk Songs")

Further info and notes to come. Any details you wish to supply for a possible press release (last years didn't make it into the National press, but who knows) can be left here or PMd to me.

:-)
Ian