A brand new annual festival for Hartlepool, with so much to see and do! From the most contemporary folk and acoustic music through to a wealth of traditional singers and musicians, there really is something for everyone. Special concerts and events will celebrate the rich music, heritage and traditions of Teesside and the North East.

Festival Patrons: The Wilsons

Guests include Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick; Chris Wood; Dick Gaughan; Vin Garbutt; The Demon Barbers XL; Alistair Anderson; Melrose Quartet; Jackie Oates; Jig Doll, with Hannah James; Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar; Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker; the Will Pound Band; Debs Newbold & Laurel Swift; Taffy Thomas; Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra; Oss (John Dipper, Tom Moore and Nick Hart); Thomas McCarthy; Cath & Phil Tyler; Paul and Liz Davenport, Durham Miners' Association Brass Band, Johnny Handle, Bob Davenport, George Unthank and Pete Wood, Benny Graham...and World Spoons Champion Bertie Draycott!

Special Events:
Come All Ye Bold Miners. A concert commemorating AL Lloyd's seminal song collection, featuring Dick Gaughan, Durham Miners' Association Brass Band, and some of the local miner/singers Lloyd collected from.

Sea:Coal. A songwriting project and concert celebrating the beautiful new coastal footpath from Hartlepool to Seaham, and the powerful communities it links. In partnership with Durham Heritage Coast.

One Night in Birtley. A celebration of the legendary Birtley Folk Club, which closed its doors in late 2014 after 52 years. Hosted by Doreen and Brian Henderson with festival patrons The Wilsons, and with some of the guests who have made the club so special over the years, this promises to be a magical evening of stories, songs - and a fair few laughs!

Also: Sandra Kerr's Bagpuss and Beyond; Alistair Anderson's A Lindisfarne Gospel; Doc Rowe's archive films of The Copper Family (commemorating Bob Copper's Centenary); Debs Newbold & Laurel Swift's Under Her Skin; Cath and Phil Tyler's Shape Note workshops; and a wealth of workshops, morris sides and participative events.

Like the Hartlepool Folk Festival facebook page for updates.

TICKETS ON SALE/WEBSITE LIVE FROM 1 MAY (hartlepoolfolkfest.co.uk ). Discounts for local residents. Early Bird offers. Special rates on hotels. Budget accommodation available locally, as well as hard standing for caravans.

With thanks to Hartlepool Borough Council for their generous support.