Dorset Echo May 12
Thousands of visitors enjoy a variety of entertainment despite fears over a licences boycott.
FUN-FILLED FESTIVAL OF FOLK
http://www.thisisdorset.net/dorset/weymouth/news/WEYMOUTH_NEWS_NEWS6.html

More than 1,000 performers showed off their talents when Weymouth's second Folk Festivalswung into action at the weekend. Solo artists, groups, bands, Appalachian dancers and Morris sides performed at a variety of venues – and folk lovers from across the county and country poured into town.

The festival went ahead despite a rival Portland event held to protest at entertainment licences.

Local campaigners claimed that joint festival sponsors Weymouth and Portland Borough Council had stifled folk musicians by clamping down on informal sessions held at various unlicensed pubs in the borough.

But fears that a massive boycott might hit the festival proved unfounded as folk lovers flocked to enjoy the entertainment.

Weymouth Folk Group, who also sponsored the festival, said it was delighted with the response to this year's event, while the council's leisure and entertainments manager Simon King said there had been a huge amount of support from local pubs. he added that the event was now one of Britain's fastest growing festivals.

Mr King said: "The Council and Weymouth Folk Club are working to make this a festival to rival Sidmouth and this year's line-up proved that we are on the way to this goal."

Among highlights were a grand parade of dance from the Jubilee Clock to the Pavilion Theatre. There were also great performances from Last Night's Fun, and folk fans also enjoyed The Oysterband, Martin Simpson, The Yetties, Munday Turner workshops, concerts, late night sessions, morris dancing, ceilidhs, a folk village, dancing, busking and pub sessions.