Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'

Subject: Four Fools 2010 - 'SING YOUR HEART OUT'
From: GUEST,Foolish Friends
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 07:03 AM

Having received so much great feedback after making the decision to finish the Four Fools/Traditions Festival we have decided to run a charity event next year. As Four Fools is such a strong singers festival we will organise a "SING YOUR HEART OUT" weekend at our current folk club venue. The event will be in aid of The British Heart Foundation. Event will take place over the normal festival weekend i.e. 25 - 27 June 2010. Please watch this space for more information and once again thanks for all the messages following our difficult decision to end the Festival.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'SING YOUR HEART OUT'
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 12:25 PM

Good news indeed Bladens! You must've been going through some soul-searching eh? I know the pluses and minuses of helming an 'institution!' The weekend will be well-supported, you can be sure, and "if it broke etc."
Perhaps you could enthuse the ex-Maghull Day Of Music people to restart that enjoyable event? Round this time of year, it was a welcome pre-Christmas cheerer and I'm missing that anticipation this year, not to mention the Day itself.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Barb'ry
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 10:13 AM

Glad something will be happening - it is such a great 'singers' festival'. Look forward to hearing more about it,

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Aeola
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 10:31 AM

Great News!!

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: John Routledge
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 06:07 PM

The Festival is dead. Long live the Festival.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Carol
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 04:18 AM

Great News, Yipee - We'll be there

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 05:39 AM

Cool. Count me in.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Old Traddie
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 11:03 AM

Great to hear. Four Fools was certainly a unique festival. Let's get as many singers together as possible and really make the rafters roar. We can make next year's event a 'roaring' success (and lots of money for the British Heart Foundation).

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Surreysinger
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 08:20 PM

That's good news to hear . I really enjoyed my first and only visit so far earlier this year, and was sad to hear of the demise of the festival. Hoorah!

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Foolish Friends
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 05:49 AM

Many thanks for positive feedback. We are just getting things organised and inviting guests etc. Watch this space, its going to be a great singing weekend.

Put the dates in your diary now. 25 - 27 June 2010

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 06:17 AM

This is wonderful news. Good on yer.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Old Traddie
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 05:56 AM

Great. Let's really spread the word and make it a sell out. We know it will be well organised. I'm looking forward to it already.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: 8_Pints
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 12:16 PM

Would love to be involved...

Bob & Sue vG

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Barb'ry
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 06:27 PM

Refreshing this!
There is a brilliant line up: Kevin and Ellen Mitchell, Dave Fletcher and Bill Whalley, Peta Webb and Ken Hall, Trio Threlfall, and lots more but my mind has gone blank... Festival starts on Friday night and continues until Sunday afternoon.There are still a few rooms left at the pub (actually, two, I think) otherwise the nearest campsite is Charity Farm, Wrightington. There are several little lanes near the Crown at Worthington Pub, 19-20 Platt Lane
Standish, Wigan, Lancashire WN1 2XF, where the festival is taking place, and an industrial estate where you may be able to park up, but at your own risk!
The pub sells a variety of excellent beers, will be putting on snacks, teas and coffees and also has a really good restaurant.
It will be a great weekend and all for the British Heart Foundation Charity. Be great to see some of you there.
Let me know if you want more details.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Barb'ry
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 05:54 AM

OK - have got the proper guest list now:
The guests are:
Donal Maguire
Pam Bishop
Peta Webb and Ken Hall
Will Noble and John Cocking
Trio Threlfall
John Morris
Dave Fletcher and Bill Whalley
Jim Mageean
Sid Calderbank
Martin Ellison and Phil Harty
Quartz

Tickets are £15 for the weekend with all proceeds to the British Heart Foundation. Tickets are available - contact Angie or Ken Bladen 01257 263678 or email [e-mail] and they will fill in all the details.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 07:20 AM

Foolish Friends

Thanks for that update Barbry. Yep, we are now getting our heads together to work out the programme for the weekend. Needless to say we will be having our legendary "Wall of Sound", "Celtic Connection" and "Ballad Sessions" with lots more of our really unique "meet the artiste" sessions, plus of course, lots of chances to sing yourselves, we've always been really hot on participation. So, do come and join us for the weekend. You'll have a great time. We'll even have a craft stall where you can pick up that unique little gift for someone. And don't forget, all proceeds are going to the British Heart Foundation. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful artistes for kindly giving their services for the weekend. Don't forget, 25 - 27 June 2010. SEE YOU THERE!
Schedule for weekend will be available at end of April from [e-mail]
'Make the Rafters Roar'
Angie and Ken

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: nutty
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:39 PM

Looking at the Pub on Google 'Maps', it seems to have a fairly large car park. Does anyone know if they will allow camper vans to stay overnight?

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Lady Nancy
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 05:08 PM

What about "fringe" events? I'm happy to make a donation to take part in a music session and/or singaround but not available for the entire weekend.

Lady Nancy x

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: The Smiler
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 05:35 PM

Barb'ry

It is Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 05:21 AM

Four Fools
Hi Nutty and Lady Nancy

The car park is not that big really, as the pub runs a busy restaurant and bed and breakfast, plus festival goers parking. We, the organisers would rather not have campers on the car park (unless someone has a special case) as we are using Charity Farm as the campsite. There is parking on the roads around the pub which could be used (at your own risk). Someone using the site could always get car users to take 'camper van' passengers to and from the pub.

As we are charging only £15 for the events, tickets to part of the weekend, individual sessions etc may be available nearer the event, provided we don't sell out of weekend tickets, as we have a limited number.

Hope this answers your questions.

Promise I will look on here every day now to answer anyone's questions. Or contact Angie and Ken on [e-mail]

Many thanks
Angie

Cheers
Angie

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: John Routledge
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 06:42 PM

Two tickets please Angie.If you confirm in your next post to whom cheques should be made will send one immediately :0)

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:00 AM

Angie Bladen
Thanks John
Please make cheque out to "Foolish Friends".

Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) you and Pam in June, if you don't get to visit us at the club beforehand. Tickets are going well I'm pleased to say, its shaping up to be a great weekend.

Cheers
Angie

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Barb'ry
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 01:14 PM

Gosh, Smiler - thank you ever so for correcting my typo. I hope everyone will realise who it is that is coming now.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: 8_Pints
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:28 PM

Cheque on its way to you Angie from Bob & Sue vG!

Bob

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 12:32 PM

Angieb
Many thanks for emails and messages on here. It really is going to be a great weekend of traditional music and song.
Bob and Sue it will be great to see you both.
Do contact me on [e-mail] anyone who wants any further information.

Dates of weekend 25 - 27 June (Just in case anyone discovers thread but not when event is).

Until tomorrow
Angie

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 08:44 PM

Many thanks for the email messages and ticket sales enquiries. Please keep 'em coming. Will get back to everyone as soon as I can.
Keep spreading the word.

Cheers
Angie

Subject: RE: Four Fools 25 - 27 June 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 10 - 07:33 AM

Hi 8 Pints
Cheque safely received. Tickets will be on their way to you shortly. Please spread the word one and all about our weekend.
Cheers
Angie

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 10 - 05:58 PM

Have just heard from Barry and Ingrid Temple. They are looking forward to being with us for the weekend as well. Can't be bad.

What a lot of good singing there's going to be.

Cheers
Angie

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Barb'ry
Date: 23 Apr 10 - 05:50 PM

refresh
Tickets going quickly now - book soon!

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 04:04 AM

Wish we could come & join the fun but can't this year. Good luck with this event, it looks fabulous!! Hope you continue this next year, if so we'll try to get along!
Hils

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 04:43 AM

Sounds brilliant & I'd love to be there. However, I'm not sure I'll be able to either stay there or get there, firstly because I don't camp & secondly because I'd rather not drive. What do people who know the area think - will there be anywhere I can put up, & is it doable on public transport (from Manchester)?

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 12:20 PM

...anyone?

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Barb'ry
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 12:59 PM

Pip
Give Angie an email - she will probably know best: [e-mail]

Good luck

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: John Routledge
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 08:45 AM

Kevin and Ellen Mitchell who were guests at The Alma on Tuesday night and gave a great performance are also singing over the "Sing your heart out Festival" weekend :0)

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Barb'ry
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 06:41 PM

Thought it was about time this got refreshed. Not many tickets left now. Hope to see some of you there
xx

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 06:30 AM

Only a week to go... really looking forward to it...
Is there any kind of programme for the weekend available yet?

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 06:36 AM

I see the other thread (Who's Going) kindof answers the above question - so it might be useful to amalgamate the two threads, please, to save spurious posts !

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: OurPaul
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 05:28 PM

Ooh 'er Mother, getting all excited. Won't be long now!

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Angie
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 05:39 PM

Yep, its getting closer. Just a note about camper vans who aren't using the campsite. Unfortunately we do not have space on the car park for people to park up for the weekend. There is an area under the railway bridge and on the left where people can park. As with any parking area this is at driver's own risk. Originally this event was just going to be a day but it has spread over the weekend.

Really looking forward to seeing and hearing everyone at the weekend. We'll make the rafters roar and rail lots of money for the British Heart Foundation at the same time.

See you Friday
Cheers
Angie

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,angie
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 04:28 AM

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Angie
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 09:04 AM

Just to say, there is still one double room available at the Crown for Friday and Saturday nights and one double room available for Saturday night only. Just in case anyone would like B&B
Cheers and see you tonight.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: 8_Pints
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 01:28 PM

Great event - even the weather was brilliant!

Many thanks to Ken & Angie for organising such a host of talent....

Bob & Sue vG

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Aeola
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 01:55 PM

Thanks Angie & Ken, we could only make the Sat but thoroughly enjoyed the day, made a change from stewarding!!

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 02:47 PM

Just got back absolutely knackered by the heat. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire weekend and definitely looking forward to the same time and same place next year.

And I understand that the British Heart Foundation is now considerably richer as a result of all the ticket sales. Many thanks to Angie and Ken, and congratulations on picking such a worthy cause.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,angieb
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 04:42 AM

Hi every

Can Ken and I just pass on our sincere thanks to all to made this weekend such a great one. It really was a cracking weekend. The Crown certainly lends itself to such events and a big thank you to them. Many many thanks to all our loyal 'Four Fools' followers both artistes and festival goers who made the weekend as good as it was. Will be back with the total raised in a couple of days. The same will definitely be happening next year, Four Fools weekend will be keeping its traditional last weekend of June spot.

Once again, many thanks to all.

Love
Angie and Ken

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: John Routledge
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 08:14 AM

A wonderful weekend made even better by the thought of another one next year.Thanks to all for a remarkable weekend. Hard to believe that this was the first one in this venue. Long live the Crown !!

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 10:27 AM

Thanks Angie and Ken it was a great weekend.If only England had managed to organise themselves as well on Sunday.

Regards, Geoff

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Old Traddie
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 10:30 AM

I agree. What a wonderful weekend. All the artistes were suberb, the choice of programming was excellent. So much variety in just a little event. And of couse the "Little Festival with the BIG Heart" just lives on in this weekend. Four Fools is certainly the friendliest festival I have every been to. A variety of the finest artistes around, Ballad Session second to none. Organisation brilliant. No PAs, plenty of chance to participate. The participation festival. Many many congratulations to Angie and Ken and also to the Crown Hotel for such a wonderful weekend. I came home yesterday with my head still in the clouds. I just can't say how good it was. It's a very small festival and next year I'm sure will be a total sell out. Traditional music and song ad its very best.

Congratulations again. Next year is already booked in my diary.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 01:43 PM

Seconded and thirded...
Massive well done Angie and Ken.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Carol
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 05:10 AM

Great weekend - sorry not to make the Monday evening at the club.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,An
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 05:11 AM

Many thanks everyone. Watch this space for the total raised for the British Heart Foundation (we've definitely topped the £1,000).

Cheers

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Angie and Ken
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 09:06 AM

Many many thanks to all of you who turned out for our weekend. We raised a wonderful £1,458.50 for the British Heart Foundation.

It was a great weekend. Many many thanks again. Please put next year's dates in your diary. 24 - 26 June 2011.

Cheers
Angie and Ken

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick (cookieless)
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 09:30 AM

Hi Angie,

Wonderful indeed. I remember you figuring between 14 and 15 hundred quid.

Put next year's date in my diary? I'm going to camp on the doorstep of the pub until then.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,O;d Traddie
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 07:22 PM

Wow that's really great news. And it was a wonderful weekend, superb artistes, wonderful selection of real ales, and raising all that money for charity. Well done everyone. Here's to next year.

Cheers

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 08:20 AM

I've only just heard about this year's festival. Last I heard it ended last year. Thanx for NO PUBLICITY THIS SIDE OF THE PENNINES. VERY PISSED OFF. ALISON BEACH Huddersfield On mailing list

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,davemc
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 11:04 AM

Does t'Internet not reach East of God's Own Country?

The weekend was intentionally much smaller this year: last year was the final festival "proper" and this year's gathering was a more intimate event that took place in a pub with little need for the usual marketing push. Stop grumbling at people who give of their time and energy for free. The event was mentioned on here plenty of times.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 11:36 AM

Damn, I really should have been there.

Can I cadge a lift of someone in advance for next year?

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Angie
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 09:36 AM

The weekend was a very much smaller affair, the Four Fools Folk Festival had its final year last year. However as people had asked, we decided to do a something to mark the weekend.   The event was not publicised (apart from on mudcat) by word of mouth and through our weekly folk club and music workshops we run This thread has been on Mudcat since 31 October 2009. We will be doing something again next year over the same weekend. We have thought no further than that. There was no postal mailshot as funds would not permit. Word of mouth and mudcat was the only advertising. We were very pleased with the way the event went and can only apologise to those who did not get to hear of it. I really do not appreciate being SHOUTED AT by anyone. Everything we do, we do voluntarily and freely spend our time in organising.
Cheers Angie and Ken

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 10:56 AM

"Everything we do, we do voluntarily and freely" Amen to that. And thank God for people like Angie and Ken. They make a refreshing change from the gombeens and begrudgers who won't touch anything unless there's something in it for them.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Old Traddie
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 08:40 PM

I second that Fred. All events (and I've been to most of them) organised by Four Fools are really well organised. Other event organisers could learn a lot from these two. Their organisation skills are second to none and the amount of time and effort they freely put in to these events really is a credit to them. They are based firmly in the tradition, and the tradition of these fair isles at that. Their love of traditional music and song shines through.
Long live Four Fools in whatever shape or form. I was at the first and I've only missed two since, (and this year's was the 22nd).
Here's to the next 22.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: The Doctor
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 08:58 AM

I went, and as usual it was wonderful. I would have been very sorry if I'd missed it, as there are always several of my favourite artists on, as well as new ones waiting for me to discover them. I knew about it because I check Mudcat regularly, but if I hadn't known I would have considered it my own fault for missing the signs. As ever Angie and Ken did a great job, but as she hints, there are limits to everything. Frequently those limits are of our own making.

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 10:07 AM

Firstly apologies to Angie and Ken. I didn't know they themselves had run this event, I only entered the Mudcat blog last week after being very surprised to hear at Clecky Festival that it had happened. I am not a grumbling old person, a 'gombeen' whatever that is, or a bedrudger. There is a reason I can not sit at the computer trawling the internet for hours on end but I won't cause further offence by giving details. If you know me, and you see me, feel free to ask. Apologies again to Angie and Ken but I spend as little time as possible at the computer and don't follow Mudcat. Alison Beach

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: GUEST,Verna and Ray
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 10:39 AM

Hi Ken and Angie

Delighted to hear and see that the weekend went off so well. We did get to hear of it and we are not even in the |UK any more which explains why we are unable to attend. It is in the middle of haymaking and sheep shearing!! However it is more than posible that Verna at least might be in the area next year for a birthday bash and if so will be there. Great to know that some things never change and that you two are still there giving of your time and effort. Believe me we know how much of both goes into a successful weekend.

Lots of love to you both


Verna & Ray

Subject: RE: Four Fools 2010 - 'Sing Your Heart Out'
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 11:50 AM

Alison,

A gombeen is an Irish term. It means a usurer or a pound of flesh type trader who tries to wring every single red cent out of everyone he deals with.

I was using the expression begrudger to mean much the same thing; a person who won't do anything for anyone unless there's something in it for them.

Neither term was directed at you. As I thought I'd made clear, I was having a go at those individuals for whom words like altruism and selflessness hold no meaning.

Such persons are thankfully rather rare in folk music, and were entirely absent from the Crown Hotel, Worthington over the weekend of 25 - 27 June 2010.

All of which reminds me of an incident which happened while I was collecting for victims of the South Asian tsunami some years ago. One guy I approached told me in a quite belligerent manner that he didn't believe in giving charity to anyone, not even when there was a 300,000 death toll involved. I leaned over and whispered "f**k you" down his ear. Watching him go ballistic was a rare treat, I can tell you.