Holmfirth Festival

Subject: Holmfirth Festival and Barry Dransfield
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 06:27 AM

Just to let you know that Holmfirth Festival, May 9th, 10,11th has persuaded Barry Dransfield to come from semi-retirement and make a special appearance for the 25th anniversary. Other acts include Bob Fox and the Hush, Flook, Vin Garbutt, Last Night's Fun and many, many more.

If any mudcatters fancy a meet I can provide room.

Full information on www.holmfirthfestival.co.uk

See you there,

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Bystander
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 08:51 AM

Barry Dransfield has solo gig at Royal Oak, Lewes, Sussex on March 13th (Thurs) www.users.globelnet.co.uk/~tinvic

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Ralphie
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 02:42 AM

Dave...
See you there
Ralphie
(The Fraser Sister in the ill fitting frock!)

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 04:58 AM

What, Ralphie travelling north of Watford???
Good to see you keeping your New Year's Resolutions.....! *grin*

Looks a great line-up, Dave.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Ralphie
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 08:12 PM

Noreen
Stop it. People will suspect !!
Ralphie x

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 08:32 PM

Shhhhh

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 09:28 AM

Go tell it on the mountains tee hee

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 10:27 AM

Went last year and had a grand time...don't think I can make it this year......

Cat

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:17 AM

www.holmfirthfestival.co.uk

No Fraser Sisters, ill-fitting frocks or otherwise, on the website. It's a hoax!

Barry Dransfield and Last Night's Fun will do for me, though...

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Les from Hull
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 02:32 PM

I heartily recommend the Witches of Elswick, too

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Alex
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 02:51 PM

Dave
Any idea what day Chumbawumba are perfoming please?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 05:42 PM

Will they be accompanied by John Prescott?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,alex
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 02:31 AM

S`all right, I saw Lindsay in the Nook last night and he told me that they were playing on the Sunday

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:48 AM

Holmfirt Anthem Thread

Nigel

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 08:00 AM

So...The Wise Chicks of Elsan are on are they, saw them at Otley last year, well worth a listen to.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 12:28 PM

Not only are they on, they will be launching their CD.

Dave

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Fay
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 10:46 AM

Sadly the CD isn't ready yet, so it won't be being launched - should be out by the end of May though.

I prefer the Wise Chicks of Elsan to The Butchers of Byker which we were called the other day!

See you all there

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 04:39 AM

The hologram will be there with the coveted Epiphone. He will be part of the Sue Haithwaite Band (in fact he's the only member) at her 'signing' sessions , her being a teacher of the deaf and that.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 06:39 AM

Fay,
That could be even worse, that could be The Butch Chicks of Byker!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,rob wright
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 08:14 AM

The Chester based female duo Taggart and Wright will be there after they come back from their Scottish tour.Watch out for their Roadie. He is a World Powerlifting Champion (twice)and likes to muscle in on their act.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: bradfordian
Date: 01 May 03 - 08:30 AM

I'll be there Saturday as I especialy want to see Taggart & Wright having missed them at Cleckheaton last year. PM me if any 'catters want to meet up.
Brad.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Blackford john
Date: 02 May 03 - 07:58 AM

I saw TAGGART AND WRIGHT at Aberfeldy FC last night. They were very entertaining, superb vocal harmonies and a lovely range of songs.

They are definitely and act that are not to be missed.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Tyke
Date: 03 May 03 - 05:39 AM

I will be there!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Jeanie
Date: 03 May 03 - 06:21 AM

So will I!

Looking forward to it. It would be great to meet up with the Catters who are there.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 03 - 06:28 PM

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:22 AM

Reeeeeefresh!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:31 AM

Well I'll be around on Saturday and on Sunday I'm with the 25-year celebratory line-up of Holmfirth Festival's resident Good Egg Band for the ceilidh in the afternoon. Might bring the nyckelharpa along if I can find some space to park in the centre - don't hold your breath though, I played all four days at last week's Scandinavian Fest in Settle and think my fiddle is probably feeling left out.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:42 AM

I shall be there Friday night. Helping young Kenneth Johnson with singarounds at Elephant and also as part of the Sue Haithwaite Band on Saturday

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 08 May 03 - 07:03 AM

Tyke, where will you be and when .....................just so's I knwo what to avoid !!!!

My good Lady and I will be there late on Friday (after we've been to the theatre darlings) would love to assist the fragrant Mrs Johnson for the remained of the evening.
Will be on parade both Saturday & Sunday

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Jeanie
Date: 08 May 03 - 12:17 PM

Yay ! Will look out for you all !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Les from Hull
Date: 08 May 03 - 01:55 PM

Maggie and I will be there - at the Elephant and Castle and possibly elsewhere on the Saturday and Sunday.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: nutty
Date: 12 May 03 - 09:18 AM

great weather (well - most of the time)
great company (all of the time)
great festival (particularly 'The Zulu Nation' who were mind-blowingly good)

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 12 May 03 - 12:17 PM

Sadly that really irritating bloke with the bottle bottom glasses from Halifax said that me and Geoff had to stay at home!! If he's not careful I may be forced to take my overdraft elsewhere!!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: bradfordian
Date: 12 May 03 - 01:02 PM

I agree with Nutty. "Zulu Nation", 6 females and 8 males (two with very big loud drums, Hmmmm)who sing and dance in tribal style were the highlight of Saturday for me. Their singing with that distinctively African choral sound was compellingly enchanting. (Is that OK for half a crown Moses?) I thought it made an excellent contrast to the usual (but still great) British ritual dance sides.

Anyone know anything about them? Where are they based? Are they appearing at any other folk Festivals?

Brad

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Jeanie
Date: 12 May 03 - 03:22 PM

Yes, it was a wonderful weekend ! Very impressive dancing, and some great artists - I especially loved the band 'Flook' and the two Toms Napper and Bliss, and the Roy Bailey solo concert. Excellent.

Spent far too much money ! I'm really thrilled though, because one of the things I bought was a re-release on CD of 'Maypoles to Mistletoe' with Geoff & Pennie Harris, who I used to hear "live" and thought I'd never hear again. And another one is The Halliard.

It was lovely to meet Nutty, Les and Maggie for the first time. And MC Fat - there wasn't a chance to say hello, but I was the one known as "the lady in the window" at the singaround at the Elephant & Castle ! A lovely evening.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 May 03 - 03:44 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the stuff about the festival from all of you and thanks for the comments on the Mighty Zulu's.

The only thing I can tell you about their future appearances is that Middlewich Boat festival has asked about them so you might keep an eye on their website.

MC FAT was a great turn with his mate Ken Johnson in the Elephant and the Director is mightily pleased. So mightily pleased that he has been very decisive about having him in that role next year.

MC FAT was great and may his hologram be praised wherever it goes.

Dave

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Raggytash
Date: 13 May 03 - 01:42 AM

He was never that good when he was alive

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,red and white rabbit
Date: 13 May 03 - 03:06 AM

I worry about you lot - praises for MCFAT what is the world coming to?

Dont worry Jim dead or alive I'll keep slagging you off got to keep that head from swelling too much.

What really worried me was when you became Ken and Les became you and what with everyone swapping guitars it was just too much for a simple lass to cope with

By the way are we rehearsing Sunday?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 13 May 03 - 04:48 AM

News from't Grave. Thanks for the plaudits. The hologram ( & the sheep shagger) would be verily chuffed to do sing-a-rounds next year. Although a request to the director is not to book in a 'ballad session' for late afternoon Sunday. The Effalump Sunday sesh was just motoring and I think would have gone mega double fantastic until Fred appeared and started his programmed session going on about Child Ballads etc. Mind you Maggie's Child Ballad that didn't make it into volume 5 'My Beautiful Muff' was a corker !!!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 13 May 03 - 05:04 AM

Just who was Mister Personality

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 13 May 03 - 05:41 AM

What do you mean the ballad man ?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 13 May 03 - 10:14 AM

That's the chappie

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 13 May 03 - 10:39 AM

Fred McCormack me thinks. be different next year !!!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 13 May 03 - 10:51 AM

Fred McCormick (scroll down to 2nd item)

Don't get the ballad session banished entirely, Mr Hologram, sir! It would be nice to have the choice of which to go to, rather than ending one to begin the other.

(Shame I missed Holmfirth again.)

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 13 May 03 - 10:57 AM

Of course not Noreen love but it's just that it was so obvious that the singaround was going well. If a ballad sesh is what people want then perhaps it can be accomodated at another venue. After all the Effalump and Castle is the traditional Holmfirth home for the singaround. Sorry you wasn't there you missed a good un.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 13 May 03 - 11:22 AM

The sessions in the Effalump are legendary, it has worked well for years, working on the principle of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" the organisers might do well to revert to the format of previous years.
The session run by Teresa on Saturday at the Victoria was fine, as always Teresa led from the front and the landlord was very accommodating, but the venue wasn't big enough to fit us all in.
The session in the effalump has always drawn the widest variety of songs possible from ballads to shanties and every conceivable style in between. Let us hope under the auspices of MC Fat & Ken the success of previous years return.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Les from Hull
Date: 13 May 03 - 05:10 PM

I think Maggie and I will agree with most of the above. There's a nice big room at the Pachyderm and Fortified House, and enough singarounders to keep it going all afternoon. So we don't really need a smaller room where some of us had to be accommodated in the annexe. And we don't need a big drum group playing just outside the singaround window. I know it's a problem for organisers to anticipate how many people will want what sort of event, but as Raggy says we've always managed very well in previous years.

I think it was just a contrast of style with Fred, though. It must be hard to follow Ken and Jim (or was it Jim and Ken?), who know and interact well with most of the people in the room. Fred was only doing what he was booked to do, and agreed that people didn't have to sing ballads if they didn't sing ballads, and reminded us that ballads are just songs that tell stories, and aren't just the ones in Childe. Still it was a chance for me to sing a boring unaccompanied murder ballad. Don't worry, folks, it's out of my system for a year or too.

I must say that we enjoyed the informal tea-times we had in Hervey's. Very Iced Gems!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 May 03 - 05:18 PM

mr personality was at priestweston too- bored the pants off everybody!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 13 May 03 - 07:39 PM

Do you think you could refrain from personal abuse please?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 14 May 03 - 04:37 AM

Wht spoil the habit of a lunchtime !!! Suppose again you're right Noreen about the personal abuse (why are wimmin always right !!)

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 14 May 03 - 04:50 AM

Noreen,

I really don't want to get involved in a slanging match but I dispute that my comment was abuse, it was an observation of fact. However well meaning the chap was, he took over a thriving session and in a matter of minutes had decimated it because of his manner. If it is not brought to the attention of the organisers it may happen again. As one of the threads indicate it is not the first time this has occurred and perhaps he should direct his talents in other directions. Had you been there, I think you too would have been miffed.

Raggy

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 14 May 03 - 04:57 AM

In the grand scheme of fings. There has to be room for all of us in this 'broad church' as Raggy says it's more a question of proper programming to allow those who want a ballad session to be accomodated. As Raggy says, and knowing you as I do Noreen, you too would have been seriously peed off when a potentially blisiteringly good sesh (especially good for harmonies) sort of fizzled out because of a. it became a ballad sesh and b. the personality of the chap.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Noreen
Date: 14 May 03 - 05:22 AM

Slanging match, Raggy? Me?? I wasn't actually referring to your comment, but to a later 'me too' post.

I'm sure I too would have been miffed at the circumstances described, but it seems to have been a case of bad planning on the festival organisers' part. Fred came to run a ballad session as they'd asked him to- so don't abuse him for it, was all I was saying.

It does bring a small smile to the lips to picture Fred trying to take over an MC Fat session, sorry... :0)

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:41 AM

Of course the simple answer would have been to have the ballad session in the Victoria, and have the two afternoon singaround sessions in the Elephant. And to have the drumming and dance displays a bit further down the street - as the whole street was closed to traffic anyway. Still we had a smashing time, and congratulations to the organisers for another great festival.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: MC Fat
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:52 AM

Ah simplicity Les !! Just spoken to Ken and he says t'organisers were chuffed and want us to do more of the same next year but I have to admit the sesh's were good. We must work on the swopping guitars idea.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 14 May 03 - 09:29 AM

That little bugger just wants to get his hands on my little Simon & Patrick again

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 03 - 03:41 PM

Hi to you all,

Thanks for all those lovely comments.

As the person responsible I hope to do it as follows next year and I would be grateful for any comments:

I intend to run three "continuing" sessions as follows:

Singing in the Elephant, English session in the Postcard and all else Celtic/foreign in the Nook. The intention is to avoid clashes - build up the English - keep the celtic/foreign going and give the Hologram and his lovely mate chance to perform until they drop. There will be no reason whilst the format for each venue should be set in stone - the intention is to just to give a solid foundation to each session.

And I noticed the teatime session in Hervey's!!

I reckon I can get volunteers for the English. Ken and Jim can run the singing and the Nook virtually runs itself anyway.

Ballad sessions and musical workshops in the Adult Ed.

Morris workshops/Tai Chi etc in the Parish Hall at the campsite.

I have already asked Rolling Stock to return.

I intend to improve the website and start a regular e-mailing newsletter.

I am decisively NOT asking for suggestions - not that I do not wish to take notice of people far from it - just that I know from past experience that I would be overwhelmed.

I will ask for advice and just because it has not been taken any notice of does not mean it was not valued.

I hope this helps people and glad you seemed to enjoy yourself!!

Dave
www.holmfirthfestival.com

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 May 03 - 06:29 PM

Thankee Folkiedave for listening to what we've said here. Another fine example of Mudcat use! We know that festival organisers get a lot of flak - quite often from more than one side at once! And we do realise that we've a bit of a nerve considering all the hard unpaid work that goes into a successful festival.

We're sure that the Holmfirth Folk Festival organisers will continue to do what is best for Holmfirth Folk Festival. And we hope that the comments we've posted here will encourage more visitors to come to a great festival in a great town.

Les and Maggie

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 03 - 07:08 PM

thanks jeanie, we enjoyed you too!
the toms