Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004

Subject: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 08:20 AM

Can I draw you attention to this year's Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival?

18, 19th, 20th June

Confirmed artists:
Fairport Convention
Show of Hands
Levellers Acoustic
Shooglenifty
Demon Barber Roadshow
Simon Mayor & Hilary James
The Family Mahone
The Mighty Zulu Nation (Zimbabwe)
Nusantara (Malaysia)
Galena Street East (California)
Pete Morton
Baker's Fabulous Boys
The Boat Band
All Blacked Up
Keith Donnelly
Les Barker
Hamish Currie
The Middlewich Paddies
The Salt Town Poets
And more...
On 2 main stages + a Festival Club Stage + a large fringe festival.

Oh yes, there's also one of the countries largest narrowboat rallies.

web site www.middlewichfestival.org

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Rich A
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 08:56 AM

I'll be there with the morris team, excellent line up!
Hope it's the same company running the beer tent as last year. Good beer at reasonable prices, not the expensive rubbish you get at certain other festivals.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 09:06 AM

Hi Rich

You'll be pleased to hear we've got the same beer tent people!

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 10:29 AM

I went to the site, and first off it wouldn't load, so I had to restart. Then it loaded, and when I went to look into the cost of stalls, Norton Anti Virus kicked in with a 'Malicious Script' warning, and advised me to close the site down.
John

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 10:37 AM

Loaded just fine for me...
Woohoo! Demon Barbers on Saturday! Worth the ticket price just for that...

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Hamish
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 01:59 PM

Fairport Convention, Show of Hands, Levellers Acoustic, Shooglenifty, Demon Barber Roadshow... ...Hamish Currie...

Looks good to me (gulp!).

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Wombat at work
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 04:13 AM

hope the boats are back, there were very few last year due to cost I was be believe

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: fiddler
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 07:04 AM

It'll be hard work getting the baot to middlewich on a friday - no more hols but never mind might bring the landrover instead it can travel at more than 4mph and doen't hug the contours in teh same way!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: fiddler
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 07:07 AM

Just checked it - 6 days each way by narrow boat

A

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 06:11 AM

Mr Happy with his new group 'Senior Moments' will be attending frige events!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 01:56 PM

This year the boats are back! They have reverted to the original system of no charge for mooring and mooring on a first come first served basis . for more info check the festival website www.middlewichfestival.org . As a boater and folkie this year looks really good both for folk and boat

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 05:39 AM

Yes - just to confirm, there will be no mooring charges at all for boats. British Waterways are no longer involved in the festival in any capacity and it was they who insisted on having a mooring charge last year. Please spread the word as much as possible as we want to see all our boating friends back this year. There is a registration form on the web site but this is just to give us a idea of numbers/who's coming etc. There's also an information sheet fo boater been uploaded today.

Re. web site problems. Make sure you're accessing the current site (www.middlewichfestival.org). There are still a few old sites that we can't ged rid of.

Glad to see positive comments about the line-up. Just hope I get to see some of it myself!!

Cheers, Ian.
Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 05:42 AM

Meant to say...

Additional artists confirmed:

Seth Lakeman & Benji Kirkpatrick

Attila the Stockbroker & David Rovics.

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 05:56 AM

This sounds like a good weekend away! What's the camping situation like and is it child (8 and 14) friendly?

That URL didn't work by the way!

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST, Hamish
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 06:29 AM

It should have worked. Try this: festival web site

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 06:48 AM

Many thanks - it did that time!

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Phot
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 12:57 PM

F*** me now thats a line up! I'll try and get there this year. Ican't think of a better way of combining two of my favorite hobbies!

And if I can get my Landy back on the road, watch out Fiddler, you may wake up on the wrong roof! :~)

Wassail Chris

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 03:24 PM

Hmmmm. If that coincides with the hubby's school chess weekend it could be one for me and the kids (they don't run around in concerts though)!

Cheers
Sarah (the other fiddler)

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: fiddler
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 03:45 PM

I'll wait and see Phot - I need to have a tent there B4 I climb up - unless there are lions about!

Andy

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Phot
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:39 AM

How can you lose a roof tent on a bright red 110?

Wassail

Chris

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 07:01 AM

Sarah asked about the camping.

We have a very large campsite. Its about 1/2 hour walk from the festival sites but there is a free shuttle bus. The campsite is right on the edge of the town with farmland on two sides and decent housing on the others so I would say it was child friendly. There are indoor toilet facilities that have been upgraded since last year. There will be breakfasts provided by the scouts and they will also be doing evening grub if you order it in advance. Ready for when you get back from the gig! The grub will be nice - my Mum is the cook!

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 09:05 AM

Many thanks Ian, that sounds good.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 09:05 AM

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,rob
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 10:06 AM

Hey dont forget the fantastic TAGGART AND WRIGHT they will be there somewhere somehow sometime.!

www.sky-web.net/taggartandwright/

for more info

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 10:15 AM

How could we. You remind us how good they are on nearly every thread!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,rob
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 10:25 AM

thats what they pay me for!

Seeing is believing!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 04:55 AM

Taggart & Wright were welcome guests at Middlewich's Winter Warmer Festival last November. I can certainly vouch for how good they were. I'm not just saying that to get this thread back up the board either!

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:58 AM

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST, Hamish (again)
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 07:10 AM

that you again, Ian?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,rob
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 06:59 AM

Thanks for the compliment Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 06:58 AM

Hamish - it was - is your day job being a detective!

Rob - not a problem - it's true! Taggart & Wright would be very welome guests at the Salt Town Poets Open Mike during the festival. I should imagine there will be a few more people there than there was at the Winter Warner one!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Andy Mac
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 06:26 AM

As people seem to be using this thread to ask questions about Middlewich...

Never been to Middlewich Festival. Is it mostly folk or mostly boats? Also what is the festival like for sessions & singarounds?

Andy (Gloucester)

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 02:46 PM

Hi Andy
It's both lots of boats and lots of folk including singarounds and sessions, there is also a very active fringe with lots of venues, all free I might add, in the pubs. There iare also a lot of dance sides in the town over the weekend as well
There is lots going on and the town is taken over Friday, saturday and Sunday by Folkies and Boaties
so If I was you i would come on down and see what all the fuss is about

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 07:02 AM

The MFAB has one of the best fringe festivals around. Great friendly bunch of nutters the boaties and the folkies are not bad either.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Andy Mac
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 07:40 AM

Knowing nothing about boats I wanted to make sure that it wasn't a boat festival with a couple of concerts thrown in. I've since looked at the Artists line-up and can see that that is far from the case!

Reading the messages in this thread it looks like the camping facilities are pretty good and that there would be plenty of opportunities to have a go myself - I'll bring the guitar!

Cheers all, Andy.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 07:50 AM

And there'll probably be a stall run by my friends Jeff & Lesley Wyatt, with knotwork & pyrography. They're nice people, and do some lovely work - give them a look!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Kate
Date: 02 May 04 - 12:10 PM

Just to let you know that the Daystar theatre group will also be performing and on the Sunday we have a horse drawn boat display.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 05 May 04 - 08:49 AM

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Andy Mac
Date: 05 May 04 - 08:50 AM

I see they've got Atilla the Stockbroker who I like. Anyone know anything about David Rovics whose playing with him?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Kate
Date: 05 May 04 - 06:33 PM

Hi Andy,

You can check out more on David Rovics on http://www.davidrovics.com/

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Andy Mac
Date: 06 May 04 - 06:00 AM

Thanks Kate

Very interesting but what I want though is someone to tell me what he's like!

As he & Atilla "clash" with Show of Hands I need to decide who to go & see!

Anyone ever seen him before?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Kate
Date: 08 May 04 - 09:20 AM

I haven't seen him before, but have heard good reviews and reports...

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 11 May 04 - 03:40 PM

this horse drawn boat - whats that all about?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 14 May 04 - 06:44 AM

It's a boat drawn by a horse.

Clever things horses although I don't know how they manage to hold pencils...

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Willa
Date: 14 May 04 - 06:53 AM

Is PTH taking part?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 14 May 04 - 07:49 AM

Er...

Not officially, so no. Unless they can say otherwise.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 15 May 04 - 02:42 PM

who or what is PTH?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Kate
Date: 15 May 04 - 02:48 PM

Hi guest - more info about the horse boat...

Horseboating required great skill and knowledge. Working with and caring for horses was central to canal life, and we cannot understand that society without a much better awareness of the part played by horses. At its best, horse-power was a very efficient means of transport. At a steady walk, a horse could pull fifty times as much cargo in a boat as it could on the roads. Achieving this needed close working relationships between crews and horses, and between crew members themselves.

Re-introducing horseboating today is not easy. Some parts of the canals have been altered to make it hard for horses to work, and there are many issues of access and safety. Finding suitable horses with the training necessary for this work is difficult. Most of all, few people now have the necessary skills, and even fewer the detailed memory of how horseboating was actually done in its commercial heyday.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 17 May 04 - 08:55 AM

Guest, PTH is Punch the Horse which is a band followed by an annoying bunch of people from some poxy eastern county who seem to take over Mudcat from time to time with their illiterate ramblings. They have their own special thread so that can't annoy the rest of us. I'd keep well clear if I were you.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 18 May 04 - 08:42 AM

Now now! All are welcome at Middlewich.

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 19 May 04 - 06:10 AM

Its the Boars Head for me. Might even pop up to the Cheshire Singers concert upstairs instead of sitting in the session all day and night.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 20 May 04 - 06:08 PM

I presume the Boars head is a pub? What sessions are on?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 20 May 04 - 06:11 PM

Do you have any workshops? ( for music )

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Kate
Date: 21 May 04 - 03:43 AM

Yes there will be various workshops over the weekend. I will post further info later, when I have it to hand.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST, Hamish
Date: 21 May 04 - 04:45 AM

I'm rather hoping that some 'catters will "meet the artist(s)" on Saturday evening: otherwise I could be awful lonely... :-(

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 21 May 04 - 07:42 AM

Guest asked about workshops. We have...

2 each on fiddle and guitar with Seth Lakeman & Benji Kirkpatrick.

Mandolin with Simon Mayor.

Bodhran workshop with North West Folk Music.

Blues harmonica with Craig Moores.

There are numerous sessions in pubs - Boar's Head, Kings Lock, Kinderon Arms and Big Lock.

Plus Open Mike session with the Salt Town Poets.

There's so much goping on the only way to really find out is to buy a programme! On sale now in Middlewich (£1.50) and soon via the website (£1.50 with a pre paid envelope).

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 22 May 04 - 12:31 PM

Are these workshops free? Do you have to book in advance?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 27 May 04 - 07:03 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 27 May 04 - 11:53 AM

Yes all the workshops are free, but you will need to purchase an event guide £1.50 which will give you all the times, locations etc of not just the workshops but everything else that is happening including the fringe. Godd value or what?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 30 May 04 - 06:25 AM

very godd value I think.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 10:27 AM

Sorry mean't good, although it could be God not sure now, anyway the event guide is worth the price.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 08:58 AM

Hi

Not had chance to sort out putting the "very good value" event guide on sale via the web yet. Opinions on whether it will be worthwhile welome!

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Astro De Verb
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 10:18 AM

Hey. This festival sounds really good. Of course I've never heard of it myself, and I've never even been to Middlewich in my life. Honest.
How do the organisers do it? I mean, to organise such a feast of entertainment at such reasonable cost makes them, in my view, almost akin to gods. Do they have supernatural powers?
Of course, you understand, I'm not biased as I've never heard of the festival before and I've never been to Middlewich. Honest

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 11:04 AM

the FREE FRINGE events are better than some festival main programmes.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: greg stephens
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 11:19 AM

The list of workshops posted earlier didnt mention the one on traditional North West English tunes,by Greg Stephens and the Boat band, which will be informative and fun, I have no doubt.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 05:59 AM

Sorry Greg!

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: VIN
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 06:44 AM

Be me first time at Middlewich. Coming up on the Friday for Fairport. What's the sing-a-rounds setup like (if there are any) i.e. venues etc

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 07:06 AM

hi Vin Lots of singarounds/sessions and open mike. All free and excellent acts as part of the fringe.

Grab a programme as soon as you can.

The Cheshire Cheese, The Boars Head, The Big Lock all good venues.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 07:17 AM

Don't forget the Sunday afternoon singaround/ session at the the Kinderton Arms, although it is a littleway out of town it will be worth the trek to listen to an all female accapella group called Wench All

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,iann
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 10:31 AM

The Kinderton session will all feature a real gem of local talent - Andy Roscoe - definately not to be missed.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 03:28 AM

That should have said:

The Kinderton session will also feature a real gem of local talent - Andy Roscoe - definately not to be missed.

Andy will also be at the Middlewich Open Mike session on Saturday tea time which is hosted by local heroes the Salt Town Poets.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Astro De Verb
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 06:19 AM

These Salt Town Poets people sound really interesting. I hear that, apart from not knowing their whithers from their whences, they are excellent in every way.
And that Andy Roscoe is brilliant. I once knew someone very similar called Andy Cochrane. Or did I?
It also seems obvious to me that anyone missing a treat like Les Barker and Keith Donnelly working together will regret it for the rest of his/her life.
Mind you, I wouldn't really know, never having been to Middlewich in my life.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 07:45 AM

Astro you dont know what you have been missing all these years. This will make my 4th or is it 5th. And looking forward to next years already!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 08:26 AM

Noddy - you shouldn't necessarily believe everything Astro tells you. He's been known to stray slightly from the path of truth from time to time!

He also has a strange obsession with Chimpanzees.

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 11:46 AM

the Chimpanzee thing with Astro sounds interesting.

Only seven more days to go to the festival, can't wait but guess I'll have to control myself

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Gin Crewe
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 04:56 PM

Many thanks for mentioning the Sunday afternoon from 1.00 p.m. at the Kinderton Arms- if I have my instructions right we are only hosting it and it's a singaround- so come to hear lots of real talent, hopefully, and sing!!! Well, maybe we will sing one or two... and so I gather, will the famous Andrew Roscoe.

Gin AKA Wench 2

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Astro De Verb
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 05:26 PM

Stop Press!

I've just been looking at the Salt Town Poets' website
at a href="www.salttownpoets.co.uk">www.salttownpoets.co.uk and it's got details of what the STPs are doing at Middlewich, together with links to photos from last year.
But what really has amazed me is that the website editor is a bloke called Dave Roberts. That's an anagram of my name! Did you ever hear the like in your life?

Astro

P.S. I hope this year's festival will not feature too many chimps. You can only stand so much, you know...

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 09:14 AM

No!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 04:46 AM

I will be there Saturday and might even make it for Friday as well.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 07:10 AM

What about Sunday?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Hamish
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 03:52 PM

refresh...

...and do, please, come and say "hullo" at my "meet the artist" thingummy on Saturday evening. I've been giving it some careful thought and reckon it just might be good fun.

More about me at my page

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Hamish
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 03:53 PM

I mean at my page

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Andy Mac
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 06:05 PM

What's all this about Chimps then eh? Shurely they aren't found in Cheshire, least of all Middlewich?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 10:35 AM

There things found in Cheshire that one shouldn't speak about in mixed company.
They say they once found a dragon just up the road from Middlewich.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 11:22 AM

ok change of plan it is now Saturday AND Sunday but not Friday.

Dragons! There be Dragons?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 11:45 AM

Yes! there's the tomb of a knight in the church at Middlewich and there is a poem about how he slew a dragon just up the road at Moston and to prove it must be true there's a Dragons lane in Moston
There was probably a chimp there as well but I'm not sure

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Dave Roberts
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 12:51 PM

Well now, here's an interesting thing. My mother was born in Moston, which is the large parish between Middlewich snd Sandbach. We now have a small, black and highly eccentric cat named Moston in honour of the place. Furthermore, the estimable Mr Norbury's father in law recently passed a poem onto me about the Dragon of Moston. Who knows, the piece might just get performed at the festival this year. Middlewich Parish Church contains the Venables screens, which feature the coats of arms etc of Thomas, the Dragon Slayer's family.
The story of the Dragon Of Moston is thought by many to be the origin of the tale of St George and the Dragon.
For your delight and edification, here's the original story, taken from the Harleian Manuscript of 1535:

'Yt chaunced a terrible dragon to remayne and make his abode in the Lordshippe of Moston in the countye of Chester, where he devoired all such persons as he layed hold on, which Thomas Venables heringe tell of, consyderinge the pittyful and dayly dystruction of the people withowte recovrie who in followinge the example of the valiante Romaynes and other worthie men, not regarding his own life, in comparison of the commiditie and safeguard of his country men, did in his owne person valiantlie and couragiouslie set on the saide dragon, where first he shotte hynm throwe with arrow and afterward with other weapons manfullie slewe him, at which instant tyme sayd dragon was devowringe a child. For which worthy and valiant act was given him the Lordshippe of Moston by the annestors of Earle of Oxford, Lord of the free there.
And alsoe ever since the said Thomas Venables and his heires, in remembrance thereof, have used to bear, as well in theire armes as in theire crest a dragon.'

Incidentally, what is not clear from the above account is that the dragon was actually living at the time in a large pond in Moston, which still exists. Maybe there are still dragons there?

As for chimps, we must leave that sort of thing to Mr Astro De Verb. Why bother with chimps when you can have dragons?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 02:02 PM

Mr Happy + his new band 'Senior Moments' will be in attendance at Bore's Head Sat night.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Hamish
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 03:46 PM

Okay Mr Happy: be there early and keep me company. Please. :-)

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 05:50 PM

On Sunday, the cool and groovy place to be will be the Cheshire fiddle tunes workshop(all instruments welcome) in the Boar's Head at 12 noon. Presented by the witty, erudite and touchingly modest Greg Stephens and the Boat Band. for those who havent got up by then, a later chance to see the incomparable Boat Band will be on the main marquee stage for the evening concert (BB +Levellers). As it is International Refugee Week, and Sunday is the last day, we will be bringing some very special and exotic guests to perform with us.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Noddy
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 04:04 AM

Home now.
Met a few catters!
Damn somebody knows who I am.I will have to behave now.

Great fun. My only complaint Why did you programme Les Barker and Keith Donnely for 11.00 on a Sunday morning.... I am not usualy till the afternoon. Still I got there and as usual they were great.

Like the idea of the Club stage at the Boars Head.

Radio Merseyside played "the wifes new CD" and plugged Middlewich festival.

Looking forward to 2005.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: VIN
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 06:38 AM

Could'nt stay for the whole festival but saw Fairport on Friday - brilliant as usual! Boars Head on Saturday afternoon was good, some nice young (very young) players/singers on show (two plus one, i think plus a lovely little irish dancer - good stuff!). First time at Middlewich, won't be the last methinks.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Bert Davrose
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 07:59 AM

I think Les and Keith and the Salt Town Poets were scheduled for Sunday morning because they appeal to the more cerebral and intellectual type of person - the type of person who does not, to use a vulgar expression, get rat-arsed on Saturday night and lie late abed on Sunday groaning 'Oh My God, never again'.
Such persons spend Saturday evening sipping mineral water, and reading the works of Proust in order to prepare themselves mentally for the literary and comedic feast to come on Sunday morning.
Another, and more prosaic, explanation may be that Keith had to get away early to travel home and dear old Les, hard worked as ever by festival organisers, had a couple of hours to fill in before appearing on the main stage.
Whatever, they were brilliant.
Looks like the Festival Club Stage was one of the festival organisers better ideas.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST, not telling
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 11:12 AM

The Festival Club Stage worked as an open mic type of venue, but rather less well as a stage for more established performers. On Saturday evening, with two main stages in competition, £5 for a mixed bunch of not very well publicised artists - although they were all very good quality - meant that only about a dozen paying punters were present.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Peter Cox
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 11:46 AM

There seemed to be a bit of confusion as to whether or not the Club Stage was a fringe venue, or actually a mainstream part of the festival. M-FAB has tried this kind of thing in past years, using the Community Centre as a venue, with mixed results

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Winston
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 12:21 PM

For me the highlight of the weekend had to be the Salt Town Poets' version of the Mary Poppins classic 'Chimp Chimp Cherie' (from the original French, translating as 'I Love My Chimp', or in some translations 'I love my two chimps'.
Space Captain Norbury's vocals had to be heard to be believed. I heard it and still couldn't believe it.
I think the chimp motif adds a whole new dimension to the Folk & Boat.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 10:52 AM

Great Festival
Just don't get the chimp thing please help!!!!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 11:01 AM

Did anyone find my copy of the complete works of Neitsche. I left it in a hostelry or similar establishment while I sipped by tonic and soda in the sun.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Winston
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 07:05 PM

Josher,

If you ever meet the great Dave Roberts, poet, wit, raconteur and friend of the stars, ask him to explain the chimp thing to you. All will be revealed.
And furthermore all will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
Great festival, congratulations to all concerned.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 03:12 AM

Highlight of the festival for me was hearing the African singers Don and Nash at the Boars Head session on the Sunday afternoon. They were also great singing at the Levellers concert in the evening, but the afternoon was magic.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 05:40 AM

Well I don't know. You turn your back for a weekend or so to organise a festival & your thread gets hijacked by a load of nutters going on about Chimps. I personally don't like Chimps and think they should be evacuated from Middlewich. Shouldn't even be there in the first place if you ask me.

For me the highlight of the festival was not seeing much chimp activity although there was some. Which was dissapointing.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 11:50 AM

I would have thought that the dragons would have eaten the chimps.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Peter Cox
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 08:49 PM

I think M-FAB should come clean and tell us just what this 'chimp' thing is all about. Is it just one of those daft publicity things which happen a lot on Mudcat? You know what I mean; people going on and on about something just to keep a thread going? Good God, if there's much more of it I might get to thinking I'm a chimp myself...

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Dave Roberts
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 08:52 PM

Peter,

You're right, of course.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 04:25 AM

Noddy - we live in hope.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Andy Mac
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 04:41 AM

Well...

What a weekend! A wonderful little festival. Congratulations to IanN and the rest of the organisers for what must be one of the best festivals around.

I was looking at line-ups for other festivals and, with the possible exception of Cropredy, the line up at Middlewich must be the best. What's more having now been to the "Folk & Boat" Festival I realise how much more there is than the main concerts - you just don't get that anywhere else.

Aside from the sessions and "fringe" concerts I loved seeing all the narrow boats and the French Market means I now have a fridge full of (smelly) cheese!

See you next year - hopefully the weather will be better.

Andy (Gloucester).

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 07:07 AM

Andy,
Thanks for the compliment, we do try to make our festival a little different from others but it's difficult for those who haven't been just to see how different it really is.

Andy Roscoe,
(AKA Josher)

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Andy Mac
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 09:11 AM

Andy Roscoe! The winner of the Open Mic prize thing on the Saturday afternoon. Congratulations - from what I heard it was well deserved.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Josher
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 09:45 AM

Well thank kind sir!!!

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,DAve Roberts, Salt Town Poets
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 05:40 AM

There are loads of pictures of the 2004 Folk & Boat Festival at http://middlewichfestival2004.fotopic.net
They were all taken by John Davies and they're excellent.


Dave Roberts

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 08:57 AM

There is also a link to the photos from the festival's web site
www.middlewichfestival.org

and the Salt Town Poets web site
www.salttownpoets.co.uk

Ian.

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: Visionary
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 09:45 AM

There are lots of pictures of that horse pulling the narrowboat. It isn't Chimpion the Wonder Horse is it?

Subject: RE: Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2004
From: GUEST,coltish ankle
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 09:43 AM

So we're back to the chimp thing again...