I finally made it to Whitby Folk Week for the first time this year after many years of hearing about it from various people. I was stewarding and my working hours were about 9:30-1:30 (mornings to lunch not late night!) then the rest of the day was my own. I couldn't believe the extent of the selection of workshops, sessions and concerts in the programme. I don't think I really made the most of my season ticket because I had decided to just chill out and go with the flow. I met up with a banjo playing friend whose band played at a few sessions down at the Bottom House. I went down there Saturday and Sunday nights and a couple of times later on in the week, and got my bluegrass fix. I'd come to WFW on my own (other half was working) but got on just fine chatting to people I met at the campsite, at sessions and workshops. Quite a few of my singing friends had also come to the Festival so it was good to meet up and go to a couple of concerts with them, or meet for dinner or a cuppa.

The Old Time American evening was one of the highlights for me, with Steven Green sitting in with Sara Grey and Kieron Means (very impressed with them). Ben Paley also joined them for a couple of numbers. I also enjoyed Rattle on the Stovepipe and Jeff Warner. Another night I went to a more traditional folk evening at the Football Club with some of my mates. I had never seen many of the performers before but really loved the whole evening which included traditional songs from Will Noble and John Cocking and Jim MacFarland from Ireland amongst others. Also wonderful fiddle and accordion, English clogging and singing from Hannah James and Sam Sweeney. That girl can dance! Also enjoyed the Irish Hoolie and the spine tingling singing of Rosie Stewart.

There were many, many more fantastic performances during the week and I also managed to make it to a couple of Sacred Harp sessions and tried out West Gallery singing. I also attended a beginners' fiddle workshop led by Carol Dawson from the Workshy Profits. What a patient lady. I was amazed to actually get a tune out of the thing (albeit rough!) the very first time I had touched the fingerboard!! I must get a couple of proper fiddle lessons to start me off.

All in all, it was a great time in a wonderfully atmospheric place (although not being familiar with Whitby, at times I could not believe how unbelievably overcrowded the town was). The only slight negative was all the walking up and down hills (especially when carrying banjo!). In the end I never had the chance to get to a Mudgather, so didn't bump into Geoff the Duck or Noreen but I thank them and others for their kind advice on my newbie thread. I think I might have seen Max when I was hanging about at the American Dance workshop but didn't twig at the time or I would have said hello.   

Good crack, good music, nice people and sea views. I'll be back! Here are a few of the video clips I made:

Kieron Means & Sara Grey

Will Noble & John Cocking

Hannah James & Sam Sweeney

Jeff Warner

Rosie Stewart