how did I miss this thread when it started?

A friend took over a folk club in 1995 & I went along - WOW, a whole new world! A couple of years later I went to my first festival in his spare tent, sleeping on a thin mattress, I only remember the discomfort of sleeping one inch off the ground. Our folk club was booked for a concert & my friend handed out his preferred version of Wild Mountain Thyme so everyone sang the same words.

I have fuller memories of the 2000 National Folk Festival, my little rent was almost overwhelmed on the 2nd & 3rd nights when latecomers put up their tents far too close - first one had a peg under my bed & he snored! I just realised I could have probably kicked him to shut him up. 2nd had a peg so close to my entrance I had trouble getting out. But this meant I met a famous performer who was camping nearby & breakfasted with him & his partner for the rest of the festival. We became friends & pics I later took of him are on wikipedia.

I was very impressed by a shanty singing friend who had left his program in his tent, so "glanced" at mine & when I later wanted to check what I was planning to see,recited everything I had marked! I was also impressed by the shanty concerts & singing sessions. It was also the first festival where I took my camera & I have since attended every NFF (apart from 2020 & 2021) plus 2 or 3 other smaller festivals each year (except for 20 & 21!) tho I gave up camping some years ago & new prefer on-site caravans or hotels.

I still spend most of my time at singing sessions & singing workshops, & only attended 3 concerts at this year's National, & I take lots of photos of dances & kid's workshops. I really enjoy watching young kids participating in tunes, songs & dances.

sandra