Hardraw Gathering '05 - July 29th-31st
There's been a hasty rearrangement of this event. One set of organisers bowing out, another set taking the reins at short notice.
The mini-folk-fest based around the Green Dragon Public House (up at its lovely setting by Hardraw Force!) will STILL go ahead in '05. Landlord Mark Thompson has handed control to Steve Fairholme (he that has run the successful Black Sheep Otley Fest since its inception)
Last year's event, which was almost exclusively 'concert-based' from start to finish, has been dropped in favour of a more 'participation-based' format. There'll still likely be a pay-on-the door 'folk-club' style concert in the large back room on the Friday evening and a similar concert (featuring a major name) on the Saturday evening.
At ALL other times over the weekend there will be sing-a-rounds, musicians sessions and dance teams on the go.
These will take place for FREE! (well, perhaps a 'donation-bucket' will get passed around!) in the subsidiary rooms, main bar and outside in the grounds (where there's a bandstand!) and will likely be 'loosely led' by well known names from the folk scene.
The Gathering will announce its FULL spec on a NEW website for '05 up and running at www.hardrawgathering.com (NOT .co.uk as it was last year)
And there's a campsite behind the pub AND another next door!