Hi there folks.

Just thought I'd say a VERY BIG thank you to all of you who managed to attend the Aylesford Village Festival (nr Maidstone, Kent).

Special thanks to Bishop Gundulfs Morris; Loose Women; Invicta Morris; Gong Scourers; Hunter's Moon Morris and Dead Horse Morris for providing some fantastic dancing (even though it was raining for most of the day).

Thanks to Travelling Folk and Don Thompson, Bob et al, for turning up at The Chequers for the two Saturday singaround sessions - some great singing and tunes!!

Thanks to Flora from Bishop Gundulfs Moris for running the ceilidh on the Saturday evening.

Thanks to Heather for organising the Talent Competition.

Well done to Bishop Gundulfs Morris for breaking the world record for the number of swords to be locked during a dance - new record is TWENTY (to be verified by the Guinness Book of Records).

The organising committee will be holding a debrief next Thursday - then we will be starting work on the 2008 Festival!!

Please put it in your diaries for next year. The dates are Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June 2008. This is only our second year of the event - and we raised a fantastic £5000 for the local primary school, local scouts and local charities.

We had six morris sides, but I'd like at least twelve for next year!! If you are based in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire or Essex, please contact me for further details - If you are from further reaches, you are still invited as well (just thinking of how far you are willing to travel!!). Please pass on this invite to any Morris sides that you know of and ask them to contact me.

Also, if you would be willing to run or take part in singaround sessions, please let me know as well.

I'd like to try and have a dance day and a music day next year. If you are part of a folk band/group/duo or similar, would you be prepared to come along?

My vision is for the event to be a cross between Rochester Sweeps and The Black Horse Festival!!! (Not to much to hope for then!!)

So, any ideas, suggestions, critisisms, help, volunteering etc will be greatly welcomed.

You can contact me via Mudcat messaging or kevin@bishopgundulfs.co.uk

Many, many thanks again.

Kevin
Steward for Bishop Gundulfs Morris
and
Aylesford Village Festival Organising Committee