English National Festival, March 2004

Subject: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 05:53 PM

The National Folk Music Festival at Sutton Bonington takes place over the weekend of 26-28 March. Brilliant music and singing, wonderful atmosphere. Magical late night sessions (sadly, this year's festival is the weekend the clocks go forward....)

More info at

www.thenationalfolkfestival.co.uk

Kitty

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Emma B
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 07:03 PM

Is it that time of year already? How sad, an hours less festival - or does that just mean an hours less sleep? See you in the bar (as usual!)

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 07:12 PM

The confirmed performers booked so far are:(according to email received today)

"The guests booked include:- Norma Waterson, Crucible, Sean McNamara, Judy Cook, Antaine Ó Faráchain, Rosie Stewart, Ray Fisher, Martin Carthy, Jane & Amanda Threlfall, Roger Edwards & Martin Ellison, Roisin White, Eamonn Brophy, Paul Burgess, Barry Lister, Tim Van Eyken, Philippa Toulson, Eddie Upton, Hekety, Black Spot Champions (Paul & Alison Roberts and Mike Hirst), Shirley Collins, and 'As I Walked Out' – A musical play celebrating 100 years of Cecil Sharp's folk song collecting"

Looks good to me - although the real pleasure of the National often comes from the "surprise" appearances.

The online booking form was still being 'tested' a few days ago so we are asked to be patient if bookings aren't confirmed straightaway.

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 07:26 PM

So here's a blicky for anyone who needs it: National Festival 2004 Home Page (with link to online booking)

See you there.

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 07:46 PM

Kitty is quite right, it's something special among festivals. I hope I can make it this year.

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: karen k
Date: 16 Jan 04 - 12:06 AM

Yahoooooooooooo! Finally some 2004 info. I am going to be there this year. I'm flying over on March 23rd and leaving April 16th. Can't wait. Will also be going to the Lancaster Easter Maritime Festival.

Thanks Herga Kitty for the information. I've been checking the site periodically but had only seen the 2003 info. I'm really looking forward to it. Will go check out the site right now.

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 16 Jan 04 - 02:45 PM

I've already posted my booking form, snail-mail!

Kitty

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: 8_Pints
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 06:31 PM

We'll be there!!!

I need to go anyway to collect the tankard I won last year!!

Looks like a fantastic line up, the only problem seems to be that we can't be in at least 3 places at once, so many good things happening.

Sue vG and 8_Pints

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 08:01 PM

Looks like fun, but I can't really move over there.....

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Folkiedave
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 08:04 PM

Will be having a bookstall.............

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 02:09 PM

Ohmigosh Dave - I'd better start saving NOW
Any other brave souls planning to camp? (outdoor)

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: John Routledge
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 02:18 PM

Although I cannot make it this year the incredible memories of 2003 will keep me going till 2005.:0)

The atmosphere and quality was wonderful. Try to make it if you can.

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:06 PM

Got back at around 5.00 pm exhausted.

Never got chance to go to much but the sessions were just gobsmacking.

The bar was a great place to be and personally I thought the bar staff were superb. Service fast and efficient, still smiling at 1.00 am. not too pricey, excellent beer, etc. Helped to make it for me. Met loads of 'catters Always involved in playing, dicussing, singing, and generally enjoying themselves. Too many highlights to mention any.

Please don't access the website for a while, I need to do a lot of updating I am pleased to say.

Regards,

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:16 PM

I forgot to mention. Pete Heywood of "Living Tradition" had a copy of the review of the first festival in an old copy of Spin. I don't get Froots anymore but I understand that Derek Schofield had an article in there.

Artists included Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, Bert Lloyd, Charles Parker, Jeannie Robertson, Jimmy MacBeath, Felix Doran, Ann Briggs, and anyone else you could care to mention.

Amazing. If you come across any old copies of Spin, Joan Baez is on the front.

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:16 PM

For those who weren't there - just look what you missed.
The surprise turn-up was Sandra Kerr, with Nancy Kerr and Tim van Eyken.They were brought in at the last moment to replace Carthy/Waterson. They did a brilliant set - made even more amazing by the fact that Nancy & Sandra haven't performed together for quite some time.Their professionalism and sheer enjoyment of the music was thrilling.
And weren't Crucible brilliant! It was my first experience of their live act. They are superb musicians.
Great weekend - I could do with a week's sleep now to make up for it all.
Mary

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:11 PM

Snores......

Dave

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Emma B
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:17 PM

The "South Yorkshire" set in the bar on Sunday was wonderful = the combined talents of Hekaty, Crucible and Jon Loomes means that the Tradition is alive and well and safe in the hands of a new generation.
Still one of the highlights of the year for me, but that extra hours sleep was sorely missed!

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: RichardP
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 04:10 PM

What a great weekend. It's a pity that it was necessary to miss some meals because you couldn't miss the music that was continuing alongside.

With such a set of artists, it could last a week without needing more - indeed you might be able to aggregate appearances to the length of a full set from some of them. There was so much that was great, that it was impossible to see performances from people who would be unmissable anywhere else.

Roll on next year.

Richard

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 05:39 PM

I said thank you to one of the bar staff yesterday before leaving, and she said they'd enjoyed the weekend too.

And yes, the South Yorkshire session yesterday afternoon was wonderful!

Kitty

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: GavDav
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:39 AM

well, it is now tuesday and I have no energy left at all, but I'm still grinning from the weekend. top do!

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Rich A
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 11:42 AM

I want that box that Dave Hunt lent me. It had the power of the Queen Mary's fog horn!
Quality weekend, can't wait for next year.

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 12:11 PM

Great weekend. Even if it was an hour shorter that it oughter be.

Mary and Anahata were pretty good too, since noone's mentioned that so far. Seeing Roisin White and Rosie Stewart in action again was a high point too. And Heather Hayward and...

And I got to write a new song too (A Philosophical Song) out of running out of words half way through something I was singing. (Well, speaking actually, since it was a monologue - Colin the Duck.)

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: treewind
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 12:53 PM

Rich - you shouldn't have given Dave's box back! I'm sure it's much safer in your hands!

While I'm here I have to say:

Crucible were **** excellent!

So was Tim Van Eyken who I also had never heard before. Others who have heard him a few years ago say his singing has improved tremendously.

Nancy and Sandra Kerr were a delightful replacement for Martin and Norma. I hadn't met or heard Sandra before either. I'm sorry we'll miss her at Letchworth this Friday (we're gigging, would have gone otherwise)

So as Dave Webber said at the end of the Saturday concert, the future of English folk music is in safe hands.

What really made my day on Sunday was in the "National Squeeze" when Rod Stradling admitting he was too scared of playing solo in front of an audience and asking me to jam along with him on Tom Tolley's Hornpipe! That event was hosted by Bob Walser, who is a brave man - I wouldn't want to go over to the USA, host a trad musicians session and tell them what to do - but he ran a really fun hour and a half.

Anahata

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: GUEST,A new convert!!!
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 01:48 PM

As a student member of staff (does that sound right?) i would just like to thank you all for introducing me to the delightful sounds of folk music, never before have i seen such enthusiasm and good natured ness plus a great sense of timing!
if you are wondering who i might be, i was the blonde haired guy in the white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, sitting, listening to all the people in the ante room for hours on end!!!

thank you all!!!!!!!!!!
Russ Wainman

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Willa
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 02:04 PM

Welcome, Russ.Become a member of mudcat - it's easy and costs nothing.

I don't like to name names in case I forget anyone; I simply enjoyed every minute of the events I went to. Good to meet so many 'catters, some for the first time.

Heather Heywood gave mudcat a plug by saying that she'd got the words for one of her songs from the site!

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 02:56 PM

Welcome to the site Russ. Shame you support Gillingham but thanks for getting the Blades score for me. Shame it was not good news. Some folkies are also footie fans too. There's me, Rich A, Alan Bearman........err....that might be it. Still you are in good company apart from me.

I wrote to Darren the bar manager complimenting the staff, who helped make the weekend IMHO.

Rumour has it that Crucible came back to Sheffield and went out playing/singing again until the pub closed (cough, cough) precisely at 11.00 pm.

Regards,

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 10:33 PM

errrrr, soz to dissappoint so many gillingham fans out there but im not one of them lol, that was one of the other bar staff (coughs nervously)

but still i'll pass on the news :)

oh and how do you become a member of this site or am i just being a dumb blonde??? lol

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: My guru always said
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 03:59 AM

Russ - see the toolbar at the top of the page - click on 'Membership' & go for it!

Welcome - glad you're enjoying the music an' all!

Subject: RE: English National Festival, March 2004
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 07:46 AM

Welcome Russ. From the Festival Staff.
Look forward to seeing you next yesr (foot and mouth permitting)
Dave.