Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026

Subject: Saltburn
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Jul 26 - 11:20 AM

Any 'catters going to Saltburn Folk Festival next week?

I am there From Thursday and will be out and about with The Flagcrackers of Craven on Saturday and Sunday

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: cujimmy
Date: 05 Aug 26 - 08:20 AM

Ive just booked my camping Dave, I will mostly be attending the Folk Clubs / Singarounds. Im in a white Nissan Campervan, say hello if you see me and I will do the same.

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Aug 26 - 08:54 AM

My Daughter in law is on campsite duties on Saturday so I will probably pop over then - Morris duties permitting. Saturday and Sunday , look out for the Flagcrackers of Craven. I am the most, errr, portly of the concertina players

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: cujimmy
Date: 10 Aug 26 - 10:18 AM

Well it was a fabulouse weekend. When I got there on Thursday afternoon the Camp Site was sold out and over the weekend all the singarounds I attended were well attended, often possibly 40 + people taking their turn to sing. I attended another N E festival recently where a lot of people were singing what I would describe as pop songs - I dont mind people singing the odd pop song but "an Englisman in New York", by Sting wasnt to my liking - so most people at Saltburn sang proper folk songs, songs from N E England, Teeside, Grahem Miles songs etc which I much prefer I read elsewhere sometimes peoples worries about a decline in folk music, clubs, lack of younger people etc, well this one was very well attended and a lot of thanks must go to the organisers and volunteers who made it all possible. Il bee looking out for this one again when it comes around next year.

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Aug 26 - 11:32 AM

Yes to all the above and sorry I didn't C U Jimmy (See what I did there!) The dance teams and displays were equally marvellous with full gamut of styles from border to rapper (alphabetically :-) ) and everything in between. The side that caught my eye most was not so much a Morris side as whole lesson of how to get youngsters involved - Fosbrooks. All of them youngsters, mainly teens I would say. All danced superbly and all played an instrument as well - Some both at the same time! So talented. So young. Bastards... :-D

Slight aside to cujimmy's mention of pop songs. One of the Morris sides - Flash Company from Otley - have a unique (to me anyway) musical sound. As well as the ubiquitous melodeon the band features electric bass, Hofner Jazz Guitar (dated from 1959 - I asked the player) and flute. They play tunes to dance to including music by The Kinks and Blondie :-)

I shall be back next year in hope that the cliff lift is mended and I can avoid the killer hill to and from the pier!

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: cujimmy
Date: 10 Aug 26 - 01:21 PM

There is a singaround / session which I attend regularly on a Tuesday evening here at The Abbey Inn in Leeds, which is one of the best ive ever been to (im 69yrs) and there are younger people who attend regularly. Its not a folk club etc or an open mike, just a friendly group of people who like to sing. They sing all sorts and some are newish to folk songs, but often when I sing traditional songs and tell the social history they lean closer and listen - so that makes me enjoy the session even more. Its at 99 Pollard Lane LS13 1EQ for anyone who may wish to come along. There is no TV in the pub (not a Sam Smith Pub) so people just in for a few drinks listen in and some venture over and many pick up the courage to sing for their first time ever. So once again it is really nice to see younger people participating.

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Aug 26 - 07:25 AM

I don't know the Abbey but when I worked in Leeds we often went to The Grove. The seemed to have live music on a few nights. If I remember rightly there was a folk club one night and an open mic another. Jazz and blues seemed to figure in there too but that may be my addled brain!

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: cujimmy
Date: 11 Aug 26 - 08:26 AM

You are right Dave, Folk at the Grove has been going since I think 1962, and is still happening on a Monday evening. They are having abreak just now but will resume on 14 September with Monkeys Fist as the guest artists. It is still going strong, otherwise at the Grove there are other regular Music events on other nights including an Open mike on Wednesday evenings.

Subject: RE: Saltburn Folk Festival 7-9 Aug 2026
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Aug 26 - 04:19 PM

RIP JohnTaylor