Review: Aylesford Village Festival - 2007

Subject: Review: Aylesford Village Festival - 2007
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 08:20 PM

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 [e-mail]

Many, many thanks again.

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

Subject: RE: Review: Aylesford Village Festival - 2007
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 09:22 PM

Just trying to see if I can get the hang of the "blue clicky" thing!

Details for the Aylesford Village Festival 2008 are on our web site

here Aylesford Village Festival - 2008

I think it works?!

Night night

Kev

Subject: RE: Review: Aylesford Village Festival - 2007
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 03 Jul 07 - 03:20 AM

Hello Kev the Clogs - I'll be there next year (seeing as I live just round the corner in Maidstone) and happy to either run or at least paticipate in the sessions. I'll put it in my diary and congratulations to you and the committee for getting it off the ground this year.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Review: Aylesford Village Festival - 2007
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Jul 07 - 10:17 AM

Useful suggestions: -

Welly throwing competition. Could it be combined with the teddy-bear hanging?

Market stalls and bootfair?

I know a bloke with a rodeo bull and he also has a military regalia and clothing stall business...

More securely tied down large gazebos with dry seats and hooks to hang clothes and bags on, anywhere dancers and musicians are likely to have to stand about in the rain...

Food in the little Gem

Pancake stall (sweet and savoury) on the rec and/or in the middle of town.

Brass band organised by Mr Heather?

Exemption dog/cat/bird show

Gardening competition (vegetables or flowers)

Best kept garden nominations...

Tug of war competition with other local villages.

Mend the expurgated facilities in the community centre...

Wandering collectors like Broadstairs....

Weather insurance?