Holmfirth Festival of Folk

Subject: Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2006
From: Cath
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 11:08 AM

HOLMFIRTH FESTIVAL OF FOLK 2006: MAY 5th - 7th
                                                                                
THE SHOW GOES ON!

Now that the director of Holmfirth Folk Festival Ltd has confirmed publicly that there will be no Holmfirth Festival in 2006 some local people have decided otherwise!

A group of Holmfirth business people met last week with local folk music and dance enthusiasts, all of whom are experienced in organising and running events, and have confirmed that the show will go on. They want it to be known that, contrary to some of the rumours that abound, they are running a festival in 2006 because no one else is and for no other reason.

Landlady of The Nook, Sheila Sutton, daughter of former licensees David and Angela Roberts said, 'We were very concerned to learn from the newspaper that the festival wasn't going to happen in 2006 and that the organisers wanted to move it to a greenfield site for 2007. Obviously the loss of income is a consideration but my family have been involved in the festival every year since it started and it is an event that we enjoy greatly. The Nook has played an important role in the success of the festival and it would be a sad loss if it was to be moved out of town.'

The new organising team are not planning to imitate what has happened in previous years but hope that they will be able to provide enough attractions to appeal to visitors and the local community. Already booked for the Picturedrome are The Strawbs, John Martyn and The Peatbog Faeries (tbc), Ceilidhs are planned for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, Morris Dance sides are booked, The Nook, The Postcard, The Old Bridge Hotel and Carniceria are all putting together a programme of music, children's entertainment is in hand, workshops have already been offered by musicians and arrangements for camping are well advanced.

The Holme Valley Business Association and 42 local businesses have pledged their support and sponsorship has been offered by The Music Room and Pertemps.

The organisers want to make this year's festival a truly community event and further offers of support and help would be much appreciated.

Contact can be made through [e-mail]

As one of the local vicars said, "You can't have May in Holmfirth without having the Folk Festival - it wouldn't be the same! "

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: R. Padgett
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 12:12 PM

Thank God and well done to all involved in reviving the spirit of Folk Music song and dance, not to mention the community involvment in making this date a continuing one.

It does need events sometimes to be brought to a head before simple conclusions are reached

Thanks to one and all who have made their feelings known, and now is the time to rally round in the thankless task of supporting and organising events~ things do happen spontaneously but the frame work and timetable needs to be put in place.

Thanks Cath (see above re anyone wanting to help)

Ray

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: panurus biarmicus
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 01:59 PM

thanks cath - it's good to see something emerging from the mist over the pennine hills - after a couple of months of hearsay, whittering and speculation.

Just hope that people will support your efforts and make this festival a good one. There is no reason why festivals cant run with out all the usual predicatable trappings and plastic arm bands. You just need a willing bunch of folk (a few with talent) and some good space, in which to meet sing, play, dance and drink. Good ale helps and there is plenty in the town.

Fact that the picturedrome is fielding some big names should make it all the better, and draw others in.

I guess the big task now is to let everyone know it is now definitely on as this is one of the first of the season so the jungle drums wont be up to full speed.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 03:56 AM

well done!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,ray padgett (at work)
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 03:58 AM

I see in another place that camping is to be restored, is this correct please?

Need for early information which is up to date so that we might spread the word

Ray

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Carol
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:35 AM

Great to hear the news

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Alio
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 10:04 AM

What's with the "usual predictible trappings and plastic arm bands" Panurus? From a festival organiser's point of view, I wouldn't want to see all the hours and hours of prep be totally discounted and minimised!

Apart from that, it's great to hear that Holmfirth will be on this year - let's hope that the Folk Festival committee get the same financial and emotional support from the town in 2007!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:37 PM

will t'campsite b in't'usual place or elsewhere?

is there any camping?


how much?


is camp[ing inc wiv fest tiket?


or can camp permit b bought separate?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Muppet
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 10:53 AM

Great to see local people take action to keep the Festival alive.

Let's hope the local council support them with some funding.

When Sidmouth reverted to being organised largely by local folk the council there disgracefully chopped their funding from around £60k per annum. to absolutely zero.

Lancaster faces an uncertain future too due to a lack of support from the local council.

Local folk deserve more support from local councillors.

I hope they'll get it in Holmfirth.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 11:18 AM

I like the sound of this.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Cath
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 06:13 AM

There will be news on the camping front very soon but if all goes to plan it will be in the site near the swimming baths with security staff and admission will be with some sort of permit yet to be sorted.

There will not be a weekend ticket - it's not going to be that kind of festival.

Concerts at the Picturedrome will have a ticket price just as all events there do throughout the year. The ceilidhs that are planned for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon will also have a small charge. Whether or not there will be a charge for any of the events in the pubs has yet to be decided - it will depend on whether and how much funding is available.

More news as it becomes available.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 06:24 AM

eh up Cath, at this rate I might be tempted to come again

Ted, I only live about 6 miles away so you could crash here

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Ruston Hornsby
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 10:52 AM

Sorry to be on a downer here, but I understood that one of the reasons the festival wasn't to take place this year was problems with camping sites and a lack of sufficient B&B accommodation. I know that I've had problems with both in the past here, it's also the (only) place where I've been given verbal abuse by locals for parking my car (legally and not in front of anyone's house - and on the first occasion where the owner of the B&B we were in told me to park it) in 20+ years of festival going. Somebody I know quoted "they want your money but they don't want you..." It certainly hasn't impressed itself as the most hospitable place on the planet with me. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Guest New Mills
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 11:50 AM

I love the way the local business people have rallied around to give help to the Festival once there was a threat it may not continue.

It was always the busiest and most lucrative weekend for the town. The Co-op took as much money over he Festival weekend as it did over any three days before Christmas. With the honourable exception of the Nook - most businesses could not have cared less when previous directors have suggested they support the festival. I am told it was hard to get them to even take an advert in the programme. One pub owner in the past discouraged pubs from contributing to the festival on the grounds that "poeple would turn up anyway".

However generally speaking the people tend to be friendly. But like most people in tourist towns - they can be a bit funny when it comes to tourists!!

I note that "Holme Valley Business Association and 42 local business have pledged their support". Wouldn't it be lovely to read "The Holme Valley Business Association who have finally after 27 years realised the value of the festival to the town have pledged each of their members will give £100.00 towards the running costs of the festival".

As I have said, The Nook is an honourable exception to this and I am glad Sheila is in the forefront of attempts to keep the festival going.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Cath
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 12:05 PM

I'm sorry that 40DL has had problems but there is one particular B & B where I know the owner has caused problems to the neighbours by instructing his customers to park in spaces which are not actually his - I don't know which one you refer to but it might be this very one.
And yes there has been some animosity between the town and the festival organisers but there are historical reasons for that - lets hope this year can put those to rest. The difference is that this year those involved are local, know a lot of the locals and know a lot of the local issues.
As the person who dealt with the adverts in 2004 and 2005 I can't say I had difficulty in getting people to take them. The take up was only limited by the time I had available although, as always, there are a few who don't want to play but they are certainly the minority.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,soldier boy
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 09:26 PM

Lets move the talk over now from "Holmfirth Folk Festival" to this years correct "Holmfirth Festival of Folk". Any contacts/threads you know on the former please advise to switch to this thread.
Thanking you.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 09:40 PM

well if they're unhospitable in H/Firth, there's plenty vilages nearby with pubes+ camp fields.


After all, all that's needed is water supply + bogs!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Ruston Hornsby
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 03:57 AM

Phew. I was a bit worried about coming out with what I did in what was a first post on the site, I'm much heartened by the well thought out replies. Should I have expected anything else from the folk scene? My first Holmfirth was my first festival as a member of a dance side back in 1982 and it was brilliant. (too many) pints of Taylors pulled by David in the Nook, and we danced in front of the bottle gas store that, when filming required, was dressed up as "Sid's Cafe". For the last X years of course it has been "Sid's Cafe" full time - an admirable bit of business acumen, with it's associated bus tours of film locations - and we have danced outside under the glare of the owners/staff as people possibly blocking their trade. The atmosphere certainly did seem to change in line with the appearance of the tourist traps, and I think "Guest, New Mills" is quite right in their observation of attitudes prevalent in tourist towns, I grew up in one myself! There must be a significant number of Holmfirth residents who don't like the way that the town has developed in this direction. As Cath has said, hopefully this is the chance to look at all this afresh, and I wish them well. Not sure about Mr Happy's "villages with pubes", though.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 04:12 AM

Thanks very much for the offer there Raggytash, we will take you up on it!!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 04:44 AM

Sorry to double post, but I have sent you a PM raggy.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 11:48 AM

Well done to all involved in Holmfirth for getting this together and good luck

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Daisy
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 06:43 PM

So glad to hear that Holmfirth is a goer. And to hear that Acoustic Strawbs are playing.....AMAZING. I've seen them before and they are absolutely superb. Well done!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: alanww
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 04:52 AM

Well done in steping in to save the festival, Cath.
Will you soon have a new website? The current one at Holmfirth Festival says emphatically that "THERE WILL BE NO HOLMFIRTH FESTIVAL IN 2006", which will no doubt put off a lot of people!
"Dancing and singing, bell ringing...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Cath
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 07:07 AM

Thanks Alan but it isn't just me - I'm just the one who has posted the information on here.
There will be a web site up and running very shortly - I am told the address will be www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.com and its arrival is imminent.
Thanks to all on here for their good wishes.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Cath
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 07:14 AM

Nothing to do with the festival but I decided to try translating the page into French (OK I've got an hour to spare this morning!) I presume it is a facility that is offered to everybody who reads Mudcat, not just us Mac users and it's good for a laugh.
Some of the translations of names are fun.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: holmfirther
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 01:27 PM

We decided to go with www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk..Not dot com....Sorry if have'nt made myself clear on this one..We should be launching the new website's first couple of pages later on this week..

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Guest - Molly Dancer
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 09:25 AM

Can anyone connected with Holmfirth Festival of Folk tell me where to apply as a dance side?

Who is co-ordinating he dancing?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Soldier boy
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 10:11 AM

Yes Molly Dancer.
The local mixed North-West Morris side, "Slubbing Billys" are co-ordinating the dance teams.The squire of Slubbing Billys, Duggs Carre, is on this years new organising committee and you can contact him at: Email: [e-mail]
Alternatively go onto the Slubbing Billys website at:
www.slubbingbillys.org.uk   and click on "Contacts".
The more dance teams the merrier so get in touch with Duggs A.S.A.P .

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: panurus biarmicus
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 05:14 PM

is that horseshit address for real ?

I am involved with a side that could be interested but we don't really practice or even dance much anymore -more of a drinking side really. We used to be good years ago but now we are just a bunch of grumpy old fat blokes.

I will get our bag to drop Duggs a line.

It's good to see things coming together. It would be better to be back at the old campsite - tis nowt but a short stroll, and helps clears the head before boo boos

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 06:37 PM

You really sell yourself well, panurus biarmicus!
Let's hope there are enough dance sides around that do practice and dance out so that the people of Holmfirth don't get the impression that morris dancers are just a bunch of overweight piss heads!

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Soldier boy
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 07:23 PM

I quite agree Panarus.B - it will be better.
And yes, Duggs's email address: [e-mail], is for real, cute isn't it!
Even if you are a bunch of grumpy old fat blokes that don't dance much anymore and prefer the drinking ( and hopefully a bit of singing )- don't despair! Have a word with Duggs and I think you will find that this years "Holmfirth Festival of Folk" will be a lot less formal on the dancing side of things.
There will be some set venues and times for dancing but the rest of the time you will be able to dance when you like and where you like and just enjoy the village and the occasion.
So long as you add to the colour and atmosphere of such an event I'm sure you will be very welcome.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Sutty
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 06:18 AM

Great to see the support and messages of goodwill rolling in. I know this years "Festival of Folk" will be great with lots of old and new faces. The Nook has provisionally booked Emily Druce and Steve Jones, as well as the eternally popular 3 Sandwiches skiffle. MOre to follow....

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 06:30 AM

Thanks to an offer from the noble Raggytash to let us sleep in his shed, Hull smoking club will be there.
                Cheers from sunny Hull.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Lynn W
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:35 AM

"The Nook has provisionally booked Emily Druce and Steve Jones, as well as the eternally popular 3 Sandwiches skiffle." - does that mean the Nook is not available for the usual sessions - I hope that's not the case! Are there any pubs available for evening sessions?
Lynn

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: panurus biarmicus
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 04:07 PM

just to correct a popular myth - i think you will find that the entertaining outfit that hail from bradford way(??) and have played at both the sair and the nook in the last couple of years are indeed Free Sandwiches and not 3 sandwiches. Think the mis naming started with a badly researched poster produced by the mostly pickled landlord at the Sair.

Last year the band at the nook played in the makeshift shelter in the yard leaving the space inside free for the usual gathering of players.

No doubt the new gang can clarify the arrangements for this year in due course but there will be space for all within the hostelry i am sure !

There are other pubs that will welcome pluckers, blowers and squeezers - even fiddlers over the weekend.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Soldier boy
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 05:12 PM

Quite correct Panurarse barnaclepuss (or whatever your strange 'handle'is) they are called "Free Sandwiches", not 3 sandwiches but this mis-naming occured at The Nook and not The Sair.
[so Ron, the Sairs'landlord, wasn't to blame on this occasion!]

They,and I'm sure, other entertainment booked by the Nook will play under what is now a permanently covered yard at the back of the pub.
This works well here and can hold a large number of people.

Like other regular folkies I hope that all the other rooms in The Nook will be undisturbed and left available for the usual brilliant musician and singaround sessions to play/sing their hearts out.

If this happens in 2006 and no amplified bands are booked to play inside the pub (this has happened before and it was disastrous to the wandering army of musicians looking for somewhere to settle down for the night) then The Nook will be THE place for all musicians and singers to gather and meet up over the weekend.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 02:03 AM

As someone who has propped up a cramped corner in the Nook during many many festivals - I wholeheartedly support not amplifying any music up in the Nook during the festival. The Nook is what the Lobster used to be for Redcar and the Tiger used to be during Beverley. Don't elbow the musicians out. No festival is complete unless there are loads of people wandering around with cases going between session and concert.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,guest John Boy..
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 11:11 AM

Excellent work poeple..

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: dozy rozy
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 12:10 PM

is it Holmfirth festival of folk, or Folk festival of holmfirh, or Festival of folk of holmfirth, or the peoples front of judea? or the judean peoples front.And what did the romans ever do for us?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Cath
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 06:29 PM

A good question dozy rozy and here is a good answer.
Because t'committee of Holmfirth Folk Festival Ltd claim to own that name it cannot be called that.
So, Holmfirth Festival of Folk it is.
The peoples' front of judea was the second choice with i can't believe it's not a folk festival a close third.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Session lover
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 06:38 PM

Looking forward to this already.

Not bothered about concerts, take folk back to the people!

Sessions and cheap camping. Great, thanks to the organisers.

Jane

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: holmfirther
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 07:08 PM

Can anyone enlighten me on the Judean folk scene..

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: panurus biarmicus
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 07:25 PM

I always thought that the Folk Scene of Judea was far superior to the Judean Folk Scene but clearly bettered by the Holmfirth Festival - only to be (hopefully) trumped this year by the Holmfirth Festival of Folk !

and all for the price of a camping pitch and a rack of ale !

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: holmfirther
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 07:31 PM

Were the Romans involved in either scenes'?

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 06:39 AM

Yes, Romans in Britain were invloved in some very unusual scenes, some of which offended Mary Whitehouse, and were subsequently taken to court

Now can we get back to the plot ...........


Holmfirth Festival of Folk
Holmfirth Festival of Folk
Holmfirth Festival of Folk

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,guest....Folky
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 09:48 AM

I have just been informed that the website is more or less ready..Still a bit of fine tuning to do but they are on the case..

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Wheather Boy..
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 10:08 AM

The wheather in Holmfirth can be accessed via www.mugi.co.uk/g4led/

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: Cath
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 11:17 AM

Folky forgot to tell you the address of the web site - it's www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk
Not everything is there yet but it's on its way.

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: JohnB
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 11:25 AM

Well! there are the Roads.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Holmfirth Festival of Folk
From: GUEST,Session Lover
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 10:26 AM

Congratulations to all concerned for getting this off the ground.

Some good artists - though personally I shall be looking forward to the sessions.

One small complaint - the cartoon on the front of the website. Long-haired guitar player with his finger in his ear. Longhaired mouth-organ player. Broken window/mirror which I fail to see the significance of. Two dogs drinking?

Seems to perpetuate stereotypes and male ones at that.

Surely it is possible to do better than that!!

Many festival goers are women.

Me for example.

Love Jane