BS: Memories of Appledore folk festival

Subject: BS: Memories of Appledore folk festival
From: muppett
Date: 20 Oct 03 - 10:01 AM

I used to go to a folk festival in Appledore (in Kent)back in the 1980's it was a small affair based at the Railway Inn it involved morris dance trips during the day on Saturdays & Sunday to places like New Romney, Hyth, Dymchurch and Rye, followed by lots of drinking, singing & dancing in the Railway inn and then on the camp site afterwards in the evenings. did anyone else go to it & what memories have you got of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Memories of Appledore folk festival
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 21 Oct 03 - 05:08 AM

I had some great times down at Appledore. It was a fairly laid-back, slightly disorganised event as all the best ones tend to be. Had some wonderful song sessions in the bar as well as concerts in the room round the back. There was usually an open air ceilidh in the garden and morris dancing in the car park. The campsite was across the road and I can remember a very spectacular display being provided by an enormous stallion and an a mare in the next field - all the morris dancers seemed to want to take credit for this example of fertility !

Subject: RE: BS: Memories of Appledore folk festival
From: Dave Masterson
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 10:23 AM

Oh Appledore, Appledore – what memories! I still cry every day……..
Although quite morris oriented there was something for everyone. Normally coaches would arrive on Saturday morning and we would all pile on for an impromptu morris tour of Romney Marsh, although on the last year ('84 I think) we all jumped on the 'Hastings Thumper' (the old diesel train that trundled across the marsh from Ashford to Hastings..and still does!) to Rye for a walking tour of the town.
Great sessions in the bar of the Railway Inn, and a cracking knees-up in the marquee. Thank goodness it was only a 50 yard stagger to the campsite, listening to the 'shivering sheep' of Romney Marsh. Well, actually they were Marsh Frogs, but after 8 pints of Pedigree they sure sounded like shivering sheep!
The best bit? Hard to say, but for the ladies it had to be Southdown Morris in their tight trousers, but we won't go there…

Subject: RE: BS: Memories of Appledore folk festival
From: muppett
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 11:26 AM

Trains & coaches, nay Dave, some of used t' jog !
EEH Those Marsh frogs, they started up in between the last few drunken choruses of some shanity or song and the dawn chorus, didn't much sleep if I rember rightly.