UK Folk festivals

Subject: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 10:12 AM

Having decided that we want to go to more festivals next year, I would like to try and plan the year as best I can. An awful lot of the time I only seem to find out about a music weekend or festival just before it occurs. None of the directories of festivals seems to be definitive so I thought that, since there must be Mudcatters who go to every festival that exists, this would be the place to ask:

Could anyone tell me which festivals they've been to, or go to regularly or recoment (or not!), and when they all are so that I can build up a diary of good festivals to aim at? Please?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: webfolk
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 10:16 AM

there is a list on the froots pages, link from my pages www.webfolk.net under links
persoanlly it depends so much on what your after that how can the question be answered?
If you're a play or a watcher, a singer, a musician, a session , sungaround, camper, caravanner, etc etc.
We need some clues Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 10:46 AM

Towersey is great it has everything, sessions, singarounds, folk club and work shops and big concerts etc. It's on the August bank holiday weekend.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 10:52 AM

Lynne
Don't forget Miskin at Easter,how could you when your doing the Folk Club on the Friday night.
Yas

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: webfolk
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 10:55 AM

if this become a whole list of festivals, in the vein of my festival is better than yours, I'm off!

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Donny
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:07 AM

Lynne,
Visit the worlds biggest winter Celtic Festival held in Glasgow each year.
Viz/ Celtic Connections   12th to 30th January 2004 Glasgow Scotland.
Website:       http:/www.celticconnections.com

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:07 AM

GOODBYE!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,MBS
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:09 AM

Goodbye Webfolk!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:18 AM

Cleckheaton. First weekend in July. Small, friendly, cheap, sing-arounds, sessions. Something for everyone. Varied programme. A good little festival. Holmfirth in May. Big, more expensive than Cleck, varied line up, plenty to do.Saddleworth, end of July, like Cleck in many ways.Fleetwood, late August/early September. Big names, good line up, plenty to see and do, sing arounds, sessions, nice sea side town.Otley, Middle/late September, Good festival, good names, plenty to do. Hows that-haven't upset anyones sensibilities have I?

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Sooz
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:24 AM

Cleethorpes (Spring bank holiday) and Fylde (weekend after August BH) are probably my favourites, but don't forget

Gainsborough third weekend in October. Small and extremely friendly!

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Blowzabella
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:37 AM

Lancaster - Easter weeked for sea-songs and shanties (4 full days of 'em!)

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:46 AM

Thanks guys, that's great so far...keep it going!

Not sure what webfolk's problem is...people just seemed to be answering the question I asked. I didn't hear anyone saying theirs was bigger and better, did you?

Anyway, we have a start...any more?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:46 AM

Lynne

There are loads of festivals that probably aren't suitable for your needs. I guess you're looking for those that are child-friendly, encourage participation, not very expensive and within reasonable travelling distance? And are not/ do not clash with, Miskin, the National or Sidmouth, which you already go to?

Kitty

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 11:51 AM

That's generally right Kitty, though the odd one without the children would probably be nice! Participation is the main thing, I'm not really into all-concert festivals, but most of them have at least some song/music sessions, even if only as fringe. Travelling distance isn't necessarily an issue either. We intend to camp more next year, having bought a new tent specially! The expense is more important, but then, I intend to be richer next year! What I really want is the full spectrum of what is on offer so that we have plenty to choose from.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 01:00 PM

Otley, Holmfirth and Beverley have good musicians sessions.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Eye Lander
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 01:16 PM

As was mentioned in an earlier posting, Froots publish a complete list in March, but I have just noticed some festivals for 2005 listed already.
http://www.frootsmag.com/content/festivals/date/#january2005

Can't do blue clickys
E L

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 02:51 PM

http://www.frootsmag.com/content/festivals/date/#january2005

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 02:56 PM

Upton-on-Severn (May Day bank hol), Bishops Castle (mid June), Alcester (midsummer), Saltburn (mid-Aug) and Bromyard (mid Sep) are good for participatory singing, mostly in pubs, but also organised singarounds etc.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Jack The Lad
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:51 PM

Coming from abroad, we are not equipped for the outdoor
"in a field of mud" type festival. Which festivals are fun, professionally run, with an entertaining line-up- and held indoors in decent conditions? Specifically in July August?
Cheers,
Jack The Lad

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Micca
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:57 PM

And dont forget the Mudcat Gatherings, Loughstock, Portaferry Northern Ireland(cheap Hostel Accomo,cheap flights to Belfast) details here
Loughstock III
Or there is of course, on the w/e before the 2nd May Bank Holiday the Yorkshire Gathering

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: nutty
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 05:45 PM

Warwick is a must .... at least once in a lifetime

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Cllr
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 05:48 PM

Ok this not an exsuastive list but ones that I go to if I can I like to go to a festival a month but it tends to be all out over August,
I did manage 17 year before last but I was completly knackered and not all were great. Most of the these have good singing sessions as that what I do nowadays.

February I go to Middlebar reunion, Portaferrry ok these arnt festvals but we sing alot
march/april Miskin at easter
May fox and hounds, Chippenham
june Bishops castle (ok this is one I havn't been to but it sounds good) Iwas at the sangfrancisco folk festivel instead
July Warwick Ely
August Sidmouth, dartmoor, Grove, Bridgenorth or towersey
September Wareham Bromyard Song and ale (which is this weekend but my wife wasn't well 8-( )
October banbury
November bedworth,

I would like to got to more mudcat reunions but moost festival seem like that these days.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:20 PM

Great! Got a good list so far! Keep it going..... what about some of these little ones that don't book guests?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: LesB
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:50 PM

Wot no Whitby?

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:08 PM

what about some of these little ones that don't book guests

Fox & Hounds, Bishops Castle, Cotswold Capers, Grove, Wareham Wail, Whittlebury should do for a start

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: BluesguyUK
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:55 PM

I have just a passing interest in folk music but have this link http://www.folkandroots.co.uk/festivals.html
which has an increasing list of folk fests (and some Blues fests which is what I am into)

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Cats at Work
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 04:08 AM

Lynne,

You are very welcome at Fox and Hounds, 13, 14, 15 May 2005. We sing all weekend, sometimes in the skittle Alley, sometimes in the pub and sometimes on the top of the Tors! Depends on where you are when you want to sing. As other people have said, no guests, it was set up as a response to singers who were asking for somewhere to sing. The pub has an Irish landlord who loves having us there, a campsite, with or without hookups, a bunk house and hotel rooms. Dave the Chef does wonderful food and a good time is had by all. It's on Dartmoor and has no near neighbours but those who do live nearby try to get over for the singing and will put up people if the pub rooms are full.

Kathy & Jon

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Little Robyn
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 04:35 AM

How about taking the kids to Helston for Furry Day? A great day out if you can get to Cornwall. You can stay all day and experience it all, or just catch the Halanto and the main dance at mid-day.
Robyn

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 05:28 AM

Only one brief mention of the Whitby, the biggest and best of the lot (apologies to all Sidmouth fans)a celebration of British, music , song and dance. Over 1100 hours of programmed entertainment and THEN there's the fringe which is bigger than every festival I've ever been to.
It runs the week BEFORE August Bank holiday, not only is Whitby a great festival, the town and the surrounding countryside have plenty to offer.
One problem is accommodation, people tend to book the same cottage year after year so finding somewhere to kip sometimes has to rely on someone popping their clogs and creating a vacancy !

It's that popular !!

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 05:29 AM

Should have added it may be a good idea to check the Obit columms

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:10 AM

I d recommendthe following:

Bridgenorth, Warwick, Chester, Cleakheaton, Otley,
Girvan, Kirriemuir, Saddleworth.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:42 AM

Sorry that Carol is not well Cllr. you missed a good Whittlebury.
Back to thread, Lynne as others have mentioned, Grove (Nr Wantage in Oxfordshire) aka "The White Horse Folk Festival" in mid August is a very friendly festival with good camping and facilities. It has plenty of good sing-a-rounds and sessions as well as concerts and dancing etc. Contact Skippy

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:43 AM

cresby.com - festival page lists a lot of festivals in the Mid West of England (+ De Ddwyrain Cymru) and the shy retiring webmeister would never stoop to gratuitpous self-promotion.

well just a bit - ocassionally

What time-frame are you considering? You have Bed'th coming-up end of Nov, this weekend there is the Dursley Day of Folk and Haddenham Ceilidhs make a weekend of concerts and dance and session 1st w/e Dec usually. If you spot a flash of red at festivals within 1 1/2 hours of Gloucester - say hello. I will be at the Bristol Cajun w/e 9th Oct which clashes with Banbury the same w/e (stronger on concerts/sessions than dance).

Enjoy.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:16 AM

This is great! Thanks everyone. Thanks Kathy and Jon, that sounds like a definite possibility.

Helston Furry dance would be good, I've thought about it before, but our Mayday is taken up because our son is now dancing Morris and we have to go and watch him dance the sun up.

I seem to have a lot of festivals from August onwards but not much before July...there must be more early ones?

Mr Red, we are going to Banbury and Bedworth, then Middle Bar reunion, Miskin at Easter, the National, and of course Sidmouth. Others for next year to be decided on when I see what the list is like!

I assume most of these have web sites? If not, could you tell me where and when things are when you mention them please?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Michael
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:33 AM

Stainsby Festival (www.stainsbyfestival.org.uk/) 15th -17th July 2005.
Just off M1 Jct 29.near Chesterfield.
In a field-a very laid back sort of do.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,skipy
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:02 AM

lynne, if you do take hovering bob's advise & "contact Skippy" I don't know what answer you will get, as I am skipy of white horse, please note the single "p".

Regards Skipy
www.wayaway.co.uk/whff

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:03 AM

Cleckheaton and Saddleworth are both in July, Holmfirth in May and Robin Hoods Bay in June although the latter is tiny and only barely fits the description "festival" it can be a great weekend. Otley is in September, both Sides of the Tweed (October)on the one occasion I visited was tremendous

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: s&r
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 10:06 AM

Fylde has concerts, workshops, sessions, singarounds, pub venues and halls, youth activities, camping and cheap accommodation in Fleetwood and a real ale bar in the Marine Hall. Weekend after August Bank Holiday. And it's friendly.

Stu

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 01:20 PM

I'll second Sooz's vote for Cleethorpes. I have to admit to being biased, as it's my local festival, but it does have something for everyone and is very friendly.

Gainsborough looks good. I might give that a try this year.


Doug C

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 02:20 PM

and if you are wanting an autumn festival Sheffield last weekend in October ( end of half term week round here this year and I am running kids workshops Saturday and sunday

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Cats
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 02:36 PM

Lynne,

Helston Flora is on 8th May, not May day, so you could come for Flora and stay for Fox and Hounds. You could stay with us mid time.
Kathy & Jon

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 03:29 PM

Thanks Kathy and Jon! Sounds like a distinct possibility......I certainly like the sound of Fox & Hounds. We shall see what the year turns up

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 03:03 AM

Well, of course, there used to be one somewhere near Ashby de la Zouch - some place called Donneesthorpe or similar! Maybe that could be revived if there was any interest...

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: The Barden of England
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 12:49 PM

I wouldn't miss Ely. It's a great Festival in the middle of July - have a look at this site as it tells you about this year http://www.elyfolk.co.uk/. Beverley is well worth the trip in the middle of June http://www.adastey.demon.co.uk/. It's a couple to be going on with anyway and both are camping festivals

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: *Laura*
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 04:47 PM

It's not exactly a festival but if you can get to Cornwall - go to Padstow for Mayday bank holiday. It's great - sessions spilling out of every pub and 'oss oss wee oss' to follow.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Chris Green
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 01:14 PM

Hear hear Mr Barden! Ely was a corking festival this year (and not just because we were playing!) Bridgnorth is also a must as is Bedworth in November and Warwick next summer.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Cats at Work
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:55 AM

If you come to Padstow may day it means you could stay with us for 2 weeks!!!! Would Cornwall ever recover???

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 07:18 AM

Could it take it in the first place!! Unfortunately, we have to be here on Mayday 'cos of Richard dancing with the Morris. Sounds like a fairly cool idea though...and we seem to have quite a few friends in Cornwall these days. Maybe we should just move down there and be done with it?? Thanks for the offer. We may take you up on at least part of it

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Mr Red
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 07:43 AM

MBSLynne

PM us here or I can be contacted from my website.

The Furry Dance is popular anyway - I understand the roads are pretty well unsuable even the days before. Plan well ahead.


You will spot me at Bed'th - I will be the one ........... you will spot me.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: webfolk
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 07:54 AM

I don't think anyone has mentioned Wheaton Aston which is in Staffordshire and is a very small very friendly festival. Even idf the pub did charge 50p for a glass of water [they are on a meter].

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Chris Green
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 09:03 AM

Yep, Wheaton Aston too! The nicest village festival I've ever been to - really good value for money! You're right about the prices for water though, webfolk - and furthermore it tasted like it had been drunk already!

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: muppitz
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 09:35 AM

Saltburn has a god Damn cracking line up for next year, there are so many of my favourites I personally will be spoilt for choice when I get there! It's usually in August and normally BEFORE Whitby week!
Can't say I'd like to compete with Whitby week!

Just as a bit of a plug if you're in the midlands in June/July time, the date has yet to be finalised (Unfortunately we normally end up clashing with Cleckheaton), and guests are to be totally comfirmed, but Mansfield Folk Festival should be sporting Tanglefoot and the John Wright Band as headliners next year.

Muppitz x

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,skipy
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 01:11 PM

Stanford in the Vale Folk Festival ceased to be when the landlord started charging £1-00 for tap water in 1994.
What made it worse was the fact that he was selling it to the morris teams in sweltering heat while they where dancing outside his pub.
This was also a Sunday lunch time with teams due to DRIVE to various parts of the country after drinking his beer & eating his food since Friday.
The Oxford Mail carried the story on it's Monday front page saying "boycott this pub"
Then we set up White Horse & the rest is history.
Sorry it's a bit of a tangent but I am still MAD!

Anyone feel a "bad landlord tghread coming on"?

Regards Skipy

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 03:42 PM

Wheaton Aston sounds as if it could be cool - when is it?

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:33 PM

I was told by a landlord that, due to some old law, a landlord had to GIVE you a glass of water if you asked and couldn't charge, though if he put ice and lemon in he could charge for that.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Moonunit
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 05:24 PM

Wheaton Aston Folk Festival:

click me

"You're right about the prices for water though, webfolk - and furthermore it tasted like it had been drunk already!"

At Wheaton Aston 2004, duellingbouzoukis had a bit too much of the "local water" if you catch my meaning! Excellent entertainment all round, highly recommended (especially if they book duellingbouzoukis as MC again)! ;0)

Jude

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Les from Hull
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 05:51 PM

I also thought that it was illegal to charge for tap water. It certainly was before it was privatised.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 05:46 PM

For those interested in Scottish (and American) music as well - I went to a great little festival near Ayr the first week in August, Common Ground Scotland. Beautiful grounds, a free campsite and a small congregation contributed to the enjoyment, but mainly it was the laid back approach, great artists (Bob Fox & Benny Graham from England, Rick Lee, Walt Michael and others from the US, Alistair Fraser, Adam McNaughtan, Heather Heywood, Karine Polwart and others from Scotland), and the fact that it isn't entirely about music. Well, they had song swaps, sessions, songwriting workshops and a great gospel choir from scratch, but also workshops on painting, non-violence etc., as well as activities for kids when they don't play music). It's organised by The Living Tradition, in its third year, and if you feel like going next year, have a look at Common Ground Scotland 2005.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 07:25 PM

Thanks, Susanne - but I think Lynne, being MBS (Middle Bar Singer) is hoping to spend the first week in August in the Middle Bar, in the Anchor in Sidmouth. We even get Scottish people coming down to Sidmouth for this!

Kitty

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: GUEST,Mike, Halifax UK
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 01:25 PM

Most festivals have something to offer and sometimes less is more and smaller festivals can be up close and intimate but for me Warwick, Bridgnorth and Saltburn were good this year.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: running.hare
Date: 03 Oct 04 - 07:44 AM

Oxford (April) Was fab this year, and that was it's first time out - From what I've heard of plans for next year It should be even better. Would be great to see you then.

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 03 Oct 04 - 08:54 AM

Slightly off thread, perhaps, but:

"I was told by a landlord that, due to some old law, a landlord had to GIVE you a glass of water if you asked and couldn't charge, though if he put ice and lemon in he could charge for that."

As I recall it, if you are an Inn (as opposed to a Tavern), the licence requires you to provide refreshment for bona fide travellers - at any time of day or night. I am not certain where the free water comes into it, but certainly no Inn landlord can refuse you a drink of water. The distinction between Inn and Tavern lies in whether they provide accomodation for travellers...

Any legal eagles out there to put this one right?

epn

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: MBSLynne
Date: 03 Oct 04 - 10:37 AM

Though it was Martin, the landlord of "The Dove" in Sidmouth who told me that he was required to, and though it is an inn, I don't think it does accomodation

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: UK Folk festivals
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 03 Oct 04 - 02:48 PM

Well, Kitty, that's a personal decision, and I wasn't trying to take it for her. Nearly went to Sidmouth instead of Ayr myself this year. I thought, however, that other people beside Lynne might like to know about Common Ground.