New Festival

Subject: New Festival
From: Alio
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 08:44 AM

Rumour has it that a new festival is starting up in 2007. It's based in Skipton, and is the same weekend as Cleckheaton, which of course is geographically very close.

This would be a great shame if it's true as we couldn't support both, and possibly both festivals would lose out - in atmosphere and with finances.

Does anyone know if I've heard correctly?

Ali

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 03:51 PM

Was at Skipton folk club last night seeing the lovely Bob Fox and no one mentioned a festival.....wonder if you misheard. There is to be a new fetival at Shepley, down the road from Holmfirth by the original organisers of Holmfirth a week later than the Holmfirth folk week.....of course it could be that there is a well kept secret in Skipton>>>>?

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 03:59 PM

I guess we should assume this is in the UK

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 04:23 PM

I too heard this rumour last week, from another normally reliable source, and I too wonder if they misheard; I've had me ear to the ground ever since but so far have uncovered nothing! (The town already has a Sheep Day on the first Saturday in July I believe, but that ain't a folk festival...) Certainly it would be silly and unnecessary competition for Cleckheaton which is already well established locally.

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: Alio
Date: 23 Nov 06 - 07:57 PM

Thanks for the replies folks.

I know it's not the Shepley Festival, Guest, as that's replacing the original Holmfiorth one, and is in May. This one is definitely supposed to be in July, over the Cleckheaton weekend.

It's all very strange!

Ali

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: Cath
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 05:50 PM

Hang on a minute!!
The Shepley festival is not replacing Holmfirth - it is a totally different animal albeit with some of the former Holmfirth team.
There will be a festival in Holmfirth, as there has been for more than 25 years, on the second weekend of May (11th - 13th) organised by those who did it very successfully last year.
Take a look at the web site www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk to see what's going on.
Cath

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 07:28 PM

Gawd !! Thats ALL we need ! Festivals fighting for audience !!

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 12:50 PM

I too have heard this worrying news and from a very reliable source.
It is apparentley something to do with Skipton Auction site and it is definitely planned for the same weekend as the 20th Cleckheaton Festival.
Obviously new festivals are a great idea but one would have thought that the organisers would check the festival diary listings. Cleckheaton has been at this time of year for the past 19 years and os a very popular little festival but, like most, it is reliant on a strong local audience as well as visitors. For a new festival to be scheduled on the same weekend well within a 50 mile radius is very poor planning!
I am midway between the sites but I know which one I will attend. The one I have so many happy memories of for a number of years.

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 02:00 PM

I am now led to understand that the Skipton Auction Mart event is a Folk Day only, albeit on the Saturday of the Cleckheaton Festival weekend, which makes it not as big a threat as originally rumoured. Having said that, it is still making for unnecessary competition at a time when all festivals and larger-scale events have a big struggle just to survive. I am with Shantyfreak on this, and I too will continue to support Cleckheaton!

Subject: RE: New Festival
From: Alio
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 06:11 PM

Me too Moorley Man - I know from when we first chose the Saddleworth dates that it's impossible to find a "free" weekend, but I also know we tried to avoid potential clashes with nearby festivals. I do hope Cleckheaton don't suffer - as you say, it's a lovely weekend.

Ali