Nkosana Mpofu was a wonderful & colourful addition to our festival, the Zulu poet & story teller held the audiences spellbound with his stories, his language & his charm; he himself commented on the festival; “. I had a great time and I met interesting people there. I had a good time and my friends enjoyed themselves. It was really a pleasant week end. They are coming again next year and they will bring their friends - more people more fun.  Kind regards. Nkosana”

 

Adrian Nation was another surprise addition to the bill, and he just cruised through the day winning friends & admirers.  What a guitarist!  What a singer!  What a Songwriter! What a really nice guy.  He is an awesome talent.  All who spoke to me of him said “bring him back”, so we are; he will be with us next year!

 

Bob Fox performed to his usual high standards, I had forgotten just how bloody good he is!  He was a great addition to the bill, a true Geordie Folk Legend.  I know we will be having him back soon.

 

I just loved the way every single performer joined in with the ‘Folk & Friends’ spirit of the Festival,  and helped to provide excellent entertainment, singing on way beyond the time that one would expect; there were impromptu sessions all over the site, all through the day & night.  It was great to see our old friend Donal O’Connor back, and to hear his fine soft Irish voice singing such wonderful songs, likewise good to see Ron Gardner back, too, he performed out of his skin (Great in the finale) and worked tirelessly as a host.  Beeswing showed why they are Festival stalwarts, & I don’t see how I could do without them & their vast experience. George Welch was a pleasure to behold, his soft humour, gentle manner, fine singing & playing make him too,  a Geordie Folk Legend! (Thanks for the 'car park session' George!)

“Hi Dave, Here follows the critique:-

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Cheers!

Dave (Beeswing)

 

Anna Louisa seemed to be everywhere! She is a really good songwriter, who is still growing.  The Evil Sweeties won hearts & minds with their daring style of folk, and Calum Stewart brought a new & interesting act to the festival this year also. Fine Folk! Chris Milner (“without the 6 week old baby”) & Chris Ricketts where two fine singers/songwriters, who both provided excellent entertainment, both new to the Festival, I am sure we will see them again.

 

Old pals of ours Shy Talk did their usual; entertaining with an eclectic mix of folk, country, pop, and humour.  The Exiles from Eden & Few Broth were two groups new to the festival, and both were excellent value! I am sure that we are going to be seeing them again sometime soon too.

“Thanks Dave, We had a fantastic time- everything about the festival was brilliant, the weather definitely helped but the music and the setting were all amazing.. There was a really good atmosphere there which I think is unique to your festival.  I am going to put some good comments about it on our ‘my-space’ site. We would love to come and play again next year and thanks again for organising such a great weekend.”

Paul & Keith, Exile fron Eden

 

Jiva stepped in to fill the gap left by Dave Ellison (see you next year Dave), and they brought their own special style to the proceedings, with some fine singing, and they were a great help too, in the Bar Sessions. John & Caroline Bushby & son (Malcolm) had a very successful festival, they were the only act to appear in all four venues within the festival, having had a well attended acoustic session in the Reception area with the Evil Sweeties, as well as stints in the Cellar, Marquee, and Bar.

 

Saturday Night was 'Party Night'! No one new what to expect when Something Nasty in the Woodshed started to tune up, and when they were done, after 2 or 3 encores, no one knew what they had heard! We (because I include myself) only knew that we had been forced to dance by what surely must be the most exciting band on the folk festival circuit.  Was it Folk? Who knows? Who Cares?! IT WAS FUN! Thanks to Jacko & the lads for a truly amazing end to the Saturday night.

 

Of course, it didn't actually end there; perhaps we were all high on adrenaline following SNIT Woodshed, perhaps it was the effect of a long hot day & plenty of Wylam Ale; but singing carried on accross the site unil after 4am!

 

Our wonderful Dance Sides did us & themselves proud yet again, and there will always be a welcome for them, Hexham Morris & Hexhamshire Lasses Danced & Entertained for hours around the Patio & in the Dance Tent, with Addison Rapper & Clog, (I still think they sound like a firm of solicitors!) also doing a turn in the cellar, much to the delight of those assembled!  The ever smiling Jeff  & Clogarythm were the first dance side to arrive, and the last to leave. All are fixtures & fittings to this Festival, “ad infinitum”  “Brilliant weekend - thank you so much for having us! We had a wonderful festival, and a great tonic for Deb. Just one thought - probably best to leave the festival date outside the monsoon season again next year, it worked out much better. Hope the sleep deficit has been repaid. Congratulations on an excellent event. Thanks again, see you next year if not before

 Jeff, and all your friends in Clogarythm”

 

A BIG Thankyou to all my team, without whom, I could not have got all the work done;

Dan (the festival security man) Blake, Suzanne (the camp site) Forshaw, Dave (font of all wisdom) Minikin, Ron (Nae Stanes) Gardner, Jack (Local) Wilkinson, and Jimmy & Val of Jiva.  Many many thanks.  Now, did I miss anyone out?  Hmmm … let me think …

Of course I did! Just teasing!

 

What would the Festival have been without the wonderful voices of Kimber’s Men?  They worked like Trojans across the festival weekend, as a group & as individuals.  They then went on to produce the closing to end all closings, following a great set from Ron Gardner, they went on to slaughter the room, taking us all on a voyage of emotions, raising the roof along the way, to leave us all emotionally drained, and longing for next year. Simply Brilliant.

 

My very dear old friend Joe Stead, of Kimber’s Men, gets a special mention here, too, for his splendid & widely acclaimed Robeson Workshop "Many congratulations on presiding over a quite wonderful festival.  The selection of guests were varied  ... of a high quality and to suit all tastes.  I don't think you could have done much better." Joe Stead, Kimber's Men

 

If you were at the festival, and decided to ‘beat the traffic’ by getting off at mid-day, then you missed the closing session; all I can say to you is, in the words of Al Murray pub landlord:

“Shame on you!”

DO NOT LEAVE EARLY NEXT YEAR!