WEST SOMERSET FOLK FESTIVAL 2009 Final Report

Carhampton again played host from the evening of Friday 10th July until the evening of Sunday 12th July, to the seventh West Somerset Folk Festival. Friends old and new from around the country gathered for the event commencing with superb singing at the opening singaround led by Pat Smith and Ned Clamp, who came from Cardiff specifically for this event. Also the Blazing Stump Folk Club, led by George Ody kindly moved his usual club night at Luxborough to the Skittle Alley at the Butchers Arms for this evening

On Saturday morning the sound of drums emitted from the hall for a well attended Bodran workshop took place under the expert direction Kevin Burrow. For a quieter time the now well established Folk Art workshop under the direction of Rose King gathered pace after a slow start. The afternoon workshop African Singing (Gabbi Newman-Turner)) was well supported, while a folk dance session drew many musicians forming a supergroup, but mot so many dancers. However we were treated to some dancing under the direction of Tony Tackle led in some enthusiasm by some wheelchair dancers 

On Saturday the Recreation Ground Hall was the venue for the lunchtime singaround where singers from the area and away contributed to a quality event led by Terry and Ann Parsons, from Newport Folk Club who stepped in late to cover the session. During this session Jim Binding recalled law and disorder from around the area and their stories in a fascinating and humorous talk

Di’s ever popular teas and cakes were available from Saturday afternoon when the festival goers had opportunity to sit and enjoy the refreshments,  each others company, and listen to folk in the open stage event hosted by Jim Parham and Eileen Ann Moore of the Acorn folk club (Minehead). It was not possible to hold this event outside due to the weather but the Main Hall made an excellent substitute

 The Saturday evening concert at the Concert Hall was outstanding with varied styles that opened with guests Crispin Bartlett from Newport (who acted as M/C for the evening), followed by Kevin and Lucy Burrow, from Cornwall with a mixture of self penned and popular chorus songs. Next was James Findlay from Dorset, a startling new talent with voice, guiter, or fiddle singing his favoured traditional material, followed by Cruel Folk, a duo from East Anglia with a sound remiscant of The second half of the concert comprised of Capella, a harmony duo performing a selection of songs both popular and new in their own unique acapella style. The final act was Anne Lister, a well established singer/songwriter from Wales with dynamic presence, and novel subject matter dealing mainly in mysticism. Saturday night then closed with a rousing late night sing led by Terry and Ann Parsons.

The festival ended on Sunday with Holy Joe, a session of religious songs with Brian and Jacquie Ross, and a final singaround with Mike & Di Dibble that went well into the afternoon, but the singing was not quite over as some hardy stalwarts stayed over on the Sunday evening and sang out the night.

Sales of plants, and the St Margarets Hospice Shop, including the second hand books did steady trade throughout the festival all helping to boost the profit for our chosen charity that this year was St Margarets Hospice, and as a result of the festival £650 has been donated to them.

During the course of the festival raffles were held and this was greatly assisted by the generosity of local traders from Minehead, and Dunster.
 
 The festival would not have been possible without the support of the Butchers Arms and the Recreation Hall Committee. Our thanks to them and all of the guests and leaders who gave their time free. Thanks also to Stephen Clark for supplying chairs,  Ken Dibble who provided and ran the PA., and Brian Ross for his sterling work on the website, Janet Binding for plants, Diane Dibble who provided most of the cakes, Terry Matthews who ran and supplied the Hospice Shop, and Riverside, Dunster (and others) who supplied the books. The most important contributions are made however by our supporters who came from many parts of the country to enjoy the music and hospitality at West Somerset, and without whom the festival would not happen.

Mike & Diane Dibble