What A Week

SidmouthSo, we’ve come to the end of a fantastic celebration of 60 years of the folk, dance and song festivals in Sidmouth. What a week!

We have been blessed with summer holiday weather, helping to create a joyful festive atmosphere throughout the town  – busy, colour-filled streets, packed venues and a bustling seafront. Tens of thousands of visitors have filled the streets and venues throughout the week, enjoying the welcoming, party atmosphere.

Even when it did rain, the packed out open-air 60th Anniversary Old Swan Band ceilidh was very swiftly moved indoors as the heavens temporarily opened on Tuesday night… and up-and-running again in no time.

We have enjoyed some cracking performances, from the sell-out Ham Concerts from the likes of Ralph McTell, Oysterband and Steve Knightley to the small traditional sessions to the full on roots mayhem of Danish party band Habadekuk, the family fun at Blackmore Gardens, or the ever popular John Gasson Memorial Jig Competition! Diversity is the bedrock of Sidmouth FolkWeek. And for our 60th birthday, we had it in bucket and spadefuls: our ‘something for everyone’ promise being more than fulfilled and venues throughout the town full to the brim!

As well as a happy celebration of our 60th year, a more poignant anniversary was also marked this year with some moving commemorations of WWI, including a touching account of two ordinary men in Gentle Men with Roy Bailey & Robb Johnson and Ouse Washes Molly Dancers’ performance focused on the fate of the ‘Pals’ Battalions.

Thank you to all those who attended this year. It made the Diamond Anniversary feel very special indeed.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s FolkWeek. Dates for the diary are 31st July – 7th August 2015.


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