The SCoFF Festivals, Special Events and Workshops List

SCoFF claims no credit for the following events which are independently run in and around the SCoFF area, in some cases by Member Clubs or their organisers, but it does encourage and support them and hopes that members will encourage their regulars to attend.

Festivals, Summer Schools and one-day Events
in the SCoFF Area

Events at Halsway Manor are also listed by the Manor

  • 2009

  • COPPER FAMILY HOUSE CONCERTJon & Jill [Dudley] are having another Copper Family house concert on Tues. 13th January. They will have the delightful Blue Blokes 3 as guests. That is Ian Anderson, Ben Mandelson & Lu Edmonds. If you saw them at their first booking ever at the Royal Oak earlier in the year, you will realise how wonderful they are. They have asked Vic [Smith] to MC the evening, which he is delighted to do and "could I tell those who ought to know about it so that they can get in first." He adds:- "This time we're suggesting a 'voluntary' £7.00 donation. There will be a free glass of Harveys or a glass of red or white wine, subsequent ones at £1 a throw. Strictly not-for-profit. All proceeds to artists." Jon Dudley copperdudley@btopenworld.com

  • SUSSEX All-day SINGAROUND Saturday 17th. January 2009 from 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. The Royal Oak, High Street, Barcombe (near Lewes) East Sussex BN8 5BA. Free admission - good pub food on sale all day. First an hour of informal tunes while people arrive. Then the singing starts, finishing with a good hour of glorious choruses. Ballads & the occasional instrumental party piece will be very welcome too.

  • ENGLISH TUNES SESSION Sunday 18th. January 2009 noon - 3.00 p.m. Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2DJ (note change) Free admission - good pub food on sale.

  • Cheltenham Folk Festival 13-15 February 2009 with massive Guest List. Info 0844 576 2210 or boxoffice@cheltenham.gov.uk

  • ALCESTER WINTER-FEST 27TH 28TH FEB & 1ST MARCH 2009. INDOOR CAMPING, CAMPERVANS & CARAVANS NO TENTING. THE GREIG CENTRE 8pm FRIDAY till 5pm SUNDAY. Tickets only £15

  • Oxford Folk Festival Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd March 2009. Artists confirmed so far include Kate Rusby, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Dhol Foundation, Spiers & Boden, LAU, New St George Waits, Reel Bach Consort (Bonn), Cum Suis (Leiden), Wilber, Cock and Bull Band and Oxford Fiddle Group. More to follow. There will also be a Street Parade, Ceilidhs, Morris Dancing and children's activities.

  • St George Fest in Hedge End (Nr Southampton) 23-25 April 2009. events organised so far include a banquet, a Regency Ball, and a barn dance.

    • HANDS ON MUSIC: STRINGS AT WITNEY 7th/8th February 2009 Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo. See also the Village Music weekend.

  • HANDS ON MUSIC: VILLAGE MUSIC WEEKEND Witney: Please note change of date: 28th February/1st March 2009. Woodwinds, Brass, Free Reeds, Strings and Voices, Village Band Music, Harmony Singing, Early Music, Street Band, Improvisation.

  • The 9th Swanage Blues Festival 6, 7, 8 March 2009.

  • Frittenden Festival Saturday 4 April 2009 at Frittenden, Kent. This is a village-based folk festival mainly featuring performers deeply rooted in the traditional singing, dancing and music of South-Eastern England. Workshops in the morning starting at 10 or 10.30, sessions at lunchtime, various events during the afternoon, and a session and a dance will run concurrently during the evening from about 8pm to 11 or 11.30. Top of the bill are Essex’s Annie Dearman, more than ably supported by her melodeon and concertina playing partner Steve Harrison. Other artists include local singers Andy Turner, Nigel Hobbins, John Morgan, Marian Button, Peter Collins, Roger Resch and Bob Kenward (as the Wealden Ramblers), Julie Arnott and Gavin Atkin, singer and stepdancer Rosie Davis, and stepdancer Kerry Fletcher. From slightly further afield we have David Campbell, the Mighty Quinns,Tom Moore and Tom Redman. We also have a superb singer and special guest from Derbyshire - Jack Crawford. The event will include music and singing sessions, workshops, stepdancing sessions and a concert, and a the whole event will be topped off with a celebration ceilidh and barn dance in the village’s Memorial Hall with music from local festival stars Florida and caller Chris Pitt. This year’s representatives of the Hooden Horse tradition are local team Rabble, who will interrupt proceedings at the pub at lunchtime, and can also be seen at the afternoon concert. Music and singing sessions will again take place at Frittenden’s splendid Bell & Jorrocks pub - those who came last year and found it a bit crowded will be pleased to know that it now has two more rooms that we will be able to use.

  • Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival 9-12 April 2009 The line-up includes The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain; Eliza Carthy; Show of Hands; Martin Carthy; The Michael McGoldrick Big Band; Roy Bailey; Heidi Talbot & Kris Drever; Ashley Hutchings & The Lark Rise Band; Filska; Jackie Leven and many more.

  • Sore Fingers Week 13th - 17th Apr 2009. Kingham Hill School situated just south of the A44/A436 linking Chipping Norton and Stow on the Wold.

  • Upton Upon Severn Riverside Folk Festival 1-4 May 2009

  • Hastings Jack in the Green 2-5 May 2008

  • Heart of the World Festival Cambridge, UK, 2-18 May 2009, a celebration of music and culture from around the world.

  • Winchester MayFest 15-16 May 2009 in Winchester, Hants. Full programme of free events, Concerts and Dancers. Friday 19:30: The Askew Sisters and Craig Morgan Robson with Winchester Community Choir. Saturday 14:00: Pure Acoustica, Discovery Centre; 20:00: Atlantico, Discovery Centre and One BIG Party, the Guildhall. Mayfest is looking for stewards - if interested, please download the pdf Application Form at www.scoff.org.uk/mayfest09steward.pdf and the Notes at www.scoff.org.uk/mayfest09stewardnotes.pdf (you may need to save the first to your hard disk before moving on to the second).

  • Chippenham Folk Festival Spring Bank Holiday weekend, 22-25 May 2009. Four days of the best folk dance, song, music and traditions in the heart of Wiltshire.Chippenham Folk Festival, The Causeway Music and Arts Centre, The Causeway, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3DD, ENGLAND. +44 (0)1249 657190 or info@chippfolk.co.uk (Note: The Festival telephone is not manned all the time but there is a message service in place which is usually checked at least once a week)

  • The 20th Black Horse Festival 22-25 May 2009: The Black Horse Inn, Hastings Road, Telham, East Sussex, TN33 0SH

  • Fishguard Folk Festival 22-25 May 2009, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

  • SINGING WORKSHOP WEEK IN BEAUTIFUL NORMANDY!! 25-29 May 2009. The first of the 'La Jeusselinière Follow-Ons' run by Englishwoman Alison Benn with Martyn Wyndham-Read's blessing. This first workshop 'discover and develop your voice' is taken by four-part female harmony group Soundsphere and further details can be found on their website. Held at Alison's home 'La Grande Gennerie', Carelles, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire. A week of superb singing, wonderful wine and fantastic food in the beautiful Normandy Countryside! £250 per person which includes a barbecue on the Sunday evening at 6pm so everyone can meet up and chat beforehand. The course will start 9.30--10am on Monday and finish at 4.30-5pm each evening except Wednesday which will finish at 1-2pm after lunch and on Friday at 4pm to get ready for the concert. Partners are welcome and will be charged 25 euros per day for lunch and refreshments.

  • The 2009 Pig's Ear Kentish Folk & Ale, 28-31 May at The Kentish Horse Free House, Markbeech, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5NT with Pig's Ear and Travelling Folk. Tel 07770 503241 (day) 01732 864206 or pigsear@mac.com Guests include The Dealers band, Drohne and Les Batons, Tim Laycock, A Band Called Dave, Wasps in the Woodshed, The Wilderness Family, John Barden, Skynflynt, John Joseph, Rockers Reunited, Les Elvin.

  • Strawberry Fair Sat 6 June 2009, a local festival of music, entertainments, arts and crafts that takes place in Cambridge on Midsummer Common, Cambridge each year. Over its 30 year history, Strawberry Fair has evolved into one of the largest, free, open-air festivals of its kind in the country. And, believe it or not, it is completely free to attend - but volunteers [and donations] are required. Enquiries http://mail.strawberry-fair.org.uk/

  • Wessex Folk Festival, Weymouth 5-7 June 2009.

  • Littlehampton Folk and Roots Festival 5-7 June 2009 is coming back this year, flyer at http://www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk/assets/Events/Folkflyer.pdf for you to peruse. Many events are free, for others tickets can be obtained from Littlehampton Town Hall (Manor House, Church Street, Littlehampton West Sussex BN17 5EW) or write in with a cheque payable to Littlehampton Town Council.

  • SONGWRITING WORKSHOP WEEK IN BEAUTIFUL NORMANDY!! 8-12 June 2009. The second of the 'La Jeusselinière Follow-Ons' run by Englishwoman Alison Benn with Martyn Wyndham-Read's blessing. This second workshop 'songwriting and guitar' is taken by Mike Silver and further details can be found on his website. Held at Alison's home 'La Grande Gennerie', Carelles, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire. A week of expert tuition, wonderful wine and fantastic food in the beautiful Normandy Countryside! £250 per person which includes a barbecue on the Sunday evening at 6pm so everyone can meet up and chat beforehand. The course will start 9.30--10am on Monday and finish at 4.30-5pm each evening except Wednesday which will finish at 1-2pm after lunch and on Friday at 4pm to get ready for the concert. Partners are welcome and will be charged 25 euros per day for lunch and refreshments.

  • Wimborne Folk Festival 12-14 June 2009. Contacts Linda Wilde 01202 623740 linda.wild@wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk (Info, Concerts, Sessions, Tickets) or Maria and Brian Bisp, 01202 743465, maria.bisp@wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk (Dance, Pub Gigs, Stalls).

  • Alcester and Arden Folk Festival, 19-21 June 2009, Nr Stratford-On-Avon. Tel 07788 536605 or enquiries@alcesterfolkfestival.org.

  • Boars Bridge Festival, Bramley Road, Little London, Nr Tadley, Basingstoke RG26 5EY 20-21 June 2009. With Mike Silver, Bram Taylor and Terry St Clair. In aid of rescued street children in India. Lynne Whitehead 01256 881674. Tickets £5 (camping £10).

  • WESSEXACOUSTIC FOLK CLUB day festival/open air concert Saturday 20th June, 2 - 10 pm. at The Farquharson Arms, Pimperne, nr Blandford, DT11 8TX. As a concession to those poor souls who have to work Saturday, there is a discount evening only ticket of £10 for entry after 6pm. The evening session is Issy & David Emeney with Kate Riaz, followed by the wonderful Colum Sands. The whole day is brought to a close with the young lively 5 piece electric version of Isambarde. So there is something for everyone. Details of the full day's programme is available on the club website www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk or call Kathy (01202 732239) or John (01202 690856) for information or to book your tickets. Kathy Dunn.

  • Forest Folk Song and Ale, North Boarhunt (Nr Fareham) Hants 26-28 June 2009 Informal singarounds and sessions with a Guest Concert tba

  • Crawley Folk Festival at The Hawth, Crawley, Sussex 26-28 June 2009.

  • SONGWRITING WORKSHOP WEEK IN BEAUTIFUL NORMANDY!! 29 June-3 July 2009. The third of the 'La Jeusselinière Follow-Ons' run by Englishwoman Alison Benn with Martyn Wyndham-Read's blessing. This third workshop 'songwriting and performance skills' is taken by Harvey Andrews and further details can be found on his website. Held at Alison's home 'La Grande Gennerie', Carelles, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire. A week of expert tuition, wonderful wine and fantastic food in the beautiful Normandy Countryside! £250 per person which includes a barbecue on the Sunday evening at 6pm so everyone can meet up and chat beforehand. The course will start 9.30--10am on Monday and finish at 4.30-5pm each evening except Wednesday which will finish at 1-2pm after lunch and on Friday at 4pm to get ready for the concert. Partners are welcome and will be charged 25 euros per day for lunch and refreshments.

  • Christchurch Festival, Dorset 3-5 July 2009

  • Romsey Beggars Fair 10-11 July 2009.Music, dance, fun and entertainment come to the streets of Romsey when the Beggars Fair hits town. In the streets and in venues all around the town the best of local performers bring you (free) folk, jazz, blues and world music, colourful dance displays and children’s entertainment. This year the Programme will not be published on the web but will be available from Romsey Heritage Centre (aka TIC) and local Folk Clubs in advance, and from many places and stewards in Romsey on the day.

  • Folk Station on the Isle of Wight 10-12 July 2009. Based around the stations of the IOW steam railway. folkstation2009@googlemail.com. Now with a website and emerging details. the headline act for the Saturday evening concert will be a new band put together by the renowned fiddle player Tom Leary - Limited Edition.

  • West Somerset Folk Festival Carhampton, Nr Minehead 10-12 July 2009. Anne Lister ~ Capella ~ Cruel Folk ~ James Findlay ~ Kevin & Lucy Burrow ~ Crispin Bartlett ~ Singarounds ~ Sessions ~ Workshops ~ Herbaceous Border ~ Holy Joe ~ Di's Famous Afternoon Tease.

  • Priddy Folk Festival 10-12 July 2009. On top of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. 9 concerts, 2 Ceilidhs, Late nite bop, All Day Club Tent, Family friendly atmosphere, Lots of free actiities, Dance & Children’s Festival, Craft Demonstrations, Mendip Ramble, Archaelogical Walk, Real Ale Bar, Wide variety of food, Good onsite camping, Crafts & Trade stalls. Telephone 01749-674080

  • Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 17-19 July 2009, Tolpuddle, Dorset. Saturday Bar Area 1pm onwards Graham Moore hosts an Open Mic session with traditional and contemporary musicians, singers, poets and stand-ups. All welcome, children's events and amusements. South West TUC, Church House, Church Road, Filton, Bristol BS34 7BD Tel 0117 947 0521 (camping bookings) or online www.tuc.org.uk/tolpuddle.

  • Trowbridge Village Pump Festival 23-26 July 2009. Folk and roots music in concert plus dances, workshops, informal sessions, street entertainment and a complete children's programme. (01225) 769132 or enquiries@trowbridgefestival.co.uk or write 35th Trowbridge Festival, PO Box 984, Bath, BA1 6YH. Please enclose SAE

  • Folk by the Oak Sunday 26 July, Hatfield House, Herts

  • Stokes Bay Festival, Nr Gosport (incorporatingWickham Festival), Hants. Thursday 30 July-2 August, 2009 The line-up includes Oysterband; Edward II; The Spooky Mens Chorale and many, many more currently being confirmed. The Festival is moving a few hundred yards to a more sheltered location at one end of Stokes Bay with the added benefit that our new site doesn't have any of the licence restrictions imposed on us last summer... so music on both our main stage and a new second stage can continue much later than it could last year.

  • Cambridge Co-operative Folk Festival 30 July-2 August 2009.

  • Sidmouth Folk Week 31 July-7 August 2009. Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8HR, Box Office tel. 01395 578627 (accommodation queries 01395 516441).

  • Dartmoor Folk Festival 7-9 August 2009. The Dartmoor Folk Festival is a friendly traditional festival, with highlights including Ceilidh, Song & Music Sessions, Dartmoor Stepdance and Broomdance Championships, Dartmoor Fayre, Craft Displays, Dances, Music Hall, Sunday Ramble, Folk Service, Pub Sessions & Children's Events.PLUS - Craft tent, Sideshows, Demonstrations, Dance Displays, Children's Entertainers and much more...The festival continues to attract some of the top national and local artists as guests, maintaining its reputation as one of the top events in the folk calendar. Camping is available in fields close to the festival site, with events taking place in the nearby village hall and playing fields. Jane White 01837 840102 or enquiries@dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk.

  • Broadstairs Folk Week 7-14 August 2009. Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1JX, Tel: 01843 604080 Fax: 01843 866422, Email: info@broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk

  • Bideford Folk Festival Devon 10-16 August 2009. booked so far more to come: The Demon Barbers Roadshow - Spiers & Boden - (from the USA) The Maybelles - The Navvies Wife (show) - Bursleden Village Band & Sibby - Mick Ryan & Paul Downes - Pete Coe with Sue Coe - Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer - Barron Brady - Jim Crawford Blues Night - Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll - Coracle - Bloatertown Band - The Oggle Band - National, International and local South West artistes - a day of dance, weekend Morris Festival, the legendary Irish Session, The Big Sing, The Big Music Session, Lunch time dances, Meet the Artistes, Workshops, Song & Music Sessions. Andy: andy@bidefordfolkfestival.co.uk Tel 01237-473931

  • Towersey Village Festival 27-31 August 2009. Nr Thame, about 15 miles East of Oxford.

  • Southsea Folk and Roots Festival 28-31 August 2009. South Parade Pier, South Parade, Southsea, Hampshire PO4 0SW. Early Bird Tickets are now available to buy online, save £1 on each event untill June 30th. £4 on a season ticket. Subject to availability. Free Entry Daytime Concerts from 12-6pm Saturday - Monday. Evening Concerts from 8-11pm Friday - Monday (please see the website for details)

  • Shrewsbury Folk Festival 28-31 August 2009

  • Wareham Wail 4th - 6th September 2009. Come and join in the singing with some of the country's finest traditional singers, all hand picked from folk clubs and festivals around the country, some well-known, some not heard of, but all of a high standard. A harvest of song complemented by good company, good food and drink. Everything on one site: move from sing to sing. Campsite, Bed & Breakfast and food tents all within easy reach. Ring us on 01202 734049 or use the postal address: Wareham Wail, 10 Old Wareham Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset BH12 4QR

  • Purbeck Folk Festival Dorset 4-6 September 2009. Weekend event with camping. It is a new and unique folk festival set in the beautiful landscape of the Purbeck Hills, Dorset's jurassic coast. The festival takes place in two large barns on a sheep farm at Steeple Leaze Farm, Steeple near Wareham BH20 2NY. Headline acts are: JIM MORAY with band, UISCEDWR, MAWKIN:CAUSLEY as well as Rosie Doonan's Snapdragons and Californian bluegrass songwriter Corinne West ( with dobro guitarist Doug Cox).

  • SINGING WORKSHOP WEEK IN BEAUTIFUL NORMANDY!! 7-11 September 2009. The fourth of the 'La Jeusselinière Follow-Ons' run by Englishwoman Alison Benn with Martyn Wyndham-Read's blessing. This fourth workshop 'Enjoy the Magic of the Place and Sing' is taken by Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher and further details can be found on their website. Held at Alison's home 'La Grande Gennerie', Carelles, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire. A week of expert tuition, wonderful wine and fantastic food in the beautiful Normandy Countryside! £250 per person which includes a barbecue on the Sunday evening at 6pm so everyone can meet up and chat beforehand. The course will start 9.30--10am on Monday and finish at 4.30-5pm each evening except Wednesday which will finish at 1-2pm after lunch and on Friday at 4pm to get ready for the concert. Partners are welcome and will be charged 25 euros per day for lunch and refreshments.

  • Tenterden Folk Festival Kent 2-4 October 2009. Big Festival with names big and little, dancing and dancers, Craft Fair.

  • See SCoFF 2008 Festivals List for web addresses for festivals not yet on the 2009 list.
    •
  • The Fo'c'sle Festival List includes a few that don't make it to the national lists, and
  • The Folk Roots National Festivals Page includes all known folk and international music festivals in this country and Europe (updated annually mid-March).
  • Music Maker Festival guide 2009 (also to appear in March) Try also:
  • Irish-music.net CDs, Festivals, Summer Schools etc.

    • A SCoFF web page, © SCoFF 2008

    Constructed and submitted by Trevor Gilson

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