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

  • 2008

  • The usual

    Sussex All-Day Singaround

    will be on Saturday 19 Jan 2008 11am-11pm at The Royal Oak, High Street, Barcombe (Nr Lewes) East Sussex BN8 5BA. Free admission, pub food on sale all day.

    An hour of informal tunes while people arrive, then the singing starts with occasional instrumentals, finishing up with an hour of rousing chorus songs.

  • As usual, the Sussex All-Day Singaround at Barcombe will be followed on Sunday 20 January by an English Tunes Session at the Lewes Arms, noon-3pm, Mount Place, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1YH.

    Free admission, pub food.

    Details Valmai Goodyear 01273 476757 and see http://www.lewesarmsfolkclub.org


  • SOUTHERN SONGS FORUM

    Saturday 26th January and monthly thereafter at the LIMES HOTEL CATISFIELD
    M.C. Bob Askew

    A chance to perform a traditional song and talk about it with others. Or just come to listen and talk. The emphasis will be on the discussion e.g. what the song is about, what you like about it, where the song came from, earlier performers of the song, etc.

    This is a new event, so come and try it

    Enquiries to Bob Askew 020 7928 8076 or bob_askew@hotmail.co.uk

    Download a Poster/Leaflet (pdf) for the most recent notification in a new window/tab

    Entry £1.00


  • HAMPSHIRE SONGS AT SHEDFIELD

    Sat 9th February 7.30 pm Local Hampshire songs from Gwilym and Carol Davies, Rob Mills and Anne Winter

    A celebration of Hampshire’s own songs.

    The Gardiner Appreciation Group are putting on a concert of Hampshire songs at Shedfield Reading Room, Church Road, SO32 2HY on Saturday 9th February at 7.30 pm. The Group was set up by Bob Askew and Paul Hawkins to publicise Hampshire’s wonderful heritage of folk song. It takes its name from Dr George Gardiner who collected over 1,200 songs in the county between 1905 and 1909. Bob will be introducing the concert, and will give a five minute introduction to the work of George Gardiner and other collectors in Hampshire.

    The concert is headlining Gwilym and Carol Davies who made tape- recordings of Hampshire’s traditional singers and musicians in the 1960s and 70s. They will be performing Hampshire songs, and will be talking about the musicians and singers. One of the old venues was Sam’s Hotel (now called Samuel’s Rest), which is a few minutes walk from the venue.

    Rob Mills will also be singing. He is a local singer who learnt songs from his father. Most folk singers perform in folk clubs nowadays, but Rob carries on the tradition of singing at family and social events. He may also have a few stories about the old days.
    Anne Winter is singing in support. She has learnt a number of songs from her home area in the Hayling-Havant area.

    Don’t miss this chance to hear Hampshire’s own songs. Tickets £5.00. Enquiries to Bob Askew 020 7928 8076. bob_askew@hotmail.co.uk

    Download a Poster/Leaflet (pdf) in a new window/tab


  • STRINGS AT WITNEY 2nd - 3rd February 2008. Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Cittern
  • 12th Cheltenham Folk Festival 15-17 Feb 2008 (link to pdf brochure).
  • ACCORDIONS AT WITNEY 16th - 17th February 2008. I'm very sorry to announce that it has been necessary to cancel this weekend. A combination of circumstances has made it impossible at this late stage to go ahead with the weekend, which I hope to run next year around the usual time. Many apologies to all those of you who were looking forward to the weekend, and to those who have supported the weekend and helped out in the past. There's still the VILLAGE MUSIC WEEKEND to come (1 March), and booking details for that should be ready very soon.
  • On Saturday 23rd February Guildford Institute Folk Club has booked Cranleigh Arts Centre for a Harmony Day of workshops (10.00am to 4.00pm) and a concert (7.30pm) with Coope, Boyes and Simpson. Details at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/borodance/evcran.htm or 08456 128128.
  • VILLAGE MUSIC WEEKEND 1st - 2nd March 2008. Woodwinds, Brass, Free Reeds, Strings and Voices
  • 8th Swanage Blues Festival 7-9 March 2008.
  • TAPS Sing Out at Romsey Lantern Arts Centre previousy advertised for 8-9 March is postponed to early summer (date tba).
  • Gosport & Fareham Easter Festival 20-24 March 2008
  • Sore Fingers Week 24-28 March 2008. A week long residential course for bluegrass and old time musicians.
  • Oxford Folk Festival 11-13 April 2008
  • Upton Upon Severn Riverside Folk Festival 2-5 May 2008
  • Hastings Jack in the Green 2-5 May 2008
  • Heart of the World Festival Cambridge, UK, 2-13 May 2008, a celebration of music and culture from around the world.
  • The 8th Plymouth Folk Festival Friday 9 May 2008, SHOW OF HANDS with Miranda Sykes at 8pm at the New Continental Hotel Ballroom etc.
  • Fox and Hounds singing weekend 9-11 May 2008. Bridestowe near Oakhampton. Cost is just £5 per person but doesn't include accommodation - book that with the pub . There is a choice of camping, camping barn, or the pub has rooms. Check out their website.
  • Clennell Hall Alwinton FESTIVAL 9-11 May 2008, near Rothbury Northumberland.
  • Winchester MAYfest 15-18 May 2008. Winchester MAYfest celebrates the return of summer with folk, roots and blues in the streets, pubs and concert venues of Winchester.
  • Chippenham Folk Festival Spring Bank Holiday weekend, 23-26 May 2008. 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 23-26 May 2008
  • The 2008 Pig's Ear Kentish Folk & Ale, 30 May-1 June at The Kentish Horse Free House, Markbridge, Nr Edenbridge, Kent with Pig's Ear. Tel 07770 503241 (day) 01732 864206 or pigsear@mac.com
  • Wessex Folk Festival, Weymouth 6-8 June 2008.
  • Strawberry Fair Sat 7 June 2008, 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@strawberry-fair.org.uk.
  • Wimborne Folk Festival 13-15 June 2008. Contacts Linda Wilde 01202 623740 linda.wild@wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk (Info, Concerts, Sessions, Tickets) or Maria and Brian Bisp, 01202 743465, Fax 01202 718488 maria.bisp@wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk (Dance, Pub Gigs, Stalls).
  • The 2008 "Blues & Booze In The Bury", an open-air blues festival in Odiham, Hampshire, England, will be held on Sat 14 June from 12 noon till 6 pm. This is a free entry family event featuring acoustic blues, real ales and parachuting teddy bears! The event will raise funds for The Neurofibromatosis Association. (There is currently more information on the 2007 entry.) Tricia Stephens 01256 704701
  • Alcester and Arden Folk Festival, 20-22 June 2008, Nr Stratford-On-Avon. Tel 07788 536605 or information@alcesterfolkfestival.org.
  • The Leigh Folk Festival (Free) 26-29 June 2008.
  • Forest Folk Song and Ale Weekend North Boarhunt, Nr Fareham, Hants 27-29 June 2008
  • Crawley Folk Festival 27-29 June 2008 at The Hawth: Box Office 01293 553636
  • Christchurch Festival, Dorset 4-6 July 2008
  • Gillingham (Dorset) Festival 5-20 July 2008 including folk acts tba.
  • Romsey Beggars' Fair 11-12 July 2008, Romsey, Hampshire U.K when the whole town goes folky for a day (many free events and some Friday evening). Once a ScoFF Festival, now organised locally. Artist liaison - bands/performers contact Nigel Barlow about playing at the Beggars Fair.
  • West Somerset Folk Festival, Carhampton, Nr. Minehead, Somerset 11-13 July 2008 supporting CLICSargent young people's cancer charity
  • Priddy Folk Festival 11-13 July 2008. 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
  • Eastleigh Music Festival 11 – 13 July 2008 including Friday evening Seth Lakeman headlining with Nick Harper and Mela on Sunday.
  • Larmer Tree Festival 16-20 July 2008. A weekend for the whole family, in idyllic, lush Victorian gardens in the heart of the remote and beautiful Cranborne Chase. Over 50 bands on 5 stages including the Acoustic Roots Cafe stage so bring an instrument! with a Free campsite right next door to the Festival.
  • Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival 18-20 July 2008, 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 24-27 July 2008. 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
  • Dulverton Folk Festival 18-20 July 2008. On the southern gateway to Exmoor, between the Barle and the Exe, a new festival with emphasis on participation and quality.
  • Cambridge Folk Festival 31 July-3 August 2008. Get your tickets early - always a sell-out.
  • Stokes Bay Festival, Nr Gosport (incorporatingWickham Festival), Hants. Thursday 31 July-3 August, 2008
  • Sidmouth Folk Week 1-8 August 2008. Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8HR, Box Office tel. 01395 578627 (accommodation queries 01395 516441).
  • Dartmoor Folk Festival 8-10 August 2008. 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 8-15 August 2008. Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1JX, Tel: 01843 604080 Fax: 01843 866422, Email: info@broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk
  • Bideford Folk Festival 11-17 Aug 2008. This week long friendly festival is held in and around the historic port of Bideford , situated in beautiful North Devon . There are concerts and music sessions taking place every day of the week with plenty of opportunity for musicians and singers to join in and for audiences to sit and listen to some good music and soak up the atmosphere. We try to make as many events as possible, free entry, and there will be a bar at most venues. We hope to carry on in the tradition of a festival that everyone can be a part of.
  • Folk Station on the Isle of Wight 15-17 August 2008. Based around the stations of the IOW steam railway. Sandy Hector 01983 882269 or sandy.hector@gmail.com.

  • Towersey Village Festival 21-25 August 2008. Nr Thame, about 15 miles East of Oxford.
  • Eighth Annual Southsea Folk Roots & Blues Festival 22-25 August 2008 will feature live music, dance and workshops on South Parade Pier and at local pubs. There will be free admission to live music on the Pier on the afternoons of Saturday, Sunday and Monday over the Bank Holiday weekend. Evening concerts will be held on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. tel: (023) 9243 6267 email: spiderpromos@aol.com.
  • Wareham Wail 29-31 August 2008, Verwood, Dorset, weekend of unaccompanied singing with medieval banquet! Enthusiasts never miss this unique and hugely enjoyable event, now unbelievebly in its 18th year. Price reduction if you book before 19 August (download a booking form from the website). The high standard of song at the "Wail" is probably because Wareham Wail attracts the more dedicated folkies and folk event organizers from all counties of England, Wales and Scotland. Banquet: the banquet is now a firm tradition of the Wail and serving a four course meal to 250 people is quite an achievement, which for the small army of helpers starts at 9.00am Saturday morning. The most visible sign is the roasting of the pig on a spit over an open fire. To make the evening event more exciting we have a tradition that each table sings for their supper. The Lord and Lady of the manor in traditional dress preside over the proceedings along with a top table of dignitaries, also in traditional dress. Organiser: Alan White, 10 Old Wareham Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset.
  • See SCoFF 2007 Festivals List for web addresses for festivals not yet on the 2008 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 2008 (also to appear in March) Try also:
  • Irish-music.net CDs, Festivals, Summer Schools etc.





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