Video: Southwell folk Festival

Now the British summer has arrived and festival season with it, the time has come to banish all thoughts of style and dig out those cagoules, wellies and water-proof bottoms.
Southwell Folk Festival, entertainment for all the family. Thibault Vincent, six and Carla Vincent, four meet Mark FraserSouthwell Folk Festival, entertainment for all the family. Thibault Vincent, six and Carla Vincent, four meet Mark Fraser
Southwell Folk Festival, entertainment for all the family. Thibault Vincent, six and Carla Vincent, four meet Mark Fraser

At least it was for anyone who attended Southwell Folk Festival this weekend.

The event, which started out in 2007 as a traditional English folk festival has evolved over the years to include Celtic, gypsy jazz, ska, rockabilly and bluegrass.

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And this year’s line-up included some truly great musicians from the folk world, both established and up and coming.

Southwell Folk Festival, entertainment for all the family. Thibault Vincent, six and Carla Vincent, four meet Mark FraserSouthwell Folk Festival, entertainment for all the family. Thibault Vincent, six and Carla Vincent, four meet Mark Fraser
Southwell Folk Festival, entertainment for all the family. Thibault Vincent, six and Carla Vincent, four meet Mark Fraser

Best of the bunch for me, being a young(ish) chap, were Maia.

The Huddersfield-based four-piece introduced themselves on-stage jokingly as a sci-fi folk band, though it seems a difficult job categorising their music.

But, they were indeed funny, unpredictable and great singers and musicians, with a sound which you will not have heard anywhere else.

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By the time they were in full swing with the lovely, Finite World, the Mrs and I were in a rapture of sorts - and it was not just the ale.

While on the subject, the ale was good stuff, with a number of different varieties at a fair price available in two tents.

And the cider we moved onto was truly earth-shattering and excellent.

For those who had not managed to sort out childcare there was children’s entertainment for most of the day.

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Madcap classical violinist Sid Bowfin was a highlight, with an interactive show that went down well with the younger ones.

There was also a good choice of stalls, selling everything from Nepalise-made clothing to musical instruments.

We spent a fun half hour messing around with melodeons in the Music Room stall, whose staff were helpful, patient and had a sense of humour.

Although the sun did, luckily, emerge on Saturday afternoon, it was nice to have a bit of a sit down in the main stage tent, which featured the excellent Bills as its ultimate act.

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After quite a few ales it was also nice to know there was plenty of food available - with everything from a nice stodgy cheeseburger to Jamaican curry and pizza.

For more information visit www.southwellfolkfestival.org.uk.

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