Wessex Folk Festival blog 2009

Dance Teams 2010

2010-01-04T19:06:00.003Z

Replies are now coming in to the invitations sent out in the Autumn. We have already got firm yesses from teams performing Cotswold Morris, NorthWest Morris, Stepping and Border Morris. We are negotiating for a nominated percussive dance location and thinking about workshops. The dance teams provide a wonderful chance to see established dance forms at a good standard, bringing colour and movement to the streets, as well as cracking lively music. Why not think about having a go yourself and you could be dancing out in Weymouth the first weekend of June 2010. Any teams we have missed who would like to turn up please let us know.

WESSEX FOLK FESTIVAL 2010

2009-09-30T20:22:00.003+01:00

If you came this year you will know what we mean - if you didn't have a look at the photos and comments to get an idea of a fun filled weekend. After the success of 2009 the hardworking organisers have started again planning for 4-6th June 2010. The Organisers are working on getting into place the same mix of old and new music, old and young performers, dancing magic and places to play music and chat. Weymouth Harbourside is again set to experience a cultural bonanza, a fiesta of sound and motion and all from people like you, who like to perform, participate or take in. We will try and order the same sunny weather as 2009 so watch the website www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk for developments. Any comments or offers of help will be valued - the Festival only goes on because we want it.

Weymouth pub sessions and pub singarounds continue to be successful at Dorset's Wessex Folk festival 2009

2009-06-11T13:07:00.010+01:00

Many folk festival devotees see folk music sessions and folk song singarounds as being at the heart of any good folk music festival and the Wessex Folk Festival committee is particularly keen to enable amateur musicians and singers or even professional musicians and singers resting between acts to enjoy some home spun music in a relaxed pub setting.

Weymouth is particularly well served by pubs ideal for musicians and singers sessions and singarounds.

The Kings Arms in Trinity Road is always popular for the Irish or Celtic sessions and this year also hosted a shanty session and a music and song session that seemed much enjoyed.

The Excise House hosted a half speed Irish Session and a lot of tunes that were definitely nothing like half-speed with expert contributions from both Old Rooms Stage and Hope Square Stage performers taking some time out.

The Sailors Return on the other side of Town Bridge in Nicholas Street, Weymouth is the home of the regular Wednesday sessions and was host over the weekend to a variety of festival sessions varying from a Bluegrass Session with Nigel Cantor for musicians to a Gentle Song Session for singers with Dawn Harris and friends.

Roger and Jo Quigley with many supporting friends hosted the all important Survivors Session that always rounds off the weekend perfectly.

If sessions and singarounds truly are the heart of a good folk festival, thanks to the many hard working session organisers, musicians, singers and pubs where the sessions and singarounds were hosted, there can be little doubt that Wessex Folk Festival 2009 was a festival with a huge heart.

Were you there? Did you enjoy a session or a singaround at the Wessex Folk Festival 2009? What was memorable for you? We would love to hear from you in the comments below :-)

Bye for now

Dave
Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Extra free stage opposite The Old Rooms Inn, Trinity Road, Weymouth proves popular at Wessex Folk festival 2009

2009-06-10T09:59:00.008+01:00

The decision to expand the number of free performance stages with an additional stage opposite The Old Rooms Inn at the end of Trinity Road proved popular with the public. Sometimes there were as many watching the bands on the Old Rooms Inn stage as there were watching performances on the main Hope Square stage.

Particularly popular were Stampede, the well loved local Appalachian dance company who do such a lot of good work collecting for charity with their song and clog dancing routines, but lots of other acts drew really good crowds who stayed and watched despite there not being much opportunity for seating close to the stage.

Were you there? Did you like the extra stage? Which were your favourite bands? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below :-)

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner- Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Martin Carthy, Mike Waterson & Chris Parkinson's passion & humour was greatly enjoyed at Wessex Folk Festival's 2009 Saturday evening concert

2009-06-09T10:11:00.007+01:00

The well loved passion and humour of Martin Carthy, Mike Waterson & Chris Parkinson enthused the audience at Hope Church, Weymouth, Dorset for the main act of the Wessex Folk Festival 2009 Saturday evening concert after an entertaining medley of songs from Two Peas, a pair of flighty females with rather menacingly squeaky truncheons (Pat Green and Pauline Clenshaw).

Norma Waterson, previously billed for this concert, unfortunately was not very well and was unable to appear at the festival. However, Martin Carthy and Chris Parkinson were joined by Mike Waterson for the concert in Hope Church on Saturday 6 June. It was a wonderful concert and a rare opportunity to see Mike Waterson in Weymouth. We all at Wessex Folk Festival wish Norma a very speedy recovery.

Two Peas, Pat Green and Pauline Clenshaw's special brand of gutsy songs, with humour and heart, are well known on the local Weymouth folk music circuits and both were also heavy involved in the organisation of the Wessex Folk Festival 2009. Doubtless, their cheerful charm contributed greatly to the smooth running of the festival - if not then the mere sight of those squeaky truncheons was bound to maintain order!

More memories of the Wessex Folk Festival will be uploaded in the following days :-)

Were you there? What did you think? We would love to know. Simply add your comments below.

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Martin Simpson Trio concert, Hope Church, Weymouth received rapturous applause from a packed audience at Wessex Folk Festival 2009

2009-06-08T09:25:00.011+01:00

The Martin Simpson Trio (Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting & Andy Seward) set the standard for what was to prove a vintage Wessex Folk Festival weekend in Hope Church, Hope Square, Weymouth, Dorset last Friday (5th June 2009) with their fine musicianship and singing rewarded with rapturous and well deserved applause from a packed audience.

Like a sip of fine wine, the Friday evening concert gave a taste of the musical feast that was to follow over the rest of the weekend and which was to brew the Wessex Folk Festival 2009 into a truly vintage folk festival and possibly the most successful ever for the Wessex Folk Festival Committee and their enthusiastic and hard working band of volunteers.

Over the next few days, we will be documenting the dancers, fine musicians, singers, buskers and other performers that contributed to making the Wessex Folk Festival 2009 memorable so be sure to keep in touch and come back often.

Were you there? We would love to hear from you about your experiences.

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner- Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Old Rooms Inn stage Trinity Road photo slide show Wessex Folk Festival 2009

2009-06-05T16:34:00.002+01:00

Here is a photo slide show of the Old Rooms Inn stage at the bottom of Trinity Road, Weymouth, Dorset.

This was a new stage introduced as an experiment for the Wessex Folk Festival 2009 which certainly proved successful and sometimes had equal audience numbers as the main stage in Hope Square.

Did you enjoy the Old Rooms Inn stage at the bottom of Trinity Road? What did you think? We'd love to know through the comments section below :-)

Bye for now

Dave

Dave ~Milner- Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Hope Square, Weymouth Main Stage Acts - Wessex Folk Festival 2009

2009-06-05T16:21:00.001+01:00

Here is a photo documentary of stage shows that were enjoyed by visitors to Wessex Folk Festival 2009 in Hope Square, Weymouth, Dorset.

There was an amazing continental ambiance despite the grim weather warnings of heavy rain. Fortunately, the rain didn't arrive until early evening.

Were you there? What did you think? We'd love to know in the comments section below.

Bye for now

Dave

dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Street shows at Wessex Folk Festival 2009

2009-06-05T16:03:00.002+01:00

Street performances slideshow at Wessex Folk Festival 2009

There were a magnificent number of street shows at Wessex Folk Festival 2009 with lots of great Morris dancing sides, a balancing and juggling act, a busker and a folk history caravan. This photo slideshow gives some idea of the great variety of events enjoyed.

Did you enjoy the street acts? What did you think? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Wessex Folk Festival music events - check out what's on Weymouth, Dorset weekend of 5th, 6th, 7th June 2009

2009-05-05T14:18:00.008+01:00

“Wessex Folk Festival” has a fantastic programme of events to be held in Weymouth, during the weekend of 5th, 6th and 7th June 2009.

This starts at 8pm on Friday, with a concert in Hope Church featuring the Martin Simpson Trio. Martin Simpson is simply “one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world”. He is flanked by Andy Cutting on squeezebox and Andy Seward on bass.

At 11.00am on Saturday, Hope Square comes to life to the sound of the Wareham Whalers followed by live music all the way through to the Hope Square Outdoor Hoolie (Ceilidh) which starts at 7.00pm and precedes the Excise House “Late Gig” (from 9pm) featuring local folk rockers “Jigsaw”.

At 8.00pm on Saturday and again in Hope Church, the festival is proud to present Martin Carthy and Mike Waterson (who is replacing Norma Waterson who cannot be with us on Saturday night because she is unwell) with Chris Parkinson on bass. Martin Carthy has kindly agreed to present a £200 cash prize to the winner of the festival song contest.

At 1.00pm on Sunday, Hope Square will throb to the pulsating rhythms of the Elevators featuring musicians from local bands “The Crack” and “Pond Life”. After this, it is again music all the way through to another Excise House “Late Gig” featuring “Ledpin” (back by popular request)!

On 6th and 7th June, there will be a glorious pageant of colour and sound as the Old Harbour comes to life with dance teams, buskers and trade stalls. All of this and a constant flow of varied music sessions in the Sailors Return, the Kings Arms, the Old Rooms and the Excise House.

Visit the website www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk or telephone 01305 860277 or 01305 821611 for further details.

Bye for now

dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Best ever music festival planned for Wessex Folk Festival 2009, Weymouth, Dorset

2009-04-16T11:07:00.011+01:00

The Wessex Folk Festival 2009 aims to be our best ever music festival to date and plans are moving ahead swiftly so I thought you might like to hear about some of the latest exciting developments.

1.) Music in Hope Square will continue until 9.00pm on Saturday 6th and Sunday 9th June, followed by Late Night Gigs (£2 on door) in the Excise House from Jigsaw (on Saturday) and LeDPin (on Sunday).

2.) This year the festival ceilidh will be held in Hope Square on Saturday 6th June from 7pm until 9pm. It is being billed as “Hope Square Hoolie, with the Tree Fellahs”.

3.) The Hope Square programme is steadily unfurling and it promises to be a real Pandora’s Box for our 2009 festival.

4.) Watch out for the Song Contest in the Echo this week!

5.) Tickets are moving for both the Carthy and Simpson concerts in Hope Church. Telephone 01305 821611 for further details or via the website www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk for early bird deals.

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Songwriting contest first prize opportunity to perform winning song on top stage at Wessex Folk Festival 2009 plus £200

2009-04-01T15:17:00.012+01:00

The 2010 songwriting competition run by the Wessex Folk Festival is now underway. The revamped contest is now in two categories - under 18 and 18+. The winner in each category will receive £100.

Entry fee is £6 per entry, the theme is 'Maritime/Nautical' and any style of music is acceptable. Entrants can be individuals, groups or schools. Closing date is 3rd May. Entry form obtainable from www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk

Songwriting contest winners

So, if you know anybody that likes writing songs and may like to write one on a nautical theme for the Wessex Folk Festival 2010, perform it on stage along with some really top music performers and also receive £100 winnings, pass on the message so they can get their songs into the competition as soon as possible.

Watch this space for more information on the fast-moving situation at the Wessex Folk Festival and we look forward to receiving your entries no later than the deadline for the competition which is 3rd May 2010 :-)

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee
.

Song contest with maritime/nautical theme first prize money increased to £200 at Wessex Folk Festival, Weymouth, Dorset

2009-03-02T22:50:00.008Z

The 2010 Wessex Folk Festival maritime/nautical themed song contest has been revamped to provide two opportunities, one for under 18s and one for 18+, giving even more incentive for a greater number of people to submit their songs to this popular song competition.

The Wessex region has a long and rich association with the sea and the Wessex Folk Festival Committee wish to take this opportunity to mark the part that Weymouth & Portland are going to play in hosting the 2012 sailing events with these prizes.

Submission details:

£6.00 per song
Entries to be received no later than 3 May 2010
Entries to be submitted on tape, CD - please include printed lyrics.
Remember to include your name and contact details
If you want your tape/cd returned, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope

Note: You can submit as many entries as you wish, but please ensure that you enclose £6.00 per song. If you don't pay your fee your song(s) will not be judged.

Judging:

Our judges will be scoring the songs out of 10, in each of the following categories:

Relevance to the theme ("Maritime" or "Nautical")
Appeal
Memorability
Lyrics
Originality

Please see the Wessex Folk Festival website http://www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk for more details and the entry form

The winner will be announced on 2nd June 2010

Early trade stall booking advised as Festival traders flock to book trade stalls spaces for Wessex Folk Festival 2009 Trinity Road, Weymouth, Dorset

2009-03-02T21:05:00.013Z

The undoubted success of the Wessex Folk Festival in the Old Harbour area of Weymouth, Dorset last year seems to have spurred on festival traders to book trade stalls for Wessex Folk festival 2009 in ever increasing numbers along the new Trinity Road Old Harbour location in Weymouth, Dorset.

Last year was the first year Wessex Folk Festival arranged for trade stalls for arts, crafts, music and a wide variety of other festival stall traders appropriate to a music festival to display their products and services along Trinity Road which is the main artery through which people travel to reach the free music of the Wessex Folk Festival in Hope Square.

The success of this new arrangement has spurred festival traders to quickly book up stall spaces along Trinity Road, Weymouth for Wessex Folk Music Festival 2009 with bookings so far running at approximately six times last years numbers.

Fortunately, Trinity Road, with its attractive maritime backdrop of fishing and sailing boats in the Old Harbour provides lots of space as well as opportunity for festival trader stalls.

However, in view of the strong demand for festival trader stall spaces, festival traders who are keen to book trade stalls at Wessex Folk festival are strongly advised to contact Wessex Folk Festival Committee with their festival stall booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Simply email to pauljopenshaw (at) btinternet (dot) com (replace the bracketed letters with the appropriate symbols) and we will get back to you.

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Trade stalls now available for festival traders to book 6th and 7th June 2009 Wessex Folk Festival, Old Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset

2009-02-18T15:14:00.009Z

Trade stalls are now available for festival traders to book 6th and 7th June 2009 at the annual Wessex Folk Festival which takes place around the Old Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset and which was such a resounding success in June 2008.

All trade stalls for festival traders are based on a 3m x 3m pitch but, if you have special requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us through the comments form at the foot of this article.

Art stalls and craft stalls are particularly welcome but last year we had a very wide array of products and services that entertained, enticed, intrigued and sold to the huge numbers of people from Weymouth, Portland and further afield that enjoyed the Wessex Folk Festival 2008.

If you are in doubt as to whether your festival trade stall would be appropriate, contact us early through the form below and we will do our utmost to help.

We are already well advanced with our plans to build on the enormous success the Wessex Folk Festival last year and are determined to make Wessex Folk Festival 2009 an even bigger and more successful festival on all fronts, despite the recession and the credit crunch.

The earlier you book your trade stall, the better we are able to work with you to make the Wessex Folk Festival successful for all of us.

I look forward to hearing from you so we can book your trade stall for the 6th and 7th June 2009 Wessex Folk Festival, Old Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset.

Simply email to pauljopenshaw (at) btinternet (dot) com (replace the bracketed letters with the appropriate symbols) and we will get back to you.

Bye for now

Paul Openshaw - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Christmas Eve folk song, music or whatever session relocated to “Knights in the Bottom” (Victoria Inn) 24th December from 8pm. just outside Weymouth

2008-12-15T07:36:00.006Z

When Roger and Jo Quigley suggested running their Wednesday folk music, sing-a-long session (at the Sailors Return, Weymouth) on Christmas Eve, it seemed to be a popular idea for all, including the landlord. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the landlord had a change of heart and so it cannot happen at that venue, however ...

There will be a folk music, sing-around session on Christmas Eve at “Knights in the Bottom” (Victoria Inn) on (surprise, surprise) 24th December from 8pm. This pub is just outside Weymouth, on the road out to Portesham. This has its advantages because it is a bigger venue with a massive car park!

So, if you are checking out the gig guide for what's on around Weymouth and Dorset, you can be assured of a warm welcome being extended to anyone who would like to join in. Bring a song, a tune or a recitation of some sort or simply come and listen. Break the mould and drag yourself out!

All the best,

Dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Wessex Folk Festival clashes with Weymouth D Day Anniversary celebrations 2009

2008-12-01T09:48:00.006Z

What a busy weekend it will be in Weymouth, Dorset on the weekend beginning Friday 5th June 2009!

Not only will the Wessex Folk Festival 2009 be rocking and a reeling around Hope Square, Weymouth but celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of D Day will also be taking place in and around the Nothe Gardens and the Nothe Fort on the 6th June 2008. It will include, among other things, a picnic, historical re-enactment and concerts.

We wish Jane and her team all the very best in their endeavours, and look forward to the impending symbiosis!

Another bit of news is that the “Elevators” will be playing on our open stage at approx 1pm on Sunday 7th June. The Elevators consist of Stevie Garden and Timmy Wheeler from the Crack with Rodney Teague and Andy Taylor from Pond Life. Anyone familiar with local music scenes will not want to miss the inevitable “wow” of this jazzy/folkie fusion band!

Without doubt, those looking for gigs, whats on or things to do in June 2009 around Weymouth Dorset can look forward to a wonderful variety of entertainments.

As ever, keep an eye on the website as WFF 2009 unfurls (www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk). (The photo was taken in Hope Square, Weymouth, Dorset during the successful Wessex Folk Festival 2008.)

Bye for now

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Songwriting contest and competition with a maritime themed for Wessex Folk Festival 2009

2008-11-17T07:05:00.006Z

The details of the maritime themed songwriting contest and competition for the Wessex Folk Festival 2009 announced recently have now been finalised.

1.) You need to record the song (tape, CD or mini disc are OK).

2.) Whichever way you choose, the entry fee is £6.00 per song.

3.) Closing date for entries is 1st May 2009.

4.) You can enter as many songs as you like.

5.) A clear copy of the words is required.

6.) The winner will be announced at the 2009 festival.

Entries should be sent (snail mail) to:

“Wessex Folk Festival Song Contest”

c/o Mr Bill Howard,

20 Paul’s Way,

Crossways,

Dorchester

DT2 8UP

Another alternative is to e mail your entry to wg.howard at tiscali.co.uk as an attachment. (Please replace the 'at' with the usual special at character and remove the spaces).

Details of the fantastic competition prizes to follow soon :-)

Bye for now

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Weymouth, Dorset pub session - Bluegrass, Old-Time, American Folk, Roots and Country Music from 28th November 2008

2008-10-19T14:29:00.006+01:00

A new acoustic session featuring Bluegrass, Old-Time, American Folk, Roots and Country Music is planned to start 28th November 2008 at the Victoria Inn, commonly known as ‘Knights in the Bottom’, Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset.

Musicians and singers of any ability are welcome say Lynn and Bill, plus anyone interested in supporting live music.

After the session on the 28th November 2008, it is hoped future sessions will take place on the last Friday of the month, from 8pm.

For more details telephone Tony at the Victoria Inn on 01305 784463.

As always, it is advisable to telephone the pub to ensure the session is taking place prior to travelling to avoid possible disappointment and unnecessary expense.

Wessex Folk Festival

Maritime themed songwriting contest and competition launched for Wessex Folk Festival 2009

2008-10-01T14:56:00.008+01:00

If you love writing songs and think that you could turn your hand to a song with a nautical, sailing or maritime theme then the organisers of the Wessex Folk Festival would love to hear from you.

As Weymouth becomes more and more nautically centre stage in the approach to the Weymouth and Portland hosted 2012 sailing events, there is a good chance that the winner will receive a good shot of publicity in their quest for world songwriting fame - in addition to the wonderful prize which will be announced shortly :-)

Better still, publicity for participating songwriters starts with their song submission which will appear for all to see on this the Wessex Folk Festival blog as their song or songs are submitted.

There is a £6 entry fee with proceeds going towards funding the Wessex Folk Festival and further details (judges, prizes, address to send your submission) will be announced when the information becomes available so watch this space!

Bye for now

Paul Openshaw - Wessex Folk Festival 2009 Committee

Wessex Folk Festival extends its community roots by joining Weymouth Harbour Traders Association

2008-09-05T12:58:00.009+01:00

Great news! We are now members of the Weymouth Harbour Traders Association :-)

Fundamental to the ethos of Weymouth based Wessex Folk Festival is that we have strong roots in the local business and musical community in Weymouth and Dorset.

Membership of the Weymouth Harbour Traders Association affirms our commitment to these objectives in a way that nothing else can and is a vital part of our reaching out into the local community.

However, there is much to do and often businesses and organisations that are highly focused on their own day-to-day activities can be slow to come forward which means they can miss out on the benefits we can give them if they get involved.

Plans for the Wessex Folk Festival 2009 are well under way and headline groups such as Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson and Martin Simpson have already been confirmed.

So, if you are a small business or know of a small business that could benefit from working with the Wessex Folk Festival, we really would like to hear from you as soon as possible.

Or perhaps you are part of a local music, dance or cultural organisation that shares our aims and could work with us.

Simply, add a comment to the foot of this post or email (change the 'at' to '@').

Of course, at the end of the day, the Wessex Folk Festival is not only about business, it is about being part of a great and growing celebration of music and dance in Weymouth.

It is also about having fun and the more people and businesses that join this unique celebration, the more fun it will be.

Leave a comment or email us. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to join in the fun :-)

Bye for now

Dave

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Bridport Arts Centre (BAC) presents Bella Hardy, Nycklharpa and Stompin Dave Allen

2008-09-01T11:02:00.004+01:00

Devotees of the Wessex Folk Festival will remember the great job done by Stompin' Dave Allen in Hope Square, Weymouth in June 2008.

Well, Dave will be stompin' again locally at the Bridport Arts Centre (BAC) along with Bella Hardy and Nycklharpa (see poster on right).

Where does he get the energy to play sing and dance, all at the same time. It fair makes you tired to watch but he is a great show.

Here is a picture of his feet and the special board he dances on :-)

A truly accomplished performer!

Bye for now

Wessex Folk Festival

Martin Simpson has now been confirmed for the Wessex Folk Festival 2009, Old Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset

2008-08-27T10:26:00.006+01:00

More wonderful news! Martin Simpson has now been confirmed for the Wessex Folk Festival 2009, Old Harbour, Weymouth. He will be playing in concert with Andy Cutting and Andy Seward on Friday 5th June.

As mentioned before Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson (with Chris Parkinson) will be playing on Saturday 6th June 2009.

Both concerts are planned for Hope Church, which is just round the corner from Hope Square. Further details www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk

Destined for Weymouth, this is quite a prestigious array of giants from the folkie world!

Bye for now

Dave Milner - Wessex Folk Festival 2009

Showcasing popular local Jigsaw Band with their blend of celtic, pop and party music

2008-08-21T17:10:00.006+01:00

Yesterday, the Wessex Folk Festival showcased popular local Appalachian dancers and charity fund raisers Stampede and invited other local dancers to provide their details so they could be publicised to our readers.

Today, it's the turn of that high energy local band Jigsaw who had everybody in Hope Square jigging in time to their blend of Celtic, pop and party music June 2008.

Jigsaw are available for weddings, parties and pubs. Book them and you are sure, based on their success at the Wessex Folk Festival 2008, to enjoy an evening of live music, dancing and great fun.

If you know of a local band, folk rock or Celtic band you think should be featured here, let us know about it in the comments below and we'll see what we can do.

Bye for now

Rob Hopcott

Wessex Folk Festival blog

Weymouth dancers invited to showcase their dancing through the Wessex Folk Festival

2008-08-20T10:45:00.000+01:00

As I wandered around Weymouth's Hope Square at the Wessex Folk Festival, I was struck by the number of dance forms that were showcased at this popular June festival and how greatly they were appreciated by the passing public.

Perhaps the dancing that drew the largest crowds was Stampede Appalachian clog dancers. They were positioned slightly further down than the traders stalls on Trinity Road on Weymouth's harbour side and they were so popular that sometimes it was almost impossible to get past them as I buzzed around trying to see everything.

The Stampede Appalachian clog dancers were collecting money for worthy cause Claire Lemmon Fund, as you might just be able to see from their sign. The Claire Lemmon Fund is a Dorset charity to raise money to provide for local children affected by cancer and give them the chance to go on holidays, day trips and to provide them with some luxuries.

The fund has also started to provide the Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital with vital equipment and furniture for the teenage room because local children with cancer go there if they become ill between treatments.

Stampede is a very popular band and dance group around Weymouth and Dorset and gives a great show to onlookers who I noticed were more than happy to contribute when they passed the bucket around collecting for the Claire Lemmon Fund.

The Wessex Folk Festival is a wonderful opportunity for showcasing dancers and giving them the oxygen of publicity. If you are involved in dance or dancing in Weymouth or Dorset and would like to tell people about your dance form, the Wessex Folk Festival, or even this blog, could be a great opportunity for marketing your dancing.

Feel free to comment at the foot of this post and tell us (and everybody else that loves the Wessex Folk Festival) about your dance school, dance group, dance troupe, dance lessons, dance side or whatever.

If you have a web site or blog for your dancing school, dancing group, dancing troupe, dancing lessons or other dancing activity, perhaps it would be a great opportunity to link or even run a featuring article here.

More dancing and dancers featured here soon :-)

Bye for now

Rob

Rob (Two Left Feet) Hopcott