Grants

Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2008 was held in and around the town of Holmfirth on May 9th - 11th. The sun shone and the town came alive with music, dance and singing including artists from both the Yorkshire area and further a field. Most of the local pubs, cafes and restaurants hosted events, many of which also provided financial support for the festival too.

The local scouts were involved in planning and running the festival campsite; and collecting and stewarding during the parade.

All of the local schools participated in the festival with 140 children taking part in the schools concert, which was held on the Saturday afternoon at Holmfirth Civic Hall. Performances included; Yorkshire Longsword dancing, Indian dance, Morris dancing, traditional singing including both individual and group performances. Workshops took place in 4 schools leading up to the festival culminating in performances in the civic. The concert was a huge success promoting traditional live music, singing and dance, and celebrating the many talents and achievements of children and young people in the Holme Valley. This year for the first time there was also a fringe schools event in the grounds of the Methodist church. Due to the growing participation, enthusiasm, and outstanding talents in traditional music and dance that exists in the valleys schools we had to expand the potential for involvement! The 'fringe' event was an outstanding success with acts including: ceilidh dancing from Wooldale, a violin orchestra from Meltham, Morris dancing and a sambs band from Upperthong.


The streets of Holmfirth were buzzing with live music and dance celebrating the main traditions of British Morris dancing from the North West clog dancing of the Lancashire cotton mills to the Molly dancing of Lincolnshire and East Anglia. Other traditions included American Appalachian and a fabulous side of South American dancers from Sheffield University, Son de America. Children and young people were also represented with the Upperthong Upstarts from Upperthong School dancing both North West and Border Morris dancing; and Scholes School dancing Yorkshire Longsword. A group of dancers also performed from Fairfield School for children with severe learning difficulties (in Batley).

Family Street Theatre took place on Hollowgate, Norridge Bottom, the Methodist church grounds, and the churchyard. This year due to financial help from the Holme Valley Parish Council, we were entertained by Pete White's Suitcase Circus on the Saturday, and Colonel Custard's Punch and Judy on the Sunday. Both were a great success with children and adults alike, an important element of the festival in attracting families. Another element of street entertainment was the ever-popular Barnsley Samba Band who could be heard with their fantastic drum rhythms throughout Holmfirth, culminating in a performance at Victoria Park.



A highlight of the street entertainment was the parade through Holmfirth on the Saturday afternoon, and this year not a brolly in sight! The sun shone and brought the crowds to Holmfirth in their droves!

Meanwhile the pubs, cafes and local venues hosted a wide range of musical events, many of which were local or from the Yorkshire area. Most of the events could be attended by donation only, with a small charge for the traditional concert in the Old Bridge. A sell out ceilidh took place in the market hall Saturday night, followed by a free family ceilidh with our local Good Egg Band on the Sunday afternoon.

As well as performances there were opportunities to participate in workshops, singarounds, or informal music sessions. Workshops took place in dancing, fiddle, melodeon, 'spoons', and poetry.

The above report provides a sample of what went on over the festival weekend. Work to organise the festival, and to raise money to finance it, takes place throughout the year, and is already underway for 2009. Fundraising takes place in many ways, and by a dedicated group of volunteers. Examples include: a bacon butty stall at the Farmers market each month; a local ceilidh band who play to raise money for the festival on the Penistone train line; the New Year ceilidh held in the civic hall where all musicians play for free and money raised goes towards the festival; raffles; individual donations; money raised by local pubs and cafes.

The aim of the festival is to be a truly community event celebrating traditional music, dance, and singing; and enjoyed by people of all ages, gender and race.

The festival committee would like to thank the parish council for its support and contributing to making the festival possible through its financial support.
Many thanks!