Grants

Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2007 was held in and around the town of Holmfirth on May 11th - 13th. 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; tin whistle group, Yorkshire Longsword dancing, Indian Gujerati 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 t raditional live music, singing and dance, and celebrating the many talents and a chievements of children and young people in the Holme Valley.


Morris Dancers outside the Old Bridge Hotel, Holmfirth.

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 Hollogate, Norridge Bottom and the churchyard from the Bread and Butter Theatre Company. This was a great success with both children and adults alike and has been a key 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, starting at the Memorial Park, and ending with a colourful display at Victoria Park. The streets w ere packed with onlookers and despite the rain, which descended at times, Victoria Park was well attended and the audience simply put up their brollies and continued to enjoy the show!

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, but tickets could be bought for the well-known band Chumbawamba, who played to a packed audience a t the large civic. A sell out ceilidh took place in the market hall Saturday night.

As well as performances there were opportunities to participate in workshops, singarounds, or informal music sessions, including an open mic at the Number 11 café/bar. Workshops took place in dancing, pipes, fiddle, melodeon, 'spoons', and poetry. Children and young people were encouraged to participate by providing their own open mic session which was advertised at local schools, youth clubs etc, and being welcomed at many of the workshops. There was also a free family ceilidh, which took place in the market hall on the Sunday afternoon.

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 2008. 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 would like to thank the parish council for its support and contributing to making the festival possible through its financial support. Many thanks!


Carol Macklin for Holmfirth Folk Festival 2007