Despite the Saturday thunderstorms, the first Mitcheldean Fete & Folk Festival was great fun, with grateful thanks to everyone involved!
Much credit goes to the visiting Morris dancers who dodged the showers to perform indoors and outdoors at various locations.
Morris dancers opposite the church.
While the rain washed out events on the playing field, the musical entertainment including country dancing from the primary school was successfully moved to the parish church, and the Morris brought colour to the stallholders in the community centre, with home-made refreshments from the WI.
The poetry recital in the library was a great success, with 25 local poets reading their work during the afternoon, and the evening entertainments — concert in the Brewery Tap, music session in the White Horse and barn dance in the community centre — all went very well too.
The weekend was rounded off by a Sunday “folk walk” round the pubs of Mitcheldean and Longhope, with singing at every one!
A selection of photographss helps to tell the tale, courtesy of our festival photographer Eden Tanner, and we’re already planning the second festival for next 2015.
Morris dancers outside the White Horse pub.
Crooked End performing at the Parish Church.
Local poet and singer-songwriter Dick Brice.
Morris dancers in the Community Centre.
Folk session in the White Horse pub, Mitcheldean.
The Minstrels at the Brewery Tap concert.
Singer-songwriter Tracey Dixon at the Brewery Tap.
The Folk Walk passing through a farm near Longhope.
Folk fans around the Forest of Dean can look forward to a fun-filled feast of music, poetry and dance as the first Mitcheldean Fete and Folk Festival comes to the town.
Andy Scarf and Bill “Pass the Hat” Taylor
The 3-day event starts on Friday 18th July with an informal acoustic session at the Bespoke Brewery Tap. Musicians and singers can simply turn up and play, sing or just listen whilst enjoying some of the award-winning ales which are brewed on the premises.
Saturday will see a traditional “village fete” on the playing fields and at the adjacent Community Centre, which will be opened at 12 noon by a lucky local schoolgirl who will be picked for the role of Fete Queen. Local and visiting musicians will be performing throughout the fete whilst visitors can enjoy a range of entertainments, stalls and refreshments.
Mitcheldean Library will be hosting a poetry event with readings from “Forest Bard” Dave Harvey and tributes to the poets of World War I. Local singer-songwriter Clint Mann will be running a guitar workshop in the Community Centre — suitable for all skill levels — but don’t forget to bring your guitar!
There will also be fun activities and games for children at the Parish Church from 10am until 12 noon. Morris dancing by a number of local and visiting Morris sides will take place throughout the day from 11am. Free parking will be available at the Mitcheldean Enterprise Workshops (MEWs).
Saturday evening will give music fans a choice of venues: the Brewery Tap will be hosting an evening concert with a showcase of music and singing by a variety of groups and solo acts; a barn dance will be taking place in the Community Centre with tickets costing £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions; the White Horse pub in High Street will have an informal session for musicians, singers and poets.
Sunday’s “folk walk” starts at 10am with breakfast at the White Horse, and will set off at 12 noon to visit 5 local pubs with a musical theme for each one. The route will be around 5 miles and is suitable for anyone who can get over a stile. Dogs are welcome but may have to stay outside at some venues.
Many residents refer to Mitcheldean as a village, although technically it is a small town, having a Town Hall and signs giving directions to the “town centre”.
This is the first of what is hoped to be an annual event. It is organised by members of Mitcheldean Folk Club, Mitcheldean Parish Council, The Women’s Institute, Forest Gate Church, and individual volunteers who live locally.
Mitcheldean Folk Club meets on the second Thursday of every month at the White Horse pub in High Street. New members are always welcome.
Contacts for further information or a press interview:
