Mitcheldean Festival

It’s time to start planning for the 2016 Mitcheldean Folk Festival! Your committee has met and can confirm that the dates for the main events will be Friday 15th July – Sunday 17th July – as usual the third weekend in July.

We have already had enquiries from people who would like to perform in the showcase concerts, so we’ve posted a provisional application form here so that you can download it and send us your details. Although the arrangements are yet to be finalised, we’re aiming to hold (as with last year), a Pre-Festival Concert at the Brewery Tap on Saturday 28th May (7.00-11.00pm), with the Main Festival Concert running over eight hours in Mitcheldean Church on Saturday 16th July (1.00-9.00pm). We also are hoping to having opportunities for busking in and around Mitcheldean on the Saturday when the Fete is taking place.

If you are interested in taking part in any of these three musical events, please fill in the application form with your preferences and details. Last year we were oversubscribed with applications and some people were disappointed; we cannot guarantee anyone a slot but will try to fit in as many of you as possible, though this may well mean that you will only be able to perform in one of the two concerts. Mitcheldean Fete 2016 Concert Application 1

To apply, send in your application form either by post to: Clint Mann, Edgehill House, Plump Hill, Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire GL17 0EY or by e-mail to: clintmann@btinternet.com  You can also hand in your form during the meetings of Mitcheldean Folk Club (in the White Horse on the 2nd Thursday of each month) where forms will also be available between December – February. Hurry though – we need all applications in by no later than  Thursday 18th February, 2016.

As well as these concert events, there will be all sorts of other things going on, including the Fete, the Poetry afternoon, the Sunday Folk Walk, music sessions in the evenings and a Barn Dance. So – watch this space for further details.

Here are some sample tracks from the CD that was produced by some of the artists appearing at the 2015 Mitcheldean Folk Festival.

You can get your copy by visiting Mitcheldean Folk Club or contact the Administrator ^[Mobile] to order online.

The last part of this year’s Folk Festival was the Folk Walk. Starting with breakfast in the White Horse, the group set off for the first short leg to the Lamb Inn. The theme for songs here was animals and we were joined by two dogs and a puppy in the beer garden, two of the dogs and their owners continuing on the full walk.

Lunch was at the Yew Tree, Longhope with some enjoying a Sunday roast from the carvery and others taking the lighter option of sandwiches. Faith and the Forest was the theme here, with the Yew Tree being a common sight in churchyards.

At the Box Bush end of Longhope the bar in the Nag’s Head was already home to some live music by two locals on electric guitar and vocals so the party retired to the new decking in the rear garden and found a cosy space around the sides of a bouncy castle, with songs on the theme of horses.

After a short walk to the Farmer’s Boy Inn , which featured a second bouncy castle, the group took shelter from the sun under some large table umbrellas (or parasols?)  and enjoyed songs on the theme of farming before a traditional group photograph in front of the horse mural on the side of the pub. Many also took advantage of the ice cream bar before departing.

The return to Mitcheldean passed through fields of barley and herds of cattle. Wild camomile was growing at the edge of one field, and the cherry trees along Bradley Court Road provided a welcome snack for those who could reach! Relaxing albeit briefly back at the White Horse, it was soon time for our American visitors from Renegade Rose Morris to retire to their lodgings at the Oakraven Centre, with many of the survivors joining them for a chilled out evening of good food, good company and music.

A big thank you to everyone who walked, sang, played, danced, watched, listened, and to all our helpers both front of house and behind the scenes. See you next year!

Folk session in the Brewery Tap

The Mitcheldean Folk Festival 2015 has begun. The Friday night regulars at the Brewery Tap are being entertained by (and in some cases joining in with) a mixed bag of musicians from near and far. Some have come from across the Atlantic Ocean whilst others have come from just across the road.

Come and join us this weekend for what promises to be a great event!

2015 Programme Master Version 16

Click on the link here to download a copy of the 2015 Mitchedean Folk Festival Programme

Don’t miss the Poetry Recital events at the Library during Mitcheldean Fete and Folk festival. From 12.00-4.00pm there will be recital, a workshop, performances and the results of the Young Poets’ Competition.

If you liked the live shows, why not relive the experience in the comfort of your own home, headphones…

19 tracks with almost 70 minutes of music from artistes performing at the 2015 Mitcheldean Folk festival. Includes performances from the Brewery Tap concert of 30th May.

Copies will be on sale during the festival at the special price of only £5.

Watch this space for further details of how to order your copy by post……

Showcase Concert

This year’s concert will be taking place throughout the day in Mitcheldean Parish Church of St. Michael and All Angels.

12:00 – 12:50 — Introduction

Introduction, crowning of Festival Queen and performances by local schoolchildren

13:00 – 13:25 — Peaky Blinders

Acoustic duo play country and folk with a touch of bluegrass

13:30 – 13:55 — Tracey Dixon

Powerful and moving songs from this extraordinary Mitcheldean vocalist

14:00 – 14:25 — Tommy Lee Fallon

Country music with a mix of original and classic material

14:30 – 14:55 — Dave Thompson

One of Mitcheldean’s finest singers and musicians

15:00 – 15:25 — Rebecca Kay & Company

Ballads and folk songs with guitar accompaniment

15:30 – 15:55 — Uke Hunters

Expect Mumford and Sons songs, well known classics and originals from this Lydney ukulele and cajun band

16:00 – 16:25 — Mike & Fiona Taylor

Accomplished guitarist and flautist perform singer-songwriter items from the 1960s and 70s

16:30 – 16:55 — The Wanted Men

Storytelling and songs with guitars, harmonicas and stomp box

17:00 – 17:25 — The Vogwells

Gloucester guitar duo that perform and arrange traditional folk music

17:30 – 17:55 — Bygonz

Experience 700 years of English music on the pipe, tabor and hurdy-gurdy

18:00 – 18:25 — Clint Mann

Singer-songwriter with indie meets folk guitar thrash

18:30 – 18:55 — Sid Harvey

Folk/roots originals with a Gloucestershire twist on guitar, harp and washboard

19:00 – 19:25 — Drybrook Male Voice Choir

A male voice group singing a variety of recognisable songs

19:30 – 20:05 — May Thrill

Three musicians and vocalists combine to arrange traditional folk music in their own style

20:10 – 21:00 — Jules de Bharra and Friends

Distinctive vocal harmonies and accompaniment are on the cards tonight. The Jade-Olivia Patrick Band from Stroud are unable to attend so Jules will be bringing some extra friends to entertain you .

The successful Poetry Recital will be hosted again in the Library on the afternoon of Saturday 18th June, a unique celebration of Forest life and history. This year the event will include our very own X Factor in the form of a ‘Young Poets’ Competition. Poets from 5-18 are invited to enter. The closing date for entries is 31^st May and the winners will be announced at the end of June.

Programme for Pre-Festival Concert on 30th May 2015

We now have a full programme for both concerts at this year’s festival. Here is the running order for the event on 30th May. We look forward to seeing you there!