| Another Triumph at Puddleworth |  Saddleworth Folk Festival may, as ever, have been wet on the outside (there are those who refer to this festival as ‘Puddleworth’), but at its core was as warm and friendly as ever. Although there for the whole weekend it was not possible to take in all the events and workshops as the organisers provided a very comprehensive programme yet again.
The Friday Folk Concert had a superb line up, headed by Eric Bogle and old friend and colleague John Munro. Bogle’s set was finely judged, giving his audience some of his finest works. Knowing that this was probably the last chance to see him perform live for many of us, added an extra frisson of emotion to songs such as No Man’s Land and And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. I’m sure everyone wishes Eric all the best, he will missed from the British folk scene.
The Young’uns, from Hartlepool, made several appearances over the weekend and proved very popular with audiences making new friends all along the way. Their superb harmonies and very lively personalities made for some very entertaining sets. Check out their new CD Plastic Cod’eads, I recommend it to you. It was good to have an opportunity to hear once again old favourites like Hissyfit, Barry and Ingrid Temple along with the irrepressible Stanley Accrington. It was also great to see local talent being given a spot in the concerts. John Courtman, composer and whistle player, soon had the audience eating out of his hand during the Sunday Tea Time Concert.
It is impossible to mention all performers at this festival. The organisers are to be commended for managing to bring together some of the country’s finest performers, whilst encouraging new, young talent like Gene Burton, The Askew Sisters and Ewan Mclennan. We should also mention all those others who run sing-arounds, and head workshops. They act to draw the whole together and give depth and other dimensions to this festival.
The overwhelming feedback I got from people was that Saddleworth was one of the friendliest festivals you could wish to attend, proved by all those people who return year after year.
- Elaine Wedge
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