1. Review from Roy and Norma Garrington being reproduced in Set & Turn Single
Review of the Lichfield Folk Festival, 18th – 20th June, 2010
This year was the 35th Anniversary of this hugely popular event, held in the city of Lichfield in the West Midlands. A positive cornucopia of first class callers and bands ensured that every possible dancing and musical taste was catered for.
From the USA was Gene Murrow, returning to Lichfield by popular demand, and he did not disappoint, with his clear and meticulous calling of Playford style dances – his cleverly devised workshops and dances were all particularly well attended. Diane Silver, also from the USA, on her first visit to Lichfield, presented some high energy modern contras and squares, to the terrific driving music of the Appalachian Storm band – more visitors from over the pond ! Home-bred dancing masters, and a mistress, Barrie Bullimore, Robert Moir, David and Kathryn Wright, gave us superb general dances and workshops in American, Playford and Fallibroome, working to the sublime music of Keeping Thyme, Narrow Escape, Masquerade and 3D bands. Mike Courthold, Maggie Kaye and Frances Richardson, all added to the varied dance mix, with General, International and Jane Austen dances respectively.
The festival is now conveniently held at a single-site venue, augmented with a hall close by, with camping and hard-standing available for caravans and motorhomes, all adjacent. Lots of B&B accommodation, in all price ranges, is available either in the City itself or in the surrounding area. This year we stayed in the village of Whittington, just a few minutes drive away along the Tamworth road. Previous complaints concerning poor acoustics in one of the on-site venues (the infamous Gym), have now been very effectively dealt with, thanks to a lot of time and money well spent by the organisers, and due in no small part to the technical expertise and sewing skills of David and Gwen Burke ! The on-site catering this year was much improved too, with a wide range of reasonably priced and tasty snacks, and hot meals, available throughout the weekend. Our Sunday lunch was delicious, and all for £12 !
The festival has evolved into a compact, well organised, high class dance event in the summer calendar – one definitely not to be missed !
(Footnote : next year’s dates are June 17th – June 19th, 2011)
Roy & Norma Garrington 21.6.10
2. <musicbikemusicbike@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Dear Frances,
Sorry we couldn't join you at the final "Come all ye" yesterday. We knew the traffic would be heavy and it was, however we were back in Canterbury before 9.30 p.m.
Masquerade had a very happy weekend at Lichfield and hope you'll invite us again. We are especially full of admiration for the "gym baffling". The result was quite amazing. (We've had a couple of very difficult, frustrating sessions in similar buildings elsewhere, without any baffles.)
We especially enjoyed working with Gene Murrow. It's really exciting and rewarding when the caller and the band are on the same wavelength musically and we could have gone on playing all night!
Good wishes to you personally and to the Lichfield Club.
Daphne for Masquerade.
Further Comments Please?
The Committee would be grateful for any feedback with your comments, by email, on the benefits and any problems encountered at our new festival location.