Yorkshire Folk Arts: News: Holmfirth Festival

The future of the Holmfirth Festival has been the subject of much debate in recent months. Since the organisers announced that there would be no event in 2006, events have taken a new turn. YFA cannot take sides or comment on developments, but it is our responsibility to present information as it becomes available. We include on this page the announcement made in November 2005 by the festival organisers, followed by a press release from Gill Noppen-Spacie on behalf of a local consortium which proposes to put on an alternative festival for 2006.

Holmfirth festival postponed

For the first time in its 27 year history the Folk Festival in Holmfirth will take a year off in 2006. The directors of the festival have reluctantly taken this decision while they consider the best way forward. A shortage of overnight camping space and sufficient b&b accommodation means that the festival organisers may consider a move out of the town if they are to continue to provide a high quality event for the local community and visitors alike.

Festival director James McKinlay says the decision to cancel next year's festival was not taken lightly. In recent years there has been a big growth in community involvement with school workshops and a free children's festival weekend.

After a series of meetings with the local business association, councillors and representatives of Kirklees Council, the directors say they have not been able to secure any real commitment from the town to go ahead with a festival in 2006. Talks are still progressing as to the long term future of the festival in 2007 and beyond.

Email: mac@holmfirthfestival.com
Website: http://www.holmfirthfestival.com/

Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2006: May 5 - 7

Gill Noppen-Spacie writes:

The Show Goes On!

Now that the director of Holmfirth Folk Festival Ltd has confirmed publicly that there will be no Holmfirth Festival in 2006 some local people have decided otherwise!

A group of Holmfirth business people met last week with local folk music and dance enthusiasts, all of whom are experienced in organising and running events, and have confirmed that the show will go on.

Landlady of The Nook, Sheila Sutton, daughter of former licensees David and Angela Roberts said, 'We were very concerned to learn from the newspaper that the festival wasn't going to happen in 2006 and that the organisers wanted to move it to a greenfield site for 2007. Obviously the loss of income is a consideration but my family have been involved in the festival every year since it started and it is an event that we enjoy greatly. The Nook has played an important role in the success of the festival and it would be a sad loss if it was to be moved out of town.'

The new organising team are not planning to imitate what has happened in previous years but hope that they will be able to provide enough attractions to appeal to visitors and the local community. Already booked for the Picturedrome are The Strawbs, John Martyn and the Peatbog Faeries (tbc). Ceilidhs are planned for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, Morris Dance sides are booked; the Nook, the Postcard, the Old Bridge Hotel and Carniceria are all putting together a programme of music; children's entertainment is in hand; workshops have already been offered by musicians ,and arrangements for camping are well advanced.

The Holme Valley Business Association and 42 local businesses have pledged their support and sponsorship has been offered by The Music Room and Pertemps.

The organisers want to make this year's festival a truly community event and further offers of support and help from local people would be much appreciated.

For further information phone Greg Christofi (Chair, Holme Valley Business Association) on 01484 682721 or
email: holmfirthfolk@btinternet.com

You can't have May in Holmfirth without having Holmfirth Festival of Folk - it wouldn't be the same!

Website: http://www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk/

8 January 2006

Updates:

The Campsite at Sands was confirmed yesterday and will cost £5.50 per person per night. Prior booking is strongly recommended as there will be a limited number of spaces. There will be a small number of plots for caravans and camper vans. Booking is through the Holmfirth Information Office on 01484 222444.

Tickets are available now for the gigs at the Picturedrome. The Strawbs (support John Senior) on Friday night for £12, John Martyn (support John Smith) on Saturday night at £22.50 - going fast! The Doonan Family Band (support James Cannon and Spotlight Kid) on Sunday night (ticket price to be confirmed) will close the weekend's festivities. Contact 01484 689759 for tickets.

CragRats will be promoting two concerts over the festival weekend and tickets will be available from them on 01484 691323 The events are Waking the Witch on Friday night and On Again, On Again, an evening of the songs of Jake Thackray on Saturday (subject to confirmation.)

All pub gigs, folk clubs, sessions and workshops will be free, but please be prepared to put your hand in your pocket to add a contribution to the collection bucket towards the expenses of the artists who have generously offered their support and services for free.

Cath Ingham
15 February 2006

Note: the directors of the Holmfirth Folk Festival have asked us to make it clear that they have no connection whatever with the Holmfirth Festival of Folk, which is an entirely separate event organised for 2006 as outlined above.

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		Holmfirth Festival The future of the Holmfirth Festival has been the subject of much debate in recent months. Since the organisers announced that there would be no event in 2006, events have taken a new turn. YFA cannot take sides or comment on developments, but it is our responsibility to present information as it becomes available. We include on this page the announcement made in November 2005 by the festival organisers, followed by a press release from Gill Noppen-Spacie on behalf of a local consortium which proposes to put on an alternative festival for 2006. Holmfirth festival postponed For the first time in its 27 year history the Folk Festival in Holmfirth will take a year off in 2006. The directors of the festival have reluctantly taken this decision while they consider the best way forward. A shortage of overnight camping space and sufficient b&b accommodation means that the festival organisers may consider a move out of the town if they are to continue to provide a high quality event for the local community and visitors alike. Festival director James McKinlay says the decision to cancel next year's festival was not taken lightly. In recent years there has been a big growth in community involvement with school workshops and a free children's festival weekend. After a series of meetings with the local business association, councillors and representatives of Kirklees Council, the directors say they have not been able to secure any real commitment from the town to go ahead with a festival in 2006. Talks are still progressing as to the long term future of the festival in 2007 and beyond. Email: mac@holmfirthfestival.com Website: http://www.holmfirthfestival.com/ *November 2005* Holmfirth Festival of Folk 2006: May 5 - 7 Gill Noppen-Spacie writes: The Show Goes On! Now that the director of Holmfirth Folk Festival Ltd has confirmed publicly that there will be no Holmfirth Festival in 2006 some local people have decided otherwise! A group of Holmfirth business people met last week with local folk music and dance enthusiasts, all of whom are experienced in organising and running events, and have confirmed that the show will go on. Landlady of The Nook, Sheila Sutton, daughter of former licensees David and Angela Roberts said, 'We were very concerned to learn from the newspaper that the festival wasn't going to happen in 2006 and that the organisers wanted to move it to a greenfield site for 2007. Obviously the loss of income is a consideration but my family have been involved in the festival every year since it started and it is an event that we enjoy greatly. The Nook has played an important role in the success of the festival and it would be a sad loss if it was to be moved out of town.' The new organising team are not planning to imitate what has happened in previous years but hope that they will be able to provide enough attractions to appeal to visitors and the local community. Already booked for the Picturedrome are The Strawbs, John Martyn and the Peatbog Faeries (tbc). Ceilidhs are planned for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, Morris Dance sides are booked; the Nook, the Postcard, the Old Bridge Hotel and Carniceria are all putting together a programme of music; children's entertainment is in hand; workshops have already been offered by musicians ,and arrangements for camping are well advanced. The Holme Valley Business Association and 42 local businesses have pledged their support and sponsorship has been offered by The Music Room and Pertemps. The organisers want to make this year's festival a truly community event and further offers of support and help from local people would be much appreciated. For further information phone Greg Christofi (Chair, Holme Valley Business Association) on 01484 682721 or email: holmfirthfolk@btinternet.com You can't have May in Holmfirth without having Holmfirth Festival of Folk - it wouldn't be the same! Website: http://www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk/ *8 January 2006* Updates: The Campsite at Sands was confirmed yesterday and will cost £5.50 per person per night. Prior booking is strongly recommended as there will be a limited number of spaces. There will be a small number of plots for caravans and camper vans. Booking is through the Holmfirth Information Office on 01484 222444. Tickets are available now for the gigs at the Picturedrome. The Strawbs (support John Senior) on Friday night for £12, John Martyn (support John Smith) on Saturday night at £22.50 - going fast! The Doonan Family Band (support James Cannon and Spotlight Kid) on Sunday night (ticket price to be confirmed) will close the weekend's festivities. Contact 01484 689759 for tickets. CragRats will be promoting two concerts over the festival weekend and tickets will be available from them on 01484 691323 The events are Waking the Witch on Friday night and On Again, On Again, an evening of the songs of Jake Thackray on Saturday (subject to confirmation.) All pub gigs, folk clubs, sessions and workshops will be free, but please be prepared to put your hand in your pocket to add a contribution to the collection bucket towards the expenses of the artists who have generously offered their support and services for free. Cath Ingham 15 February 2006 Note: the directors of the Holmfirth Folk Festival have asked us to make it clear that they have no connection whatever with the Holmfirth Festival of Folk, which is an entirely separate event organised for 2006 as outlined above.

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