LATEST NEWS

MESSAGE FROM THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR – ALI

15 Jun 2017 — Filed Under: Concerts, News

Hi everyone, and welcome back to the beautiful area of Saddleworth. Last year’s Festival was supposed to be a one-off, but it all felt so special that here we are again!! 2015 was like welcoming a family back together, so if you’re coming here for the first time, I hope you enjoy both the Festival and our wonderful villages; if you’ve been previously, then welcome back!!   Many of you know that my wonderful mum Hilda died in April at the age of 95; she was my best friend and my biggest support, so her loss is still very much a painful void. I couldn’t have got through it without my family and my fantastic folkie friends – you’re all just so brilliant. Both last year and this year she has donated money towards the Festival – please give what you can to the collection pots because I’m again running this weekend from my own funds – and I would love to do it all over again!!!!   We have some new venues this year, in addition to the usual ones i.e. Civic Hall, Tory Club and Commercial – the new Muse Eatery, and the Cellar Cafe. Thank you so much again to the landlords and managers of the various venues – I hope you enjoy the weekend just as much as the festival-goers do.   Friday night will be quieter than the other days – just a singaround, musicians session, and Fresh Folk at the Muse Eatery. Dean Ross is running this event again, and he will be showcasing young, new Manchester artists who need (and merit) our support.   There are a number of people I do need to thank, for without their help and support this Festival would not have been possible: my radio programme producer Bernard for providing the PA, my friend Vivienne who is Assistant Director, her son Dean who designed the brilliant flyer and programme cover, another good friend Pam who’s running the Craft Fair, Tony Cutler for taking on the role of Chief Steward, Pete Abbott who has managed the Festival website, and also my super son Gareth who has kept Facebook and Twitter going. Plus of course all the wonderful stewards, Moor and Coast bar staff, Christine’s cafe staff, the crazy desk staff led by Kim, the MC’s, Civic Hall staff, the fantastic artists……..and YOU of course for coming here. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and I’ll see you around the village.   Ali xx

Ticket Prices

15 Jun 2017 — Filed Under: Concerts, News

Weekend Passes – £45 Concessions – £35 Students – £35 Under 16s FREE

02 DEC 2016

Newsletter

Filed Under: News

We wanted to give you an update on where we were with our plans for 2017. As you know, the date planned is 14th-16 July and we’ve already put in our order for fabulous weather all weekend. The artists already booked include Merry Hell, Lucy Ward, Wilson Family, Granny’s Attic, the Hayes Sisters, Graeme Knights & Jim Mageean, and Mark Dowding. Plus we have local artists including Stanley Accrington, Eliza P & her Oopsadaisy Circus, and Heather McNeill, amongst many more. We also have an Artisan Market being organised by Pam Alderton and Sara Jones, and of course Ade the Face Painting Fairy will be there! Our new flyers have now been printed and we are working on sharing them as far and wide as we can. If you would like us to send some through to you for you to share around please let us know and give a postal address to send some to. We really would appreciate your help in sharing with your friends, local folk clubs and anywhere else you can think of. By way of update in relation to the campsite, this is again based at Well-i-Hole Farm in Greenfield. It is now being managed by new owners who are intending to upgrade the site and the facilities. Jack, the site marshall, will again be there all weekend to support festival campers any way he can. Please remember that if you have a tent you can go straight onto the site on arrival. But you must book in advance if you arriving with a campervan, motorhome or caravan. There are also some electric hook ups available but these again must be booked in advance. The telephone number to contact the campsite is 01457 834316. Finally, we are working on a new website – www.saddleworthfolkweekend.co.uk. This is accessible now, but is being worked on while “live” and so information will be added over the coming weeks. We hope you find this email of interest. Please do let us know if you would like some flyers sending to you. Also if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to email us here. We will be in touch again when we have more information to share. With best wishes, Ali & Vivienne x