Tenterden Folk Festival 2010

Tenterden, situated in the ancient Weald of Kent, about 12 miles west of Ashford, is a friendly, family folk festival which has expanded to four days from Thursday 30th September to Sunday 3rd October 2010. Tenterden features one of the widest High Streets in the country, lined with historic and listed buildings, numerous pubs and restaurants and green verges. Events which will take place around the town centre, in the pubs, the Tenterden Club, the Assembly Rooms, the Kent and East Sussex Railway and other suitable halls.

Line-up

On Thursday evening there's a special show in conjunction with The Sinden Theatre at Homewood School. 'Waltzers & Wonders: the Wakes is in Town' features Ian Carter, Keith Kendrick, Sylvia Needham, Sarah Matthews, Doug Eunson, Michelle Short, John Adams, Alan Squires and Howard Mitchell.

The line-up includes Alchemy, Band of Two, Barron Brady, Capella, Pete Castle, Karen and Colin Cater, The Claque, Roy Clinging, Cross O'th Hands, Paul and Liz Davenport, Vic Ellis, Doug Euson and Sarah Matthews, Roy Harris, Keith Kendrick, Dick Miles, Sylvia Needham, Mike Nicholson, George Papavgeris, The Ram Company Ceilidh Band with caller Ian Carter, Mike Silver, Suffolk Step Dancers, John and Karen Sweeney, Barrie and Ingrid Temple, Ticklish Allsorts Show, Tinkers Bag, Phil Trainor, Rude Albert, and Steve Turner.

Concerts

Expect a Friday evening concert at the Tenterden Club, regular music showcase spots in the garden of the Woolpack on both Saturday and Sunday, a Saturday evening concert at the Sinden Theatre, and possibly a concert on Sunday afternoon in the Tenterden Club.

Morris sides

The festival also plays host to a wide selection of Morris sides representing most of the different Morris styles, plus traditional singing workshops, folk trains (musicians and other performers on the steam train) and English Barn Dance.

There will also be the hundreds of Morris dancers attending the Festival with 50 sides expected at its peak on Saturday. These will include men's sides, women's sides and some mixed sides and take in all the various styles of Morris including Cotswold, Border, Molly, clog and garland, as well as Appalachian, Scottish and Slovakian dancers. One of the many highlights will be the procession on Sunday which will include most of the dancers present. Many of the dancers will be staying on for Sunday as well.

Tickets

An early bird full weekend ticket admits holder to all events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but does dot include Thursday evening at The Sinden Theatre or campingis priced at £29.00 (under 16's £15) After 1st Sept. £35.00 (under 16's £18.00). To buy tickets, once they become available, click here.

Tickets will be available by post direct from the festival and will shortly be available from the Tourist Information Centre in Ashford (01233 629165) and the Library in Tenterden High Street.

Free events

All the events in the White Lion, the Woolpack, the Woolpack Marquee and the Vine are usually free as are all the dance displays around the town and the procession. Entry to the craft fair in the Town Hall and the Music Fayre in a new venue the Main Hall of Tenterden Junior School are also free and there will be more stalls in the High Street as usual.

Procession

Tenterden Folk Festival will also include a procession of Morris and other folk dancers, street entertainers, giants, and mascots on Saturday. The procession is a walking procession and leaves Recreation Ground Road at 3pm to process to the Coach Park in Station Road and does not include motor vehicles. Following the procession there will be a display by some of the 40 plus Morris sides and other folk dance display teams attending the festival.

Stalls

The craft fair and parts of the music fair and street stalls are to relocate to several large marquees on the Recreation Ground on Saturday and Sunday. The Town Hall is expected to be used for other festival events such as workshops, concerts or a dance. The music showcases, previously known as 'the Woolpack Stage', will also relocate into one of these marquees. The Tenterden Junior School hall will still be used for the stalls selling musical instruments, CDs, and similar items. Most of the regular stall holders will also be there including Hobgoblin, Talking Elephant, Thrift Music and Hedingham Fair. The organisers are also planning to have displays of Morris dance in the school car park to cope with the increasing number of teams attending the festival.

Children's entertainment

For the children Ticklish Allsorts will be on hand on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday their shows will take place in St Mildred's Church Hall in Church Road while on Sunday their show will be held at the showcase marquee in the grounds of the Junior School in Recreation Road. Events should include a traditional Punch and Judy Show, an appearance by Mr Tickles, as well as walkabouts, talkabouts and street theatre shows.

Sing-a-rounds & music sessions

Lunchtime or evening sing-a-rounds or music sessions take place in the Woolpack, White Lion, Vine, or Tenterden Club. Festival goers can join in the tunes being played by musicians who will be there from Friday evening to late Sunday night. These events are very much participatory but attendees can also come along and listen.

The William Caxton is still closed for renovation so the Friday evening Songs Showcase with Peter Collins and guests at 8.00 p.m. has been relocated to The Fat Ox in Ashford Road, St Michaels.

Workshops

The festival also offers a wide range of workshops.

Camping

The camp site at The Woodlands Park now caters for tents, caravans and motor caravans. It is situated on the A262 just 3 miles from Tenterden Town Centre. As the site is not within easy walking distance of the town centre the organisers usually provide a shuttle bus service.

More information will be here when available.

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