Tenterden Folk Festival 2012

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 4th to Sunday 7th October 2012. 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

The Acoustic Strawbs (Thurday evening concert), plus Brian Peters, Chris Sarjeant, The Climax Ceilidh Band with caller Nick Walden, Jeff Warner (USA), Jim Causley, Jody Kruskal (USA), The Keelers (Jim Magean, Peter Wood, George Unthank & Alan Fitztsimmons), Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Needham, Nic Dow, Pete Castle, Rude Albert, Sara Grey (USA), Steve Turner, Swinging The Lead (Peter Brooker, Brian Withstandley, Stephen Skey, Lee Leatham & Dave Webb), Tom and Barbara Brown.

Marquee showcase guests include Bedlam Boys, Nina Clark, Frankie the Gambler, Sally Ironmonger, Captain Patch, The Jones Boys, Stuart Forester, Tom Dalton and Jessica Cheetham, Procession, Old Country Crows, Na Mara, Pierre Vincent, and Foxglove Trio on Saturday. On Sunday the Marquee showcases Andy Smythe Band, Swinging the Lead, Frankie the Gambler, Simon Stanley-Ward, Highworth School Folk Band, Abbie Broom, Coco and the Butterfields, Folk in Harmony, Luke Jackson, Dennis Homes, and Green Diesel.

Regular guests include Adrian O, Bo Foaks, Bob Kenward, Chris Roche, John Barden, John and Karen Sweeney, Malcolm Ward, The Marsh Warblers, Peter Collins, Roger Resch, Spare Parts Concertina Band, Steve O'Kane and Fiona McBain, Sue Watson, Travelling Folk and Vic and Tina Smith

Concerts

Expect 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.

Bacchus Border Morris, Boughton Monchelsea Morris, Hertfordshire Holly, Hunters Moon Morris, Kits Koty Morris, Knockhundred Shuttles, Loose Women, MacLennan Scottish Group, Marling Morris, Men of Wight Morris, Minster Mayhems, Morena Slovak Dancer Company, Oojah Kappivvy, Redbournestoke Morris, Tanglefoot Appalachian, USO Dancers, Woodchurch Morris Men, Wicket Belly Morris, Wicked Brood Morris, Woodvale International Folk Dance Group.

There will 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

The early bird offer has ended. A full weekend ticket admits holder to all events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but does dot include Thursday evening at The Sinden Theatre or camping is priced at £43 and an under 16's ticket is priced at £22.

To buy tickets, click here.

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.

Children's entertainment

Events should include a traditional Punch and Judy Show, 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.

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. The campsite will be available from Thursday afternoon to Monday morning, a caravan / campervan (for up to four nights) £20, or tent (for up to four nights) £18.

More information will be here when available.

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