Tenterden Folk Festival 2017

Now in it's 25th year Tenterden Folk Festival, situated in the ancient Weald of Kent, about 12 miles west of Ashford, is a friendly, family folk festival happening over four days from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th October 2017.

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

Confirmed so far are:- Barrie & Ingrid Temple; Brian Peter; Derek Gifford; Dick Miles; Graeme Knights; Greg Harper; Jeff Warner; Jezreels Ceilidh Band; JIB; 
Jim Bainbridge; Jim Mageean; Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham; Nick Dow; Paul and Liz Davenport; Pete Castle; Si Baron; Snail Tales Storytelling; Steve Turner; Tim Laycock; Alan Neville and Rachel Eyres; Ashford Folk Band; Direction Corsairs; Endless Knot; Green Diesel; John Bowden & Vic Shepherd; Old Country Crows; Peter Hicks; United Folk Orchestras; Adrian O; Bob Kenward; Chris Roche; Gavin & Julie Atkin; John & Di Cullen; Malcolm Ward; Mark Gibson; Marsh Warblers; Morrigan; Peter Collins; Roger Resch; Spare Parts; Sue Watson & Lizzi Stephens; Swinging the Lead; Tom Patterson and Dave Morton; Travelling Folk; Vic & Tina Smith

The Thursday evening fundraiser concert will feature Steve Tilston plus Nick Dow and Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham

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 60 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.

Morris sides and dance display teams confirmed so far include:- Cornucopia (their first trip to Tenterden), Woodchurch Morris (Every year for 25 years!), Royal Liberty Morris, Sompting Village Morris, Boughton Monchelsea Morris, Gong Scourers, Loose Women Morris, Kent Korkers and Pork Scratchin's, East Kent Morris, Roses are Red plus many more still to be confirmed.

There will be around 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, and more. 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

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The early bird offer has ended. Tickets are priced at £50 for the weekend. An under 16 year olds weekend ticket is priced at £25. Caravan/campervan £25, and a camping ticket is £20 per tent.

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, caravan / campervan prices have not yet been announced.

More information will be here when available.

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