Village Pump Folk Festival overflows with good tunes and rain too (part three)

Village Pump Folk Festival 2015

Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July 2015
White Horse Country Park, Trowbridge Road, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 4LX, England MAP
tier 3 £120 for a weekend ticket

Daily capacity: 2,000

Sunday arrives and its far from a sunny day. The site has suffered from a lashing from overnight rain, but all seems to have survived. A spot of breakfast and it's off to Ruarri Joseph, the first band on the main stage today. They're a 3 piece band and its really cold up on the stage and so the lady bassist has to put her jumper on. 'Cold Ontario' seems appropriate as a title for today. They soldier on to a smallish early crowd (including Steve Knightley from stage side) with an enjoyable set of Folky blues.

With the weather being so poor The Morris dancers are having to perform in the larger beer tent today, though I'd guess there is worse places for them to dance.

Foreign Affairs are on next as the billed Gaz Brookfield has been unable to get off site elsewhere, in Cheshire I think, due to the weather. They ask if we're a bit wet or er windy! 'oops nailed it' the lead singer proclaims. 'Dead To You' and 'Night Like This' keep us entertained in the dryish tent as the rain drives into the sides and across the audience. So much so that the stewards have to now completely close off one side of the marquee. We enjoy a great folk Americana version of 'Wickham Fair' and 'Piece Of Work' finish off a storming set from these two brothers and friend which included some funny between songs banter such as not recognising Lulu at Glastonbury.

Spooktacular The Spooky Men's Chorale, as they are described by our compere, are warmly welcomed to the main stage, 15 members and the choral leader. Sing beautiful accapela, with such comedy about not being a 'man's group', the 'Foot' and their other favourite body part 'Eyebrows'! More serious singing to 'John Hardy' and 'Crossing The Bar' from 'Warm' their new album.

Feeling peckish and spotting that no one was waiting we dived over for a wood fired oven pizza. A choice of three types, Margarita, pepperoni or Hawaiian all at £7 with various extras - very nice!

Calan play Welsh traditional songs and tales as well as their own penned tunes. They give some appreciation for a lycra clad dancer outside of the tent. This chap had been dressed in this fashion all weekend and always seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. The leading lady vocalist has a really haunting Welsh voice and she shows off her other talent, clog dancing, in a mid set 'clog off' against her father/manager, which he wins.

Leander Morales plays on the hall stage as part of a Westbury residents take over which also includes Kirsty Clinch, (though we missed her) and Phil Cooper, both of which I have seen in a smaller venue. The crowd in here (at this time) seemed a little divided between those listening and some more loudly vocal people at the back, something Leander struggled with at times.

Jenna Witts, a solo guitarist from Woolacombe and Show Of Hands collaborator plays an easy going and chatty set which included 'Hitch Hiker' the title track of slightly her, as she called it, old latest album.

Keston Cobblers Club take over from The Strawbs who had unfortunately pulled out at an earlier point. With a nu-folk feel, they play with a tuba, guitar, uke, keyboard and drums with some trumpet and tambourine thrown in for good measure. 'Your Mother' is sung and one of their mothers is introduced as being in the crowd handing out flyers, 'Wildfire' was a favourite of mine and is title track to their new album.

Unfortunately we have to miss Mad Dog Mcrea as we have to be at work in the morning. Shame as again they would've most likely been a highlight of the weekend. That said it was a really enjoyable time that was had. The site has a good layout and the programming of the running schedule seemed to give some real balance between the type of acts. Having chatted to a few other first time Village Pump attendees and traders it was an unanimous vote to return again in the future. Well done to all involved, especially in some very trying conditions.