Reviews
Happy 21st to Cleckheaton - July 2008
June saw the successful launch of the commemorative CD ‘Mixed Pickles’. Our thanks go to all the artists who kindly donated a track, we would have liked to have 21 tracks, but space did not allow. The music spans the 21 years of the festival, and it is aptly named after our retiring director Geoff Pickles.
Our 21st Birthday festival was an ideal opportunity for Geoff to take the back seat he has been wanting to do, and the late Saturday evening concert, featuring friends who have performed over the years, paid tribute to both Geoff and Jan, who were also presented with an award and basket of flowers in thanks for all their hard work. Not that they are going far away. On the contrary, they will both be on hand to help out Dave Minich, who takes over as director, and the rest of the committee, with their vast wealth of knowledge, and they will have new jobs to do themselves. We’re not letting them get away lightly!
New venues were included this year to take the music to the locals who would not normally know what it was all about. Artists performed in the cafes and surrounding pubs, and the feed back was most complimentary from both the singers and the public.
Despite the rain, the parade went ahead as usual, with the committee members in fancy dress, the many dance sides and a giant Teddy and Rag Doll to entertain throughout the day. Thankfully, the weather did improve, and The ‘Wickham Tropy’ was won (or was it stolen?) by Thieving Magpie, well done to them as it was also their first time out dancing together. Let’s hope they can come back again next year to defend their win.
The Sunday Family Fun Day still went on, with even more rain! We would like to thank Kirklees Council for their assistance in staging the ground games in the market hall. Faces were painted, bodies henna’d, and children and parents alike enjoyed Punch and Judy and crazy golf inside in the warm.
Copies of the CD are still available by downloading the order form from the web site.
Best little festival on the scene - July 2007
From its first few unsteady steps 20 years ago, Cleckheaton Folk Festival now walks tall in the world of folk music.
Folkies from up and down the country swamped the town from Friday to Sunday to see some of the finest acts on the music scene at venues across Cleckheaton. Luckily though,we were not swamped like some parts of the Country. Saturday saw the whole town came alive with the festival parade, street entertainment, dancers and fun for all the family.
Morris dancers, jugglers, balloon modellers and stilt walkers were in abundance, and the Family Fun Day on the Sunday was well attended as on the previous year.
A feast of dance acts entertained the crowds - one even finding its way from the Isle of Wight to win the Wickham Cup Dance Trophy- and a Punch and Judy show found a captive audience with the kids.
The craft fair at St John's community hall proved as popular as ever, and trade was brisk at both the farmers' market and the European market.
Pubs hosted singarounds and workshops throughout the weekend and a festival service was held on Sunday at the Central Methodist Church.
Festival director Geoff Pickles said this year's event had been fantastic. "The town was vibrant for the whole weekend" he said. "Overall it was a great success and I think we did the town proud."
"We are world recognised" he said. "and have come a long way in more ways than one; people are saying ours is the best little festival on the scene and still very good value for money. There are few places where you can get the value that you do in Cleckheaton."
For Geoff and his fellow organisers though, there is no time to catch breath as the task of running this year's event, their 21st birthday, is now upon us. This will be Geoff's last festival as director. He will be taking a back seat and still involved, with his valuable experience which we shall be grateful to draw upon.
"We work hard all year round to make sure the festival is possible, and if anyone would like to offer sponsorship, or helpout on the committee, we would love to hear from them" he said.
Anyone wanting to help can contact Dave on 01274 879761, or through info@cleckheatonfolkfestival.org
June 2008.