The third Petherton Folk Fest is scheduled for Saturday 21st June when a day-long programme that includes music, dance, song, mummers, storytelling, busking, spoken word and traditional ceremonies such as ‘clipping the church’ – not to mention craft and food stalls – will attract adults and children from far and near. Apart from two ticketed events by the Breton dance music quartet Green Angels that will be in The David Hall performing arts centre, all other entertainment is free with the exception of daytime workshops at just £3 per person.
The first village fair in South Petherton was held in 1231 and Petherton Folk Fest is continuing the tradition. Performances will take place in Market Square, The Blake Hall, St Peter & St Paul’s Church and its grounds, The Brewers Arms pub, The David Hall and the yard at the infants’ school.
Detailing the day’s attractions, which include several of last year’s favourite acts as well as numerous performers new to the event, Pete Wheeler, Chair of Petherton Folk Fest Committee, said that the programme features many young musicians – most of them based in the West Country – and plenty of entertainment for children and youngsters. “We are really excited about this year’s line-up,” said Pete. “Apart from several different Morris ‘sides’ we have lots of rising stars from the folk scene, clog dancers and belly dancers, and so many events for kids that they will have something to enjoy all through the day.”
The Fest will begin at 10am with a procession of Morris ‘sides’ into Market Square, followed by the traditional Opening Ceremony of the Glove. Participating this year are Dr Turberville’s, Wessex Morris Men and Wyvern Jubilee – plus, for the first time, Somerset Morris who are famous for their stave dances and are performing as part of their 40th anniversary tour.
Dance performances throughout the day include Appalachian stepping by No Mean Feet, clogging by Beetlecrushers, Over Stratton Folk Dance Club, belly dancing by Eastern Promise, Maypole dancing by children from South Petherton Junior School – and the much-admired group of school-age Yetminster Irish Dancers. And, at 6pm, Green Angels will give a Breton dance workshop in The David Hall prior to their gig at 8pm.
Willowen, the quirky indie-folk trio from Bournemouth that wowed last year’s crowds in Market Square, are back again, and 16-year-old Declan Miller, a talented guitarist and singer/songwriter from Glastonbury who has already been performing at festivals for about four years, will also perform on the outdoor stage. Appearing at Petherton Folk Fest for the first time are the Symondsbury Mummers from Bridport, who will give two performances, and South Petherton entertainer Sam Lloyd who will be busking in the Square and performing some of her circus act in the churchyard.
An afternoon programme of free events at The David Hall will be opened at 12.30pm by Martock duo, Lazibyrd. They will be followed by local singer/songwriter, Anthony Lane; Tom Clements, a singer/songwriter and guitarist from Gillingham; Louise Jordan, an acoustic singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist described by the BBC’s Mike Harding as “Absolutely, totally and completely brilliant” and the female duo, Senile Delinquents, from Glastonbury, with their blend of bluegrass, folk and country.
Headlining at The David Hall: Breton music quartet, Green Angels
The Church of St Peter and St Paul is the venue for Stanchester Quire’s performances, as well as their singing workshop at 12.30pm, following the ‘clipping the church’ ceremony at 12noon. And at 3pm, there will be a performance by Mitch Norman, the veteran singer, guitarist and harmonica player from Bridport.
In The David Hall, starting at 10am, there will be a children’s workshop in Mid-Summer Music-Making for instrumentalists aged from eight to 16, who will give a playthrough at 11.15am. Events for children in the grounds of St Peter and St Paul’s will include Mr Wiggins’ Punch & Judy Show, storytelling with Lizzie Bryant, and a Junior Morris performance by 7-year-olds from the local Scouts and Beavers led by Linda Tunbridge, who is the Beaver Leader and a member of Dr Turberville’s Morris.
Open folk sessions are scheduled for the afternoon and early evening at The Brewers Arms while the yard at the infants’ school will be used for busking as well as Morris ‘jigs’ – led by Morris dancers and open to all who would like to give it a try!
Performances on the edge of Market Square will include a two-part pageant of spoken word and music by Time and Tide Theatre, who will also give a singing workshop for adults at 4.15pm.
Full details of the day’s attractions can be found at www.pethertonfolkfest.org.uk and anyone interested in booking a stall can email [email protected] or, call 01460 240 340. A printed programme with all events will be available on the day.
Daytime workshops cost £3 per person, payment on entry. Tickets for the two Green Angels events in The David Hall – £4 pp for the dance workshop at 6pm and £8 pp for the gig at 8pm – can be booked and paid for via the website www.thedavidhall.org.uk They can also be purchased at N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and reserved by calling 01460 240 340 or by e-mailing [email protected]
The Blake Hall will be a bad weather back-up for activities in Market Square.
What’s on at The David Hall in June:
6 June at 8pm Petherton Picture Show presents: American Hustle. A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso, who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia. Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper. Tickets: £5.
8 June at 8pm. Dick Gaughan. The only performer to hold the dual honours of a Lifetime Achievement award by BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and induction into the Scots Traditional Music Hall of Fame, Gaughan makes a return visit to The David Hall. According to Pete Wheeler, The David Hall’s “music man”, Gaughan is “without doubt one of the most respected and sought after artistes on the Folk circuit.” Tickets: £13 Full, £12 Concessions.
14 June at 8pm. Blackbeard’s Tea Party – A ‘Chance to Dance’ Event. Funky folk tunes, storming songs and an infectious stage energy. Blackbeard’s Tea Party mixes fiddles and squeezeboxes, guitar noise and synth bass with a feast of international hand percussion for an unforgettable Folk/Rock extravaganza. Grounded in English traditions – but never afraid to explore more exotic musical avenues – they create a sound that is equal parts tasty, dramatic and danceable. Tickets: £14 Full, £13 Concessions.
15 June 2pm – 6pm. Open Gardens – Over Stratton. Stroll around some interesting and varied gardens in Over Stratton on a summer’s afternoon. Enjoy afternoon tea with homemade cakes. Plus, traditional music and plant sales. More information available on the website: www.thedavidhall.org.uk
20 June at 8pm Petherton Picture Show presents: 12 Years a Slave. Winner of Best Film in this year’s Oscars. In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor. Michael K Williams, Michael Fassbender. Tickets: £5.
21 June from 12.30pm. Free Folk Gigs. Part of Petherton Folk Fest 2014. Martock duo, Lazibyrd, followed by local singer/songwriter, Anthony Lane; Tom Clements, a singer/songwriter and guitarist from Gillingham; Louise Jordan, an acoustic singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist described by the BBC’s Mike Harding as “Absolutely, totally and completely brilliant” and the female duo, Senile Delinquents, from Glastonbury, with their blend of bluegrass, folk and country. Free Entry!
21 June 6 – 7.30pm. Green Angels Dance Workshop. Part of Petherton Folk Fest 2014.For anyone wanting to learn the Breton dances. Most of them are easy to learn. If you have been to David Hall events with Dragonsfly you will have seen Breton dances being performed by members of the audience – often people who are fans of Green Angels. Tickets: £4.
21 June at 8pm. Green Angels. Part of Petherton Folk Fest 2014. Traditional Breton dance tunes with a funky twist. Green Angels are four musicians with diverse talents and musical backgrounds who breathe new life into folk tunes that have been played and danced to for centuries. The result is a warm, joyous sound that captivates and entrances. The music is playful, emotive and full of surprises. There is so much going on in Green Angels music that it’s hard to describe. It’s a unique and irresistible sound that speaks for itself. This is music to dance to – it’s difficult not to!
25 June, 10am – 12pm Coffee Morning. Pop in for a cup of real coffee and a chat. Look around the book and bric-a-brac stalls, and more often than not, listen to a little live music. Join us in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Free Entry!
27 June at 7.30pm Performance Night. All styles and forms of performance welcome – not just music! If you wish to perform please drop us an email at [email protected] – though we cannot always guarantee a place as the popularity of this event keeps growing. Tickets: £1 Performers, £2 Audience.
Tickets for the above can be booked and paid for via the website www.thedavidhall.org.uk They can also be purchased at N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and reserved by calling 01460 240 340 or by e-mailing [email protected]