Wardle Folk Festival a 'great success'

Folk group workshop at Wardle Folk Festival

Last weekend saw the first Wardle Folk Festival hit the village of Wardle and organisers have said it was a “great success”.

The event kicked off on Friday 10 October in Littleborough with a lively Ceilidh. The Conservative Club was “rammed” as entertainment was provided by singer Alex Cumming and Rochdale folk player Nicola Beazley.

Saturday (11 October) saw the festival move to Wardle Academy where the venue was filled with events and activities throughout the day.

To start the day there were six workshops including harmony singing, guitar, whistle and flute, fiddle, big band and clog dancing.

There was also a jam zone in an outside courtyard that was popular and described as “uniting” by organiser Paul Woodhead. He added: “It just feels great when someone starts playing, and then like a snowball other performers start jamming along, and dancers dance, etc. It really did feel quite bond building, in a transient kind of way.”

Inspired by a day of workshops, the gala Folkathon followed later in the afternoon. With already over 100 people in attendance from the workshops, the Folkathon attracted more people with a good few hundred people in attendance to enjoy the show with over ten live acts.

The Folkathon showcased Calderdale Folk Group, a young folk group from Calderdale Music Service who were described as “musically great” and “very endearing” as an outfit. They were followed by Little Folk from Rochdale Music Service who were described as being “bang on the music”.

Arthur Mills, a singer/songwriter from Brighton then took to the stage and entertained crowds with his laid back style and soothing voice.

Cat’s Cradle, a newly formed local group followed Mr Mills on to the stage and performed to the crowd with their mix of musical instruments and great sound.

That’s All Folk, another group from Rochdale Music Service, offered a great rendition of “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” as part of the festival.

Littleborough Oakenhoof Dancers with the Black Nan Band performed in the dining area and really entertained crowds with their dancing and involved the crowd.

The Wardle Academy Folk Group took to the stage in the main auditorium and performed their rendition of “Waterbound”, which was praised by audience members and organisers.

Ceol Tire, a locally grown up group with its roots in The Rochdale Music Service, were described as the “highlight of the day” by some with their balance of Harp, Hammer, Dulcimer and Fiddle working beautifully to fill the auditorium.

Emma Sweeney, accompanied by Steve Prosol on Mandala, was top of the bill for the day. Emma’s performance was described as “premier league with awesome cuts and fills, impeccable timing and most importantly feeling”.

The event was then brought to a close by a collective performance from all of the workshop attendees and mentors.

Organiser Paul Woodhead said: “I think it’s safe to say that the inaugural Wardle Folk Festival has been a huge success and I’m sure that planning is under way to make sure it’s going on again next year.

“I’d like to offer a massive thanks to Wardle Academy, Wardle Academy Band Association, Bobbi and Littleborough Conservative Club, Rochdale Music Service, Littleborough Oakenhoof, All Across the Arts, BBC Radio Lancashire, English Folk Dance and Song Society, Rochdale Libraries Service, Nicola Beazley and Cliff Woodworth, and an extra, extra special thanks to all of the workshop leaders and totally superb performers.

“Roll on Wardle Folk Festival 2015.”