Posted by Eleanor White 18 September 2010
Sunday morning saw an enthusiastic workshop from Rivington that could be heard all across the campsite. For those looking for something a little more gentle the craft fair beckoned. The stalls were selling a good variety of wares, all tempting you to part with cash for some really nice items.
Everything was there, from model dragons to handmade clogs, t shirts to pewter tankards. Meanwhile for the kids (and the big kids), Alljuggledup had a huge array of juggling balls, diablos and other equipment to have a go with.
In town one of the early events of the day was the Fred Jordan Memorial Competition, now a well-established competition for young singers. We were started off with a set from Jeff Wesley, a veritable walking-compendium of folk song.
It was great to see some old blood mixing with the new blood, and the eventual winner, Kirsty Bromley, is certainly no young pretender. From a strong field she won the chance to perform at Warwick and Bromyard Folk Festivals next year. We also got a short set from Niamh Boadle, last year’s winner, which demonstrated how she has continued to develop as a performer, and what a good choice the judges made in 2009.
The afternoon concert at the arts centre featured Ceridwen Davies, now an old favourite at Bromyard despite her young age. Other highlights included Mick Ryan and Paul Downes performing from their vast repertoire, including one song from Mick Ryan’s new folk-opera ’The Pauper’s Path’ which debuts next year. We also got to see the Tunewrights, a local musical youth group with some cosiderable talent within their ranks.
For those wanting to ’learn and do’ back at the Football Club, Issy Emeney took a break from performing to give a melodeon workshop.
The main stage also had a great selection on offer for the afternoon. James Findlay performed another spot to great acclaim and Angles played exciting English music with a decidedly French sound on accordion, hundy-gurdy and bagpipes.
Damien Barber and Mike Wilson always put on a good performance, as entertaining for their conversation as for their singing. The set began with Peter Bellamy and also ended that way with a rousing rendition of Santa Fe Trail. Musicians (and non) in the audience were also treated to Damien’s version of music theory, which involves none of the standard note or key names.
Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer produced a lively set of tunes and songs, featuring both pipes and the ever-mysterious nykelharpa.
The Old Dance School headlined with a seven-piece line up featuring percussion comprising a cajon and cymbals, and a trumpet. The musical ideas came thick and fast from a bad who are all musically trained and obviously enjoy variety and complexity. At times perhaps reigning it back a little would have been better, but for a young group they make an imposing and enjoyable sound.
Another enjoyable Bromyard, mixing the up and coming with the established old hands. Long may this small festival continue to keep its open and friendly vibe.
See all of Bright Young Folk's text interviews.