the friendly festival
untitle1
This page is out of date now and has been
left here to inform the reader retrospectively
of the programme and artistes that
made the event such a great success
The festival committee and myself wish thank
everyone who gave up their time to perform or
watch or help in anyway.
John Owen (Director)
07981-639-336
************************
FREE -- WIRRAL FOLK FESTIVAL" (On-line)
THURSDAY 3rd JUNE 2021
to
SATURDAY 5th JUNE 2021
*****
It is with great pleasure that the festival committee
announce that, over the same weekend that the festival
would have taken place live this year,
with the great help of our technical 'masters',
a FREE FESTIVAL will now take place using the
on-line digital facility - 'ZOOM'.
*****
THE LINE UP IS: -
JEZ LOWE
A double nomination in the 2015 BBC
Folk Awards – for best singer and best
new song was a timely reminder of Jez
Lowe’s standing in the UK folk and acoustic
music scene. Not only he is one of
the busiest live performers in the country,
but his songs are among the most
widely sung by such long-established acts as
Fairport Convention,The
Dubliners and Bob Fox.
Since 2011, Jez has been part of a quartet known as
The Pitmen Poets, alongside
Benny Graham, Billy Mitchell and Bob Fox. They
have toured extensively every
few years around the UK, and have released
three albums of songs about the coal
mining industry of the north east of England.
The BBC commissioned a series of Radio Ballads
(2006-2017) and Jez Lowe
was invited to participate in the second programme,
The Ballad of The Big Ships,
and he became one of the long-term principal writers for all the subsequent series.
ANTHONY JOHN CLARKE
Belfast born Anthony John is recognised as one of the top songwriters
on the acoustic/ folk scene.
Playing solo, duo or with a band, he has played at folk clubs
and festivals all over the UK and beyond, and he has many albums to his
name including 'An Acquaintance Of Mine', 'Man with a Red Guitar' and
'Sing A Chorus With Me' and don't forget 'Tuesday Night is always Karaoke'.
LES BARKER
Les Barker is an English and Welsh poet, who is famous for his comedic poetry
and parodies of popular songs, but he has also produced some very serious
thought-provoking written works.
'Les Barker is a genius of comic rhyme who appeals to people of
all ages with a truly entertaining family show.
I have seen him reduce a whole marquee full of festival goers at
Victor Harbour to a mass of helpless laughter and aching sides'
-Ron Ashton, Port Lincoln Times, Australia
"Is there any news of the iceberg?" is one of my favourite poems
EDWINA HAYES
Edwina's beautifully written songs, charming stage presence and
voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a true natural
talent of gentle folk-Americana. She has opened numerous shows
for Jools Holland and Van Morrison as well as her own gigs, playing
stages everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to the Royal Albert Hall.
WINTER WILSON
Kip Winter and Dave Wilson met through a mutual love of music many
years ago, and now, as both life as well as musical
partners,
they travel the world sharing their songs and stories far and wide.
From folk to blues with an occasional nod to
jazz their performances
when they sing together that the magic happens.
You can support Winter Wilson, or one of their charities
including Sleaford Community larder, by going to
their website where you will find Donation options
FIDDLESTONE
Fiddlestone has changed and developed into an exciting 5-piece band. The current
line-up has been together for over four years and the music they present mixes a
new Celtic flavour with the existing rich repertoire of Fiddlestone’s traditional
music. Ballads, airs, reels, and songs with stories created from a unique
combination of instruments and vocals await you. Check them out on
their FACEBOOK PAGE you will not be disappointed.
There's an opportunity there to comment and purchase Fiddlestone's CDs
BEN ROBERTSON
Based in North Wales, Ben Robertson is a finger-style guitarist and singer
who performs instrumentals and songs from across the folk tradition.
Over recent years, he has developed a repertoire of Celtic and European
finger-style guitar arrangements, and is currently working on new material
whilst enjoying regular performances at festivals, folk clubs, and other venues.
JOHN WARD TRIO
The John Ward Trio’s performances are authentic and from the heart.
Their choice of material, variety of instruments, versatility and engaging
humour, not to mention John’s blistering bodhran solos, blend to delight
and entertain folk audiences in intimate venues and bigger stages alike.
With the River Mersey in their souls, and Scouse in their bellies,
our friends The Port Sunlight Sea Dogs are well-seasoned
performers who sing Shanties and Songs of the Sea.
You will be able to catch them most Wednesday evenings at the
Bromborough Folk Club (The Ship Inn, Port Sunlight) when
government restrictions are lifted.
SPLIT LEVEL
Split Level are Phil Chisnall and Lynne Strange, who specialise in performing acoustic
covers...with a difference. Lynne has a performing background in musical theatre and
Phil is a songwriter and acoustic performer of some considerable note.
GRAHAM BELLINGER
Graham has been performing at folk clubs and festivals for over 40 years.
He has performed in community events, socials and parties and on local
radio. He has played more pub gigs than he cares to remember and
has composed and performed music for dramatic productions.
ANDY CONNALLY
Andy, of the trio -- 'Wet The Tea' -- is a local musician/singer songwriter,
who writes his own material and produces music in his own unique style.
He is a multi instrumentalist and an unbelievably talented musician.
Hosts/Comperes:
Mel Barratt, Andrew Weighill-Richards
John Owen, John Warburton, Alan McMahon
John Finnan, Will Morgan
*****
If you wish to view the festival there is no booking
necessary. 'First come first served'. All you need
is a good digital device and broadband facility.
*****
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
For all festival timings please see
the next page of this website entitled: -
"FULL PROGRAMME -- WIRRAL FOLK FESTIVAL -- ONLINE"
*****
If you wish - Entry into the Zoom Room
The link and Meeting ID nos. you will need
are as follows: -
(NB: No additional passcodes required)
Evening, Thursday 3rd June:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87235489319
- Meeting ID: 872 3548 9319
Evening, Friday 4th June:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86541837172
- Meeting ID: 865 4183 7172
Afternoon, Saturday 5th June:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85845525948
- Meeting ID: 858 4552 5948
Evening, Saturday 5th June:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83266243227
- Meeting ID: 832 6624 3227
If you have any difficulty accessing the festival directly
from the links you can also just copy the link and
paste it into your browser
*****
As this is a free festival the committee would ask
that if possible you show your appreciation towards
the artistes by purchasing some of their merchandise,
by using the TIP JAR links mentioned above or by
visiting their websites.
****
On behalf of the festival committee we hope
that you will visit our festival and have a good time.
After the event if you wish to pass back
to the committee any feedback, then
please email it to -- folksingerjohn@aol.com
We hope very much that you will have a great time.
Compiled by John Owen & Sue Farley
0151-678-9902
07981-639-336
folksingerjohn@aol.com