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More than beards and fiddles...

A gudie to this summer's folk festivals

Wednesday 31 May 2000 00:00 BST
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Cambridge Folk Festival A festival that boasts a Radio 2 stage may not be everyone's idea of excess in the sun, but the Cambridge Folk Festival (27 July to 30 July) is now in its 36th year - making it one of the foremost music events in Europe and one of the longest running and most famous folk festivals in the world. Ten thousand people a year assemble in the Arcadian setting of the Cherry Hinton Hall's grounds, just within the boundary of the city of Cambridge. The festival's folk remit extends far beyond beards and fiddles, welcoming some of the finest traditional folk artists from the UK, Ireland and America along with more contemporary acts, acclaimed singer songwriters and even the odd pop star. Bluegrass, roots, gospel, cajun, zydeco, jazz, world, klezmer and a ceilidh are regular features. The line-up also reflects the many changes in the music scene from the 60s to the present and is, as always, a hotbed mix of the old and the new. Among those advertised to appear are Joan Baez, Dr John, B

Cambridge Folk Festival A festival that boasts a Radio 2 stage may not be everyone's idea of excess in the sun, but the Cambridge Folk Festival (27 July to 30 July) is now in its 36th year - making it one of the foremost music events in Europe and one of the longest running and most famous folk festivals in the world. Ten thousand people a year assemble in the Arcadian setting of the Cherry Hinton Hall's grounds, just within the boundary of the city of Cambridge. The festival's folk remit extends far beyond beards and fiddles, welcoming some of the finest traditional folk artists from the UK, Ireland and America along with more contemporary acts, acclaimed singer songwriters and even the odd pop star. Bluegrass, roots, gospel, cajun, zydeco, jazz, world, klezmer and a ceilidh are regular features. The line-up also reflects the many changes in the music scene from the 60s to the present and is, as always, a hotbed mix of the old and the new. Among those advertised to appear are Joan Baez, Dr John, Billy Bragg, Juan De Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars and many others - including Tony Benn MP. Throughout its history, the festival has provided the best for artists and audience alike, and its facilities are amongst the best to be found. Unheard of luxuries can be found on site such as clean toilets, decent food from around the world, marquees to keep the audience dry, an internet café and even a crÿche. There is also extensive provision for disabled people, a children's concert and a variety of workshops that all go to make this festival a pleasant and civilised alternative to the rigours of rock and dance events.The organisers have just been awarded a Government Chartermark for excellence in public service.

Cropredy Festival The folk theme continues at the Cropredy Festival from 10-12 August in the small Oxfordshire village of Cropredy, four miles north of Banbury. Proceedings are hosted by the legendary folk outfit Fairport Convention. Performers include compere Keith Donnelly, All About Eve, Stackridge, Bob Fox, The Hamsters and The Incredible String Band, featuring original members Robin Williamson, Mike Heron and Clive Palmer. The site offers a wide range of reasonably priced food and, as befitting a premier folk festival, an enormous real ale bar. Stalls will be selling various wares from joss-sticks and clothing to kites and hammocks. Chairs, tables, rugs and picnic hampers are welcome in the main arena, and the amenities include on-site showers. Even the small police presence adds to the friendly atmosphere of the festival. Local officers look forward to the event as a chance to relax and wander amiably among the crowds. Despite there being some 20,000 attendees, they never have anyone to arrest.

Tinto Folk Festival The Tinto Folk Festival runs from 1-3 September within the idyllic house and grounds of Wiston Lodge, near Biggar in Scotland. The Wiston Lodge belongs to the YMCA who support and run programmes for disadvantaged young people in Scotland. From its small beginnings Tinto, now represents "a traditional opportunity in Scotland for young musicians to start performing, for old musicians to rehearse their dreams". The main bands for the weekend are Shooglenifty, Flook! Demlin and the Bella McNabs. These are joined by soloists Keiran Halpin, Ivan Drever, Angela Fox and Leo McCann and Mr Boom. The Open Stage, meanwhile, is a continuous feature of the weekend, free to anyone who would like an audience for their talents. The festival has a "green" theme, and activities include a full compliment of wooden instrument making and playing, pole lathe turning, gardening, willow basket-making and an open stage powered by a bicycle and solar batteries. The Talamh Co-operative are constructing an eco-friendly version of the Millennium Dome on site containing an organic beer tent. Saturday is set to finish with a spectacular fire sculpture and fire-eating display.

Cambridge Folk Festival: Weekend tickets cost £50, day tickets from £28 (01223 457245 for info); Cropredy Festival: three-day tickets £46 before 15 June, Saturday only £26. (For info send SAE to Woodworm Record, PO Box 37, Banbury, Oxfordshire.) TFT: Weekend tickets from £28 (Ph 01898 50228)

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