From: Folk Spots [folkspots_at_btinternet_dot_com]
Sent: 24 September 2006 14:28
Subject: Maypole dancing and singing at Tenterden Folk Festival

Tenterden Folk Festival 2006

6th to 8th October

 

Sandhurst Primary School Maypole Dancing Club:

Some years ago, Sandhurst Primary School was lent a maypole, and used it with the reception class to help develop their physical co-ordination and awareness of space. It also proved very popular with the children who wanted to carry on with this traditional English dancing, so the school asked their very supportive Parents and Friends if they would fund a maypole of for the school.  They willingly agreed, and since then there has been a Maypole Dancing Club that runs from spring until the end of the summer term each year.

 

The members of the club come from throughout the school, their ages ranging from 5 to 11, and they choose and adapt the dances to suit whoever may be dancing at the time.  That is exactly how traditions evolve.  The children have plenty of practice in undoing the ribbons when something has not quite gone according to plan, but they are a team and the most important thing is for everyone  to enjoy the experience and have fun taking part in the traditional dances.  To show how much the children enjoy it, and how good they are, the Sandhurst Maypole dancers will be taking part in the Family Event at this year’s Tenterden Folk Festival on Saturday 7th October.

 

Friday night events:

 

Events to open the Festival on Friday evening will include;

 

The Friday Evening Concert in the Eight Bells with a selection of festival guests including Capella, Paul Dengate, Jerry Epstein, Keith Kendrick and Martin Young.  The large concert hall is upstairs in the Bells and separate from the bar where there will also be a sing-a-round lead by John Barden.

 

A themed event in the White Lion Saddlery, also separate from the bars, entitled Liverpool to Valparaiso featuring Kimber’s Men which tells in song the story of a journey made by sailing ship in 1860.  There will be plenty of opportunity to sing those sea songs and forbitters and this will be of particular interest to any one interest in history or the sea as well as in folk songs.

 

A sing-a-round in the bar of The William Caxton featuring  a selection of performers from all over Kent and Sussex including Peter Collins, Big Pettos, John and Di Cullen, Whole Hearted (Pete Luscombe & John Bartlett) and who ever else turns up on the night and wants to sing.  Be prepared to join in plenty of rousing songs and choruses and to meet members of various of the Morris sides dancing over the weekend.

 

The latest details of Tenterden Folk Festival 2006, the full guest list, details of the town centre camp site and a ticket booking form can be found on our web site at www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk

 

To receive our regular email updates send an email to info_at_tenterdenfolkfestival_dot_org_dot_uk with "add to festival news list" in the subject box.

 

Join the postal mailing list by sending a s.a.e. to Tenterden Folk Festival 2006 (mailing list), 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3HA.

 

 

Press release – 24th September 2006

 

 

 

Alan Castle

Trustee and Festival Director

 

Tenterden Folk Day Trust and Tenterden Folk Festival (Registered charity No 1038663)

Promoting folk song, music and dance

 

Email: folkspots_at_btinternet_dot_com

Home page:  www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk

or www.folkspots.co.uk

If you have a problem with the web address use    http://www.btinternet.com/~folkspots

 

If you no longer wish to receive news about TFDT and TFF by email please let us know by ending a short email to the above address and we will remove your details from our email list.