The best yet!
Reporter: LEWIS JONES
Date published: 20 July 2010
DANCING in the rain . . . Saddleworth Morris Men in Uppermill. To see or order all our pictures from this event, click the “Buy a Photo” link at the top of the page
Folk festival hailed as crowds flock to venues
FOLK fans came out in their droves this weekend to make the annual Saddleworth Folk Festival one of the best yet.
It may have been the 13th event, but luck was on the side of the organisers as audiences packed out all 50 of the musical events despite the miserable weather.
Organiser Peter Shevlin said: “Every year we have people saying to us that it is the best one yet but there has been far more this year.
“There have certainly been more people than the last few years.”
Sounds of a rousing singalong drifted from the Greenfield Conservative Club as the Survivors Session brought the weekend to a close.
The Uppermill Civic Hall was filled to capacity for a wide variety of concerts, including the first appearance of Scottish folk phenomenon Dougie Maclean.
Hearts were melted as he captivated the audience with a spellbinding performance of his hits, including the anthem “Caledonia”, used in the Visit Scotland television ads.
Mr Shevlin said: “Dougie was so generous, he met fans before hand, played a full set and then stayed singing at Uppermill Con Club until three in the morning.
“He said that he had never been at a concert where everyone sang every word.”
Elsewhere, the Hometowners and Tony Downes brought their brand of music joy while Bernard Wrigley prompted more than a few belly laughs.
Fellow organiser Jan Shevlin said: “It is music that has some meaning, it really does belong to the people, they own it.
“People can relate to it no matter what period it comes from, and the atmosphere has been fantastic over the weekend.”
