You'll be scrambling to get hold of tickets when you see the musicians we have secured from the UK and beyond, including; now into their 25th successful year, Altan, the Internationally acclaimed Irish troubadours, who will bowl you over with their wonderful traditional music.

For the Friday night headliner, we are delighted to have secured the award winning, dance production from the Demon Barbers Road Show..."Time Gentlemen Please".
Tickets are on sale now.

NEWS - 1st February.
50% of weekend tickets now sold
In keeping with the small is beautiful theme we restrict our camping pitches to 120 units, as a result weekend tickets with camping are always the first to sell out....
...don't leave it too late to reserve yours.

'Friendly and feelgood folk...great music too'
The Cumberland News.

Over 25 years of playing together, Altan have established themselves as one of the most important live acts to play traditional Irish music in Ireland and on the World stage. With their exquisitely produced award-winning recordings, ranging dynamically from the most sensitive and touching old Irish songs all the way to hard hitting reels and jigs, and with their heart-warming, dynamic live performances, Altan have moved audiences from Donegal to Tokyo to Seattle.

Throughout, there has been the unwavering commitment of the band to bringing the beauty of traditional music, particularly that of the Donegal fiddlers and singers, to contemporary audiences in a way that brings out all its qualities and destroys none.
In fact, Altan has always believed that Irish traditional music is a modern music in every sense and its growing influence and popularity have proved them right.

Altan have played their music in some of the most prestigious venues in the world; The Sydney Opera House, The Hollywood Bowl, The Royal Albert Hall, The Alte Opera Frankfurt, The Greek Theatre Los Angeles and many, many more. They have played music and recorded with The Chieftains, Dolly Parton Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs to name but a few. In 2003 they won the award for Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In 2005, they recorded their latest studio album “Local Ground” and like every other Altan offering it was met with positive and enthusiastic reviews. The band have gained gold and platinum status in Ireland with their record sales and have won numerous awards in the music business as one of the most popular bands playing traditional folk or world music in the world.

"The hottest group in the Celtic realm!”  The Boston Globe
"...under no circumstances should they be missed in concert" Irish Echo, New York

Kieran Goss has long been hailed as one of Ireland's leading performers and songwriters. In addition to being a double platinum selling recording artist, Kieran Goss's songs have been recorded by some of Ireland's top recording artists, including Mary Black, Christy Moore and Frances Black, bringing his songs to a worldwide audience and winning him fans across the globe.
While his song writing has made him a star in his native Ireland, his live performances have made him a legend. Live on stage is where Kieran Goss truly shines. The Irish Times recently wrote of Kieran's run of sold out shows at the Grand Opera House, Belfast: "The sense of fun is tremendous, the playing first rate and the songs sheer quality. The encores were genuine, but only because the man is too".

In 2007 Kieran toured in the U.K. with Don Williams. His performances on that tour won him legions of fans and prompted the American country music legend to remark: "Kieran Goss is one of the most gifted performers around today. He has an amazing ability to reach out to his audience and connect with them in a very special way. This guy is the real deal and that's what makes him the star he is".

Tarras are a 6 piece band hailing from the north of England and the borders of Scotland. They play an exciting blend of self penned songs and traditional material, reworked in the bands distinctive way. Using instruments including accordion, violin, cittern and mandolin, Tarras have a traditional sound, but fused with drums, piano, guitar and bass, the songs and arrangements are contemporary in style and delivery.

Signed to topic records and rounder records in the USA, Tarras released two albums to critical acclaim, earning them album of the month in MOJO magazine, 4 stars in Q magazine and were short listed at the Radio 2 folk awards. In 2002 the band split up after touring in Europe and America allowing a well earned rest. 2012 sees the band back on the tour circuit, with a few new faces and a new album.

Ben Murray...piano, accordion, guitar, vocals. Rob Armstrong...cittern, guitern. Louise Peacock...violin, viola. Rory Connor...guitar, keyboards, vocals. Michael Woodward...bass, guitar, mandolin, vocals. Liam Hiatt..drums, percussion.

Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra are based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK, and play an eclectic and original musical brew of 1930’s swing, gypsy jazz, hokum blues, country and soulful folk songs, all with similar themes of debauchery, dandyism, disasters and drink.

Les Barker
A very funny man indeed, he writes weird and wonderful poems many of which have spawned what can only be described as folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic to name but two.
A Manchester lad who was an accountant before he became a professional idiot, he has written 56 books which sell in large numbers because those who witness Les don't quite believe their ears!

Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts
BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees Katriona and Jamie, combine astounding lap-tapping guitar, fiery fiddle and their trademark harmonies with considerable songwriting talent to make a truly distinctive sound. Since releasing their début album 'Shadows & Half Light' in 2008 (proclaimed 'one of the finest contemporary folk albums in recent memory' by FishRecords.co.uk), Gilmore and Roberts have been wowing audiences across the country with their unassumingly confident displays of instrumental technique. 2010 saw the duo complete a nationwide tour in their own right, land the coveted opening slot on Fairport Convention's 2011 Winter Tour, and release their much-anticipated second album, 'Up From The Deep', which in turn won them a Hancock Award for 'Best Original Song' (Fleetwood Fair).

Aside from their work together, both Katriona and Jamie are familiar faces on the folk circuit - Katriona toured for 3 years with all-girl indie folk sensations Tiny Tin Lady and appeared regularly with Rosie Doonan's Snapdragons, while Jamie has played with young English traditionalists Kerfuffle since 2007.

Henry Priestman
After over 30 years in the music business - and with a credit list longer than both your arms - in 2008 Henry Priestman (having not sung since 1981!!) reinvented himself as a singer-songwriter, and finally released his debut solo album. Entitled "The Chronicles of Modern Life" it's the sound of a man who's seen the music world explode from punk (he supported the Sex Pistols in 1977) through to pop (three million albums with The Christians; a top five single for Mark Owen) through to the digital age (soundtracks for James Bond/Xbox, BBC's Wildlife on One and production duties with the likes of singer/songwriters Amy Wadge and Sarah Cracknell) and still has something worth singing about. So in this age of genre's, niches and "tribes", where does Henry fit in? Amazon.com seem to think he's folk ("Chronicles" topped the Amazon "Folk and World" charts on its release), Radio 2's Johnnie Walker describes Henry's new direction as 'music for grumpy old men',

"he is a master of the rueful observation" The Daily Mail.
".... he is a fine songwriter with an acerbic wit when it comes to his take on relationships, work, life and how some of us are getting slightly older but not quite ready for it yet....this all adds up to make "Chronicles...." a very good album indeed". **** Maverick magazine.

James Findlay
on Friday 4th December 2009 James walked away with the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award title. Amongst a stunning group of finalists James' amazing voice and distinctive guitar and fiddle style stood out. He is influenced by all genres of music, but his love lies in traditional English folk music and ballads and in a short space of time he has developed a stage presence all of his own. As well as the Young Folk Award James was a winner in the 'New Roots' national competition for up-and-coming folk performers in 2008. Judging the Young Folk Awards Bellowhead's Jon Boden exclaimed, "Bloody hell, what a voice!" was my first thought as he launched into his two songs". 2011 sees James' debut album 'Sport and Play' released under the major folk label 'Fellside'.

"He's warmly charismatic with that sparkle of personality that draws a crowd along with him." Paul Adams...Fellside Records

Ewan McLennan
Winner of several awards including the 2011 BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award Ewan McLennan is an emerging folk artist that has been making headlines. His music combines traditional folk, with an inevitable focus on the music of Scotland, as well as his own self-penned songs that are receiving critical acclaim in their own right. BBC Radio 2's Mike Harding has said of Ewan, 'he sings beautifully, with great sincerity and great empathy, he's terrific!' His guitar playing, described as 'stunning', is influenced by the rigour and technique from his years of studying classical guitar, while retaining a unique and compelling sound in which his immersion in folk music is evident.
Ewan's debut album, Rags & Robes, has been receiving glowing reviews. Described as 'a collection of truly captivating songs', it was chosen as a 'Top Ten Album of 2010' by MOJO and has won numerous accolades in radio and print media.

'A gorgeous, lilting voice. So moving.’ MOJO Magazine.
‘First class. Quite possibly destined to become the UK’s finest folk singer!’ Maverick.
"Only once in a while do you hear a new voice, a new sound that is really worth listening to, Ewan McLennan is one such!” Martin Simpson

Polly And The Billets Doux are something different. The genre-defiant quartet began life in the middle of a smoky Winchester venue's backroom in 2006, performing totally unamplified to a full-capacity audience. Their distinctive sound combines elements of jazz, blues, country, folk, soul and gospel to create a sumptuous and totally unique sound with a quintessentially English twist.

The band are known for their flawless and energy-filled live performances, and over the past couple of years they've embarked on headline tours up and down the country - from Ullapool to Brighton, and almost every city in between - and played to critical acclaim at festivals large and small, including Glastonbury, Loopallu and The Big Chill.
Polly And The Billets Doux self-released their debut album "Fiction, Half-Truths & Downright Lies" via independent label Bleak Mouse Records in 2009. They charted at number 17 on the BBC Radio 1 Indie Chart and gained recognition from BBC national radio and regional stations throughout the UK, including Bob Harris and Terry Wogan on BBC Radio 2.

Throughout 2011, Polly and co have continued their relentless UK touring, picking up fans and praise wherever they go. Highlights in recent months have included a feature in The Sunday Times Culture and a support slot with Fun Lovin' Criminals. 2012 looks set to be their biggest year yet with a new album in the pipeline.

"an enchanting and harmonious blend of country, jazz, blues, folk and gospel" The Sunday Times Culture
“The new Duffy? No! Polly Perry’s way better!” 5/5 UNCUT

Hadrian's Union:
Newcastle lad Stew Simpson, vocal and guitars and Danny Hart from Carlisle, violin, form the backbone of Hadrian's Union and are the product of Carlisle folk and blues club. They are regular players in various bands in Cumbria, Scotland, Newcastle and London. In 2010 Danny teamed up with Stew on a singer/songwriter project where they gelled extremely well.  A friendship developed and they decided to continue with a mutually beneficial merging of sounds encompassing Folk Roots, Bluegrass and Punk sensibilities to produce a combination of raw power and gentle melody.

"One of the very best things I saw all last year and I see a lot" Cluny Macpherson, Regional Director of Arts Council England

Tinderbox is a Bournemouth based acoustic duo featuring Dublin born Monique Houraghan with a distinctive 'honey-like' vocal, and Dan Tucker with an intricate finger style guitar technique. In 2008 Tinderbox released their second studio album. 'Golden' it was launched at Centre Stage in Bournemouth, with the band performing to a record-breaking audience. Maverick Magazine recently described 'Golden' as "Quite inspirational really…a masterpiece". Maverick went on to describe Tinderbox as being "Poised to ignite the acoustic…world". Acoustic Magazine featured a review of 'Golden' in their August 09 edition labelling the music 'Lovely, hooky and mellow'.

More recently, the duo launched their third studio album 'The State of Play' to a sell-out crowd. Guests who joined the duo on stage included folk guitar wizard Kevin Dempsey (Whippersnapper, Joe Broughton, Dave Swarbrick and Uiscedwr) as well as whole host of talent. In May 2010 Tinderbox returned from a hugely successful tour of the USA and went on to win an award for 'The Best European Group' in Caceres, Spain.

'Gorgeous' Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music.
"tunes (that) stick in the memory from the start" Dai Jeffries Rock N Reel.

Clog, Sword and Morris meet B-boying, Popping and Krump in this humorous and unmissable visual feast. Think Riverdance with a false moustache and Stomp with bells on!

In 2001 The Demon Barbers, winners of Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009, brought together some of England's most exciting young traditional dancers to create the high energy spectacular Demon Barber Roadshow.
 
Used to pushing the boundaries of English traditions they now take a further step and invite three young hip hop dancers for a night out at their local pub 'The Fighting Cocks', resulting in one of the most compelling and innovative dance shows this side of the millennium.

...'Damien Barber's original concept has grown and matured. He believed in what he was doing from day one and the talented musicians and dancers he has on board also hold that faith and have proven that the two forms cannot just co-exist on stage but can make an electrifying, gravity defying performance that will stun audiences, both young and old. In 2011 The Roadshow has reached its summit!' Alex Gallacher www.folkradio.co.uk

Lucy Ward...Lucy is a 21 year old acoustic artist from Derby. She plays guitar but considers voice to be her first instrument and has been performing regularly since she was 14. After reaching the Finals of the BBC Young Folk Musician Awards (2009) and singing in front of 900 people at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London she filled her time with festivals and support spots for such folk luminaries as Jim Moray, Tams & Coope and Harvey Andrews. The year culminated in a fantastic performance to a six hundred strong audience supporting Seth Lakeman in Chesterfield in October. This year she has gone from strength to strength, already having supported such folk luminaries as Mawkin Causley, Jez Lowe, Phil Beer and Dave Swarbrick, she has a full summer on the festival circuit with Bromsgrove, Priddy, Broadstairs and Shrewsbury amongst the many at which she will be performing.

""...a knock-out performance from Derbyshire folk singer Lucy Ward. Just 21 and newly signed to Navigator Records, Ward has an expressive, powerful voice. She also has an outsize personality, like a latter-day Judy Henske, and a well honed ability to work an audience. Previewing material from her debut album (out in May), her combination of rambunctious traditionals and her own rather wistful originals had the audience singing and eating out of her hand."  Paul Rose, The York Press (Mar 08, 2011)

"One of the best things I've heard in years" Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show (Jun 15, 2011)

Annemarie Quinn is an up and coming singer songwriter hailing from the unique Lake District town of Keswick. Taking up the guitar and violin from an early age, she has developed her song writing techniques, becoming a prolific composer of beautiful music that reflects the lakes, mountains and countryside that she loves. Annemarie combines her passion for the rural landscape with broad musical influences ranging from the folk styles of Kate Rusby and Mumford and Sons to the memorable melodies of Bob Marley. In doing so, she has homed a style that is uplifting, sun-shining and heart-warming, which continues to attract a large and growing following, locally and further afield.

Ribbon Road has been performing the songs of Brenda Heslop for over 17 years and over this time they have recorded six albums. Just recently they have been joined by Jill Heslop, adding a third harmony, which means that the beautifully produced recorded sound on their albums can be realised live. Brenda's songs are arranged and recorded by her husband Geoff who makes up the third member of the trio. The arrangements have an original quality, often using folk tunes as a secondary melody to the main tune. The sound is very much based on their harmony singing, accentuating the words of these beautifully crafted and haunting songs.  The background of the hills of Northumberland, where she has lived and worked as a shepherd all her life provides Brenda with the imagery and subject matter - whether a comment on the changes in rural life, the habit that love has of fading away, or just the things she loves the best - her home and the peace she finds there.

"They sing in perfect balance and gentle close harmony on their fourth set of Brenda's acutely personal songs. Tender, intimate and haunting, these songs are genuinely moving and the entire better for using absolutely minimal instrumental settings". fRoots

"Songwriter Brenda Heslop has a secret, and she will whisper it in your ear: but it's a shocking secret, and its effect on you is much greater than you expect from a whisper. True, Brenda's secrets are in song, but the effect of her quiet vocals and harmonies with husband Geoff whacks you in the lughole and makes you pay attention. The Living Tradition

"Brenda is one classy writer and vocalist - her albums are slow burners that reveal their charms on repeated exposure..." Rock and Reel

Red Shoe Diaries The Nottingham based five-piece recently released their second EP When I Find My Heart…, on Fika Recordings, to much local and national acclaim. Already highly established within the UK's 'indie-pop' scene, Red Shoe Diaries are taking their early successes to a wider audience, with a European tour and album release scheduled for 2012. Their songs are full of catchy melodies and uplifting harmonies, set against a backdrop of richly textured instrumentation, recalling elements of folk, rock, and indie music.

"Nottingham favourites Red Shoe Diaries make sophisticated indie pop that joins the dots from Jacques Brel to Darren Hayman in epic, Morricone-esque broad strokes. Possibly the most exciting glittery-literary indie pop band to come from Nottingham since Tindersticks". Fists Music, Nottingham

"Red Shoe Diaries latest EP confirms their ranking as one of the best local bands and it's one they should be proud of." - Left Lion Magazine

Jessica Lawson Yorkshire based Jessica Lawson sings and accompanies herself on autoharp and acoustic guitar. Her original songs reflect a background in folk music and a love of Americana as she sings stories about the sea, love, loss, war, and a few ‘fallen’ women. Over the past year Jessica has performed a number of high profile and exciting shows, supporting Eddi Reader and Barbara Dickson, as well as appearing on bills alongside Cara Dillon and Barbara Dickson. With the release of her debut EP ‘Molly of the Tyne’ and a number of festivals and shows lined up for the rest of the year, 2012 is proving to be another great year for Jessica and one that will prove her to be an exciting new presence on the folk scene. "A star in the making..." Fatea Magazine

Phillip Henry and Hanna Martin are described as, "Authentic, haunting roots music from a first class duo" (Seth Lakeman), Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin combine influences as diverse as English folk music, Indian classical and American blues to create a sound that is "textured, hypnotic and utterly captivating" (Steve Knightley, Show Of Hands). Using slide guitars, fiddle, banjo, vocals, and even beatbox harmonica, their debut album, Singing The Bones, has garnered warm praise from the likes of Mike Harding (BBC Radio Two), Fiona Talkington (BBC Radio Three), and fRoots Magazine. They have played everywhere from Maida Vale Studios to Nashville, Tennessee; and are regulars on the festival circuit, from Glastonbury Festival to the Ham Marquee at Sidmouth Folk Week. "

Tollo's Reunion
A local band with attitude!  Tollo will have you in a frenzy in no time at all...if musical memories of the 70/80s with a bit of Country thown in for good measure turns you on, this is a dance session not to be missed and if you arn't old enough to remember you'll leave at the end of the night begging for more!

Derek Tolson - guitar
Alan Tolson - guitar
Les Holden - lead vocals
Geoff Betsworth - pedal steel guitar
Angela turner - keyboard