Good folk at Wadebridge

The bank holiday weekend saw the streets of

Wadebridge come alive with the sound of folk music. Saved from being axed in 2007 by Hobgoblin

Music and Skinners Brewery, the Wadebridge Folk Festival drew in record crowds this

year.

Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick, played

together for the first time in 14 years. Tickets for which sold out almost

immediately.

It wasn’t just the indoor gigs that drew

the crowds, the streets were heaving with people all weekend as they enjoyed a

vast array of street entertainment, from buskers and jamming sessions, to Morris

dancing and choirs. As well as a great vintage merry-go-round, there were also

children’s games, face painting and music to keep the little ones entertained.

The festival certainly had a great vibe

this year. It just seems to be getting bigger and better each year. There was

definitely more street entertainment, which I think, opened it up to more

visitors and families, and it would have had an enormous impact on local trade

as there were queues out the door to Malcolm Barnicotts Bakers as I waited

patiently to get pasties for the family, and The Molesworth Arms was 6 deep at

the bar. I’m sure the hot bank holiday weather was also a great help.

I think all involved in organizing funding

and running this great event, as well as the performers, should be congratulated

on a superb performance.