Shrewsbury Folk Festival delights fans - with pictures
Music fans from across the world descended on Shropshire for this year's Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
More than 7,000 visitors are expected at the Greenhous West Mid Showground over the Bank Holiday weekend, with just a handful of tickets remaining for Monday.
Organiser Jo Cunningham said that there are also events on around the town centre for those who could not get tickets.
She said: "There's lots people can do if they didn't get a ticket, there will be dance displays around the town and bands performing at different pubs so people can join in.
"You can also watch the main stages on a live feed on our website.
"The weather forecast isn't too bad for this weekend and there's plenty to be doing under cover anyway, workshops and dance sessions."
A festival village sprang up in the showground and in adjacent fields on Friday, with hundreds of tents and flags surrounding the crowded performances spaces.
Audience members who came from all over the world were well catered for, with dozens of varied folk performers and street vendors as well as bars. There were also stalls run by musical experts, offering teaching and selling instruments.
Fans, not put off by periods of rain, have packed into the main Bellstone, Sabrina and Pengwern Marquees to see musicians including Blowzabella, the Richard Thompson Electric Trio, Mankala and many more.
Among the acts on stage Friday night were Rusty Shackle, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, and The Fitzgeralds.
There is also a dance tent this year, hosting eight social dances led by some of the UK's top ceilidh bands. The dances were accompanied by displays and workshops.
Value
Tricia Dawson travelled from Northamptonshire especially for the festival, and her highlight of the weekend was a rare performance by folk legend Richard Thompson and his Electric Trio.
Tricia, 58, said: "I think it's fantastic. It is very good value for money with the number of acts you can see.
"Everything seems to be well organised, it all gels together for a great weekend. Richard Thompson is a big draw for me too."
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The folk festival encapsulates a youth festival, Refolkus, which gives young people opportunities to make music with improvised materials, flex their creative muscles with music and dance workshops and even test their acrobatic skills.
Refolkus is accompanied by Pandemonium for children under 11.
Jill Scott, who splits her time between London and New Zealand, is a regular of the folk festival. The 56-year-old said: "It is our favourite festival.
"We have come to Shrewsbury three or four times and it has always been good. As well as the variety of acts there are also good opportunities to learn with all the workshops.
"And with the venues here you can get really close to the performers, almost like a mosh pit. If they could just sort the weather it would be perfect."
One of the specialist stages accompanying the big tents was the Launchpad, giving young artists from Shropshire a chance to show off their talents.
Some of the musicians to take to the Launchpad stage included 18-year-old Aaron Evans from Wem, and Shrewsbury's own trio Effervescent.
The festival's communications director Jo Cunningham said: "It has been a sellout festival, it's been amazing. It is all a testament to how popular the festival is now.
Soggy
"It got a little soggy on Friday evening but regardless we have had some amazing performances. It has had the usual Shrewsbury vibe of being relaxed and welcoming.
"I have chatted with a family from Northern California who have been coming here for four years, and they just come over here for the festival. They don't have any other way to hear these acts live.
"There are also people from Belgium, from New Zealand and from all over.
"We're very keen that in future the festival keeps its same vibe. It is renowned in the folk scene for being so relaxed and friendly."
One of those who agreed the festival had its own distinct air of friendliness was Nick Southard, who has become a fan in recent years along with his family.
Nick, 70, said: "This is the third time we've come along, and it's very good.
"It all feels very safe, and it is great for kids and families. There is always something going on to entertain everyone.
"The music has been excellent as well. It is so varied, but I don't notice much change from year to year which is a positive for us because we enjoy it so much."
One of the few changes made for this year's festival was a green drive. Bottled water was not sold or provided to artists, and a Zero Waste Event hub was set up to try and minimise environmental damage.
Atmosphere
Festival director Sandra Surtees addressed the attendees, saying: "The festival has grown and evolved from its early days, but I hope you agree it's retained a welcoming, friendly village atmosphere.
"I'd like to thank the festival team who work tirelessly all year long to put on this amazing festival."
The weekend's festivities weren't limited to the showground either, with organised sessions at town venues including two Shrewsbury churches and three pubs. The Bird in Hand, the Britannia Inn and the Wheatsheaf all took part.
Saturday afternoon saw a traditional dancing procession through the town centre. Morris dancer groups including Shrewsbury Morris, Five Rivers Morris and Harlequin Morris all took part alongside the Ironmen and Severn Gilders.
Earlier this year the What's On media group recognised the event's founder Alan Surtees with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award after his death in June of last year.
Meanwhile the Shrewsbury Folk Fetival was named Runner Up in the Best Midlands Music Festival category, a title it picked up in 2017.
The festival moved from its original home in Bridgnorth in 2008 and takes place each year at the West Mid Showground during the August bank holiday each year.
Acts to have appeared at the festival, which attracts about 7,000 visitors each year, include the likes of Billy Bragg, the Proclaimers and Afro Celt Sound System.
