2013 Review

It's great to report that Sedgefield 2013 went without a hitch. The opening concert was sold out weeks before and the traditional opening act, the John Wrightson Band, opened the concert in style, with Flossie Malavialle and the Mighty Doonans rounding off a great evening. The evening concert in Ceddesfeld with Stockton Darlington Ukulele Express was full as was the singaround in the Social club with members of Guisborough Friday Folk transplanting their usual evening into the Festival programme.

The Saturday morning workshops were well attended and the afternoon singaround culminated in the World Spoons championship, won, once again by Bert Draycott.

The afternoon concert with Andy and James McLaughlin, John Fyffe, The Teacups and headlined by Edwina Heyes was a pleasant easy listening experience.

By contast the Saturday evening started with a brilliant set from young BBC2 folk finalists The Jaywalkers with a blend of bluegrass and folk and some stunning mandolin play from Mike. The Young’uns from Hartlepool have now built up a solid reputation in the folk world, sufficient to decide to make it a full time occupation. Their show gets better! Good luck lads. The Wildcats of Kilkenny took the tempo up several notches with an energetic show of Irish style music to the delight of both young and old. The Old Age Travellers led a bouncing singaround in Ceddesfeld to the delight of all.

Sunday’s final singaround was quite literally standing room only and it brought to an end a most successful weekend.

The festival organisers would like to thank all those unseen volunteers who helped over the weekend and of course the artists and audience without whom it wouldn’t work!

Competition Results

Tommy Armstrong song writing trophy   1st Trish McClean, 2nd Andy Whittaker, 3rd David Burgess
James Hill tune writing trophy   1st Michael Burns                                                      
Unaccompanied Song (Junior)   1st Tamzin Grace                                                       
       Unaccompanied Song (Open)   1st Dave Howden, 2nd Bert Draycott, 3rd Mary Webb
Miscellaneous Instrument (Junior)   No entries                                                                                                    
Miscellaneous Instrument (Open)   1st John DIxon  

 A few pics:

Make a note - 5,6 & 7 September 2014.

 Already booked:

Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies      Kieran Goss     The Bernie Gallagher Band