Shepley Festival April 2009
Highlights of this weekend(apart from our kids dancing of course) had to be Darren's impersonation of a little man which had everybody creased up, and the totally bonkers but thoroughly entertaining Frumptarn Guggenband(from Barnsley)
Frumptarn Guggenband playing in the 'Farmer's Boy'
After almost getting the minibus stuck in the mud at the campsite entrance things didn't bode well for the rest of the weekend, but once through the gate everything was fine and Brooke was waiting to guide us to our allocated spaces. All the tents were soon erected and it was off to the marquees to check out some bands and of course check out the beertent.
It was an early start on saturday with a workshop in the dance marquee to start off with, then off down the village to perform to a sizeable crowd at The Farmer's Boy stage, after which the Pub proved very useful for sheltering from one of the many sunny showers which seem typical weather for this area. When the sun came out again it was back to the Festival site to dance on the outside stage then back down the village for our second performance at the Farmer's Boy stage.
In the afternoon all the groups took it in turn to dance in the main marquee, which gave the kids a chance to watch the other types of dancing before having to perform themselves.
Broadswords in the dance marquee
The weather stayed sunny long enough for us to have a burgerfest of a barbeque and quite a few cans of lager for the adults before heading back to the dance marqee for our spot at the ceilidh. Only two groups had been asked to dance during the intervals at the ceilidh, us and Boggarts Breakfast, a very scary looking group of morris dancer's from Sheffield
..Boggart's Breakfast .............. .............Chilling at the ceilidh after performing
Much the same for sunday and after our last spot it was time to pack up our campsite and head off backup the M1 to Newcastle/Blyth(via the chip shop). Just as we were leaving the campsite, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers arrived in a huge campervan for the late shift. Totally unaware I'm sure, as to what a hard act they had to follow LOL!......
more photos from this festival can be found in the gallery..........................