2002 Newsletter No: 4 (November 2002)

THE WEB SITE!
(LINK to FESTIVAL WEB SITE)
All of the “final” running order is now on the web site – this is the running order that will appear in the official programme – any changes to this will be posted around the festival.

LAST MINUTE GUEST & PROGRAMME CHANGES
There are a few changes to our published guest list – for some unknown reason the fabulous duo Vicky & Trefor Williams got left off our advertising (you can proof read forever and still make mistakes!) – they are around for the whole week-end so that will be a real bonus for us. Local four-part acapella group Ninepenny Marle will figure highly in Sundays events – look out for them also performing informally on Saturday, they are excellent! Pete, John and Andy collectively known as Alhambra will be doing us some of their famous festival fringe sessions at the White Swan on Saturday and Sunday (Sunday will include a “Breakfast Sing” for the early risers!). Over the past few years the poetry/storytelling element of the festival has grown in popularity so as last minute additions we also have The Saltown Poets and John “Mitch” Mitchell joining those sessions. Sadly we have lost one of our guests Keith Kendrick, who was due to make his first Bedworth appearance – he is currently in Hong Kong, and as I understand is due to star at Disneyland in the near future!

CARAVAN & CAMPING SITE
We have made a great deal of progress this year with the kind help of 5 Ways Lake Camping & Fishing, Coventry Road, Wolvey, who are providing camping facilities for us at a special “rally” rate of £4.00 per unit per night. A free courtesy shuttle bus will run between Bedworth and the campsite during Friday evening from 7.30 and between 9.30am and when the official events end at midnight. We have a separate information sheet with all the info and a map for those who need it.

2003!
We are already looking at ideas for 2003, amongst then are plans for the biggest ever Bedworth Ceilidh which will feature The Peeping Tom “extra” Big Band with Gordon Potts calling, this will be part of a very special year for the band – their 30th anniversary. We have also already “signed” Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman, Quartz, Suntrap, as long as regular favourites Johnny Collins, Graeme Knights, Eddie Murphy, Geoff Higginbottom etc. Negotiations are well underway for a number of other top performers which we hope we may be able to announce at this years festival.

SONG, POETRY, STORYTELLING & MUSIC SESSIONS
Over the past three years with the “new” format for the festival the accent is far more on providing an opportunity for involvement for those that want it. We have plenty of opportunities this year whatever type of the “folk arts” you favour, you can sing, play or recite almost continually from 7.30pm Friday to 10.30pm Sunday! - and remember the new Saturday teatime and Sunday breakfast sessions in the White Swan lounge – Bedworth has always been a festival where the “fringe” has been an integral part of the week-ends activities, and never more so than this year!

SUNDAY
In the past Sunday has been a pretty quiet “Winding Down” day – this year, however, that all changes! We have an early morning sing (see above) a lunchtime mini-concert, an organised afternoon sing, and a “not so formal” afternoon do for those that want a bit of a knees up. Sunday evening sees a Survivors Folk Club session round off the week end. A dance side or two volunteering to add to the Sunday spectacle would put the icing on the cake – any takers.

FOR THE YOUNGSTERS
– THE COOL DUDES CLUB
Sally-Ann will again be ensuring all the youngsters have a good time, all is not quite finalised yet but we will be having juggling & circus skills and face painting in addition to the usual programme of singing dancing and the like this year, and as always the youngsters can be coached for an appearance in the KIDS KONCERT – so be sure your youngsters bring along their instruments, dancing shoes or whatever.

DANCE DISPLAYS
At the time of writing we still have space for a couple more dance sides – very much on a first come basis now so contact us quickly if you are interested.

Next Newsletter end of January 2003 with the emerging plans for Bedworth 2003, but frequent updates on the web site. If you want a printed copy of the newsletter please send us an SAE.