Last weekend’s Purbeck Folk Festival held the rain at bay until the final sets of Sunday night as organisers reported the most successful event in its six-year history.
Despite late afternoon warnings of impending rain, the weather held on Sunday night as closing headliners Turin Brakes brought the curtain down on the best attended and most diverse line up in the Festival’s history.
Festival director Paul Burke reflected, “What an amazing festival! We’ve had so many compliments about the music, the atmosphere of the festival village and, best of all, local people who may not have been to the festival before entering into the folk-festive spirit.”
Having opened the site on Thursday, nearly 3000 people descended on Wilkswood Farm, a working sheep farm at Langton Matravers, where performers including Lloyd Cole, Eddi Reader, The South, Idlewild, Chris Wood, Emily Barker and Blair Dunlop headlined the festival’s six stages.
As well as the eclectic musical bill of traditional and new folk, world and roots music, there was a full programme of family-friendly entertainment including children’s activities, cinema, a fancy dress parade, the beard off contest and an extensive beer festival that showcased more than 70 local beers and ciders, none of which had travelled more than 50 miles to the festival.
Paul added: “Thanks to everyone who came along and made Purbeck Folk Festival so enjoyable.”
Next year’s festival is scheduled for August 27-30. Further details will be revealed as they are announced on www.purbeckfolk.co.uk.
Photo courtesy of Sian Court.