Malmesbury’s First Folk Festival hits the right note as bands play to capacity crowds at the folk and roots festival.
They came, they danced and they sang at Malmesbury’s first ever folk festival, with bands playing to a capacity audience. The Folk & Roots Festival was pulled together in a few weeks by a small team. It took place in the beautiful cloister gardens of Malmesbury Abbey. The festival sold out, with 500 attendees.
Backed by Malmesbury Town Council, and timed to coincide with the inaugural European Folk Day, sideshows, stalls and Morris dancing sides complemented a stellar line-up on stage.
One of the organisers was Malmesbury resident Catherine Burke, who runs the renowned Purbeck Valley Folk Festival. Catherine was able to book top folk bands, including 3 Daft Monkeys, Martha Tilson, Old Baby Mackerel and Wiltshire band Fly Yeti Fly.
I’m delighted with how the festival went. There was a great atmosphere, the music was awesome, and everyone had a lot of fun,’ said Catherine. ‘It was a shame to have to turn people without tickets away. To have sold out on the first year of a festival is unheard of. It’s a lovely surprise and we’re all over the moon!’
Profits raised
Any profits raised will go to Mayor of Malmesbury Cllr Gavin Grant’s three Mayoral charities:
- HEALS of Malmesbury
- Malmesbury animal sanctuary
- Malmesbury River Valleys Trust
It was a fantastic atmosphere, the Abbey made a beautiful backdrop and we showcased Malmesbury at its best,’ said Cllr Grant. ‘A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen and we hope it can become an annual fixture of Malmesbury’s music calendar.’
