Upton Folk Festival pub folk music sessions and dancing out with Exmoor Border Morris

If asked the whereabouts of my favourite traditional English folk music sessions, I would usually talk about the pub music sessions at the Radway Inn and Sidmouth Sea Angling & Sailing Club during the Sidmouth Folk Festivals. However, following my visit to the Upton Upon Severn Folk Festival with Exmoor Border Morris, I would now have to add the Kings Head and Swan Hotel at the Upton Folk Festival to my list. Without any doubt, the sessions this year (2010) at these places absolutely rocked!

As a newbie into the Morris dancing world, it was one of my first visits to a folk festival with a Morris side and I must say that the camaraderie and conviviality of having so many instant friends is one I would recommend to anybody who enjoys dancing, camping, holidaying with groups of easy-going people and playing traditional tunes in a relaxed atmosphere. Most Morris sides welcome new members either for dancing or for playing in the band so you are almost always assured of a friendly welcome.

Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed where traditional folk music pub sessions are concerned. It depends on who turns up on the day. Perhaps I was fortunate to be playing tunes in the company of some of the best traditional English musicians in the country. Martin Hughes was there with his piano accordion and I actually had the honour of sitting next to M-J Searle, who for many years played with the Committee Band, with her virtuoso ability on recorders, fiddle, pipe & tabor. There were also many others whom I could not even begin to name. Perhaps they go there every year. I do not know. However, about one thing I am certain, I will definitely be at the Upton Upon Severn Folk festival next year to find out :-)



Were you at the Upton Upon Severn Folk Festival 2010? How was it for you? I'd love to hear; just click on the comments section below to have your say :-)