The site  will be updated weekly. We have had thousands of hits from all over the world since we cobbled it together in late September! Thank you all - keep watching!

 

What a  great weekend in May!!

IT WAS THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!!

Welcome to our website. We hope you find it interesting and easy to use. Please follow the blue underlined links to see more information about Sponsors/Performers/Charities.

A Brief History  It was twenty years ago today... (could be a song in there somewhere!) that some Old and Peculiar people were sitting around Neil's fire in the Old Dungeon Ghyll  Bar drinking beer that was not so old but just as peculiar and playing instruments to keep warm. One had a bright idea. "Wouldn't it be good if we did this for a whole weekend, got people to throw money in a bucket and then give it away to Charity!". All nodded wisely made a date to do it, got another round in and promptly forgot about it. The following September people with instruments turned up in the Valley -"Where's this 'ere Festival then?" We threw one together in ten minutes. This year is our 20th Anniversary. Who would have thought all those years ago that we would have attracted so many musicians, raised so much cash, and with the blessing of the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel now have a Festival weekend twice a year! And nobody gets paid!!! Amazing or wot!

Organizer Stuff.  Massive thanks. Firstly to Neil and Jane Walmsley and the Staff of the Old Dungeon Ghyll . Without your help, support and sometimes tolerance there would not be such a unique event. To the performers who have come from all over Britain(and Lancashire!) to entertain us and to all those that have delighted us over the years. One or two have played at EVERY Festival!. To Anne who was an integral part of the event in the early days. To our Sponsors who's generosity never ceases to amaze and to all who come to the weekends, stand and listen and donate to help. Last but certainly not least Dave and Maureen Reid who are now as much a part of the organization as I have ever been. To the Rescue Teams, SARDA Dogs and Handlers, Air Ambulance Personnel, Footpath Workers and Conservation Teams. Many are volunteers and all make Langdale the special place that we all know it to be.

Unique? – It certainly is. If it were an ordinary Folk Festival it would be very special. The fact that it is free - no fees are paid to any Festival Staff or Performers make it doubly so. They all organize and pay for their own transport and accommodation. Also no entry fees are charged it's all by donation. No tickets, first come first served for seats. – that’s what I call unique!! All the money that you donate will go to Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA Lakes) and Great North  Air Ambulance(see Charities). There is information over the weekend on both charities at the ‘Festival Desk’ - that is the nearest bit of wood with Dave and Maureen behind it. It has been a privilege to be associated with this event for so long and to have met so many wonderful, slightly crazy people.

A full list of sponsors can be seen on the sponsors page.

Now enough of this sentimental drivel and lets get on with the ‘meat and spuds’ sexy bits, like who’s on and what is the cheapest beer and ‘can I play if I’m not booked’ all that fun stuff.

Where? The weekend is held at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (see sponsors) in Great Langdale. The valley runs roughly 8 miles west of Ambleside and is easily accessible. (See Info).

When? We run two weekend Festivals every year. One in Spring, one in Autumn we try to avoid peak times where possible. The next weekend will be the Autumn on  17th 18th 19th Sept 2010 

 

For information regarding this September celebrating our 20th year please flip around the rest of the site or get in touch with us via the'Contacts' section.

All the people we support do a great job in Langdale. Can we particularly pass on our congratulations to those volunteers who gave so much time and energy during the recent flooding and cold weather problems in the area along with the main Emergency Services – let’s give a little back eh!

Let’s get into that beer and music now!!!

Cheers Mik,  Maureen & Dave (See below - two normal people and a Herdwick Cross!)