We will use this section to keep you up to date with the latest Festival News, gossip, details of local folk events and other bits and pieces of interest.

NEWS FLASH  -  DATES FOR 2013

MAY 10-11-12   &   SEPT. 13-14-15.  Get Booking in the Hotel!

NOW!!!!!

After the huge success of the Dining Room concert, we will again be using the room for May & Sept 2012.

We are sorry to say that there will be no system of seat reservations at the May Festival Main Concert in the noshing/sorry Dining room. It will be 'First come first served' and if you need a ... comfort break!! or have to go to the Bar (I would advise ordering bottles of wine.. we do!!) then please ask your neighbour to save your seat. Everyone will have a more relaxed evening. Many thanks.

Great Langdale Campsite

New Website for the Langdale N/T Campsite:-  www.ntlakescampsites.org.uk

Here is the latest info for booking onto the N/T campsite Langdale! Bookings for 2012.  You should be able to book your tent pitch/campervan/pod online now for 2012 Festivals, but please note NEW ARRIVAL TIMES - Daily, 8.30 – 10.30am and 3-5pm (until 7.30pm on Fridays)
These hours are applicable for both advanced booking and first come, first served customers.

September Festival Round up

What a great weekend! Many thanks to all of the artists, comperes, sound men and stewards who made the whole event run so well and most of all to Neil and Jane and the staff of the Old Dungeon Ghyll. Without their support there would be no festival and without Neil there would be no fudge! Thanks too to Frank Josef who regularly donates his photographs to raise money for our charities and the breweries who kindly sponsor us by donating beer to enable us to give a few drinks to the artists. (Everyone pays their own expenses and no on gets paid, except the charities.)

The weather was atrocious - thanks to the tail end of hurricane K the "Langdale Express" was in full force, but that didn't keep many away. Those who braved the elements were entertained by a rich mix of fresh talent and old friends who have supported the festival for many years. We made a conscious decision to "mix it up" and add more variety to the line up and, from the feedback received, it seems to have worked.

Joe Boe gave a rousing opening to Friday night and was followed by newcomer to Langdale Jessica Lawson, a very talented young songwriter performing songs on the autoharp and guitar. It was easy to see why Jessica had been chosen to perform at a number of high profile shows supporting Eddie Reader and Cara Dillon. For once, the bar was quiet as everyone stopped to listen. We then welcomed Paul Wrigley, a seasoned singer/songwriter and firm favourite in the Fylde area. Festival stalwarts Bruce Hogg and Dougie Downie rounded off the formal spots (if you could call anything at Langdale formal!) and a lively open session finished off Friday night, or for some well into Saturday morning.

Bev Whelan, or "Fluter Bev" to her friends, never disappoints. She opened the Saturday afternoon concert supported by fellow musicians including her son Eoin who displaced Ethan Thomas as our youngest ever performer. Eoin aged 11 had been learning to play the harp for only 6 weeks but showed great promise and clearly has the Whelan family's musical talent in his blood!

It's always good to see Bowfell and the Band (Rod Finlayson and Mike Highley supported by Bruce and Jim Smith) and Ethan Thomas remains a festival favourite at the advanced age of 16! We were also treated to the wecome return of Corryvreckan, a five piece folk band from the Cotswolds and Mike Rolland and Joanna Byrne. Newcomer to Langdale Phil Simpson added a new dimension with his delicate blend of folk and contemporary song and Spiral Scouts brought the evening bar concert to a rousing finale.

Meantime the audience in the dining room were treated to folk golden oldies eg "The Daleman's Lament" by Specific Gravity (Jim, Bev, Mike Allen and great to see the return of Rod Nuttall), reformed for one night only, but you never know they might be tempted back someday. In contrast, Ribbon Road performed Brenda Hyslops self penned haunting songs and they were followed by Sail Pattern, an exciting young band performing sea shanties and other traditional songs with a distinctly modern twist! Watch out for these lads - they have a great future ahead! A surprise visitor turned up to see them, none other than Mike Harding.

Those who were at the September 2010 Festival made sure they got in to see the final act of the concert - the Blue Pig Orchestra who brought the house down with an accoustic set mixing their covers of the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac etc with self penned material. Everyone then returned to the bar for the "session". It was great to see new performers, festival stalwarts, the audience  and Mike Harding all joining in with a wide range of songs and tunes! Some continued into the early morning in the resident's bar and not a few missed breakfast. Many thanks to Mike who gave us his "Green Man" coat which raised £200 at auction. So beware, come to Langdale and we will even have the coat off your back!

Sunday came with gales, hangovers and more music. In addition to further sets from Sail Pattern (who's tepee had been demolished by the Langdale Express and had kipped on the couches in the residents' lounge), Ethan, Bruce and Dougie,we were delighted to be entertained by local Lakeland talent - the immensely popular Pete Lashley, Caitlan - a 13 year old with an amazing voice and the talented Anne Barnes from Coniston. Our very own Essex girls, festival regulars Sally & Rachel, treated their many friends (especially Dancing Derek) by performing  their own material. So how do you round off a weekend like that? It had to be the irrepressible Mustgetbeers (Decca and Dennis - without Les on this occasion) with a rare blend of Geordie humour and musical talent.

Not only did we have a great weekend, thanks to your generosity we raised £2420 which has been split between 2 essential services - the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs (SARDA Lakes) and the Great North Air Ambulance Service. It's worth mentioning that while we were inside the ODG enjoying great music and fine beer, the SARDA team were out on the fells at Coniston all weekend training!

So what's next? Mik Mead is planning the May 2012 Festival, so if you are interested please get in touch with Mik!

Many thanks to everyone who has contacted us so far about playing at next September's Festival. Please keep expressions of interest coming. We won't be making any more firm bookings just yet but will be working up a balanced programme for Sept. in the New Year.

All the best Maureen & Dave

          Irwell Works Brewery (Ramsbottom) Have become permanent Sponsors for                     May & Sept Festivals.      Great News!!

 Neil has agreed that if the hotel is fully booked for the weekend by people attending the Festivals, we can use the dining room for a Saturday night concert and we are now planning on that basis.The room will hold 70 with about 45 seats.

The Sat Concert is a 'listening' seated concert and seating is limited. We suggest that you get there early as there will be a big demand and make your (generous) donation.

Please get to the Dining room for 6.15pm at the latest. TA!

Please email direct to langfest90@yahoo.co.uk or Maureentreid@aol.com & there is a Facebook site at Langdale Charity Folk. Please register as a Friend to access it. Ta all!!

  Artist Bookings - Talk to Mik For May or Dave for Sept  But please do come along and join in    the singarounds  and sessions.

 May Fest & Sept Fest-   See Programme pages.

Other Local Folk and Acoustic Gigs

We cannot include all local gigs just those close to the Festival or including Festival Performers. Other events are listed in the excellent website -www.mostlyacousticcumbria.co.uk

Old Dungeon Ghyll Session Nights - Are still going strong. Held on the 1st Wed. every month in the Walkers Bar from 8pm. Please support the Hotel that does so much to support the Festival. No need to book just turn up. The pub usually welcomes musicians playing acoustically at most times. Please check with the Bar Staff first.

The Unicorn Inn -  Ambleside runs 3 or 4 live music nights a week (Now occasionally a Friday during the Peak Season). Sat & Thurs are more acoustic/folk nights hosted by Mik Mead. Singers and musicians all welcome ( best to book in advance as it's not a session). 9pm - 11pm To book a spot contact Mik on langfest90@yahoo.co.uk  There are occasional music nights on Tuesdays with 'Cornerstone' (not a session).

The Sticklebarn Tavern in Langdale hosts guest artists mainly at weekends. Please contact direct for details.

Tweedies Bar - Grasmere puts on guest artists Sat nights from 9pm. Contact Direct for details.

The Lamplighter Bar - Windermere, has a Folk night each Wed. Details to follow.

The Hole in the Wall - Bowness. Stan (the Man )Vannin plays a marathon afternoon set here every Sunday. 12 noon to approx 4pm. I don't know how he does it! Requests are his speciality (never seen him completely beaten). Occasional guests. Stan is a long standing Festival supporter.

The Watermill - Ings ,Nr Staveley has an unplugged jam session every 3rd Tuesday of the month hosted by Fiona Hanlon. From 9pm

Hawkshead Brewery - Staveley hosts the Lakeland Fiddlers Session with Carolyn Francis 2nd Tuesday of each month 8pm

The Kings Arms - Hawkshead. Jam session every 3rd Thurs of month. Host Fiona Hanlon. PA provided

Lake Rd. Wine Bar - Ambleside. Now hosts occasional 'Jam Nights' and featured acts. Now very comitted to live music. Some excellent acts have performed there recently.

Wateredge Hotel - Waterhead -Ambleside. Every Friday. She is a Festival Guest so go along and support her. Great views of the Lake. Folk/Pop/Country. Starts approx 8.30pm

These are the closest Gigs/Sessions to Langdale - please follow link above for events further afield. If you have a Folk/Acoustic night either one off or a regular event please get in touch. Also if you have a Pub, Hotel or other venue and are thinking of putting something on during the coming season please contact Mik Mead (langfest90@yahoo.co.uk) and he will be pleased to help in any way he can. The more we can encourage live music in the area the better entertained our locals and visitors will be.