Thousands of people descended on the West Mid Showground for the start of a four-day shindig featuring Richard Thompson, The Duhks, Bellowhead, Oysterband, Lunasa and The Demon Barber Show.
Traditional folk fans were quaffing real ale from silver tankards while donning coloured caps, natty waistcoasts and footwear, which are more commonly associated with the Dutch, at this year’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
Last night’s proceedings kicked off with a storming set from The Doonan Family Band, who bought Celtic soul and pop to the stage. But there were plenty more highlights with dance, impromptu sessions, acoustic tunes and other headline acts.
Festival director Alan Surtees said the event had started in a special way.
He said: “It’s time to take a few days off, leave behind the cares of the world behind and sink into a festival full of music, song and dance.
“We can make it last for four days but we hope people go home with fond memories that will last a lifetime,” he added.
“The number of workshops has grown from 35 last year to 50 this year with everything from live sound engineering to belly dancing.
“The children’s festival is, again, in the safe hands of Doctor Sunshine and his team.
“We have increased the number of dances and improved the dance venue.
“It is our second year at the West Mid Showground and we have now made a 10-year agreement to keep the festival on this site.”
l A film crew from the Shropshire Star is being granted access all areas at the folk festival this weekend.
An exclusive video report will appear at www.shropshirestar.com on Wednesday. Visit the website and click on the “Video” tab to see footage of festival-goers and enjoy the thrills and spills of the Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
There will also be more reports from the folk festival in Monday’s edition of the Shropshire Star.
Headliners tonight include Lunasa and The Dukes; tomorrow night’s stars are The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain and Richard Thompson, while on Monday Bellowhead headline.
The Shrewsbury Folk Festival moved to its present base at the West Mid Showground last year, after spending a year at The Quarry Park, in Shrewsbury.
Prior to that, it had run successfully for many years in Bridgnorth, where it was based at Oldbury Wells School and in pubs around the town.
By Andy Richardson
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