Click on our digital programme below to open a new window and browse each page:
Friday 2nd May
Ceilidh with Monkey Box and Lisa Heywood
Where? Todmorden Community College
When? 7 – 10pm
Hot food, bar and hot drinks/cake will be available
Concert with Uncle Bucket Club, The Rosie Hood Band and Twelfth Day
Where? Unitarian Church
When? 7.30 – 10.30pm
Hot food, bar and hot drinks/cake will be available
Saturday 3rd May
Children’s activities & entertainment (see below for more details)
Where? Pollination Street
When? 10.30am – 3.30pm
Concert with Tom Kitching – ‘Where there’s Brass‘
Where? St Mary’s Church
When? 12.30 – 1.30
Workshops: Morris dancing
Where? Masonic Lodge
When? 10.30 – 12.00 and 12.30 – 2.00
Workshop: My Song Is My Own (with Esther Ferry-Kennington and guests)
Where? St Mary’s Church
When? 10.30 – 11.30
Concert with George Daniels, Kath Reade, Shahbaz, Kayam & Ali Hussain, Jack Badcock and SunBloom
Where? Central Methodist Church
When? 12.30 – 4.15pm
Hot food and hot drinks/cake will be available
Concert with Eve Joné, Frank Burkitt & Kara Filbey, and Flook
Where? Unitarian Church
When? 7.30 – 10.45pm
Hot food, bar and hot drinks/cake will be available
Sunday 4th May
Concert with dance showcases, Amber Smith, Meg, The Peace Artistes, Daliens, Adam Carr, Soma
Where? Oxford Street car park stage
When? 12 – 5.15pm
Workshop: Songwriting with Maddie Morris
Where? Natural Endings
When? 11.00 – 12.00
Concert with Rebecca Spooner, Maddie Morris and Lady Nade
Where? St Mary’s Church
When? 3.45 – 6.30pm
Hot drinks/cake will be available
Workshops
Morris Dancing workshops (Saturday, 10.30 and 12.30; Masonic Hall)
Ever fancied trying Morris dancing? On Saturday at 10.30 we’ll have Blackstone Edge teaching a rapper dance, followed by White Rose teaching a Cotswold dance at 12.30. Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary. Please wear comfy clothes and shoes.
My Song Is My Own – A Celebration, Esther Ferry-Kennington (Saturday, 10.30 – 11.30; St Mary’s Church)
This book and album published in 1979 is a collection of powerful, evocative and hilarious songs collected in the 1970s by Kathy Henderson, Frankie Armstrong and Sandra Kerr, with Alison McMorland included on the recordings. It is a musical journey from ballads to industrial songs written for the mine and factory; from folk revivals to children’s songs for the street and playground. Since childhood, this book has been key source material for Esther Ferry-Kennington, Co-Founder of Todmorden Folk Festival, and singer with local band The Muthers. Esther will be joined by the rest of the members of The Muthers, and her Mam, Janet Ferry, and invite you to share some of their favourites from this vital and inspiring collection.
Bringing in the May – Maypole workshop (Saturday, 5.30 – 6.30; Fielden Wharf)
Come and try the age-old tradition of Maypole dancing – all ages welcome, no experience necessary.
Songwriting workshop, Maddie Morris (Sunday, 11.00 – 12.00; Natural Endings)
We are very excited to have Maddie Morris (who will also be performing in our Sunday early evening concert at St Mary’s) hosting a songwriting workshop in the lovely space at Natural Endings. This will be a very special session where Maddie supports participants to find their creative voice and have a go at writing lyrics in a collaborative and relaxed setting. Don’t miss this!
Sessions
We have folk sessions running throughout the weekend. These are free and a relaxed, welcoming space to come and spend a few hours. Feel free to bring your instruments and voices to join in, or just sit back and listen! All abilities welcome.
Saturday, 3 – 6 at Hare & Hounds led by Outside the Box
Sunday, 2 – 7 at Todmorden Working Men’s Club
Sunday, 7.30 – late Survivor’s Session at Hare & Hounds
Children’s programme
Saturday, 10.30 – 3.30, Pollination Street
The children’s programme for this year is packed with engaging activities that cater to a variety of ages and interests. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the highlights:
- Walkabout by Hieronymus the Hippo: Part animal and part mechanical, Hieronymus the Hippopotamus is just about at the biggest, sweetest pachyderm on wheels. Propelled purely by pedal power and the occasional help from his musical companion, this Hippo’s winning smile and friendly manner will brighten up your day. Hieronymus will be delighting the children around the festival space and inviting them to come and be part of the Pollination Street music and craft activities. Brought to you by our friends at Thingumajig Theatre.
- Music and Dance Workshops: Jiggerie Folkery will be enthralling and inspiring children to come and take part in a children’s jamming session. There will be a variety of percussion instruments available as well as ribbons for the children to dance with.
- Maypole Dancing: Led by Angie and The Thieving Magpies, this classic tradition is always a favourite, combining fun and teamwork with beautiful patterns.
- Craft Corners: From making flower crowns to designing their own folk-inspired art, kids can let their creativity shine while learning about the crafts that have shaped folk culture.
- Face Painting: As usual, face painting will be available in the marquee at Pollination Street, allowing children to transform into their favourite characters or creatures.
- Outdoor Fun: Weather permitting, there will be games and activities in the park, including a scavenger hunt that will take families on a journey through the festival grounds.
Plus lots more activities and entertainment around the town. Please see our brochure for more details.