Upper Denby

Family folk festival

A villages’ first ever family folk festival was almost a wash out last weekend when the heavens opened around midday. Supporters turned up in rain jackets instead of shorts and tops and could only be seen through an array of umbrellas. Hosted and arranged by The George pub along with many helpers, the festival had been planned for months. Unluckily, the earlier hot spell of weather deserted the village, the second wash out weather of this largest ever event planned, the first being the jubilee picnic celebrations in June. Morris Dancers, Indian street food, the local Pizza Band and cake stalls all did a roaring trade. Some of the acts had to be cancelled due to safety measures, but one of the highlights was the Valley Samba Drum Band. Others went ahead with visitors ‘packed like sardines’ under marquees determined to make the event a success.

A lorry trailer had been manoeuvred into the car park to provide a stage for the folk bands and the village church and community centre welcomed visitors hiding from the rain for a sing around.

The pub was packed to listen to the impromptu musicians playing jigs. The landlord of the pub, Dean Wyatt, showed his appreciation to everyone who attended the event despite the rain and poor weather and the volunteers and stewards directed people out of the village towards the car park. Dean said: “This was a first and a learning curve for a repeat next year.”

The next village event is the popular ‘Denby Dash’ which will take place on August 29 (bank holiday) which usually attracts well over

100 runners.