From Andy G

Tuesday, 19 May 2015

I would just like to thank all the wonderful people who made the first Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival last weekend such an amazing success - my fellow organising committee members, the town hall management and staff, the Hope Baptist Chapel management and staff, the management and staff of all the pubs and other venues involved, the wonderful artists, stage crews and sound engineers, the volunteer festival staff who gave freely of their time and, in particular, the hundreds of music lovers who descended on the town from far and near to enjoy the event. (Sorry - I know this sounds like an emotional BAFTA award acceptance speech, but that's how we all feel!)

Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive and any minor glitches will be closely examined if we decide to have another festival next year. The atmosphere in town over the weekend was electric (and sometimes acoustic too!) and on the Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings there were few places in town where you could not hear music coming from one or more of the venues. There was a massive business spin-off for the town with pubs, shops, cafes and accommodation providers all benefitting from the folkie invasion. Even the pubs which were not festival venues benefitted - they were full of people who didn't want to hear folk music!

If you enjoyed the festival please tell us and let us know how it could be improved if we decide to do it again. If you didn't please also let us know why.