-- 2005 Festival Report --
14 - 17 July 2005
The Organisers of the 2005 STONEHAVEN Folk Festival declared this year's event 'the best yet' after a string of sell-out concerts and a huge turnout for the fringe events. And glorious weather conditions awaited the hundreds of locals and visitors who crowded the harbour front to soak up the sun and free-entertainment.
Picking a highlight of the event would be like peering into Aladdin's cave and trying to select the shiniest gem. From the moment Flossie Malavialle took to the Town Hall stage to launch the 17th Festival to the last bow of the Blazin' Fiddles, a succession of top-name performers delighted their audiences - a fact amply demonstrated by the repeated foot-stomping encore demands.
But it seems Stonehaven itself had proved a star. Festival organiser Trudi Clayton said that not only had the concert-goers loved the musicians, but the performers had loved coming to Stonehaven. Ralph McTell, Tanglefoot, Flossie Malavialle and the Black Umfolosi 5 all said they had never been to a festival where they had such a welcome from the moment they arrived to the minute they left.
"Ralph McTell said he had been treated like royalty and would be recommending Stonehaven to everyone he could." She said the Zimbabwean singers from Black Umfolosi had enjoyed a cultural exchange during the weekend. "On Sunday evening, at the Festival Club in the St Leonards Hotel, two young girls were teaching them highland dancing and in return they were learning welly-boot dancing!! The girls said they would definitely be trying it out at the local nightclub!"
While all the artists' CDs were in hot demand at the merchandising stand, Trudi revealed it was Canadian band Tanglefoot who proved top of the Folk Festival pops by selling most - over 70 CDs were snapped up after their Saturday performance.
But it was two veterans of the folk circuit, who proved the darlings of the Festival. The ever-smiling Johnny Silvo and the multi-talented Mike Whellans brought Saturday's Plainstones Open Air Concert to a resounding end and gained scores of new fans. Their Late Night Blues Concert at the Heugh Hotel attracted a capacity audience, which was held in raptures for almost three-hours.
Just launching their music career, the Youth Acoustic Stage organised by Sue Briggs provided a platform with professional standard technical support. This is the first year the event has been staged and organisers hope it will now become a regular Festival feature. Festival Chairman Andy Popplestone said he was delighted youngsters from as far afield as Glasgow and the English Home Counties had joined local talent for the opportunity to showcase their musical skills. "We feel it is important to encourage the up-and-coming performers. It was also good to see so many attending the workshops we had over the weekend."
The Festival's novelty fringe events were, as always, a big hit with all ages. Scores of swimmers joined in the fun at the AquaCeilidh. And The World Paper 'n' Comb Championship attracted a higher number of entrants than previous years. Maggie Cassie of Fyvie took the adult solo title; Georgia Hill of Peebles won the under 12 solo; last year's winners Peterhead pair Kimberly and Natasha retained their title in the under 12 group; and Dan Druff and the Nitpickers became adult group champions with their superbly choreographed version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
Another first for the festival - the Lions' Bar in the Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club - proved a success. The charity fundraisers pulled pints to the tune of £1,000.
While locals enjoyed all the entertainment provided on their own doorstep, many visitors travelled from overseas to attend. For two Danish ladies, this year's Festival is the tenth they have attended. Lene and Dorthe who run a folk club in their hometown, Roskilde, told the Leader they keep coming back to Stonehaven as it is one of the best festivals they know of. "It seems like coming home now," said Lene. "There is lots and lots of great music and always something new."
And with the sun and musicians bringing out the crowds, local businesses enjoyed a hectic weekend. Shell Hoosie owner Raymond Milne said: "It was very busy down here. We stayed open till 10pm on Saturday night. "There was a lovely atmosphere with the crowds and the musicians; it was superb. There were people playing harps and fiddles, and the Lions bar at the other end of the harbour added to the whole atmosphere." He added: "Walking along the shore head, you could have been abroad."
Boathouse Restaurant co-owner Susan Todd said they had been so run off their feet they were too tired to go to the Sunday night concert as planned. She said: "Saturday was excellent. We had a lot of people down here and it was a great atmosphere. "It was a great festival and we are looking forward to it next year."