This 28th June sees the eleventh Bury Folk Festival at Nowton Park – a delightful day of music, food, drinks, and merriment provided by local musicians and traders. As we have seen with Cambridge Folk Festival’s cancellation this year due to financial difficulties, the whole festival business is far from easy – so let’s support our annual one-day event. This year we have, among others, Jez Lowe a long-standing international folk performer with a double nomination in the 2015 BBC Folk awards. Jez has had his songs covered by Fairport Convention, The Dubliners and The Unthanks to name but a few.

With folk music becoming more popular it’s surprising that festivals are struggling. Why is this? Well, prices for renting venues, security and insurance have risen and the post-pandemic recovery of audience attendance is also a factor; labour shortages and restrictions on travel, post-Brexit, have also had an impact.

The advantages for the local economy, though, are significant; local people are employed, goods and services are supplied locally and festival attenders spend money at the stalls and with food providers. Voluntary organisations also often work with festivals thereby building partnerships and helping them grow.

At Bury Folk Festival there is a range of music on offer providing an easy entry into the world of folk music which, especially for younger audience members, could last a lifetime. While the idea of a cliquey folk club may put many people off, folk festivals hold none of this outdated stereotypic image – they are a fun day out with music in a great atmosphere.

Important announcement.

Bury Folk Collective new venue: The Oakes Barn, St Andrew’s St. IP33 3PH

Contemporary folk nights: 1st Thursday (starts June)

Roots folk night: 4th Tuesday (starts July)

Bury Folk Festival Nowton Park Saturday June 28th – buryfolkfestival.co.uk