WORKSHOPS
Friday 7th August 2026 - 10:30am-11:30am
SSchool of Music, Bath Street
Folk Organisers Meet Up
Do you run a folk club, organise singarounds, promote gigs or festivals? Here’s an opportunity to share what works well and to address challenges together with others.
Friday 7th August 2026 - 12pm-1:30pm
Scout Hut
Beginner Foot Percussion Workshop with Arthur Coates & Kerran Cotterell
A fun and accessible introduction to foot percussion with Arthur & Kerran. Learn a few simple rhythms and how to build them into your playing. No experience needed - just bring yourself and a pair of shoes!
Suitable for all ages and abilities, and guaranteed to be good fun.
Friday 7th August 2026 - 2pm-3:30pm
Scout Hut
Fascinating Rhythm with Alistair Anderson
Having fun with some tunes, both traditional and more recent, that move outside the common reel, jig and hornpipe.
Open to any melodic instrument - notation will be available
Friday 7th August 2026 - 4pm-5:30pm
Scout Hut
Using Technology in Arranging Music with Frankie Archer
Frankie will give a rundown on the technical setup she uses in producing and performing music, and give attendees the opportunity to try this for themselves.
Friday 7th August 2026 - 5pm-6pm
Earthbeat Centre
'What is Folk Music to You' Panel Discussion and Q&A - Chaired by Nicola Beazley
Nicola will be joined by Alistair Anderson, Holly Clarke and Sam Baxter to discuss what folk music means to them
Saturday 8th August 2026 - 11am-12:30pm
Scout Hut
English Fiddle Workshop with Sam Sweeney and Grace Smith
Learn a traditional English tune and explore some ways we can bring the music to life as fiddle players, including options for groove and harmony ideas.
Saturday 8th August 2026 - 1pm-2:30pm
Scout Hut
Ringing the Changes: A Belleplate Workshop with Rob Griffiths
We'll be exploring traditional bell ringing practices, with an added twist of some more contemporary harmonies, and some (optional) choreography.
Belleplates are bonny sounding instruments that are very accessible to play with a gentle flick of the wrist, and have a lovely resonance.
No prior experience needed or expected, all ages and abilities welcome.
Saturday 8th August 2026 - 3pm-4:30pm
Earthbeat Centre - Event Room
Folk Choir with Janice Burns
By the end of the session participants will have learned a folk song in three part harmony and be able to sing it all together. The workshop is open to all singing abilities, from the shower singers to the folk club singaround regulars!
Saturday 8th August 2026 - 3pm-4:15pm
Scout Hut
Ramshackle Morris Taster Session
Let Ramshackle Morris introduce you to the marvellous world of Morris with their original dance, Shearling’s Spin. Dancing in the Border Morris tradition from the Welsh borders, Ramshackle Morris are a new energetic and inclusive team based in York. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Sunday 9th August 2026 - 10am-11:30pm
Scout Hut
Bodhran Worksop with Steve Bentley
Steve Bentley is a bodhrán player with folk band Greenman Rising, and has run workshops at lots of festivals including Shrewsbury, New Forest and Beardy. He welcomes everyone including complete beginners, and will have a number of drums available for those who aren’t bringing their own.
Sunday 9th August - 12pm-1:30pm
Scout Hut
Lullabies - Soothing or Sinister? with Ailsa MacKenzie
What makes a lullaby? Is it the rythmn of a cradle being rocked to music and words; are they meant to send a baby to sleep; or do they exist to comfort a despairing mother? As old as Man, many cradle songs contain motifs of superstition, dread. battle, evil, and kidnapping, as well as love - some of these all at the same time - so, not as soothing as you might think.
Ailsa will discuss lullabies of the British Isles, demonstrating their meanings and intent. She would love you to join in. Her impressive folk CV is too long to print here - suffice it to say, she is a member of Bryony, music director of The Ironopolis Singers, a member of Glaisdale Cloggers and plays harp and dulcimers. First and foremost, though, she a wonderful singer. She is also the author of the best selling biography Shadows and Whispers - Graeme Miles Remembered.
Sunday 9th August - 2pm-3:30pm
Scout Hut
Articulation and Ornamentation with Archie Churchill-Moss
In this workshop Archie will cover his approach to 'decorating a melody'. The session will explore how the bellows can be used to shape notes and phrases on the diatonic button accordion. Right hand ornamentation will be broken down and taught how and when to use. Suitable for all (except complete beginner)
Sunday 9th August - 3pm-4:30pm
Earthbeat Centre- Event Room
Harmony Singing with The Furrow Collective
Join The Furrow Collective (Lucy Farrell, Rachel Newton, Emily Portman and Alasdair Roberts) for a one-off workshop exploring folk songs from England, Scotland and beyond. This session is perfect for anyone who loves to sing together in harmony, and who’d like to expand their knowledge and repertoire of folk songs. Learning and exploring songs they've discovered over ten years of collaboration, there’ll be plenty of opportunity for group singing as well as for picking up tips on technique and style.
The group will also give an insight into how they work as a band—from uncovering and adapting traditional songs to arranging and performing together. By the end of the workshop, you’ll take away new songs, fresh ideas, and inspiration for your own singing.
MEET THE ARTIST
Exclusive to weekend and day ticket holders, this is your opportunity to find out more about your favourite artists
All based at The Earthbeat Centre
Friday 7th August 2026
2pm-2:30pm
Frankie Archer
3pm-3:30pm
Arthur Coates & Kerran Cotterell
4pm-4:30pm
John Drakes
Saturday 8th August 2026
10am-10:30am
Alistair Anderson
11am-11:45pm
Newcastle University Folk Degree Artists
12pm-12:30pm
The Magpies
Sunday 9th August 2026
10am-10:30am
Holly Clarke
11am-11:30am
Hannah James & Toby Khun
12pm-12:30pm
Salt House