Allen Valleys Folk Festival 2024 a 'magnificent weekend'

The 11th Allen Valleys Folk Festival took place in Allendale from September 27-29. The event is a well-established fixture of the North East music scene, celebrating the best in world folk music and traditional dance.

Johnny Flynn at Allendale Village Hall (Image: Sue Reed) The legendary burning of the Allendale Wolf took place on Saturday evening. This year’s programme ran across nine venues, including 22 music performances and 10 workshops.

Molly Agar with her wolf puppet (Image: Craig Atkinson) Although the main events were ticketed, admission was free to all workshops and 10 of the music sessions. The festival is run by Allen Valleys Community Arts, a registered charity, with a team of 30 volunteers recruited over the three-day event.

Suntou Susso performing at Allen Valleys Folk Festival (Image: Sue Reed) Festival chairman Craig Atkinson said: "What an amazing year it has been. This year’s line-up was so popular that we sold out in April.

Anna Rheingans at Allendale Village Hall (Image: Adrian Ashurst)

"The music, from Watersmeet and Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening on Friday night, all the way through to Johnny and Lillie Flynn who closed the festival on Sunday afternoon, has been incredible.

The Biking Vikings outside the Village Hall (Image: Adrian Ashurst) "The energy and passion of the artists has been something to behold. Our spoken word workshops, a new feature this year, were a lovely blend of self-expression, social connection and artistic creativity and were really well received by festivalgoers.

Dancing in the square at the folk festival (Image: Adrian Ashurst) "Dance played a huge part over the festival weekend with Crook Morris, Star & Shadow Dance and Hadrian Clog entertaining us in the market square throughout the Saturday afternoon.

Burning the Allendale Wolf at the festival (Image: Adrian Ashurst) "Our diverse mix of workshops, which featured everything from yoga through to songwriting, were well attended and then, well what can you say about the burning of the Allendale Wolf in the village centre on Saturday evening? Superlatives fail me! A brilliant year and a huge thank you to everyone who supported and helped us on the way."

Rapper dancing outside The Lion House (Image: Adrian Ashurst) Nick Pepper, who ran events at the Forge Café, said: "This year we have expanded and improved our open mic sessions, ably supported by The Forge and the loan of one of Allendale Agricultural Show's marquees.

Musicians at the Allendale Wolf bonfire (Image: Adrian Ashurst) "From the small acorn of 2023, our open mic session in 2024 has expanded and attracted well-known local musicians like Peter Tickell, Fred Sheriff and Robin Moody (Hilltop Hoolie Band), Heather Bell (Whapweasel), and many more excellent performers.

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening at Allendale Village Hall (Image: Sue Reed) "If you're a musician in search of an audience, why not sign up now for our 2025 festival? Thanks are due to Kev Moore for both coordinating the programme and delivering superb sound."

Peter Aldcroft, one of the festival’s founders, said: "This has been a truly magnificent weekend. It really did exceed our expectations and the sun shone.

"Roll on 2025 - festival dates September 26–28. Tickets on sale soon."