Wath Festival is South Yorkshire’s biggest festival of music and dance and was established in 1972 by the people of Wath for their community. It takes place each year in the heart of Wath-Upon-Dearne on May Day bank holiday weekend. Nearly 40 years on the event has gained recognition for being the friendliest festival in the region.
Wath Festival committee are already making plans for the 2010 event taking place on 28th April to 3rd May this year.
Festival headliners this year include Adrian Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds. The actor and comedian famous for his roles with Rik Mayall in The Young Ones and Bottom, has turned his talents to playing folked-up, punk songs with fellow band members Troy Donockley and Andy Dinan. The group released their first album in April 2009 and have earned themselves a BBC Folk Award 2010 nomination in the ‘Best Live Act’ category.
Other acts appearing over the weekend include the Heidi Talbot Trio featuring Boo Hewerdine and John McCusker, Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart from the USA, Ella Edmondson, Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley, Sarah MacDougall and Tim Tweedale from Canada, John Tams and Barry Coope, Steve Tilston and Dave Bowie and the Lonnie Donegan Band.
2009 saw Wath Festival branch out into three venues for concerts and workshops at the Montgomery Hall and marquee, Sandygate House Hotel and Wath Rugby Club. There was a whole host of performers who took to the stage this year including the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, The Demon Barbers, Karine Polwart and Chris & Kellie While.
As well as the big names Wath Festival has a reputation for supporting local performers and the up and coming names like Ray Hearne, Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, Charlie Barker, Jon Gomm, Roger Davies, WW.Combo and Holly Taymar.
Local school children, morris teams and musicians provided colourful street parades in the town centre and 2009 saw the new ‘Wath’s Got Talent’ competition… and we can tell you it certainly has! The young people of Wath got to showcase their abilities in a skill of their choice.
Without the support from the local and national community Wath Festival could not have continued to grow in size and reputation. Here’s hoping that the 2010 event will follow the success of previous years.
For more information, artist/ festival committee interviews please contact:
CHARLIE at THE PARTNERSHIP MEDIA
