Swanage Folk Festival in Dorset, sailed through the wettest weekend of the summer with a smile as the heavens opened, sadly damping down the chances of making a bumper profit for charity.
The organisers believe the event will more than break even, having sold more tickets than last year, but donations from the dance parade and bar sales were down as rain poured down relentlessly through Saturday 7th September 2024.
Swanage town mayor Tina Foster, town crier Andrew Fleming and Wareham town crier Jacquie Hall led off the soggy parade
Dancing in the rain with a smile
The weather was in stark contrast to last year’s festival, which was blessed with unbroken sunshine and scorching September temperatures, but this year was so wet that a tractor had to be called on to pull vehicles and trailers off Sandpit Field.
But even at the height of the deluge, dozens of dance sides from around the country still put on the annual parade down Shore Road with never ending smiles – even if they did have to employ waterproofs and umbrellas as well!
The main Sandpit Field marquee was completely full for most of the weekend
Arquebus Trio, one of the winners of Purbeck Rising 2023, performed tracks from their debut album First Skirmish
Wight Hot Pipers bring a bit of heat to Sandpit Field
Music marquee filled to capacity
When the sun finally arrived on the afternoon of Sunday 8th September 2024, crowds suddenly appeared in Sandpit Field and filled the main marquee to the seams.
A full day of free entertainment, including international band Track Dogs, the foot stomping Buffalo Gals and Dorset folk rock band Savage Underdogs, not only played to capacity crowds but also had hundreds more people dancing in the field.
And Isle of Wight Celtic band the Wight Hot Pipes raised the temperature, not only with their mix of musical genres and charismatic stage presence, but also with a piper who blazed a trail outside the marquee with bagpipes which doubled as a flamethrower.
A tractor was needed by the end of the festival to rescue mudbound vehicles and trailers from Sandpit Field
Dance sides never stopped smiling even as the heavens opened, although spectators sought refuge in Swanage’s beach huts
A pirate crew was dancing up a storm along Shore Road
“It was an amazing weekend”
Jon Baker, Swanage Folk Festival chair, said:
“Lots of people complimented us on how we ran the weekend in such poor weather. Saturday was so wet and Sunday morning was soggy as well, but then the sun came out, the field filled up with people and it was absolutely amazing.
“At about 10 am on Sunday morning when it was still raining we made the decision to ring around and get a tractor in to help, and even though the sun then came out it turned out that we still needed it.
“We are very sorry that we churned up Sandpit Field a bit, but without a tractor the traders just wouldn’t have got off it – and, as a number of people said, that makes us a real festival now!
“Sadly, it does happen from time to time at any time of year, given the British weather and you have to accept that at some time it’s going to pour with rain through your event.
“Overall, it was an absolutely amazing weekend. It was a shame it wasn’t as warm and sunny as Sunday afternoon was all weekend, but the crowds loved the music, and those who braved the rain to watch the dance parade loved the entertainment that was put on for them.”
Phoenix Morris, dancing in the rain along Shore Road
Dance displays went on all over Swanage, including on windswept Banjo Pier
Hankies, bells and storm clouds – a typical British summer’s day
“Incredible what people do for what they love”
Jon added:
“We made the call to go ahead with the dance parade as normal about half an hour before it set off, but then within 20 minutes the heavens opened.
“To their huge credit, all the sides carried on dancing and at the end of Shore Road they all stayed there for the usual tradition of forming an ever growing arch for other sides to dance through.
“I went along the arch to say thank you to all the teams for putting on such a good show in a torrential downpour. I don’t often get emotional, but I had tears in my eyes on that occasion – it is incredible what people will do for what they love.
“The festival tents were absolutely packed through the weekend, to the point that we had to restrict entry. We were overwhelmed that so many people came out to listen to the bands.
“The highlight for me was Sunday evening when everyone was dancing around Sandpit Field and enjoying themselves, loving what was going on.”
Macmillan charity walkers and Morris dancers shared the same platform at Swanage folk festival
Fleur de Lys Morris made quite a splash as they joined the procession on Saturday afternoon
Despite the lack of sunshine, the dance procession was as colourful as ever
Folk dance-off for youth in 2025?
The festival, a not for profit organisation run by volunteers, was fund raising for Swanage Scouts, AllSort’d, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary and Weymouth Volunteers Hub.
Unfortunately, the sums raised are likely to be lower than previous years as the festival relies heavily on donations from people watching the dance sides and from bar sales.
But planning has already begun for next year’s three-day festival from Friday 5th to 7th September 2025.
The festival committee is looking at more ways to increase the number of youngsters taking part in the festival, possibly with a folk dance-off for youth sides in Prince Albert Gardens.
Fred’s House were among the bands who played at the Conservative Club over the weekend
The Rigmarollers, who have performed their unique take on the blues across America and Europe, wowed Swanage folk festival
Have guitar, will travel … music on the move during Saturday’s parade
Already looking forward to next year’s festival
Jon Baker said:
“We had AllSort’d perform on Saturday morning, who were absolutely brilliant, and we do need to keep building the youth content of the festival. Folk is like all traditions, unless you get young people involved, it cannot continue.
“I would eventually like to see the whole Saturday programme based around youngsters and emerging talent, and it was very heartening to see so many young dancers, volunteers and musicians at the festival.
“Although the weather made it hard work at times, we have heard so many positive comments from people who really enjoyed the festival, and I must praise the committee and volunteers for doing an absolutely amazing job.
“We are all absolutely exhausted after a crazy weekend, but we are already looking forward to next year’s festival!”
Clog dancers outside Swanage Museum
Keep smiling through – even when the rain is torrential
In the purple rain – entertaining brave spectators whatever the weather
Under cover, sales tents were filled with all things folksy
Traditional crafts were on display throughout the festival
Swanage family entertainer Kevin Burke kept the youngsters amused with story telling, magic and circus skills
Further information
- More photos from Swanage Folk Festival are on its Facebook page
