Tenterden Folk Festival

Press Release - August 2001

The CD entitled "Down Yonder Green Lane" comes after 150 years of singing by this well known local family. The family's singing can be traced at least back to November 1907 when the Kentish Express reported that members of the Batt Family sang at the Bethersden Chrysanthemum Show. The family had probably been singing for many years prior to that as part of local Catch Clubs the precursors of the choral unions. George Frampton, a folk researcher and writer from Marden, has written the sleeve notes to the album, which was produced by Simon Evans from West Pekham who presents the folk programme on BBC Radio Kent. The family's songs in 1907 included the anthem "Awake" and the traditional song, still sung by many folk singers today, "Dame Durden". The Batts and Millens probably sang at many local events in those days including the local slate clubs share out nights at Christmas, local public bars such as The George where Jim Batt is known to have performed a glee at Christmas 1913 and probably at many other village events. Francis Collinson, musical director of the BBC's rural affairs programme, visited the Batt family to collect some of their songs including "Dame Durdan" and "Come, come, my pretty maid".

The Millen Family will be launching their CD at an informal concert, introduced by George Frampton, in The White Lion Saddlery at 4.00 p.m. on Saturday 6^th October. All tickets are £2.00 unless you already have a "Full Weekend Ticket for the Festival which are £15.00 (under 16 £8.00).

Rod was a well known but under rated songwriter whose songs were taken up by the likes of Johnny Collins and Jim Magean, Dave Webber and Anne Fenteman and many others. When I spoke to Rod earlier in the year he reminded me that he used to live in Ashford some years ago so it is only fitting that we take the time to remember him and his songs.

Graeme's involvement in folk music goes back over 16 years and apart from his singing he has been involved in running several clubs in the north of England and was director of the Doncaster Folk festival for six years. Graeme enjoys singing shanties and sea songs and was a member of "Landlocked" for five years but also sings traditional love songs, mining songs, gospel, drinking and even music hall songs. In the Saddlery at 6.00 p.m. Graeme will include several of Rod's songs in his set and remember some one he new well.

Alan Castle, Tenterden Folk Day Trust, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3HA

Last updated 2^nd September 2001

Copyright © Tenterden Folk Festival 2001