Will it be the warm sunny weather, the sing-a-rounds and sessions that seemed to go on all day, the numerous dance sides, the popular craft fairs or one of the special events.

I hope that it will not be for the problems with the camping field and the spin off from that at the Kent and East Sussex Railway. The camping problem was eventually resolved thanks to a local farmer, who stepped in and lent us his field.

There were also other 11^th hour problems but they were resolved in time for the weekend and hopefully most of the visitors were not even aware of them.

Next years problem could be the new public entertainment licence rules.

Shirley Collins filled the concert hall in the Eight Bells for her talk "A most sunshiny day - Sussex's place in the folk revivals". Due to the popularity of this event we are considering asking Shirley back next year. I hope that she can make it.

The sea songs and shanties session, with a collection of excellent guests on stage, and numerous singers in the audience, was also virtually a full house. It makes all the work throughout the year worthwhile when you see that.

This year's taste of traditional Romanian music was a risk, but a risk I had to take. It was Fanfare Ciocarlia's first official UK and Tenterden had not seen, or heard, anything like it before. A band of Romanian gypsies from a very small village in the north west of the country. They coped amazingly well with a not quite completed Sindon Theatre and over 100 people experienced their fantastic musicianship. A great success.

Ashford Borough Council, Tenterden Town Council, Homewood School and Sixth Form College, The Co-op Group, and Community Action South Kent - CASK.

Thanks also go to Mr and Mrs Henry Edwards (loan of field), Gordon Thrussell at Courtfield Studios, Bo Foaks, Kent Link Transport, The Kent Messenger Group, St. John’s Ambulance, Tenterden Leisure Centre, the committee, the stewards, and all the guests and other participants.

The Festival could not happen without the support and co-operation of the landlords of all the public houses.

Thanks also go to and the schools and other organisations that support the Trust and our work.

Dave Grabham, who has been a very valued committee member and a Trustee since the Festival started in 1993, has resigned to concentrate on other activities. Dave has put in a tremendous amount of work in that 11 years, acting as dance co-ordinator, stewarding, running sing-a-rounds and sessions, hosting overseas visitors and doing a lot of work behind the scenes. Without Dave's contribution the Festival would not have developed into the popular and successful event that it now is. Thanks also go to Kath, Heather and Ben for their support. I am sure that you will still see them around the town during future Festivals.

We are pleased to welcome Kathy Drage and Ian Wookey as Trustees. Most of you will already know Kathy and Bob from their involvement in Tenterden, Broadstairs, Rochester Sweeps and all the clubs that they have been involved in. Kathy and Bob are also taking over the reigns of the "What's on Folks" magazine from Julia Winn. A hard act to follow. Ian has been helping with the Festival for several years and is a regular at the Eight Bells folk club. I am grateful for their commitment to the Festival and the Trust.

We have already been talking about next year's Festival and I promise that it will be well worth attending. The emphasis will continue to be on traditional, or traditional style, mainly English, folk music, song and dance but with the occasional group from abroad or taste of cultural diversity, especially if there is a particular local connection.

Constructive comments on this year's Festival, or suggestions for the future are always welcome

Tenterden Folk Festival is promoted and organised by Tenterden Folk Day Trust, an independent registered charity run by volunteers. If you would like to make a donation, become a "friend" or sponsor or help in a practical way, please contact a Trustee or a member of the Festival committee.

Last updated 5^th December 2003

Copyright © Tenterden Folk Festival 2003