Click here to download full timetable of family and schools events

 

Local Schools Events

Family Fringe

Saturday 11.00 - 3.00 @ Methodist Church Grounds

Schools Concert

Saturday 12.00 - 1.00 @ Civic Hall

We are proud of the enthusiasm and involvement of the Holme Valley Schools, all of whom take part in the Holmfirth Festival of Folk! The children perform at a concert in the Holmfirth Civic Hall, or the Family Fringe Festival in the grounds of the Methodist Church. Local headteachers Alex Beaumont and Anne Swain have put together an exciting programme so come along and find out what our local children have been doing. A taster of what is included this year - Scholes School have been learning traditional French dancing and songs with Yannick Minvielle-Debat, Upperthong School have been perfecting the art of Rapper dancing with Kirsty from Smutt Rapper, and Kirkroyds Infants have been sampling Indian dance with Manu Sumitra. Sue Coe has been running workshops on Yorkshire Longsword at Fairfield Special School in Batley, and the Meltham Primary string group will be playing folk tunes. We have a visiting group from Overthorpe with their own border morris team and Hade Edge School will be bringing their hand chimes.

 

Story Telling

My Mate Rumpelstiltskin

Saturday 10.00 - 11.00 @ Holmfirth Library

Fairies in the Gutter

Saturday 1.00 - 3.00 @ Holmfirth Library

Award Winning Actress, Ursula Holden Gill has returned to her roots, to her love of fairy stories, myth and folk tale and essentially to her work with children and young people. Ursula's interest in story stems partly from a life long love of walking the hills, moors and woods of her native Lancashire, beloved Yorkshire and bolt hole Cumbria and learning the ominous tales of the landmarks firmly embedded there. It also stems from her love of folk lore, music and dance. A well known fay enthusiast, experienced folk singer, morris and clog dancer Ursula frequently incorporates these "roots" in her story sets. As an Actress, Ursula worked extensively in Comedy (Teachers, Emmerdale, Mrs Merton and Malcolm) so it is natural that her own songs and stories should follow this trend. She is influenced by artists such as Billy Connolly, George Formby, Peter Kay and Victoria Wood.

Fairies in the Gutter is a unique compilation of cheeky songs and quirky stories that draw on Ursula's personal experiences, half truths, downright lies and favourite fables from folk she knew in Blackburn as a girl. The essence of each yarn regardless of whether it's thread is about acceptance, bullying, judgement or love is that magical people may be found anywhere...even in the gutter...we simply have to open our eyes to see them!

 

Street Theatre

Little Café

Saturday 1.00 - 2.30 @ Methodist Church Grounds
Saturday 2.10 - 2.40 @ Hollowgate
Saturday 3.30 - 4.00 @ Procession

This new walkabout performance is reminiscent of Fawlty Towers as it follows the farcical trials and tribulations of a stressed-out Maitre D' who is desperately trying to establish and develop his business whilst his 'café' has a mind of its own? 'Little Café' combines three eccentric characters with live music, magic, puppetry, mask and comedy. The 'smallest café in the world' is a fast paced and funny show. Be wowed by the disappearing wine trick, be nice to the cantankerous oversized 'Maitre D' puppet as he struggles to control his wayward café, but most of all, beware of the flying pizza!

Colonel Custard

Sunday 1.30 - 2.00 @ Norridge Bottom
Sunday 3.15 - 3.45 @ Market Hall

Traditional looking Punch & Judy show for all the family. Colonel Custard is an old favourite at the festival and will delight children and adults alike with his songs, music, antics and of course Punch and Judy!

 

Dance

Family Ceilidh

Sunday 2.00 - 4.30 @ Market Hall

Come and join us for the free family ceilidh on Sunday afternoon at the market hall featuring our very own and ever popular 'Good Egg Band'. If you fancy 'Stripping the Willow' or dancing the 'Swedish Masquerade' come along and join in the fun! All dances are called, no experience necessary, suitable for ages 3 to 93! And if that's not enough to tempt you, 'Colonel Custard' will be there with his Punch and Judy show.

 

Music

Young Folk's Open Mic

Saturday 1.00 - 5.00 @ Smythes (downstairs)

Following the success of last year's event we will be giving the local yoof the opportunity to show off their skills at Smythe's (formerly Number 11) in the capable hands of Hamish Currie.