Sunday 26 July 2009

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The Herts Mercury - Fantastic day at Folk by the Oak

By Julie Nava

Folk by the Oak Hatfield House grounds, July 27 2008 2pm-10pm What an absolutely gorgeous afternoon to be sitting in a field surrounded by glorious old oak trees, in the aptly named Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House, the field where Elizabeth I received the news that she would become Queen of England.

The sun shone all afternoon at this folk festival with an array of established and up and coming talents and bowls of sponsor Carte D'Or's new ice cream Chocolate Inspiration - it's made from 70% cocoa and is almost like a mousse - very yummy!

The Willow Foundation charity benefited from the festival, with former footballer Bob Wilson and his wife Megs there to give a speech about what the charity does and the difference it makes to the lives of young adults with life-threatening illnesses. They held collections and did a raffle to raise money.

There was a good mixture of stalls for food, drinks and crafts with one even selling wraps made from recycled plastic bottles and bags, but which were as soft as cashmere.

Now to the talented musicians who played. First up was Matthew Ord, whom I missed but was told by a few people that he was very good.

I arrived in time to catch the next act, an exciting uplifting band from Scotland called Breabach, and their set was very lively and engaging. They got a rousing round of applause and deservedly so.

They were followed by the amazingly powerful voice of Ruth Notman, whose first album Threads has just exploded onto the folk scene to rave reviews. She got the crowd to sing along to Rory McGrory and seemed to be having a really good time herself. A very talented young woman with a bright future ahead of her.

Martin Simpson with Danny Thompson came next and this master of storytelling did not disappoint. He is a joy to watch with his artful way of drawing you into the story he's telling. He's also a wonderful guitarist. He was joined by double bassist Danny Thompson and they complemented each other perfectly.

Next up was Julie Fowlis, an accomplished musician who plays Highland bagpipes, smallpipes, whistles, oboe and cor anglais, and who sings in Scottish Gaelic bringing the songs of the Hebridean Islands to a wider audience. She has a truly stunning voice that captures you in the palm of her hand.

I listened to her act whilst queuing up for Egyptian food, which was very popular as it took the whole of her set to get served, but with the great sound system you could hear everything from everywhere, and the food was well worth the wait.

Cara Dillon was the penultimate act, featuring John Smith. An Irish folk singer with a gorgeous voice and pretty as a peach too - some people are really blessed with talent and Cara is definitely one of them. She is the kind of performer that you can't take your eyes off. She is truly mesmerising and in her band is her pianist/guitarist husband and musical director Sam Lakeman, brother of the final act Seth Lakeman.

And what an act he was. He has energy in abounds, a wonderful storyteller of the tales from Cornwall and Devon including Solomon Browne in remembrance of the lifeboat crew from Mounts Bay who lost their lives trying to rescue the crew from the stricken Union Star.

He played a mix of songs from all three of his albums Kitty Jay, Freedom Fields and his latest Poor Man's Heaven. I don't think there was a single person sitting down.

His energy is infectious and it gets you to join in because it is quite impossible to stand still.

Whether he is on stage with the band, or when they get a rest and he plays fiddle while tapping out the beat on a foot pedal/beat box and sings, he is an absolute joy to watch and listen to.

A fireworks display ended the proceedings of this absolutely wonderful day - I really hope that this isn't a one off and it becomes an annual festival, because over all I could not fault one single thing about the whole day - well done to everyone who was involved with setting it up and working to make the day go as smoothly as it did - you did a fantastic job.

Folk to Lift Your Heart
Welwyn and Hatfield Times Review

We unloaded chairs umbrella and picnic to join the crowds that had descended on Hatfield Park for the first Folk By The Oak festival.

The sun was shining despite a forecast of rain; the temperature was rising. Unlike many British summer events, the umbrellas on display were there to block the intense sunshine rather than shelter from our summer showers. I know, we are never happy unless we are moaning!

The music started and soon the beautiful surroundings of Hatfield Park echoed to the sound of voice, guitar and violin.

We were treated to the talents of Matthew Ord, Breabach and Ruth Notman, each exhibiting the ability to captivate their audience. The standard of music was exceptional and we had only just started!

Bob and Megs Wilson took to the stage to explain the wonderful work the Willow Foundation does. They told the story of how the foundation came to be after the loss of their own daughter to a rare form of cancer at the age of 31.

I was humbled to hear the story of their experiences and the positive way they have honoured their daughter’s life.

Looking around the arena at everyone enjoying this glorious afternoon made me appreciate the value of family, friends and health.

The concert continued with the equally talented Martin Simpson, Julie Fowlis and Cara Dillon. The standard of the music continued to shine along with the sun. Imposing grey clouds appeared on the horizon and dubiously made their way towards us.

A few of us joked how a shower would cool us down, it had been such a hot day. Amazingly, the rain never appeared. It was almost as if the general good vibe kept the showers at bay.

The sight of children playing, families enjoying time together and the superb entertainment made me think how important days like this are. We are constantly reminded of the bad things in life, from the state of the economy to murder on our streets. For one afternoon, all that doom and gloom faded away. Life felt simple once more, relaxed and fun.

The final act to take to the stage was Seth Lakeman. The sun had finally set and a group of obviously diehard fans had made their way to the front. Seth performed an energetic set much to the delight of those who had gone to see him. The air cooled sufficiently to encourage people to their feet for a final jig around. The encore was finished with some fireworks. This was a signal that the day had come to an end.

All in all, a wonderful day in aid of a very worthy cause.
Thanks to all involved in making the first Folk By The Oak a success.
Here’s to next year!

Lesley Waddingham

Folk By The Oak - Sunday 27th July
Folk and Roots

Held at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, ‘Folk By The Oak’ was more precisely located in the oak field where Princess Elizabeth learned of the death of her father, King Henry VIII. An impressive start, which set the theme for the rest of the day.

‘Folk By The Oak’ was billed as being an afternoon of contemporary folk music, and it was certainly that. Matthew Ord, Ruth Notman, Martin Simpson, Breabach, Julie Fowlis, Cara Dillon and Seth Lakeman; the kind of names you’d expect to see spread over two or three days of a much bigger festival.

This was the first event of this type staged at Hatfield, and the organisers had done a wonderful job. From the effective car park stewards to the marking out of the ground [there was a separate gazebo zone!] to include pathways through the arena. There was no undercover area at all; the stage being of the kind more familiarly seen at rock/pop/classical events, something Hatfield House is more used to hosting. Fortunately the only umbrellas up were those used to protect from the blazing sunshine; with temperatures approaching 29C good use was made of the main sponsor Carte D’or’s offer of free ice-cream!

The afternoon went smoothly, with the short gaps [apart from Seth Lakeman’s crew, who took far too long] between bands filled with speakers from local charities while the stage crew set up. The audience relaxed with their picnics, glasses of wine and poetry books [I kid you not!] while the recycling stewards wandered around at regular intervals to collect rubbish into appropriately coloured bags.

Could there possibly be any grumbles? Just a couple and I’m sure these could easily be sorted out for next year. Usually at festivals/venues there’s an area kept free at the front of the stage for those wishing to dance, or just get up close and watch; this didn’t happen and there were deckchairs, parasols and blankets right up against the crash barriers which caused a problem when everyone rushed to the front for Seth Lakeman. It would also be nice to have a few more food stalls for those who don’t want to bring fancy picnics.

The finale fireworks at the end were a fitting finish to a fantastic festival- let’s hope it’s the first of many!

Hello

I would just like to add my thanks for the great day at Folk by the Oak in wonderful surroundings of Hatfield House. A fantastic line up from start to finish and we were blessed with a lovely sunny day. Also thanks to the sponsors Carte D'or for the plentiful supply of Ice Cream, it worked for me because I've since bought a couple of tubs since then! I'm also please to see that The Willow foundation has also benefited by the day.

I'm sure you can look at this event and think of a few additions for next time but as I was there just for the music I really had no complaints.

http://djhimaging.zenfolio.com/p543823486/

I hope you enjoy the images.
David Humphries

Hi Guys

Yesterday was an amazing day – relaxed atmosphere, sun, great music….could NOT have been better!  I only knew of Seth Lakeman before I got there [like many others I’m sure] but I loved each of the acts that played and will be buying some new CD’s as a result….excellent!!

James Farthing

Good morning

Just to say thanks, we had a fantastic day yesterday. Great line-up, perfect venue, wonderful weather and FREE ice cream! An absolutely hassle free experience from beginning to end. Many thanks and best wishes, hope it’s the first of many. Do keep us updated by email.

Tom & Janet
Saffron Walden

Just wanted to send a big 'thank you' to everyone involved with 'Folk by the Oak'. We had a fantastic day, well organised and friendly, helpful staff. Great atmosphere, super setting. Looking forward to next year. Thanks again.

Lisa  Barker

Hi. Just wanted to say thanks very much for organising a great day yesterday. My girlfriend and I, plus a friend, came up from London. We've been to Celtic Connections six times and lots of events at the Irish Centre in Hammersmith, but this was the first outdoor folk festival we'd ever been to. And we're definitely coming again next year! Breabach were excellent – heard them a few years ago in Glasgow and now they're really crisp and tight. I thought the line-up built up really well through the day, and Seth Lakeman (the first time I've heard him live – the 'one-man band' songs he does are brilliant) was a great finish. The weather, though brilliant, was a bit too sapping for wild dancing, but maybe next year we can have a few more instrumental-led bands than singer-led groups? Perhaps the Mike McGoldrick Band, Lunasa, Salsa Celtica, or the great Damien Dempsey – who would definitely get people up and singing along and draw a good proportion of London's Irish community up the road to Hertfordshire. Good real ale too, and great to have Carte d'Or as a sponsor on such a hot day. Liked the artwork/graphics for the logos and programme as well. Thanks very much again, and I look forward to Folk by the Oak 2009.

Pete Somerford

Wow!!! what a fab festival.....you just HAVE to do it again!!  Excellent venue, excellent line up...slightly hot & sticky but i'm just nit picking now!!!

Clare Toon

fantastic concert sun 27 july, great venue, super atmosphere, well organised and what tremendous music. thanks alot. we hope the willow foundation raised lots of money. please do another one next year.

val

Hi Folk by the Oak people, I just wanted to drop you a line with a huge thank you for yesterday, we had an absolutely brilliant time!  The organisation was spot on, the sound system was excellent, the music was totally superb and there were even enough toilets!  It was excellent. Looking forward to next year! Thanks to you all,

Nicky A and Jude.

Hi there
I won two tickets to the festival via a local newspaper.  Actually I had already bought some tickets so was able to invite some more friends to join our party.

What a wonderful day we had! Everything was beautifully organised ( by which i mean everything - including enough clean loos!), the place was busy but not uncomfortably crowded, there were enough helpful staff, the ice cream was most enjoyed, the setting was just beautiful.  Last but not least .....the music was SO GOOD  ...for someone who isn't a folk 'officiado' I had a new musical experience and enjoyed all the contributors ..particularly Julie Fowis and her band.    And as for Seth he has to be the Robbie Williams of folk ( by which I mean a multi tallented musician and performer with an urgency and vibrancy that sweeps the audience along) and his accompanying musicians were great too.

So THANKS to all who organised this really memorable event.  We were also so glad to know that monies raised were going to such an imaginative charity ( particularly meaningful to our group as my brother in law recently died of cancer and although too old to have benefited from this scheme would have so appreciated what they are doing)
All best wishes

Amanda Jacobs

We would like to say a big thank you for asking the Willow Foundation to be at the first Folk by Oak picnic concert - everyone here who went on Sunday is still talking about how fabulous the whole day was!!

Having such sunny weather was also a great bonus - we tried not to say "it's too hot!"  Bob and Megs Wilson enjoyed having an opportunity to speak to such a big crowd and raise awareness of the charity by telling their story and of course how it all began.  Bob had a queue of people waiting at the stand to get the books signed and he loves talking to new people, our supporters of Willow and Arsenal Football Club fans. Thank you.

Helen Robinson – The Willow Foundation

We wanted to add our thanks to the organizers of such a fantastic afternoon's entertainment. Not being firm folk music followers but residents of Hatfield we came along with friends and picnic to be entertained. Entertained we most certainly were. What a fabulous afternoon we had (the weather was obviously on our side) but the music was fantastic. If Seth Lakeman is on the bill next year please can we book our tickets now!
Look forward to 2009 with great anticipation.

Jackie & Peter

Hi,
Just thought I would drop you a line to say what an amazing day we had on Sunday.

We feel we must write to say how well organised the event was and how friendly everyone was, especially the girls at the Carte D'or area in front of the stage, Hannah worked very hard all day keeping us all happy and topped up with ice cream, we feel she deserves a special thankyou if you could pass it on to the relevant people please.

Finally what class acts as well, couldn't fault a thing, will definitely be back next year.
Thanks again

Nici Mersh and Nicky Finch xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx