Dave Townsend has been performing, teaching and researching music for more than thirty years. From a background in literary research and publishing he plunged into a full-time musical career in 1982 with various groups, notably The Mellstock Band. He evolved a formidable technique on English Concertina, carrying it into technical realms scarcely explored since the classical virtuosi of the nineteenth century and bringing new sounds to traditional music. He has toured across Britain, Europe, Africa and the U. S. A., appearing at festivals and concerts and leading workshops. He’s also appeared in theatre, film, and TV. He has recorded numerous albums, and published books, most recently The Sharp Collection, bringing together all the social dance tunes collected by Sharp.

Derek Schofield is a writer, researcher, occasional singer and, at Whitby Folk Week, an MC. He was the editor of English Dance & Song magazine (2005-2015) and is now the reviews editor of the Folk Music Journal. He has written three books, on the histories of the Sidmouth and Towersey festivals and All Step Up: The History of the Manley Morris Dancers. He is researching the history of the English folk dance revival.

A regular at Whitby Folk week, Doc Rowe is best known for documenting folklore, song, dance and cultural tradition. This developed from an early interest in traditional song in his native Devonshire and a visit to Padstow Mayday celebrations in1963 initiated a regular annual visit and documentation; in turn this inspired an overwhelming commitment to annual ‘serial collecting’ of seasonal events and popular cultural traditions generally. His morning sessions are always well attended and regularly draws from his extensive material on both past and contemporary popular culture of the UK and Ireland. His archive is now housed in controlled conditions in Whitby itself. More recently, a successful crowdfunding has seen professional digitising of most of his film and video material – some 3000 hours which makes this material more accessible. Additionally, a major personal project and a model that can be used elsewhere is almost completed and may be viewed at https://www.echoesofpadstow.org.uk

Goathland Plough Stots is one of the oldest dance teams in the British Isles still dancing their own dance as it was performed in the 1700’s. The colours of their tunics (pink and blue) reflect the colours of the political parties of the time (1680-1760) so there was no discrimination when collecting monies. The red stripe on the trousers is to commemorate the villagers that did not return from the Crimean War in the 1850’s. Having welcomed women to help strengthen the numbers some 15 years ago, the team can turn out over 30 dancers and 20 musicians on their annual day of dance.

Originally from Devon, Graham has been described as having one of the finest voices in the tradition. His work as an unaccompanied solo performer has enabled him to explore ‘song’ with a greater freedom to ‘sing the words’ rather than to just ‘sing the song’.

“Every word, every note and every rest can enhance or destroy the narrative in the song. Not just with the ‘accepted ballads’, but of all songs. What I try to do is to reinject the poetry of the words back into the song and help people to appreciate why these songs were first written”.

“The male equivalent to June Tabor” : Green Man Review USA

“He succeeds in moving people with his singing – a formidable power” : Ray Fisher

“A wonderful journey of song by one of the best voices in the tradition” : Baccapipes Folk Club, Keighley.

Angela Topping is a widely published poet and seasoned workshop leader. She is the author of thirteen poetry books and pamphlets, with reputable publishers. She has written a book on the poetry of John Clare. In these workshops you will be guided to write poems through a range of bespoke exercises created for you, using a variety of stimulus material. All levels of expertise are welcome from beginner to already published. “She is adept at wringing out the creative juices from the ragged mind, using various cunning strategies. Angela is very good at picking out the merits of a poem and suggesting improvements if they’re needed.” Around the Blooming Heather by Gordon Tyrrall. Angela has a background in education and loves to share her passion for poetry. She leads poetry workshops and gives readings regularly. Her most recent poetry collection is Earwig Country (Valley Press)

Arthur Knevett has been steeped in the tradition for many years. His style of singing has been developed by the extensive study of innumerable field recordings of traditional singers. He is particularly noted for his ballad singing. He has also written and published a number of articles dealing with the early folk song movement.

Well known around the folk clubs of West Yorkshire and a great MC.

Carol Dawson and Steve Le Voguer have been directing the Whitby Folk Orchestra for quite a while now. They are almost getting the hang of it! Professional musicians and music educators in their own right, they are sought after to deliver workshops and concerts all over the country. They are both founders of the Folklincs organisation based in North Lincolnshire whose aim is to encourage young people to play and sing folk music

Whitby Folk Week patrons Melrose Quartet are Nancy Kerr, James Fagan, Jess & Richard Arrowsmith. Their rich repertoire combines traditional songs and tunes with more recent material that merges seamlessly into the folk canon. They deliver a capella and accompanied song in their strong and inimitable style, alongside dance-informed instrumental sets that both define and re-invigorate social dance rhythms from Britain and beyond. Bouzouki, box, two fiddles and four voices in sublime conjunction.

Alistair continues to find inspiration from the traditional music, landscape and the people of Northumberland and the Borders. Alongside the older melodies unearthed from the personal tune books of musicians dating back as far as the 1600s and the huge wealth of music he learnt from his great mentors, Joe Hutton, Will Taylor and Will Atkinson, his own compositions build on those traditions. Anderson’s latest CD “Hethpool Linn” received good reviews including this comment from Bright Young Folk “It’s a double CD…an absolute gem to have in your collection. Despite recently turning 75 Anderson proves once again that he is one of those geniuses that happen a few times in each generation, he will forever be a great inspiration to anyone who comes close to this genre.”

Political, social, emotional songs and plays. Starting with Hit & Run Street Theatre in the 1970’s, Punk Band Red Rinse in the 80’s,The Fabulous Salami Brothers. Songwriter for Mikron Theatre and Blaize Community Arts for 20 years, performing solo, and with the Anti-Capitalist Roadshow. A rich and varied career!

Jimmy Crowley & Eve Telford are a folk duo based in Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland. Their first album together is of new arrangements of Child ballads learned from the singing of Irish Travellers. They also perform a variety of folk music, ranging from narrative ballads, parlour songs, and sean nós, as well as their own wide-ranging compositions. Jimmy Crowley has been a central figure in the Irish folk scene since the enthusiastic reception of his debut albumThe Boys of Fairhill in 1977. His latest album, Life, reveals him as a contemporary singer-songwriter. Australian-born Eve Telford is a powerful singer of traditional folk songs as well as her original compositions. She is also a poet and short-story writer. In her singing of traditional songs, one can sense her deep-seated connection to the folk singers who have passed on. Her own songs are drawn from the wellsprings of world mythology, folklore and her love of Earth.

John Kirkpatrick has been dancing, singing, and playing his way around the English folk scene since he joined Hammersmith Morris Men in 1959 at the age of twelve. Displaying a rare skill on a variety of push-pull squeezeboxes, he has built up an enviable reputation as a leading interpreter of traditional English music and equally as a creator of new work. As a soloist or as a member of all kinds of duos, trios, and bands, he’s done it all and played with almost everybody! Still an unrelentingly enthusiastic Morris Dancer, he started one of England’s most influential teams – The Shropshire Bedlams. In appreciation of his contribution to English folk music, he was appointed MBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list.

Expect anything from great music, funny storys to music hall hilarity.