The idea
The aims of the project are two-fold.
Firstly we want to invite musicians into schools to teach traditional music, song or dance to groups of children and to bring those performances to the festival weekend. In so doing we hope to foster a knowledge and appreciation of tradition art forms. There will be a two hour Children's Concert on Saturday morning at the festival,
Secondly at the weekend we aim provide arts and music opportunities for adults and children to engage in. We will provide participatory music, song, dance and art workshops for all ages. This will include a circus skills tent, singing together sessions, Morris dance workshops, instrumental opportunities and felt making.
What we'll deliver
- Musicians who will work before and at the festival
- Circus skills company to provide activities all weekend.
- Artists
Why it's a great idea
Over the years the involvement of people in and around Shepley village has grown and we are keen to build on this. Although we are a national event we are also very much rooted in the local community. The response from local people has been fantastic. Having moved the festival to a new site out of the village we need to rebuild the community involvement with people not only from shepley but from other local villages.
Teams of dancers tour between the main site and the pubs in the villages attracting crowds of on lookers and also musicians into the
bars. Local organisations, charities and businesses take stalls in our craft and food market at the weekend.
Local schools have taken part in the children’s concert each year along with youngsters from further afield. Weare keen to invite Shepley singers, Musica Shelley and Shelley band to continue their relationship with the festival. We need to provide more activities to encourage local people to come along and enjoy a day out.
Steps to get it done
- Mile stone is to book artists to enhance the cultural well being of over 100 children
We buy local where possible and encourage our visitors to make use of the shops, taxis, B&Bs and pubs over the weekend.
Local volunteers give us a few hours of their time each day over the weekend to help man gates and sell tickets, pick litter etc. in return for a weekend pass to all the events
The Festival was once nominated for the Examiner Community Award. We did not win but the publicity was great for the festival and for the community.
In January 2013 Shepley Spring Festival was awarded ‘Village Festival of the Year 2012’ status by FATEA on line traditional music magazine.
