22 - 25 May 2026
22 - 25
May
2026
May
2026
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Timetable: Workshops
Currently known Workshops for 2026, there may be more
Jump to: Saturday Sunday Monday
Click on the event name for more information.
| Workshops on Saturday 23rd May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09:30 to 10:45 | Absolute Beginners Melodeon | Yelde Hall | Join Ed and Helena and begin your melodeon journey today. Accessible workshop taught using an intuitive tab system with no music-reading needed. 20+ loan instruments available. | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09:45 to 11:15 | Songwriting Inspired By Traditional Precedents | Angel Function Room | Roger will discuss writing with traditional songs as a model, illustrated with recordings of his own songs. Participants will be invited to offer examples of
their own work. With: Roger Watson (solo) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:30 | Practice Tune Session | Town Hall: Neeld Cafe | Practice sessions for popular English dance tunes, any instrument. Ear players and readers are welcome. Dots provided, also downloadable from: http://www.sparepartsband.co.uk/SPTunes.php | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:45 | Singing Together | The Cause: The Cause Auditorium | Part 1 of 2 sessions where Megan Wisdom leads a vocal harmony workshop, teaching traditional songs in two or more parts. Learning will be by ear with music available if required. All welcome. With: Megan Wisdom | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 11:45 | Talk: Nancy Kerr - Heritage, Music, Place | The Cause: The Cause Cafe | With: Nancy Kerr | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 12:00 | NYFTE Rapper Workshop | Masonic Centre | Learn some fast-paced dance moves and tie yourselves in knots with swords with the exuberant National Youth Folk Troupe of England (NYFTE). Exclusively for 11-17s. | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 11:30 | Meet the Team - Beltane Border | The Halsway Stage @ St Andrews Church | A Chance to Meet Beltane Border Morris. Beltane will take you on a journey across Dartmoor. Expect dances inspired by moorland myths, legends and monuments with songs and background about the side With: Beltane Border (Border) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 11:30 | Beginners Appalachian with Crooked Moon | The Ruze | Learn a sequence of basic steps from the Appalachian tradition accompanied by our fabulous Old Time musicians. Hard soled shoes or taps recommended. (This is a stand alone workshop) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 12:30 | Ocarina workshop | Yelde Hall | Learn to play the transverse ocarina, a ceramic wind instrument with an distinctive 'etherial' tone. Taught by maker Robert Hickman with G ocarinas. Suitable for beginners, loan instruments available. | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:30 to 12:30 | Talk: Wilts and Berks Canal Trust | Angel Function Room | Join Dave Maloney, volunteer from the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, sharing wonderful stories of our local canal. This is a tale of history, community, and the long-term project to restore the canal | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:00 to 13:00 | North West Workshop with Liberty Hill | The Halsway Stage @ St Andrews Church | Butterley was written by Sheila a few years ago and is now danced by several teams. Named after the original Butterley Brick Company who built the blue iron girders at the iconic St. Pancras Station | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:00 to 13:00 | Ilmington with New Esperance | The Ruze | New Esperance Morris has breathed new life into the Ilmington tradition, including the reintroduction of galleys. Please wear dance shoes and bring hankies if you have them. Some Cotswold experience required
With: New Esperance (Cotswold) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:45 to 14:15 | Bodhran Workshop | Yelde Hall | Irish bodhran drumming workshops. Open to everyone with beginners most welcome. Drums provided. Lots of fun, laughter, drumming and live practice music. Sense of humour considered helpful. With: Bruce Lowe | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 14:45 | Building Essential Session Skills | The Ruze | A confidence-building session for beginner and intermediate players. Tips and tricks to help you get to grips with session playing. All instruments welcome, tunes used will be in G or D. With: Tony Hodkin | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:00 to 15:00 | Shooting Roots: Drama workshop | Masonic Centre | Create and devise scenes, skits and vignettes with other young people under the guidance of youth folk arts specialists Shooting Roots. The zanier the better. With: Shooting Roots | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:30 to 16:00 | Crafty Crochet | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Join experienced crochet teacher Sharon Carter and make a festival souvenir. Suitable for absolute beginners, small charge for materials payable during the session. With: Sharon Carter | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:30 to 15:45 | Ornamentation, Improvisation and Rhythm | Yelde Hall | Improvers workshop with Tess (bodhran/flute) & Mark (whistle/pipes), looking at techniques to make playing more interesting & enjoyable. Focus on bodhran, whistle & pipes, but all instruments welcome. | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:00 to 17:15 | Ballad Session | Yelde Hall | Join our host Rosie Upton with festival guest Bill Crawford in our Ballad session , Come and participate or sit back listen and enjoy! With: Brian Peters (Solo), Rosie Upton (solo), Moira Craig (solo), Barbara Snape | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workshops on Sunday 24th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| When | What | Where | Description | Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09:30 to 10:45 | Absolute Beginners Melodeon | Yelde Hall | Join Ed and Helena and begin your melodeon journey today. Accessible workshop taught using an intuitive tab system with no music-reading needed. 20+ loan instruments available. | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:30 | Practice Tune Session | Town Hall: Neeld Cafe | Practice sessions for popular English dance tunes, any instrument. Ear players and readers are welcome. Dots provided, also downloadable from: http://www.sparepartsband.co.uk/SPTunes.php | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:45 | Singing Together | The Cause: The Cause Auditorium | Part 2 or 2 sessions where Megan Wisdom leads a vocal harmony workshop, teaching traditional songs in two or more parts. Learning will be by ear with music available if required. All welcome. With: Megan Wisdom | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:30 | Bodhran Workshop | Masonic Centre | Irish bodhran drumming workshops. Open to everyone with beginners most welcome. Drums provided. Lots of fun, laughter, drumming and live practice music. Sense of humour considered helpful. With: Bruce Lowe | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 11:45 | Talk: Cecil Sharp, Saint or Sinner? | The Cause: The Cause Cafe | Although he's generally acknowledged as the greatest of England's folk song collectors, the reputation of Cecil Sharp has taken a battering in recent years. Brian Peters sets the record straight. With: Brian Peters (Solo) | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 11:30 | North West Workshop with Liberty Hill | The Ruze | Westhoughton. Written by Trefor Owen in the 1980s in celebration of the gargoyles on Westhoughton church tower. Our music is Quadrille Bouchard and Marche du Verner. | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 12:00 | Infrastructure | Angel Function Room | A workshop on arranging dance music, starting from the underlying rhythmic and
harmonic infrastructure. Suitable for all instruments. With: Roger Watson (solo) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 12:15 | Absolute Beginner D Whistle | Yelde Hall | An introduction to the D whistle, suitable for absolute beginners and taught by ear. Limited loan instruments available - or visit the music stalls on your way to the Yelde. With: Colin Messer | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:45 to 13:15 | Songwriting Workshop | Masonic Centre | It’s just a song - or is it? Sally Ironmonger & Brian Carter share their idiosyncratic approach to songwriting and performance - discuss lyrics and tunes, and connection with your audience | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:00 to 13:00 | Border Workshop with Beltane Border | The Ruze | Beltane combine confident and graceful flowing movements with fiery energy bringing tales of the myths, legends and monuments of Dartmoor alive. We’ll teach you our popular Tolmen Stone and Vixana dances With: Beltane Border (Border) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:30 to 14:00 | Ocarina workshop | Yelde Hall | Learn to play the transverse ocarina, a ceramic wind instrument with an distinctive 'etherial' tone. Taught by maker Robert Hickman with G ocarinas. Suitable for beginners, loan instruments available. | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:00 to 15:00 | The New Esperance Tradition | The Ruze | Forty-odd years ago, we started to write dances in a new style. There are now a dozen dances, which are designed for four people or multiples thereof. Bring your hankies and dance shoes, and instruments. With: New Esperance (Cotswold) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:15 to 15:30 | First Steps in Morris | Yelde Hall | Introduction to Cotswold Morris dancing. Accessible introductory session led by experienced dance teachers. Presented by the Morris Federation and led by Drew Knight. Suitable for Absolute Beginners. With: The Morris Federation, Knights of King Ina (Cotswold Jigs) | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:30 to 16:00 | Crafty Crochet | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Join experienced crochet teacher Sharon Carter and make a festival souvenir. Suitable for absolute beginners, small charge for materials payable during the session. With: Sharon Carter | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:00 to 17:15 | Ballad Session | Yelde Hall | Join our host Rosie Upton with festival guests Gabriel Bath and Ken Wilson in our Ballad session. Come and participate or sit back listen and enjoy! With: Rosie Upton (solo), Moira Craig (solo), Gabriel Bath, Ken Wilson | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:00 to 17:00 | Improvers Appalachian with Crooked Moon | The Ruze | This workshop is aimed at those with some knowledge of Appalachian stepping. Learn a short routine in Crooked Moon's dynamic style. Hard soled shoes or taps recommended. (This is a stand alone workshop) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workshops on Monday 25th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| When | What | Where | Description | Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09:30 to 10:45 | Improvers Melodeon | Yelde Hall | Join Ed and Helena for some tips and tricks to spice up your playing. Designed for melodeon players with a little experience looking to spread their musical wings. | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09:45 to 11:15 | Songwriting Inspired By Traditional Precedents | Angel Function Room | Roger will discuss writing with traditional songs as a model, illustrated with recordings of his own songs. Participants will be invited to offer examples of
their own work. With: Roger Watson (solo) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:30 | Practice Tune Session | Town Hall: Neeld Cafe | Practice sessions for popular English dance tunes, any instrument. Ear players and readers are welcome. Dots provided, also downloadable from: http://www.sparepartsband.co.uk/SPTunes.php | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:00 | Shooting Roots: Theatre Workshop | Masonic Centre | Create and devise scenes, skits and vignettes with other young people under the guidance of youth folk arts specialists Shooting Roots. The zanier the better. With: Shooting Roots | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:00 | Sound Bath | The Ruze | A symphony for your senses, a journey for your soul! Immerse yourself in the soothing waves of sound as Ben Matthews and friends guide you through a transformative sonic adventure With: Ben Matthews (musician) | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:00 | Can't Sing, Won't Sing | The Halsway Stage @ St Andrews Church | A gentle introductory singing workshop covering vocal technique and confidence building specifically designed for those who feel they can't or shouldn't sing. With: Jess Arrowsmith | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 to 11:45 | Talk: Not All Beer And Skittles | The Cause: The Cause Cafe | This is a talk on the games and activities that went on in Ale Houses, Inns and Taverns or in the yard at the rear of the building such as Quoits, Rat Clubs, Pigeon Racing, Cock Fighting etc, etc. With: Martin Horler | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:45 to 12:00 | Shanty Workshop | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | With: Towpath Singers | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 12:15 | Vocal Health | Yelde Hall | With: Marilla Homes | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:30 to 12:30 | Flat Foot with Jenny Rogers | The Halsway Stage @ St Andrews Church | Come along and learn traditional and new style Appalachian and flat footing steps and choreography with some polyrhythms thrown in for fun. With: Jenny Rogers | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:30 to 14:00 | Bodhran Workshop | Yelde Hall | Irish bodhran drumming workshops. Open to everyone with beginners most welcome. Drums provided. Lots of fun, laughter, drumming and live practice music. Sense of humour considered helpful. With: Bruce Lowe | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:30 to 14:00 | Crafty Crochet | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Join experienced crochet teacher Sharon Carter and make a festival souvenir. Suitable for absolute beginners, small charge for materials payable during the session. With: Sharon Carter | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 14:30 | Storyround | The Ruze | Hosted by Ian Douglas, an opportunity to tell or listen. Bring a story you've been wanting to tell and offer it in a friendly space. Stories no longer than 3 minutes. | Donation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:30 to 15:45 | Building Essential Session Skills | Yelde Hall | A confidence-building session for beginner and intermediate players. Tips and tricks to help you get to grips with session playing. All instruments welcome, tunes used will be in G or D. With: Tony Hodkin | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:00 to 17:15 | Ballad Session | Yelde Hall | Join our host Rosie Upton with festival guest Bill Crawford in our Ballad session , Come and participate or sit back listen and enjoy! With: Rosie Upton (solo), Bill Crawford (MC & Traditional Singer), Moira Craig (solo), Jim Eldon | Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||