We hope by now that you have seen some of the many glorious photographs of FolkEast 2026. This year saw the Trust’s busiest ever programme for the festival, and as a consequence, our biggest presence there yet. This is due to a cast of many talented and wonderful people who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to the Trust over the weekend.  

We would like to say thank you to all those who led workshops playing, making or painting. Jill, Tom and George led some complete beginners in first steps to playing melodeons and dulcimers,  Peter and Gen helped people young and old create or decorate (and in some cases both) their own jig doll, and Lyndsey, brilliantly assisted by Barry and Monika led a session aimed to introduce players to the intricacies of playing for step dancing.  

We would also like to thank those who led sessions in tunes or song or both – whether in the trust tent or in the Hop In. Eammon, Paul, and Chris and the Unthank Irregulars  deftly and wonderfully steered song sessions, the Walter Pardon hour, slow tune sessions and general musical merry-making of the finest East Anglian kind.   

We must also thank those who worked behind the scenes to help make our FolkEast go with a swing – those who helped with logistical support and moving things around the county, and not least friends and family of EATMT staff who stepped up to help in many wonderful ways.  

Lastly we’d like to thank all those who stopped in – to say hello, share a story, have a look at what we were doing, break out their instrument and play or to give us a song. We saw familiar faces and met many wonderful new folks too.  Here’s looking forward to next time!