Saturday morning progressed with a Jig Doll workshop, a song workshop with The Medlars, informative Talks on Harry Cox and Norfolk’s Traditional Music Heritage by Chris Heppa and Chris Holderness respectively. Lunchtime saw singer Dick Miles look back “Down Memory Lane” to his days in Suffolk whilst the Harbour Inn Crowd from Southwold led a lively music and song session in the Queens Head and the Royal William hosted an Irish Music Session with Michael Sheehy and Alan Block.

More than a dozen Morris teams from across East Anglia and dancers from Kerala Community Supplementary School entertained towns people and visitors at five dance spots around the town and a Stepdancing Showcase, led by Fiona Davies and Kerry Fletcher held a sizeable crowd in the Market Place. Local performers, programmed by Peter Booth, sang and played through the day in the Old Fox Yard.

The afternoon progressed with fine performances by the Scan Tester Fan Club and Georgia Shackleton and the first live podcast of “in The Roud” hosted by Matt Quinn with folklore expert Steve Roud and Essex singers Belinda Kempster and Fran Foote. There were plenty of chances to take part, with community sessions including Bollywood Dancing, a Big Sing, and Country Dancing. and Have a Go opportunities on Concertina, Melodeon and Dulcimer. James Delarre and Saul Rose led a vibrant session in 11 Market Place and The Old Timers String Band from Norwich played “Traditional Music from Both Sides of the Atlantic” to an enthusiastic local audience in the Royal William. John Row wandered around the town with his unique brand of storytelling and Hazel Marsh hosted an engaging exhibition about Romani and Traveler Singers. The highlight for many was Macdara Yeates entertaining the biggest audience of the day in the British Legion with his riveting traditional songs from Dublin.

Late afternoon events included Katie Howson’s Talk on East Anglian Dulcimer playing, archive films, “A Chance to Sing” with Eammon Andrews and a lively music session led by Otis Luxton.

The evening concert in the John Peel Centre featured The Medlars, James Delarre & Saul Rose, Georgia Shackleton, Macdara Yeates and a rare solo concert performance by Nancy Kerr. Across in the British Legion, Shirley Harry compered a Folk Club style evening featuring guest performers Mossy Christian & Megan Wisdom, Matt Quinn and Belinda Kempster & Fran Foote together with spots from Maggie Moore & Stan Bloor, Peter & Barbara Snape, Paul Gill and others.

So, a great day, marred only by the smoke from a fierce fire in the town. Thanks to all the performers, MCs, ticket buyers and particularly our valiant volunteers, within whom the day would be impossible. Make a note in your 2026 diary. Saturday September 19th, when Stowmarket will again be full of traditional music, song and dance.

Written by Alan Bearman

Photos by Ian Trouse