Be a Sidmouth Champion – Crowdfunder drive to launch soon

Sidmouth Folk Festival, the world's longest-running folk festival, is calling out to music lovers, performers, townsfolk and traders to champion its long-term future by backing a new fundraising campaign.

Organisers were forced to cancel this year's Sidmouth Folk Festival for the first time in its 65-year history, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But they are determined to make a big song and dance in the picturesque seaside town again next summer.

An exciting Crowdfunder drive launches on June 30 and runs through until the first week in August, when the streets of Sidmouth would have been teeming with thousands of festival-goers enjoying the joyful, party atmosphere.

The campaign promises an exciting array of rewards, generously pledged by artists, organisers and supporters, in return for donations large and small. The list is still growing but so far these include exclusive treats to enjoy at the 2021 festival, such as one-to-one musical masterclasses with artists like Martin Simpson or John Kirkpatrick; an exclusive brunch at a Sidmouth hotel with Eliza Carthy; a personalised "experience" with Spooky Men's Chorale; special supporter events; long-term festival season ticket deals and prime motorhome site offers. Donors will be recognised with their names going up on a champions' wall in the town.

An extra special reward coming up for grabs is a unique Morris Morph creation made by loyal Sidmouth fan Peter Lord of Aardman Animations – the home of Wallace and Gromit.

You could also opt for online lessons with Nancy Kerr, Saul Rose or John Dipper; personalised tunes written by Blowzabella; special Crowdfunder merchandise; relaxing weekend breaks in the town, or merchandise from Steeleye Span, The Fisherman's Friends, Home Service, Jez Lowe, Will Pound, Askew Sisters and many more.

In addition, a virtual festival, featuring online concert performances, workshops, storytelling sessions and the famous John Gasson Jig Competition, is being curated to coincide with the week when packed venues would have been hosting mores than 750 individual shows, ceilidhs and classes for all ages.

This year's festival highlights were due to include headline performances, Jon Boden & the Remnant Kings, Eddi Reader, Home Service (with John Tams) and Eliza Carthy, with special pre-festival shows with Steeleye Span and The Fisherman's Friends.

Devon folk heroes Show of Hands were also due to take up their customary top billing; the band's singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Steve Knightley is urging people across the Westcountry to give the Crowdfunder appeal as much support as they can.

As festival patron, he has recorded the video message for the campaign, using his song Walk With Me, which references Sidmouth as "a quiet little English town".

"Sidmouth Folk Festival is part of the landscape. If it was not there it would leave a huge hole," said Steve, 66. "I've been going since I was 14 and it is absolutely unique – the Edinburgh Festival of the folk scene. lt's where people begin and end their careers.

"It takes a year to plan and a lot of the costs are incurred before anyone turns up for the festival. It just about breaks even every year, but it transforms the economy and puts East Devon on the map."

Festival director John Braithwaite said: "All funds pledged will go into supporting and securing the future of The Sidmouth Folk Festival, assisting with the festival's operational costs, covering some of the 2020 costs incurred and helping to secure a brighter future for the event.

"We want to guarantee that the return of The Sidmouth Folk Festival will be a genuine cause for celebration in 2021, and back to its full glory forever after."

For more details of Sidmouth Folk Festival's Be a Sidmouth Champion Crowdfunder appeal visit sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk from Tuesday, June 30.