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Billingham International Folklore Festival August 10th to 17th lgg1 Festiva! Committee
Organised by the FESTIVAL COMMITTEE in conjunction with STOCKTON-ON-TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL, who give a cash grant and provide considerable services.
President: The.Worshipfui the Mayor of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees Councillor R. Gibson
Affiliated to the lnternational Council of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (C.t.O.F.F.)
Chairman:
Councillor Mrs.M.Taylon M.B.
E.,J.P.
Vice Chairman: H.L.Davies, M.B.E.
Director: Mrs. Rita Conroy Councillor J.Vaughan
Other main sponsors: ICI on Teesside Northern Arts Phillips Petroleum (UK) Ltd. Stockton & Billingham College of Further Education
Councillor E. Wood Mrs. J. Bennington Miss. E. L. Croot
Mr. M. Hodgson
Considerable support also has been received from: BASE Billingham Community Centre, Boyes Stores, Castlegate Centre, Cleveland Centre, Dickens Hypermarkets, Fine Organics, Samsung Electronics (UK), Tyne Tees Television, Teesside Park Shopping Centre, The Welding lnstitute.
Mrs. S. Lawson
Mr. B. Lightfoot Ms. V. Morris
Miss. M. Potts
Mr. l. Russell Mr.
P. Surtees
Mr. J. Snowball
Mr. K. Sidney Mr.
P. F.
Wardell
Mr. G. Watson
Mr. N. Welch Mr. J. Warbrook - Head
of Leisure Services
S.B.C.
Hon.Treasu rer: M r. D.J.Otter Adm in.Off icer: M rs.A.Watson
0050
From whatever part of the globe you come - WELCOME TO BILLINGHAM!
of you who will be visiting Billingham lnternational Festival for the first time, a special welcome and we know in advance that you will enjoy the friendliest of receptions from the wonderful audiences here in
To those
Billingham. previous We look forward also to the renewal of friendships with those who entertained us so well during Festivals.
the The dance, the music, the colour; the spectacle and the sheer exuberance - all combining to bring some of culture of many nations to our small town - bringing us tremendous pleasure and enjoyment for all too brief a period.
More importantly howeve4 into the world, sadly troubled and ill at ease, Billingham's Festival is like a bright candle of peace and love, shining through the darkness' ,,All the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of one candle" - The Quaker Peace Testimony.
Chairperson of the Festival . rCouncillor M rs.
M.Taylor, M.
B. E.,J. P.
The Festival President, The Worshipful the MaYor of Stockton-on-Tees Councillor Robert Gibson
Lord Guisborough To open Billingham Folklore Festival
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES CHILDREN'S CLUB: (Sponsored by Castlegate Centre, Stockton) The Children's Club meets each morning Monday to Friday in ttre Gollege TheatrJfrom 1Oa.m. until 11.00a.m. The entertainment will be proviiled
by Malcolm Matson and friends, plus one of the international folklore groups as follows: Monday: Togo and Malcolm Matson Tuesday: Brazil and Malcolm Matson Wednesday: Russia and Malcolm Matson Thursday: Latvia and Malcolm Matson Friday: Poland and Malcolm Matson
The membership fee is f1.50, which includes the cost of a club badge and membership card. Membership cards and badges are available from the Forum Theatre Box Office, Billingham or on the mornings the club meets at the College Theatre. YOUTH DANCE WORKSHOP: The Youth Dance Workshop will be held this year on Tuesday 13th August in the Music Room at the College. Tuesday's Workshop is for 12 - 21 years (inclusive) and will feature the USA group. The cost of the workshop will be f.4.50, which includes a ticket for the afternoon concert. Further details and applications forms can be obtained from the Forum Theatre Box Office. NOTICES
FIREWORK DISPLAY This final event of the Festival is generously sponsored by Samsung UK Electronics and will commence, in the John Whitehead Park, after the Closing Ceremony on the evening of Saturday 17th August, at 'l0p.m.
FORUM THEATRE INTERVAL DRINKS: Forum patrons are strongly advised
to order their interval drinks on
their arrival at the theatre. DATES OF 1997 FESTIVAL: Next year's Festival
will start on Saturday 9th August and end on Saturday 16th
August.
Membership is open to single adults, couples and their children. Annual f5 - Couples f7.50 - Children (Under 16) f2.
FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL:
Single Adults
BENEFITS: .
fees:
O PRlORlry BOOKING three days prior to the normal opening of the box office O BI-ANNUAL NEWSLETTER from the Director in November/December and March keeping you in touch with Festival preparations O FREE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME O FREE CHILDREN'S CLUB MEMBERSHIP FOR UNDER 16'S
Daily Programme
2.3OPM TOWN
Saturday 1Oth August
7.30PM - 11.00PM
1.45PM
lnternational Dance Evening with Latvia, Brazil, Bulgaria. Participation
PARADE LEAVES TELSTAR -
TOWN CENTRE
COLLEGE THEATRE
2.3OPM OPENING CEREMONY &
with Groups. Licensed Bar (Subject to
CONCERT
Licence). Admission f2.50
Sponsored by: l.C.l. on Teesside All Groups from abroad & The Palatine Clog Morris Group 7.30 PM - MIDNIGHT COLLEGE THEATRE
Ceili with the Waggoners Folk Dance Band
Caller: Brian Padgett The Palatine Clog Morris Group & Poland
English, lrish and Scottish dancing for all Licensed Bar (Subject
to
Licence)
Admission f2.50
7.3OPM FORUM THEATRE Openi ng Theatre Concert Sponsors Phillips Petroleum (UK) Ltd. Spain, Togo, Argentina, USA, Russia,
Brazil, Latvia. Bulgaria
7.3OPM FORUM THEATRE Concert sponsored by: Cleveland Centre Middlesbrough Poland. Spain, Togo, Argentina
Tuesday 13th August 2.3OPM TOWN
Sunday 11th August 2.3OPM PARADE OF GROUPS 3.OOPM TOWN CENTRE Bulgaria, Latvia, Brazil, Poland, Argentina, Togo, Spain
7.3OPM FORUM THEATRE Sponsored by Tyne Tees Television USA, Russia
CENTRE
Sponsored by TEESSIDE PARK USA, Brazil, Latvia, Russia, Togo,
Argentina 7.3OPM FORUM THEATRE Concert sponsored by: B.A.S.F.
Latvia, Russia, Brazil, USA
Wednesday 14th August 2.3OPM TOWN
I
CENTRE
Poland, Spain, Latvia, Togo
CENTRE
Concert sponsored by: Dickens Hypermarkets Argentina, Poland, Spain, Bulgaria, USA, Russia
7.3OPM FORUM THEATRE Concert sponsored by: Welding lnstitute Argentina, Poland, Spain, Bulgaria
Monday 12th August lOAM COTLEGE THEATRE
Thursday 15th August
opening of the children's Club.
Brazil, Russia, USA, Bulgaria
Sponsored by: Castlegate Centre, Stockton. On daily Monday - Friday. lnternational artists and famous childrens entertainer. Admission by .Membership Card f 1.50 (including Badge). Details from Forum Theatre Box Office.
2.3OPM TOWN
CENTRE
7.3OPM COLTEGE THEATRE Spain, Bulgaria, USA, Poland
7.3OPM FORUM THEATRE Concert sponsored by: Samsung
Manufacturing UK Ltd Latvia, Russia, Togo, Brazil
Friday 16th August 2.3OPM TOWN
CENTRE
Togo, Spain, Poland, Latvia
7.3OPM COLLEGE THEATRE The Philip Conroy Memorial Gala Concert All Groups from abroad
7,3OPM FORUM THEATRE Gala Concert sponsored by: Fine Organics
All Groups from abroad
Saturday 17th August 2.OOPM PARADE TO TOWN CENTRE 2.3OPM TOWN CENTRE Farewell Concert sponsored by Boyes Stores
All Groups from abroad and Robson School of lrish Dancing. Presentation of pennants lnternational Farandole 7.3OPM TOWN CENTRE Concert by Billingham Silver Band; The Wilson Family and Robson School of lrish Dancing.
8.45PM Torchlight Procession starts from College led by Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band
9.15PM Closing Ceremony with Billingham Silver Band 10.00PM Firework Display in John Whitehead Park
PRICES OF ADMISSION 1996
TOWN CENTRE Seat Saturday 10th August Stand A
StandB StandC Stand D Sunday, Tuesday Stand A Wednesday and Stand B Saturday 17th Stand C Stand D Thursday and Stand A Friday Stand B Stand C Stand D sat. Evening 17th Aug. All Seats Monday 12th only Stands A./B/C Stand D
Adult f3.00 f2.50 f2.50 f1.00 f2.75 f2.50 f2.50 f1.00 f2.OO f1.50 f1.50 f1.00 f1.50
Friday Gala
StallsiCircle
Circle/Balcony Sunday
f2.50 f1.50 f1.50 f0.50 f.2.OO
f 1.00
f1.00 f0.50 f1.00 f1.00 f1.00 f0.50 f1.00
f0.75 f0-50
Ith
All
f5.50 f4.50
Monday l2th
Sta I ls/Ci rcle
f 5.00 f 5.00
Circle/Balcony
f4.00
3th Wednesdav- and
All seats 2 for f5.00
Tuesday
1
1
Thursday
Seats
Stalls/Circle
Circle/Balcony
f8.00 f6.00
Child/OAP
FORUM THEATRE
Saturday I 0th
Concert Stalls/Circle Circle/Balcony
f2.50 t2.50 f2"oo
COLLEGE THEATRE
Ceili Sat. 10th lnt. Dance Evening
Thursday Friday Gala Concert
All seats All seats All seats 2 for f2.5O
f2.50 f2.50
Balcony/Front Stalls Centre Stalls
f6.50
Rear Stalls
f 5.00 f 5.00
BAD WEATHER ARRANGEMENTS ln the event of inclement weather, there will be no torchlight procession and the Closing Ceremony will be held in the College Theatre. The first 400 tickets sold will transfer to this venue. lf the weather prevents the start of any outside concert that concert will be held in the College Theatre on Sunday, Thursday and Friday. On both Saturdays, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the concert will be held in the Forum and College Theatre. Ticket holders are guaranteed a performance but. if an outside concert starts and has to be abandoned - no refund will be made.
fs.00 f4.00
THE EMPLOYEES OF KP CR/SPS WISH THE 32nd BILLINGHAM l ITERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL EVERY SUCCESS T
E E
ss
DE
Quality products through quality people COWPEN tANE INDUSTRIAI ESTATE, MACKLIN AVENUE, BILTINGHAM, CIEVEIAND TS23 4DU
THE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE W r\"!
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Don't forget our NEW main rq$r,,',,*,. switchboarp number:t,\
Stockton r,:2.:z RrBiLling@
C OLLEGE of Further Education
-
wpportcd by
NORTHERN
O'I' 7EESS'DE
Working Together in the Community
D LIKE TO THANK ITS SPONSORS PHII.t!PS
tr (IASTI,EGATE
IRE TYNE TEES Y ORKS H
TELEVISION
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SHOPPING CENTRE
TWI
7il' CLEVELAND CENTRE MIDDLESBROUGH
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BASF
TEESSIDE
PIAIR IK
THE NORTH'S FINEST SHOPPING PARK
Billingham Arms Hotel
ARGENTINA GRUPO "EL CIMARRON" LABORDEBOY. SANTA FE. The Country stretches over 30 degrees of latitude from the thick sub-tropical forests of the north through the immense grass plains of the pampas to the cool desert plateaux of Patagonia in the south. The ensemble "El Cimarron" has its headquarters in the town of Labordeboy which is in the province of Sante Fe. lt was founded in 1985 by its current directors Catalina Murphy & Omar Fiordelmondo.
A number of the members of the company are professional teachers of dance and ensure their national dances are preserved by passing the art to the younger people of the country.
Aged between 16 and 25 years, the members of the group all have wide experience in the art of performing having represented their country at many important international events as well as participating in folklore presentation at home. They have taken part in festivals in Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Canada and many European countries, and collected many prestigeous awards. The company's repertoire covers traditions from all parts of Argentina. Dances and music reflect the union and influence of European (especially Spanish) and the native American rhythms and styles. Directors: Catalina Murphy & Omar Fiordelmondo
BRAZIL
THE MOTOGROSSENSE GROUP OF PROJECAO FOLKLORICA
"CHALANA" . CACERES From Brazil, the largest
country in South America, we welcome the Folklore Ensemble "Chalana" which comes from the city of Caceres, situated in the Pantana I Matogrossense wh ich is in
the Central-Western
Region.
"Chalana" works in association with the
Municipality of Caceres, the State University of Mato Grosso and the State Secretary of Education. The group was founded in 1992 with the objective
of
researching, preserving and
promoting the folklore of Matogrossense and the other states of Brazil.
"Chalana" has an extensive repertoire and wardrobe of costumes which will be worn for appropriate items. lncluded is the Congo which is a traditional Dance of the Matogrossense region and the Samba which has its roots in the South Eastern region
of the country. The group has performed in many parts of Brazil and other South American countries. lt has also participated in several major CIOFF Festivals. 28 dancers, singers and musicians will travel Di
I
rector/Choreog rapher:
M
r
Lu
to Billingham.
iz Anton io Machado Tolotti.
BULGARIA FOLKLORE DANCE ENSEMBLE "SVETLINA"
. SOFIA
The Bulgarian Folklore Ensemble "Svetlina" is
sponsored by the House
of Culture of the same name which is situated in the Capital City of 5of ia.
Promoting and preservi ng the centuries old Bulgarian traditions is the main objective of the members of the group, which was founded in 1940. Membership consists of 60 dancers and musicians aged
between 16 and 30 years. Forty of these will come to Billingham. Mr. Zahari Andreev, one
of the most eminent Bulgarian choreographers has been the group's artistic Director since 1951. The repertoire of more than 90 dances comes from the many and diverse ethnographic regions of the country. Their programmes will be performed in traditional costumes of which the ensemble has a magnificent collection. Created by Bulgarian Masters of fashion the costumes come in the colours of sun, sea and earth and
are richly adorned with embroidery and beads. The group has toured extensively in Europe and Africa, presenting their dynamic performances in more than 30 countries.
Director: MR. ZAHARI ANDREEV.
10
t--
LATVIA THE LATVIAN STATE DANCE ENSEMBLE "DAILE" - RIGA The Ensemble "Daile" was founded in '1968 as a professional company to unite, improve and develop the best which could be achieved in Latvian scenical dance f ield. Uldis Zagata, the ensemble's Artistic Director has created more than 200 original dances.
The programmes of "Daile" are centred
around the masterpieces of Latvian folklore and reflect the diversity of folk dance, ranging from gently humorous and elaborate pair dances to slow lyrical dance suites and musical stage performances. The Latvian dance expresses the national character - outwardly reserved and cool, but brimming with vigour; naive m
ischievousness and buoyancy.
The company also presents a small orchestra and group of singers whose perfect performances and expressiveness adds colour to the dance programmes. The group is widely travelled having performed in several European countries, lndia and Nepal.
Manager: E. PURMALIS.
11
POLAND FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE
"SLOWIANKI". KRAKOW The "Slowianki" ensemble is a representative group of the Jagiellonian University - one of Europes oldest universities. The ensemble was founded in 1959 by Zdzislaw
Wagneri a slavonic linguist and an academic. Since 1972 the ensemble has been directed by Henryk
Wolff-Zdzienicki. Members of the ensemble are mainly students and employees of the University and other colleges in Krakow. The repertoire includes items from all regions of Poland.
"Slowianki" has travelled to most parts of the world and received many folkloric awards. The group has received several national honours including the Knight Cross of the Polonia Restituta Order which was conferred upon the group for the outstanding artistic achievements and for the popularization of Polish National Culture. The group has appeared on national and international television programmes.
Director:
12
H EN
RYK WOLFF-ZDZIENlCKl.
BILLINGHAM 1996
I
GROUPS & ARTISTES The guaranteed support of lCl on Teesside has enabled the Festival Committee to maintain the high standard of visiting groups. ARGENTINA
Grupo "El Cimarron" Labordeboy
-
Santa Fe. BRAZIL
The Motogrossense Group of Projecao Folklorica "Chalana"' Caceres
BULGARIA
Folklore Dance Ensemble "Svetlina" - Sofia LATVIA
The Latvian State Dance Ensemble "Daile" - Riga POLAND
Folklore Ensemble "Slowianki"
-
Krakow RUSSIA
Folklore Ensemble "Ahthan" - North Osetia SPAIN
"Lembranzas Galegas" - Vigo TOGO
Folklore Ensemble "Balafon" - Lome USA
Rocky Mountain Dancers - Salt Lake
City, Utah UNITED KINGDOM
Billingham Silver Band Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band The Waggoners Folk Dance Band
(Caller Brian Padgett) Malcolm Matson (Childrens Entertainer) The Wilson Family Robson School of lrish Dancing
Palatine Clog Morris Group
L996
F
A WORLD OF COLOU
FUL ENTERTAINMENT
I
1996
THE UNITED NATIONS OF FOLKLORE
INTERNATIONAL CRAFT FAIR This Fair continues
to be an important and popular feature of the Billingham lnternational
Folklore
Festival. Come and see for yourself. you will experience the delight of watchinq committed craftspeople at work, of chatting to them and discussing their various skills and techniques, and of course, if you wish, you may purchase their work. lt's not really to early to think of Christmas giftsl It is important to encourage creative work of this kind and know that you will enjoy some old favourites working in a variety of media - painting, jewellery, silkwork, corn dollies, glassware and so on. We hope also to welcome some new faces this year. Each year; as a result of a generous grant from Northern Arts, we are able to commission an outstanding
to produce in his or her own medium, depicting creatively that
person's perception of the will be on display at the Craft Fair. will come from Dot Seddon, whose work has been exhibited throughout the country. Although Dot's main work area of work is in the field of woven tapestry using mainly natural fibres, she has in recent years extended her textile work into the field of hand made felt. "l love working intimately and directly with the materials," says Dot. "l get tremendous satisfaction and pleasure from producing work with my own hands with no interference from mechanical craftsperson
Festival. Some of the commissioned work of previous years We are delighted to welcome this year's commission which
aids."
OPENING SATURDAY 'lOth AUGUST AT '10.30am, THE FAIR CONTINUES DAILY FROM 10.30am SATURDAY WHEN lT ENDS AT 4.30pm.
to 7.30pm UNTIL THE
LAST
JOIN IN OUR WELCOME AT THE
32Nn BILLINGHAM INTE RNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL Enjoy Good Food and Drink in the friendly atmosPhere of Berties RestaurAnt, Langtrys Brasserie, The Pride of Cleveland and the Festival Bar.
SO WHY NOT JOIN US DURING FESTIVAL WEEK? ,,WE'RE HERE TO SERVE YOU" The Causeway ' Billingham ' TS23 ?IID o,'o', i i ],u 5 I o r .,,,IJ"',i I "* ; : I li : ;,' tu oX"; ixlJ ;l Jl# Fax 01642) 552104 (
18
*
RUSSIA
FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE -AHTHAN"
. NORTH OSETIA
"Ahthan", a Youth Ensemble from North Osetia is one of the major companies of the republic. Established a few years
ago the group attracted
the immediate attention of theatre audiences and critics,
due no doubt, to the influence of the ta lented artistic director and choreographe6
Zarina Murashova. The repertoire of the ensemble is most
interesting and diverse, being based on the
traditions of people who inhabit the Caucasus region. The orchestra play Osetian instruments one of which is the 'dole'. The dance items are very colourful and feature much competitiveness which is a typical characteristic of the Caucasian art of dance.
The choreographer does not limit the repertoire to Osetian dances, but includes Georgian, Adjar and other items. The ensemble will perform spectacular items like "The Dance of Swords", "Lezginka" and "The Dagger Dance" which emphasise the elegance of the female dancer and the fiery movements of the men. The company maintains a very active performing life which has taken them abroad several times as well as
being in demand in
Russia.
Director/Choreographer: ZARINA
M URASHOVA.
SPAIN
"LEMBRANZAS GALEGAS" The Folklore Group "Lembranzas Galegas" from the University of Vigo was founded in 1963. Emilio Sotelino, a dancer with the group, took charge of the group in 1977 and is the present Director. From 1982, when the Department of Culture at Vigo Council became interested in the Group's successful work in spreading folklore, "Lembranzas Galegas" fitted in to the University of Vigo.
It is a member of the Spanish Association of Folklore Groups (F.E.A.F.). It is also a founding member of the Galician Association of Dance Groups. (F.G.G.D.). The Group assists in the organisation of the Celtic Festival and Regional Vigo Festivals. The Group consists of several sections such as, two dance groups, a Galician group, a singing group, a dance school and a research section (video Iibrary and archive). "Lembranzas Galegas" has participated in most of the Spanish Festivals and represented Spain at major Festivals in many parts of the world.
Director: EMILIO SOTELINO.
20
TOGO FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE "BALAFON" "Balafon" is the first group from Togo to have participated in our Festival. This small African Republic lies between Ghana and Benin with only
40 miles of coast. The interior consists of mountains and high infertile tableland. The climate is tropical with an average temperature of 27"C (81'F). The ensemble takes its name from a traditional
African instrument "Balafon".
Formerly known as "Dzitri" the group was founded in 1983 by Mr. Late Molevi Georges Lawson, who is also the groups choreographer. Prior to working with the group on a full time basis, Mr. Lawson was the Director of Arts and Entertainment in the
Ministry of Culture of Togo.
The programmes presented at Billingham will reflect the customs of the whole country. The folklore and costumes are varied, colourful and exciting.
"Balafon" has represented Togo all over the world and last year were privileged to be part of "The World is Yours" programme presented by Jaques Partin on French Television. The company "Balafon" consists of 35 professional, multi talented performers. lts shows are based on voudou rites and features dances, mimes and drama depicting sorcery, trance and bewitchment. Accompanying the dancers will be a number of musicians playing percussion instruments. The voice and body of the artistes of "Balafon" convey a message of peace, love, tolerance and friendship to the peoples of the world. D
i
rector/Choreog
ra
pher: LATE MOLEVI
G EORG ES
LAWSON.
. LOME.
USA ROCKY MOUNTAIN DANCERS - SALT LAKE CITY UTAH. The Rocky Mountain Dance Company was formed in 1980 and was comprised mainly of former students of the Brigham Young University Dance Group which has performed at Billingham several times. The group consists of 16-20 dancers, and five musicians. The instruments used will be
fiddle, banjo, mandolin, contrabass, guitar; harmonica and washboard etc. The dance programme will include Square Dances, which are considered to be Amercia's national dances. The group will perform both traditional and
choreographed styles. Appalachian Mountain dances will feature the Big Circle
Mountain Dance, Running Sets and lrish inspired
clogging. Utah's first European settlers arrived in 1847 and brought with them a wealth of recreational dances and the more complex polka quadrille.
A number of costumes will be worn, each designed from authentic patterns, using fabric and styles traditional to the particular dances. The group has travelled far and wide participating in most of the major CIOFF Festivals.
Director: MR. GEORGE M. FRANDSEN.
UK PALATINE CLOG MORRIS GROUP Based in Durham City, we take our name from the County of Durham itself. For centuries, Durham's Prince Bishops ruled the area with most of the powers normally exercised by the King.
the first line of defence against the Scots, they
As
controlled a virtually independant County Palatine with their own armies, nobility, courts and coinage, and left behind a fascinating legacy which can still be traced today. Morris dancing also has a long history, although the exact origins of the morris dance is unknown. The term 'Morris Dancing' is associated particularly with
the Cotswold tradition, danced usually by men often carrying sticks and handkerchiefs. The tradition we dance comes from the North West of England and seems to have originated from the early 19th Century when dancers regularly took part in annual processions to the churches on holidays, or performed at special festivals or fetes. For many reasons mainly due to the decline of these occasions, the tradition of dancing in the North West was weakened by the turn of the century. ln addition many of the remaining teams were unable to withstand the shock of the Great War when many dancers lost their lives in France. After the war in the absence of sufficient men, teams were formed consisting of young boys, girls or a mixture
of both.
The aim of Palatine and other sides, is to keep alive this tradition. Palatine was formed in October 1988, and our kit represents the colours of County Durham as well as reflecting the best frocks and aprons that the young ladies of seventy years ago would wear for a special occasion. The group dance in the English tradition, wearing blue dresses, embroidered aprons, black stockings, clogs and boaters. Group Leader: MRS. C. RYDER.
23
UK THE WILSON FAMILY The Wilson Family from
Billingham make a welcome contribution to this years Festival after an all too long absence. Like the history of the Festival
itself, this truly Iocal family of a sister and five brothers grew
up in Billingham during the Fifties and Sixties, developed into a Folk Singing group through the Seventies and gained full maturity achieving lnternational status throughout the Eighties and into the Nineties.
Now recognised as the foremost exponents of the harmony style of English Traditional Folk Song, they have performed extensively throughout all parts of the British lsles as well as several European countries. Their fourth album, recorded "live" at The Sun lnn in Stockton is due
to be released this summer in time for
the Festival. It
24
is
with true Civic pride that the Festival welcomes back this unique "home grown" talent.
UK
NEWToN
AYc[irir plpr BAND
This pipe band is celebrating its 35th anniversary in '1996. Established in 1961, it has represented Scotland and the UK at some of the major European Festivals. The Band and
individuals compete in several competitions each year and have won a number of prestigeous trophies. One of the band's young pipers has recently been awarded the champion's title in the Branch's under 16 category. Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band is in great demand in the Northern Region for carnivals, fetes, parades, ceremonial events, presentations and add a Scottish flavour at many weddings. The Band has participated in each Festival since 1979.
WAGGONERS FOLK DANCE BAND The Band has played for the Festival Ceili for several years. Led by Jack Keane, a well known and accomplished fiddleC the Waggoners will provide the music at the Ceili on Saturday August 12th. The caller will be Brian Padgett.
UK BILLINGFIAM SILVER BAND
.
BILLINGHAM
The Band was
formed in 1941 as an attachment of the Stockton Home Guard Unit. ln 1948 it was adopted by the Malleable Works lnstitute continuing under this title until 1965. Moves to a new bandroom in Billingham, coupled with an influx of new young members, saw the renaming of the band to Billingham New Silver band. The "New" was dropped
in 1970. ln 1984 the Band moved its rehearsal facilities to Norton Cricket club and here in 1994 it obtained its own Bandroom with funding from 'The Foundation For Sport and the Arts' and the help of the Norton Recreation Ground Charity. It is also the only group to have appeared at every Billingham Festival! The Band hosts a social evening for one of the visiting groups each year. The Band's present status is 2nd Section (Durham & Nationals) - lst Section (Yorks & Humberside). This year it was 2nd in the 'George Allen Entertainment Contest'. Through a grant from the National Lottery a new set of instruments have been acquired. Membership presently stands at 30 and about the same number of engagements are undertaken each year which includes a main "Annual Charity" event. The venues range from Church Halls to the Albert Hall in London.
UK THE ROBSON SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING . GUISBOROUGH, CLEVELAND The Robson School of lrish Dancing is a locally based establishment, teaching the tradition throughout Cleveland.
The group has earned an excellent reputation in the North East for their performances in various Festivals and
at other events.
Members of the school spend a lot of time travelling to venues in England, Scotland and lreland where they take part in major competitions for lrish Dancing. These include the British Nationals, The World Championships and the Great Britain Championships. The underl5 years section of the group are the current holders of the Figure Dancing Championship in the latter competition. Director/Choreographers: MARGARET ROBSON AND SENTOR DANCERS.
I
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