Sark Folk Festival 2011 takes place from 1-3 July 2011 on the Isle of Sark. With the final preparations underway, organising committee member Jessica Nash looks back to last year’s festival to give us a taste of what might lie ahead for this year’s event.

30 June 2010: We boarded the ferry to Sark with great anticipation. Even from Guernsey we could see the white patchwork of the festival tents going up on the cliff-side. The sun was shining, and musicians and festival-goers from all over the world were excitedly converging on one of the smallest of the Channel Islands. Months of preparations were complete, and all that was left to do was get on and enjoy ourselves.

Dragged up the hill from the harbour on the tractor-towed ‘toast-rack’, visitors, musicians, piles of instruments, tents and sleeping bags were disgorged outside the Bel Air pub. From there it was all on foot or bicycle.

Musicians climb the hill up from Creux harbour

Sark's favoured form of transport

The festival site was perched on the top of the west-facing cliffs, and the views were spectacular. Two stages offered an eclectic selection of folk and roots music across three days. The two stages were named Alligande and Vermerette – named after rocks that lie in the waters between Sark, Herm and Guernsey and used as navigation markers by seafarers. As well as the formal programme, spontaneous music seemed to break out in the most surprising places. One session started up on the edge of the cliff as the sun went down. Another one started at breakfast in the one of the island hotels!

Impromptu music on the cliffs from The John Wesley Stone and friends

Some of the musical highlights were 6 Day Riot, London-based folk pop band who played on the Saturday night, Jenkins Ear singing shanties, and Les Dieses from France.

6 Day Riot - left everyone smiling with their infectious songs

Jenkins Ear - stirring sea shanties - and some good beards!

Les Dieses – had the audience whirling and dancing with their high energy French folk music

As well as the performers on stage, there were so many other things to see – the Morris dancers were fantastic – so lively and bright, and Guernsey History In Action brought local history to life with their charming performances. There were also a number of workshops to join in with, and local language experts Jan Marquis and Geraint Jones were on site talking about the old peasant languages from the Channel Islands and some of their local traditions.

The Helier Men Morris side

The food tent had an amazing variety of local cuisine – my favourites were the local lobster and scallops, the hog roast and the vast paella made over an open fire by Guernsey chef, Dean Hodgkinson from L’Escalier restaurant. Guernsey cider maker James Meller brewed a delicious still cider especially for the festival, called Bec du Nez and Randall’s brewery sent a healthy batch of their Patois ale to the event.

Dean’s paella

The atmosphere over the weekend was phenomenal. Something about Sark means your troubles float off your shoulders as you step onto the island. The friendly, natural, unpretentious nature of a folk festival leant itself so well to this tiny island. The sun shone, the music was great, the cider flowed and some great friendships were made. The event was an unprecedented success and we’re all very excited about this year’s festival now!

The grand finale of the festival, in the Alligande tent

The sun sets on the festival

Performers this year hail from Sark, Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey as well as England, Scotland, France and Austrailia. Names include 6 Day Riot, Autumn, Big Sheep, Breabach, The Barly Dogs, Emily Smith and Tonight the Skies. For more details view the full Sark Folk Festival 2011 line up.

Weekend tickets for adults cost £50, £30 concessions, children under 11 attend free.

Visit the festival from Guernsey: a regular boat service from St Peter Port harbour to Sark runs several times a day, taking about 45 minutes. For more details see Sark Shipping Company’s website.

All photos courtesy of entrants to the Sark Folk Festival photography competition 2010.