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A folk festival has run successfully in the Headless Cross area of Redditch for ten years but last year the decision to relocate was forced upon us by various circumstances beyond our control, and we spent quite some time finding a new home.

In June 2000 we moved the Festival just a few miles down the road to Alcester, a beautiful Roman town, steeped in history. It has a traditional Court Leet, an ancient form of local government, charming timber-framed and white-washed cottages, and a wonderful country feel. Located in Warwickshire, Shakespeare's County as the road signs say, it has many nearby places of interest which are worth a visit. The whole town made us very welcome in 2000 and we are looking forward to an even bigger and better Festival for 2001.

Alcester and Arden Festival is essentially a singer's Festival but has plenty of room for all styles of traditional & contemporary folk music. We pride ourselves on presenting a full programme of concerts, singarounds, work-shops, meets and sessions as well as a ceilidh, church service, story-telling and Morris dancing. Alcester is ideal for pub sessions and has half a dozen pubs on the High Street alone, most of them very happy to host sessions AND dog-friendly. This year we will also run in tandem with the Forest of Arden Arts Festival.

We have held three successful "Young Singer of the Year" contests and hope to run another one this year. The winner will have a spot in the final concert this year and will be invited to take part in the following year's Festival.

We have a very attractive campsite just a short walk from the town-centre. The site is fully bounded by the Rivers Arrow & Alne and is therefore very secure. We hope to have permanent toilets and showers available for 2001.

For anyone not wishing to camp, we will supply a list of local hotels, B & Bs, etc. with approximate prices, please negotiate your stay direct with the hotel.

Alcester Folk Festival is a member of West Midland Folk Federation, visit them at www.collicut.force.co.uk

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