And in at number one…..

Every year, we eagerly await the news from our friends at Roots Records about which were the top selling CDs of the festival. They’ve crunched the numbers and this year’s top 20 was:

1.    Skipinnish
2.    The Fitzgeralds
3.    Daphne’s Flight
4.    Eric Bibb
5.    Le Vent du Nord
6.    The Young ‘Uns
7.    Sarah Jarosz
8.    The East Pointers
9.    Steve Knightley
10.   The Unthanks
11.   Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar
12.   Oysterband
13.   Chris While & Julie Matthews
14.   Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble
15.   Jamie Smith’s Mabon
16.   Coven
17.   Jim Moray
18.   Andy Fairweather Low
19.   Maz O’Connor
20.  The Rheingans Sisters

A celebration of Alan’s life

A celebration of Alan’s life will take place on Monday July 17th at St Chad’s Church, 1 St Chad’s Terrace, Shrewsbury, SY1 1JX, at 1.15pm.

Please arrive at 1pm for a 1.15pm start. There is no dress code – please wear whatever you feel comfortable in which may include a festival t-shirt. Black is not obligatory.

NO FLOWERS please but donations would be very welcome to Severn Hospice’s Hospice at Home service. You will be able to make a donation at the church or alternatively send it to Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors which can be contacted on 01743 368999.

Everyone is welcome to a reception afterwards at Albrighton Hall, Ellesmere Road, Albrighton, Shrewsbury, SY4 3AG, to raise a glass in Alan’s memory.

Car parking:

There is very limited parking near the church and in the town centre so we advise you head to one of the following car parks and allow a 10-15 minute walk:

Raven Meadows, Shrewsbury SY1 1PL
St. Austins Street Car Park, Shrewsbury SY1 1SA
Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury SY3 8HQ
St Julian’s Friars, Shrewsbury SY1 1XL

Alan Surtees

It is with immense sadness that we have to announce the death of our co-director Alan Surtees following a short illness.

It was Alan’s vision and passion, along with that of his wife Sandra, which turned the idea they had 20 years ago of a folk festival for Shropshire into the major event that we enjoy today.

He loved everything about the festival but most of all the people – the performers, the volunteers, the visitors. Nothing made him happier than the sight of people having a great time while listening to fabulous music.

Alan was someone who embraced life and lived it to the full. His joie d’vivre and irreverent sense of humour were infectious and he was always the life and soul of any party.

The show will, of course, go on this year and in future years. Alan would want nothing less and it will be the most fitting way to honour his memory.

We’re the best!

Best Midlands Music Festival!

We don’t like to blow our own trumpet (very often) but we’ve been named the BEST MIDLANDS MUSIC FESTIVAL in the 2017 What’s On Reader Awards!

Not only that, we were runners up in the BEST SHROPSHIRE FESTIVAL too. There was tough competition in both categories so a massive thanks to everyone who voted for us.

We strive to make the festival the best we can but there’s no doubt that YOU are the ones who create the amazing atmosphere.

Festival directors Alan and Sandra Surtees with our awards

Hope House fundraising – you rock!

Thanks to your generosity Hope House raised a whopping £5,711 this year to fund music therapy sessions for children with life limiting illnesses. That takes the total we’ve raised for Hope House to just under £50,000!

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Top selling albums of SFF’16

Our pals at Roots Records have been doing the number crunching to produce the annual list of the best selling albums during the festival this year.

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Feedback survey

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this year’s festival so please take a few minutes to fill in the feedback survey. You could win a weekend ticket with camping to next year’s festival!

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Name the festival beer

We’ve teamed up with 2016 sponsors Hobsons to create a special beer for the festival but we need your help to give it a name.

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Thank you for the Hope House fundraising

We are delighted to reveal that the final total raised for Hope House this year was a wonderful £6,160! That’s over £1,000 more than last year.

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New Dance Director

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed a new Dance Director! Jon Brenner has taken over the role from Phil Bassindale.

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