Folk at its finest at Wimborne Folk Festival (From Bournemouth Echo)

Folk at its finest at Wimborne Folk Festival

2:00pm Monday 11th June 2012 in North Dorset By Katie Clark

Folk at its finest at Wimborne Folk Festival

RECORD crowds turned out for a fiesta of music and dance at Wimborne Folk Festival.

Thousands lined the streets around the historic market town for the popular festival procession on Saturday which saw hundreds of lively country and Morris dancers show off their flamboyant and skilled moves to excited revellers.

The spectacle kicked off with muskets being fired into the air by Wimborne Militia led by town crier Chris Brown, along with Mayor of Wimborne John Burden.

Among the throng in the flamboyantly costumed parade were the Hunters Moon Morris, Quayside Cloggies and Yetminster Irish Dancers as well as Morris Mynahs dancers.

The abundance of accordions rang out through the town as the parade culminated in the Square to the applause of delighted spectators.

Organiser Maria Bisp, who set up the celebration more than 30 years ago with her husband Brian, said: “It has gone very well. The weather held out for the parade on Saturday.

“This year we’ve got everything people want to see. Despite the weather on Sunday, people turned out thanks to the good old British spirit. They are doing us all proud. It’s been a fantastic occasion yet again.”

Town Mayor Cllr John Burden said: “I thought it all went very well.

“There were plenty of people lining the streets, which was wonderful to see and it was a great weekend.”

Throughout the 33rd two-day event, Wimborne thrived with craft markets, workshops, song sessions and dance displays in the Square, High Street and Church Street.

And following Saturday’s parade, concerts took place in the Allendale Centre, followed by a ceilidh at Queen Elizabeth School.

On Sunday, the festival’s craft and charity market took place in the town square with more festive dance and music and a final concert in the Allendale Centre.

Bell stolen

Town Crier Chris Brown had his historic Fibbia bell and 17th century-style glasses stolen from the White Hart pub in Wimborne on Friday night.

The bell, the loudest on the town crier circuit, is not worth a lot but has sentimental value to Chris.

The items were in a leather satchel.

Call police on 101.