Haverfordwest Folk Rock Festival

May 24th and 25th

at Haverfordwest County AFC, Conygar Bridge Meadows Stadium, Haverfordwest.

A BRAND new event on the Pembrokeshire calendar, Haverfordwest Folk Rock Festival will be bringing one of the biggest names in music to the town next month.

Legendary folk favourites Steeleye Span will be headlining the second night of this two day celebration of music, which will feature around 22 acts, including many local performers, in total.

The festival is the brain child of Doc G, keyboard player with west-Wales band Amazonne.

She said: "No really big name bands come to Pembrokeshire, the most beautiful county with both stunning coastline and National Park. So, to encourage big names to come here, we decided to create a brand new Folk Rock Festival in our very own west Wales, a festival which all ages could enjoy, two days when families can go to a big event together.

"A festival where everyone can be entertained, children are catered for will be totally safe. Where to hold it was the first hurdle, originally we wanted to have this brand new event in the magnificent Pembroke Castle, but despite our best efforts, this could not happen, so Doc G had the task of finding a new venue with everything that was needed for the inaugural event.

"Then the perfect venue became available to us, The Conygar Bridge Meadows Stadium, home of the Haverfordwest County AFC.

"This outstanding Stadium was the perfect venue, and the partnership between Doc G and the club was born.

"The very far sighted club chairman, David Hughes and his stalwart colleague Barry Vaughan negotiated with the other club directors and in February, we set to work making this giant of a project come to life."

Joining the merry band of promoters are Mike Chivers of Core FM, Aled Nelmes of ABMS, Matt Baker from The Tiddly and Radio Pembrokeshire is sponsoring a second stage to ensure the entertainment flows.

The very first band booked was Steeleye Span, the most famous folk rock band there is.

With Folk Rock Royalty on the bill, it meant finding more acts that would suit the festival atmosphere.

"Steeleye Span, who are utterly stunning live, with Maddy Prior a very exuberant singer, a new fiddle player, Jessie-May Smart a very energetic and visual performer, are headlining on May 25th. So we needed another headline band who had equal vitality, a great name and world-wide following, and would be fun.

"Stramash, Scotland’s leading Celtic Folk Rock Band, are a very popular festival band in Europe - what could be better. Five lads and one lass, and all in kilts! Not only do they sound fantastic, they look fabulous, and are energetic and fun."

Headlining the Radio Pembrokeshire stage on the Sunday is Bones, a very popular duo from Manchester, and on the Monday, is Ragsy, Sir Tom Jones’s protégé on BBC’s The Voice, .

Ragsy has moved on from his TV experience, recently releasing his Album ‘Ouch’.

"For such a huge event, we decided on having two stages, one for bands, the other for soloists and duos. This gives the audience non –stop top quality music from 2pm to 10.30pm.

"The audience will most certainly be really entertained by all the performers and our two presenters, Charles Dale, Tenby-born star of BBC’s Casualty, and Matt Baker an entertainer and landlord of The Tiddly.

"The bands and singers are all very different, but what they have in common is they will make everyone want to dance, sing, join in.

"Filming for Casualty willing, Charles Dale, a very accomplished singer himself, will be treating us by performing some songs backed by Amazonne."

"Many years ago, Glastonbury started in a field where cows grazed, we have the best stadium in West Wales, and want this to be the best experience, a festival which will grow each year, so we have found 22 acts who will really make the two-day festival one to remember, and look forward to year after year."

Starting the whole festival off on the Sunday on the Radio Pembrokeshire stage will be Master of Ceremonies Matt Baker, from The Tiddly, an experienced performer himself who will introduce the first act, popular local band, The Valleyers.

Filming permitting, Charles Dale will be compering on the Conygar Stage.

First on that stage will be Trenchfoot from Laugharne.

The festival isn’t only for music lovers, there will be a craft marquee with stalls selling everything you could think of buying from slate jewellery, hand made chocolate, and hobby horses, to tee shirts, wooden carvings, and great things to look at, eat or buy.

There will also be a bar, food, teas, coffee, candy floss, a fun fair, and everything a family going to a festival would want for a fun day or two out.

Free car parking is available right next to the stadium, plus plenty of parking around the town as well, with both bus and train services near by.

For those who want to meet Steeleye Span, Stramash and other bands, VIP Passes are available which will give access to all areas, including a chance to meet the bands, get autographs, and photos.

Tickets are available online from haverfordwestfolkrockfestival.co.uk or from the following outlets: Radio Pembrokeshire, The Tiddly, Main Street Music in Pembroke, Core FM,

Haverfordwest AFC, and Musicians World in Haverfordwest.