Features
Cambridge Folk At 50
It’s had the occasional health scare along the way, but the world-renowned Cambridge Festival in the UK was certainly fit enough to enjoy its 50th birthday celebrations July 31 to Aug. 3.
Photo: Chris Irving / facebook.com/cambridgefolkfestival
Posted on the festival's public Facebook page
In 2009 it suffered a major scare when the main company selling its tickets went bust but, after a recuperation period of four years or so,
Cambridge now looks back on the financial tracks. The financial scare meant that at least the entertainment budget had to be capped for a while, although this year festival chief Eddie Barcan was able to push out the boat a little further for the 50th anniversary.
“I have been trying for years to get Van Morrison,” explained Barcan, who was also celebrating his 20th year of booking the event.
The 10,000-capacity fest sold out weeks in advance. It also had good weather apart from a few heavy showers, but the ground was very dry and there was no damage to the site.
On the second day there was the unveiling of a memorial bench to remember Ken Woollard, a local fireman who developed the festival from its beginnings in 1965.
The other acts helping Cambridge Folk Festival reach the grand old age of 50 included Newton Faulkner, Sinéad O’Connor, Richard Thompson, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.