Saturday 18th
1pm – The Invisible Tom Stanley
2pm – Karen Swan
3pm – Songwriter’s Circle
7pm – Mike Parker

Sunday 19th
1pm – Danny Hammond
2pm – Hyett and Hill

Friday 17th
4pm – Danny Hammond
5pm – Music and Song Session – SESSION
7pm – ReBil
8pm – Blackthorn Buskers

Saturday 18th
Various Performances – Rob Swannack
12pm – Dampiers Round
1pm – Keith Hyett
2pm – Pictureframers
3pm – Mark Harmer
4pm – Discovery
5pm – Brimstone
6pm – Broadmill Stream
8pm – Rich, Guitar & Vocal
Ivor Keates, Singer
+TBC
Steve Andisaw, multi-instrumental, with the emphasis on the mental.
9pm – Crazy Goat

Sunday 19th
12pm – Bygonz
1pm – Dave Blick Slow Session with Polly – SESSION
1pm – The Elgar School of Music Folk Ensemble
2pm – Luke Philbrick
3pm – Stray Threads
4pm – That Shallot
5pm – No Option

SEE BELOW FOR WORKSHOPS

Friday 17th
5pm – Jim Rowley
6pm – Western Stars

Saturday 18th
4.30pm – Alex Davies
6pm – Lonesome Pines

Saturday 18th
3pm – Blind River Scare
4pm – Rivers and Roads

Sunday 19th
2pm – ReBil
3pm – The Vogwells
7pm – Cobblers Child
8.15pm – Festival Farewell Session – The Pelican Inn

Do to unforeseen circumstances at Pilgrims Yard – these acts are TBC at a different venue
1pm – Mark Illingworth – Busking at The Cross
2pm – Reuben Lovett – Busking at The Cross
3pm – Danny Hammond and Friends – Busking at The Cross
4pm – Filkins Drift – TBC
5pm – Luke Philbrick and the Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion – TBC

Saturday 18th
1pm – Getting Started in Songwriting Workshop with Jim Rowley
Fancy yourself as the next Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell…?

Gloucester Songwriters’ Circle are delighted to be hosting an introduction to songwriting workshop at the Folk of Gloucester Museum at 1.00pm on Saturday February 18th 2023. Led by Jim Rowley and other members of the group, the session will look at: lyric writing; melody; chord progressions, and more – all the tools to get you started!

Though being run as part of the Gloucester Folk Trail the workshop will not be genre-specific: everyone welcome!

This will be a practical session with the aim of giving everyone something to go away with that they can continue to work on. Please bring pen and paper. If you have an instrument, this would also be useful (but by no means essential).

FREE book a space

Sunday 19th
12pm – Playing for Jigs Workshop with Martin Vogwell
A workshop in accompanying traditional jig melodies on guitar including tuning options and rhythm techniques.

Book here

12pm – Tune Instruments Workshop with Christine Reynolds
This workshop is aimed at those who have some knowledge of their instrument and can play a couple of folk tunes – Salmon Tails is a good example. You might not be very fluent yet or very fast but you might like the idea of being able to play along with others in a session. ” You can ask me what the difference between a violin and a fiddle is and I promise I will answer!” Christine plays for a Morris side, a ceilidh band at weekly folk tune sessions in the county and would like to spread the fun to others.
Come along and have a go!
(Bring your own instrument)

Book here

2pm – Appalachian Tap Workshop
Fast and furious dances in the Appalachian stepping style choreographed by team, dancing to tunes by own band No Option with percussive foot rhythms.
Bluegrass, Old time meets Ceilidh tunes and colourful dancing.

Book here

2pm – Spinning with Bridget Tibbs of Cotswold Alpacas
All spinners, knitters and crochet lovers welcome, bring you WIP!
Bridget has for the last 30 years worked with Alpaca Fleece felting and weaving it but her passion for
spinning has meant she has given many workshops and taught many people this ancient art. As well
as spinning and dyeing, she has organised peg looming and felting workshops and is part of a group
of likeminded ladies “The Wild Woolly Women” who meet fortnightly in the local village hall, to
share their creative interests and skills.
Free demonstration

Lassington Oak Morris were formed in 1977 by a group of dancers from the Gloucester & Stroud area. They were renowned not only for their dancing, but as fine musicians and singers. In many ways this start was reminiscent of the village and family traditions of early Morris Sides.

The side owes its name to an old oak tree to be found near the centre of Lassington Wood at Highnam, Gloucestershire. Unfortunately the old oak has been lying on its side for many a year. When standing it was considered one of the great trees of England.

We dance in the Cotswold Tradition, performing dances from a variety of villages including Bampton, Bledington, Adderbury and Fieldtown. Morris Dancing should be an energetic & dynamic. We are keen to show anyone who is watching that what we do is not only a living part of the traditional heritage of the country, but also, a good fun tradition to be involved in.

Lassington Oak Morris are members of the Morris Ring, an organisation which works to promote, preserve, and maintain the tradition of Morris Dancing.

We dance out on Wednesday nights in the summer and practise in the winter at Highnam Community Centre every Wednesday from 8pm

Give Martyn a call on 07766490735 if you would like some encouragement to have a go

Or email us:

We are available to perform at select gatherings at extortionate rates by negotiation.

Stroud Morris bring you dances hewn from the Cotswold limestone of the Five Valleys. We dance in a kaleidoscope of colour representing our white sheep, green hills and the red cloth made in Stroud for the soldiers of King George. A ladies’ side based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, we have danced all
over the UK in the last 30 years but can’t wait to dance for you in at the Gloucester Folk Trail.

Winterbourn Down Border Morris is a dance side for men and women based just north-east of Bristol, UK. We practise in All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down on Monday nights starting at 8.15. Summer evenings see us out and about, dancing at local pubs. Every Boxing Day the Mummers and Morris dancers perform around the village and collect money in aid of charity.

Winterbourn Down Border Morris dancers use music which is suited to their step-hop style, namely traditional hornpipes, jigs and polkas, although there are times when these are adapted to match a particular dance. The dances themselves are put together using 3 or 4 different ‘verses’ separated by a common ‘chorus’. All of the dancers are involved in their creation and refinement. In most dances the dancers carry long sticks which are used in the ‘choruses’ to emphasise the rhythm of the music by being clashed against one another or by hitting the ground. Bells are worn on legs, arms and clothing to help define the rhythm and pace of the proceedings, and they give off a cheery jingling sound. Contact

England’s Glory were formed in 1972, first dancing out in 1973 and are therefore one of the longest established ladies morris sides in the world.

Highlights of our 45+ years of continuous dancing have included being the very first ladies side ever to appear at Sidmouth International Folk Festival, and also the first ladies side to be officially invited to perform in the arena (1978). We were also the first ladies morris side to appear on television (Pebble Mill at One) and we have toured overseas – Sweden, Guernsey, and Finland, as well as becoming a permanent fixture at many of the major UK Folk Festivals.

We are named after the historic brand of matches manufactured in Gloucester for about 100 years by the Moreland family.

We are able to resume our practise sessions on Monday 10th January at 8pm prompt. We meet at Innsworth Infant School Luke Lane, Innsworth GL3 1HJ. New dancers are most welcome – however we do ask that you do a lateral flow test before attending. Wear comfortable clothes, bring some water to drink and come and have some fun! If you need any more information please email us at

Gloucestershire Morris (formerly Gloucestershire Morris Men) moved from Miserden in January 2021 and at the same time welcomed ladies to join the side. We are a Cotswold Morris side which first started in the1930s as Cheltenham Morris.

The Forest of Dean Morris Men was originally formed, as a men only side, in 1968. They dance out on summer Wednesday evenings at pubs in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley areas. The FODM dance mostly traditional Cotswold dances, and some unique dances from the Forest. On the second weekend in June the Forest side hosts other Morris sides from across the country.  This family friendly event has been held for over 40 years. A number of coaches take the colourful and varied sides to dance, and drink, at several pubs throughout the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. They have performed at many different locations in England and Wales, also in Germany and France.

In September 2017 the side took a forward looking decision to welcome women dancers and become a mixed side, re-naming as Forest of Dean Morris.  They welcomed 2018, their 50^th anniversary year, re-invigorated with the influx of over 10 new dancers and musicians.

Usually Morris sides wear white shirts crossed with coloured baldricks (sashes) and white trousers or black breeches.  In the Forest of Dean, however, the dancers have traditionally worn “rag jackets”.  The current Forest of Dean Morris’ costume is based on the Ruardean kit of the 1880’s. One theory for the wearing of Rag Jackets is that it represents the leaves of the Forest.

In August 2021, after an 18 month lay-off, due to Covid pandemic restrictions, Forest of Dean Morris resumed their Wednesday evening dance-outs. With the winter practice season now in full swing old dances are being re-learnt and new ones developed. Practice takes place on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Soudley Village Hall. If you are interested in joining look at our Facebook page for latest information or email