FOLK, BOATS, SALT AND BISTO!

Tools used in the production of open pan and cut-lump salt

by David Roberts

This photograph from the 2011 FAB Festival illustrates another important aspect of our town's most hectic and exhilarating weekend.
From its earliest beginnings in 1990 the festival was seen not only as an important musical event and celebration of Middlewich's canal heritage but also as an opportunity to showcase the town's long and hitherto rather neglected history as one of the famous 'Cheshire Wiches'.
There can't be many British schoolchildren who weren't taught about Nantwich, Middlewich and Northwich and their tradition of salt-making stretching back to a time even before the Roman invasion, so that almost everyone would have heard of our town, even if many of them probably couldn't have told you exactly where it was.

Every year now, thanks to the sterling efforts of  Middlewich Town Council's Heritage Officer, Kerry Fletcher, and the work put in by many volunteers, including members of the Middlewich Heritage Society, the history of Middlewich is displayed and interpreted for the benefit of both townspeople and visitors.

Modern day Bisto Kids pose in front of the mural rescued from RHM Foods when the factory closed in 2009.

 See GONE,  BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - RHM

Festival visitors on the Narrowboat Sweden, formerly one of the fleet of boats used by Henry Seddon & Sons to bring in coal and export salt from their Wych House Lane and Pepper Street works along the Trent & Mersey Canal (the Wych House Lane works was situated  to the right of the boat on what is now known as the 'Salinae Field'. Part of the field can be seen above the boat's engine compartment.).
Sadly, since this photograph was taken, Sweden has been repainted in a livery representing a different period of her long life.

With the Town Bridge in the right background, Cliff's photo shows the scene at Town Wharf a few years ago (one of the wharf buildings is on the extreme left). The wharf and the immediately adjacent Salinae Field are really the point where the 'Folk & Boat' parts of the festival come together; concerts are staged on boats moored by the wharf and stalls and exhibition stands help tell the Middlewich story to Folkies and Boaties alike.
When the 'Gateway To Middlewich' scheme comes to fruition  this part of town will have become even more attractive and welcoming, not only at festival time but also throughout the rest of the year.
(Editor's note: We're still waiting! That line was from the original 2013 edition of this diary entry and in 2015 little has changed as far  as the wharf is concerned.)
UPDATE (JUNE 2018) It's now beginning to look like our long-awaited Town Wharf Scheme is not going to happen at all. Rumours are rife that the site has been sold and that the buildings will be flattened and housing built where they once stood. If this proves to be the case, this will be a tragedy for Middlewich and for those interested in the town's history.

...and just in case anyone might have forgotten how it all started back in 1990 here are the legendary MIDDLEWICH PADDIES who have appeared at all 25 Festivals through the years.

On the left is Graham Sivills, centre is Richard Devaney and on the right, Dave Thompson, formerly Folk & Boat Festival Artistic Director and now running the FAB Festival on behalf of the Town Council as Events Manager.

SEE ALSO: THE FIRST MIDDLEWICH FOLK & BOAT FESTIVAL 1990

Diary entry originally published 12th June 2013 under the title
FAB FESTIVAL 2013: PADDIES, BOATS, SALT AND BISTO...

The title was changed to 'FOLK, BOATS, SALT AND BISTO' in 2018 because in previous years, Facebook's algorithms had spotted the word 'Paddies' and decide that it was a politically incorrect 'pejorative term' God help us all.

Many thanks to CLIFF ASTLES for permission to use these photographs.

Facebook Feedback (11th June 2020):

Heritage Officer Kerry Kirwan writes:

All will be back on display by the end of the year (hopefully!)

First published as 'Paddies, Boats, Salt and Bisto' 12th June 2013

Re-published 7th June 2014

10th June 2015

17th June 2017

Title altered to Folk, Boats, Salt and Bisto' and re-published

11th June 2018

10th JUNE 2020

FAB FESTIVAL: THE MIDDLEWICH ROCK 'n' ROLL DANCERS (ARCHIVED)

ARCHIVED

Derek and Julie Millington show us how it's done at the 2011 FAB Festival

Over the years the Middlewich FAB Festival has always provided a wide range of entertainment above and beyond what is normally found at traditional folk festivals; the aim being to cater for the general public and those not necessarily too interested in the folk world.
The Middlewich Rock 'n' Roll Dancers are a case in point. They're hugely popular with the crowds, and rightly so.
They present their version of authentic 1950s Rock 'n' Roll with enthusiasm and style and they always look immaculate in period dress.
Watch for them around town, particularly in the town centre where these 2011 photos were taken by Cliff Astles.

Rockin' with style at the 2011 FAB Festival

HERE ARE THE 2013 TIMINGS FOR THE ROCK & ROLL DANCERS. MANY THANKS TO CLIFF ASTLES FOR THE INFO:

12.00.p.m. - 12.40.p.m. at the KINDERTON at the front of the car park

1.00.p.m. - 2.00.p.m. on the AMPHITHEATRE
Info from Derek Millington, Mr Rock n Roll
Plus, Lee Davidge singing Rock n Roll songs of the 50's at the Kinderton.

NOT TO BE MISSED.....ALL WELCOME TO JOIN IN THE ROCK N ROLL DANCING.

FAB FESTIVAL 2013

FESTIVAL GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE

First published 10th June 2013
Re-published 12th June 2014

Middlewich FABrication

Here's another wonderful legacy from the 2013 FAB Festival.
Middlewich FABrication is a short but totally mesmerising animation created by Melody Smith Animation and children and grown-ups at this year's festival.
Here's a chance to see some of those familiar Middlewich people and landmarks as you've never seen them before.
The video, together with  a lot of information on the project and the techniques of animation can be found here:
MELODY SMITH ANIMATION
or
WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE

Oh, and the music's good too...

RETURN OF THE SALT TOWN POETS (ARCHIVED)

ARCHIVED

Can it really be true?
The Salt Town Poets forced out of retirement to appear with the legendary Mr Les Barker?

Details (and some kind words from Liz Rosenfield) here:

THE SALT TOWN SITE: RETURN OF THE SALT TOWN POETS

MIDDLEWICH FAB FESTIVAL 2013 (ARCHIVED)

ARCHIVED

The 2012 Festival Parade in Wheelock Street. This photograph by Stuart Barber won the Festival's annual photo competition.

THE MIDDLEWICH FAB FESTIVAL 2013

Up to 15 venues host music and dance from lunchtime on Friday through to Sunday night. On the canalside and in the town centre, artists from around the UK (and beyond) perform to thousands of visitors each day.

Booking for artists and venues has begun and among those confirmed so far are:

• Spiers & Boden
• Seth Lakeman
• Dick Gaughan
• Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar
• Africa Entsha
• Woody Mann
• Mark Radcliffe & Foes
• Babajack
• Backyard Devils
• Blue Horyzon
• Clutching at Straws
• Fosbrooks
• Liverpool Shanty Kings
• Moulettes
• NE3FOLK
• The Peace Artistes
• Roving Crows
• My Sweet Patootie
• Dan Walsh & Christi Andropolis
• The Willows
• Les Barker
• The Salt Town Poets

 - and many more!

Together with hundreds of canal boats and town centre setting, Middlewich FAB (Folk and Boat) Festival continues to provide a fabulous showcase of live entertainment each June - join us?

Like many events we rely on volunteer help so if you would like to get involved  contact me.
Likewise if you have ideas or recommendations please let me know...

events@middlewich.org.uk

Dave Thompson
(Middlewich Town Council Events Manager)

HEADLINING: SETH LAKEMAN

LINKS:

FESTIVAL WEBSITE

FESTIVAL FACEBOOK GROUP

FESTIVAL GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE

PADDIES BOATS SALT AND BISTO

THE WEEKEND AT MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS

THE MIDDLEWICH ROCK 'N' ROLL DANCERS

MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE 2013

The Middlewich Diary's masthead for June 2013, featuring a photo by Cliff Astles

Follow the link to the excellent
CREWE GIGS
page for details of all the Main Stage and fringe events:

CREWE GIGS

MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE 2013

Until as recently as last year the future of Middlewich's Rose Fete, a traditional local event revived by the Middlewich Community Association in the 1970s, looked to be in doubt.

When the original Folk and Boat Festival started in 1990 the Rose Fete continued to be held, often on the same weekend, and when Middlewich Town Council took on the organising of the re-christened 'FAB Festival' the opportunity arose to fully integrate the event into the festival weekend.

The Fete, however, still suffered from the effects of a lack of publicity over the preceeding few years until a new organising committee, working with some of the original organisers, was formed and the event given a much higher profile.

Now the Rose Queen and her retinue are an essential part of the FAB Festival and add another pleasing touch of Middlewich tradition to the weekend.

Organiser Carol Moore writes:

The Middlewich Rose Fete 2013 is on Saturday 15th June. The procession starts from Tesco's car park at 11am, parading down Wheelock Street and through the town to Market Field for the crowning ceremony from 11.30am.

It is going to be a fantastic event and we hope that you will all come along and make it a huge success for our children.

The chosen charity this year is the Guide Dogs.

Look forward to seeing you then!

Official FAB Festival photographer Cliff Astles will be on site during the Rose Fete and participants are reminded that he will be available to take photos both on the field and in the Town Hall.

Contact the Fete organisers for more details.

GUIDE DOGS WEBSITE

MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE FB GROUP

SEE ALSO: MIDDLEWICH ROSE FETE SAVED!

FAB FESTIVAL WEEKEND at MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS (ARCHIVED)

ARCHIVED

by Cliff Astles

The proprietors of the successful Middlewich holiday company MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS have certainly taken the FAB Festival this weekend to their hearts.

The Canal Terrace boatyard and the canal side (off Lewin Street, opposite the British Legion) have both been extensively enhanced, using a VERY BIG ARMY PARACHUTE, should there be rain (it covers most of the boatyard), in keeping with the local tradition of making the FAB Festival a great success for residents and visitors alike.

In addition to being the OFFICIAL SPONSOR to this year's Festival Guide the firm will be offering many attractions for ALL of the family, with the NEW FAB STAGE for entertainers.

FAB EVENT SCHEDULE for the WHOLE WEEKEND at MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS

FRIDAY at 2.pm - The BAR is open for beer and light refreshments including afternoon teas.
FAB Festival STAGE from 8.00: THE  CAJUN SPECIALS

Followed by OPEN MIKE SESSIONS for anyone.....closing when the lights go off !

SATURDAY at 8am - The BAR is open for refreshments, teas etc and there will be an  OPEN MIKE session until.....
2 pm: On stage are THE PASTRY SHOES followed once again by an OPEN MIKE session.
8.pm (approx) THE GOAT ROPER RODEO BAND followed by another OPEN MIKE session until:
10.00(approx) THE BOAT BAND followed by OPEN MIKE under the big tent, again until the lights go out!

SUNDAY Canal Side Breakfasts until 12 noon when the Bar opens with refreshments etc
2.00pm :SUNDAY BLUES with THE SALTY DOG BLUES BAND featuring  SARA TYE and special guest TRISH WATT.

The weekend ends with the final OPEN MIKE SESSION, with songs and tunes from anyone who cares to perform.

THE GOAT ROPER RODEO BAND (Facebook page) 

THE CAJUN SPECIALS (website)       

THE BOAT BAND (HARBOURTOWN RECORDS)   

MIDDLEWICH NARROWBOATS (MIDDLEWICH  DIRECTORY ENTRY)