2006

Moseley Folk was not the first festival to grace the sloping meadows of Moseley Park. L’Esprit Manouche, a two-day Gypsy Jazz event produced by Dave Alexander and Berni Good, to whom we will always be grateful, ran for 3 years before us. Those who attended will have fond memories of Pernod and Jazz Manouche in the sun.

Moseley Folk’s directors were both separately involved in these events. Carl provided marquees through Hollywood Events, and Gerv provided print through Mission Print. Both were disappointed to hear L’Esprit Manouche wasn’t coming back in 2006, and one fateful afternoon in Gerv’s office, Carl suggested a Folk Festival could do well in Moseley Park.

Michael Woolfe (then Chair of the Park Trustees) and Christine Williams (then Head Ranger) shared our vision and had the foresight to support us in our risky venture.

So, in 2006, with more enthusiasm than structure, the very first Moseley Folk Festival was pieced together. A little scrappy, a little miraculous, and already full of heart. And somehow, even in that whirlwind first year, we pulled in heavyweights of the folk revival, including the legendary Incredible String Band, gracing us with one of their final performances. Not bad for something held together with optimism, cable ties, and borrowed gear.

Of course, no origin story is complete without a few bumps in the road. From a friend of the festival attempting to accidentally-on-purpose crash our gentle folk gathering with fake posters for a Christmas Day rave in the park, to Carl insisting Hayseed Dixie play an encore despite having run out of songs – resulting in an enthusiastic (and destructive) finale – the festival found its spirit early: chaotic, communal, and absolutely unforgettable.

That first year wasn’t perfect – we had been advised to make Bar tokens, and many woke up with pockets full of leftover tokens on the Monday. Beer was provided by Weatheroak Microbrewery and we underestimated demand – more supplies were delivered and during the festival barrels were rolled down the hill to the bar  which was where the Black Swan is now.

But it had spark, soul, and the beginnings of the community we’re so proud of today. And looking back, you can see it clearly: that was where the magic started.

Have a look below at the Super 8 film shot by the late Trish Keenan of Broadcast