THE Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival is now eight weeks away and from the interest shown around the town already, this years’ festival is bound to be as big as ever.


The Guardian spoke to Dave Thompson, one of the festival’s founders, two weeks ago about the opening day in 1990 and has now caught up with him again to hear about its growth into the 21st century.


“In the 1990s the event grew steadily until in 1999, when it celebrated its tenth anniversary, swiftly followed by the millennium festival in 2000.” Dave said.


Dave decided to introduce African artists Black Umfolosi to the festival audience in 1999 and was thrilled with the response.


“After organising many concerts over the years, Black Umfolosi’s first show in the old-style marquee took my breath away, and when they returned the following year they did it again.”


The event was officially cancelled in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak but its popularity in the town proved stronger than ever when hundreds of people turned out anyway to keep the festival spirit alive.


A list of folk legends such as Fairport Convention and Lindisfame as well as TV host Isla St Clair, brought the Folk and Boat Festival back to Middlewich with a bang in 2002 after the year off.


Dave added: “2002 was easily the busiest festival to date which was probably because the organisers were so determined to bounce back after the cancellation.”


After that year the festival took off, achieving charitable status to ensure any profit went back into the festival and being run by a volunteer committee of 15 people.


As two men involved in almost everything going on in the town, Dave and his namesake Dave Roberts, salt town poet, often get mistaken by everyone including The Guardian in the article two weeks ago.


So to help avoid confusion during the festival, the two Dave’s have come up with a name-tag solution.


This year the festival will take place on the weekend of June 13, 14, 15.


Headliners include Ade Edmundson & the Bad Shepherds, the Moulettes, and the Men They Couldn’t Hang.


If you have any pictures or memories you’d like to share of the Folk and Boat Festival, email middlewich@guardiangrp.co.uk.