THE countdown has begun to the Shepley Spring Festival 2009.

The rapidly expanding music and dance festival will run from Friday May 15 to Sunday 17.

The festival has a full weekend of events celebrating the best of traditional music, song and dance, including concerts, ceilidhs, morris dancing, music and dance workshops, music and song sessions and a full programme of youth and children’s activities – and a beer festival.

It is based on the picturesque setting of Shepley Cricket Club, off Marsh Lane, a large greenfield site on the edge of the village with an extensive campsite adjacent.

The now firmly established festival is attracting visitors from a wider area. Shepley’s nearness to motorway links and the fact that it has its own station on the Huddersfield to Sheffield ‘Penistone Line’ is helping to swell the number of festival-goers.

Artists confirmed so far include the Michael McGoldrick Band, Genticorum, Show of Hands, Martin Simpson Trio, Sheelenagig, Ella Edmondson, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Belshazzar’s Feast, Edward II, Chris Sherburn, and Denny Bartley.

There will also be a folk musical The Navvy’s Wife by Mick Ryan with Mick Ryan, Heather Bradford, Judy Dunlop, Paul Downes, Roger Watson and Jackie Oates. Shepley Singers, and Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir.

Shepley Springboard will feature workshops and performances for young people with Jiggawatt, Jack Rutter, James Meadows, Will Pound, and Lydia Noble.

Dance teams include White Rose, Mortimer’s Morris, Chiltern Hundreds, Silkstone Greens, Black Swan Rapper, Inclognito, La Goulee D’Ev, Donna Kimberley School of Highland Dance, Boggarts Breakfast, Kirkburton Rapier Dancers, and Barnsley Longsword.

TICKETS: On sale now, but all ‘Early Bird’ tickets have already sold out. Adult tickets are priced at £64, concession £58, youth weekend (11-16) are priced at £32, children tickets (11 and under) are free, but these must be booked.

CONTACT: For more information, call James McKinlay on 01484 604704 email: info@shepleyspringfestival.com or visit the official website at: www.shepleyspringfestival.com

The camping is in a large field adjacent to the main festival site. The campsite can accommodate tents, caravans and campervans. Facilities on site will include flushing toilets, showers, and a breakfast in bed delivery service. The festival campsite is for weekend ticket holders only. The festival campsite will be open from midday on Friday 15th May until mid morning on Monday May 18.

There is also a dormitory hostel accommodation with breakfast just a couple of minutes walk from the festival site in Shepley. Please ring the festival office on 01484 604704 for further details.