Dave Jones

Since 1966 folk music has been a real passion in David’s life, so much so that all his energies have been given over to the tradition ever since. The formation of the Windmill Folk group in 1970 gave him a taste for performing on stage, something which he still does nearly thirty-five years on.

David is chairman of the North West Federation of Folk Clubs and continues his involvement in the production of the much-respected “Folk North West” magazine. As vice-chairman of the Folk Arts body, Folkus, which covers Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria, he shares his experience and knowledge to help preserve the tradition for future generations.

A long-time visitor to Fylde, he continues in his role of compere, as well as organising Fylde’s Late Night Cabaret Club, this year back in its former home at the New Boston.

Ann Green

Ann Green was a Fylde Folk Festival Committee member for many years, with a long history of support for the local folk scene, from the Penny-Farthing in Kirkham, via the Folk-Ring, the George and the Swan, to the long-running Lane Ends in Wesham.

She organises and runs Blackpool’s weekly Wednesday Night at the Clarence (we do love Wednesday nights!) Ann’s passion for the music means she is uniquely placed to act as a compere, and to share her enthusiasm for some of her favourite artists with Fylde audiences.

Jim Smith

Whether performing solo or hosting an event, Jim Smith rapidly gets an audience in the right mood with his wit and humour. He tells a good tale (some printable!) and can sing anything from a traditional ballad to Bob Dylan – his version of "All Along the Watchtower" with local band Traditional Edge was a show-stopper.

Jim has been a stalwart of the Fylde music scene for many years, his involvement ranging from a starring role in Fleetwood Folk Club’s landmark multi-media production of "Fleetwood to ‘Frisco", through rock’n’roll with Nick Dow, to resident singer and sometime co-organiser of the late-lamented Blackpool Folk Club, and lead singer and guitarist for Traditional Edge and with fiddler Heath Lavery in their band "Robbery with Violins".

Ali O'Brien

Ali O'Brien has been involved in folk music since the ’70s, and ran the Cross Keys Folk Club in Saddleworth for several years in the ’80s. The very first festival she attended was Fylde, back in the early ’80s, and she rarely misses a year at her favourite festival.

She has been involved in the Saddleworth Fok Festival since its inception, initially as Chair, and for the last six years as Festival Director. For four years she has presented the Sounds of Folk radio programme – originally for BBC GMR, and currently for Radio BritFolk and Oldham Community Radio.

She has compered at several festivals in the North West, and also runs some of the singaround sessions – in fact her love of traditional, unaccompanied singing is such that you are bound to see her at some of the many singarounds at Fylde.

Mick Peat

Mick Peat is a professional musician, actor and radio presenter. As a musician he plays guitar and melodeon, specialising in traditional folk music, and sings with the highly-acclaimed Midlands band "Rogues Gallery". He is also an experienced country dance caller, directing and teaching dances from the 16th Century onwards.

As an actor, his film appearances include "The Rainbow", where he served as traditional dance co-ordinator, dancer and musician, "Skallagrig" and "Elizabeth I". His stage appearances include "By the Baseball Ground" at Derby Playhouse and "The Mysteries" at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

As a radio presenter his distinctive deep brown voice and warm Derbyshire-cum-Yorkshire accent give a familiar stamp to BBC’s "Folkwaves" programme in the Midlands. With ten years’ experience he has his finger very firmly on the button regarding all aspects of traditional music.

Clive Pownceby

In a field where it can be difficult to differentiate one contemporary MC from another, Clive is instantly recognisable. His stage presence has settled into a serene, if skewed, approximation of Nicholas Parsons, while his approach has evolved from mild-mannered announcer into a wry, fragmented take on the anchorman’s bite, delivered in droll, atmospheric tones.

For lovers of the whimsical and obtuse,you could say Pownceby is rich and rewarding. Well, you could say that – others would be content to merely say that our boy will be compering several events this weekend. You pays yer money!

Ron Baxter

As a writer, lyricist and playwright, Ron Baxter has featured the fishing trade and his home town of Fleetwood many times in many different ways. Born and raised in the town,he has supported both Fleetwood Folk Club and the Fylde Folk Festival since each began.
He enjoys the dubious honour of being the winner of the very first Fylde “Worst Singer in the World” contest (and his voice certainly used to justify the award – a great drawback for a talented and prolific song-writer). Public demand for demonstrations sadly(?) led to much improvement in his delivery and festival goers can safely enjoy his company as he guides them around Fleetwood on his annual heritage walk.

Pat Ryan

Pat Ryan has been singing at folk clubs and festivals since before there were Fylde Folk Festivals. She has been a constant friend and supporter of the Festival since it began. Pat is a highly respected figure on the folk scene – she was Song Director at Sidmouth for two years, and has sung on BBC TV and on local and national radio.
Pat’s strong guitar style underpins her distinctive voice, both skillfully used to present a mixture of traditional material and contemporary songs with great effect. Her voice has been heard the length and breadth of the British Isles, and she has many recordings to her credit.

Pete Rimmer

Well known singer-guitarist Pete Rimmer has been a performer since 1967 in those heady days of the folk boom. Over the years he has been involved in many folk events in the North West of England, such as concerts at the Southport Arts Centre, Southport Theatre and the Floral Hall.
Pete is a long time resident singer at the world famous Bothy Folk Club in Southport and a regular performer at a number of folk clubs and festivals such as the Fylde Folk Festival and Ormskirk Comes Alive, of which he is director.
As well as being a solo performer, Pete is a member of the band Gallimaufry. He has released two solo albums, Donovan Songs and Fill my Pockets…with Rain.

Hector Christie

Hector Christie is a freelance writer based in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and has been extensively published in professional journals on mental health topics. A decade ago he made his final contribution in this field, with his chapter to the book, “Dingleton Hospital —The Story of a Community.”
In 2000 he wrote an account of a series of treks in China as part of a group led by writer and broadcaster Muriel Gray. “On the Great Wall” was published by the magazine “Scottish Nurse”, and marked a change in direction, since when he has written mainly on the subjects of travel, outdoor life and music