I have been fortunate to have been involved with Swaledale Festival for over 20 years, as a childhood audience member, then a volunteer, then an employee! Festival-goers may have seen me organising seating, shifting stages or operating lights at venues across the Dales.
There have been many memorable moments. I have met and welcomed musicians from all over the world to my home patch, but one of my favourite acts has got to be the local(ish!) folk trio, The Young’uns, who are returning to the Festival once again this year to sing a flagship evening concert at Tennants on Sat 8 June.
Since their formation twenty years ago after accidentally stumbling into the alien world of their local folk club as teenagers, the three friends from Stockton and Hartlepool - Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle – have become national treasures and received three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Their close-harmony songs of legends, characters and stories - sometimes happy, sometimes sad – are rooted in the Northeast, where the non-Dales side of my family originates. Their infectious banter and repartee make for shows equally funny and moving.
And did you know you can join in? The Young’uns are also leading an informal singing workshop earlier on Sat 8 June at Tennants for which no skills are required other than a desire to give it a go, learn some tunes and raise the roof. It will be great fun and I hope to see you there!
Chris Curry runs Swalewoods, a Forestry & Arboriculture Agency, Consultancy & Contracting firm, offering a complete management solution to householders, landowners and land managers responsible for trees and woodlands. He manages 4000+ acres of woodland and monitors thousands of trees for safety across the north of England, and his dedicated team of tree surgeons undertakes work to ensure their safety, amenity and longevity.
The Young’uns in Concert
Sat 8 June 19:30 - The Garden Rooms at Tennants, Leyburn
The famous Teesside trio has captured hearts with their close harmony singing, heart-on-sleeve storytelling, and infectious banter. It’s great to have them back!
The Young’uns Singing Workshop
Sat 8 June 14:00 -The Garden Rooms at Tennants, Leyburn
A fun and informal folksinging workshop for singers of all styles and abilities. Everyone is welcome.