Thousands of folk music lovers enjoy event

Changeable weather failed to put a damper on the Shrewsbury Folk Festival as 6,000 fans enjoyed the best of roots music from around the world.

The annual shindig was today hailed a success as fans enjoyed the final day of the event at West Mid Showground.

Spokeswoman Jo Cunningham said: "It's been an enthralling, exciting and exceptional festival.

"We've had an excellent line-up and the fans have enjoyed the best of times.

"The music has been on the highest calibre and people have really enjoyed themselves. The festival continues to go from strength to strength."

Among the highlights of the event was a Darwin Memorial Concert on Saturday night, when the artists featured earlier this year at Theatre Severn as part of the Darwin Song Project reunited.

Chris Wood, Emily Smith, Jez Lowe, Karine Polwart, Krista Detor, Mark Erelli, Rachael McShane and Stu Hanna performed songs that they had written at a writers' retreat in south Shropshire, to honour the 200th anniversary of the great Shrewsbury scientist. Fans were spellbound by their performance.

Highlights

Fans enjoyed sensational performances yesterday with Lau, Megson, The Dhol Foundation and Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes among the highlights.

And there was plenty more to look forward to today with Karine Polwart and The Proclaimers among the headliners.

Mrs Cunningham added that organisers were pleased with the way the festival had gone and were already looking forward to next year's event.

She said: "It takes 12 months to organise and there is a very hard-working team behind it all. We're thrilled that so many people enjoyed this year's event and we'll be back next year with another great show."

The festival embraced modern technology so that those unable to get a ticket could still enjoy the music. Concerts were broadcast live on the internet at www.shrewsburyfolkfest ival.co.uk and there were also regular blogs and tweets for people who wanted to catch up.

Fans were starting to leave the showground today, after travelling from around the UK to be at the event.

By Andy Richardson