Heritage Colour Chart

Cambridge Folk Festival Day 2

There's some great artwork around the festival site so I thought I'd share some of it with you today although admittedly this one is probably only amusing to lovers of the traditional music of these isles...

In the late 19th century Francis Child compiled a collection of 305 ballads from England and Scotland (including some variants which had emigrated to North America) and these so-called Child Ballads continue to form part of the backbone of British folk music to this day. Each ballad has an allotted number - for instance 'Rose the Red and White Lily' is also known as Child 103 and 'The Golden Vanity' is Child 286. These, along with other well known colour-related folk songs have been compiled into this handy colour chart, useful for the home decorator with an interest in heritage decor!

And to continue with esoteric themes, those of you who have expressed an interest in establishing an Ambridge Folk Festival may be interested to know that I went to see members of Bellowhead being interviewed by veteran music journo Colin Irwin this morning and, amongst other things, they discussed their recent recording of Barwick Green - the theme tune to 'The Archers' - for BBC Radio 4 Extra's 'Ambridge Extra' spin-off show! It should also be added that The Archers omnibus edition is played over the festival's PA system on a Sunday morning as a warm-up to the music! (I realise this may all be baffling to anyone not brought up on British radio - and probably to many who were!)

Acts I saw today

Manran
Feufollet
Justin Townes Earle
Bellowhead