Introduction

Despite the credit crunch, pub closures, venue changes and the spiralling costs of staging events, the Otley Black Sheep Folk Festival comes of age. This, our eighteenth festival is on course to be one of the best yet. Who would have thought over nineteen years ago at that first meeting that the Otley Folk Festival would be thriving so many years down the line!

"The market town of Otley lies in picturesque Wharfedale on the A660 six miles from Ilkley and ten from Leeds (Menston Railway Station 1 mile). The town has a good range of shops, restaurants, take-aways and supermarkets as well as the Friday/Saturday market. There are many pubs (all serving cask conditioned ale), most of which are used by the folk festival over the weekend. All of our venues have real-ale bars except for the Methodist Hall which serves excellent cakes, buns, tea, coffee, soft drinks and savoury snacks.

Our patron Nic Jones is looking forward to being with us once again. We are very grateful for Nic and Julia's continued support.

As usual we start on Thursday evening with an acoustic evening at the Red Lion and a concert at Korks Wine Bar (The home of Otley Folk Club).

The campsite at Knotsford Nook is open from Thursday night and through the weekend. The campsite is equipped with toilets, washing facilities, catering outlet and security.

As usual we will be organising a Sunday morning walk, so if you fancy a steady ramble to blow away the Saturday night cobwebs, book at the festival office.

We have kept the ticket price the same as last year, and believe that it offers great value for money. The weekend ticket covers all events from Friday evening through to Sunday night. There may be a small extra charge for Thursday events.

The festival is always popular, so please book early.