About 4,000 Islanders descended on a sun-drenched Val de la Mare to hear more than a dozen acts, including headlining bands Reef and James.
The event, which was last held three years ago in the People’s Park, was busy all day and proved to be very popular with families. As the afternoon went on, the main stage was increasingly the focal point, and local singer songwriter Nerina Pallot, who grew up close to the festival site, drew a large crowd for her set.
The biggest response of the day, however, came for Manchester band James. When the iconic group, who reached their heyday in the late 1990s, began to play the opening chords of signature song Sit Down, the normally tranquil setting came alive for a giant festival singalong.
As well as the music, there was a special guest appearance from the JEP’s mascot Jepson – who joined the younger festivalgoers in the kids’ zone.
Festival organiser Warren Holt said: ‘It all came together really well. We’ve had a totally different crowd from Jersey Live and the feedback we’ve had has been amazing. We sold 600 kids’ tickets and the family zone has been very popular all day.
‘I was at a couple of French festivals and they had a system whereby no two stages were playing at the same time. I brought that idea to Folklore and it seems to have worked really well.’
Nerina Pallot, who is briefly in the Island after finishing her latest album, was highly praiseworthy of the event. ‘When I was growing up here there were no music festivals and now there are quite a few,’ she said. ‘I’m really happy that Folklore is now here and that they found such a stunning location.’
Festivalgoer Fiona Dillon (47) of St Peter, said: ‘It’s an ideal setting for a festival. I like the more low-key nature of Folklore – I haven’t been to Jersey Live for a long time because I feel it’s got a bit too big.’
And Jeremy Le Rossignol praised the location as the best he had seen in Jersey. ‘With the sun setting in St Ouen’s Bay, there really is no better place in the world for a festival,’ added the 41-year-old from St Peter.
WHAT a great Jersey weekend – when the sun slipped below the horizon out in St Ouen’s Bay last night, people of all ages were left with lasting memories which underline why this is such a fantastic place to live and visit.
The headline events – the RJAHS Summer Country Fair and Folklore music festival – saw thousands coming together to have a good time.
In Trinity, more than 4,000 celebrated the Island’s rural heritage at the country fair. Their support for a way of life that has been part of the fabric of our community for centuries could not have come at a better time. As revealed by the JEP on Saturday, Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham has agreed a £450,000 advance, part loan/part grant, to help farmer Charlie Gallichan keep Jersey supplied with fresh local veg when Amal Grow closes. The funding arrangement, which will see some of the money returned to States coffers to fund other rural initiatives, is a pragmatic and sensible solution, and one which shows ministerial colleagues are listening to popular calls to keep Jersey farming.
Yesterday, thousands more turned out to attend the Folklore music festival and what better place to enjoy family, friends, sun, music and a few drinks than beautiful St Ouen’s Bay? With a great line-up, and a relaxed and child-friendly atmosphere, the festival looks set to become a popular annual fixture in the Island calendar.
But these two events were just the tip of the iceberg.
Hundreds more people were out enjoying the Sark-to-Jersey rowing race, the St Martin’s Roman Catholic church summer fair, the flotilla of ships which sailed to St Malo for the 75th anniversary of the evacuation, the Beach Boys tribute at the Opera House, the Queen’s official birthday Levée, a free event at Government House complete with spectacular fireworks display, Run Jersey and a host of other sporting events, not to forget the blessing of the boats at La Rocque.
There were others who simply enjoyed a day at the beach, on the cliff paths, in the garden or at any number of places around the Island.
And all this on an Island just nine miles by five.
There may be some who still say that there is nothing to do in Jersey, but that moan has rarely looked so thin. As a wonderful place to live and as a great tourist destination, we’ve got plenty to shout about.
