ALLENDALE was the centre of sound last weekend as live bands from far and near descended on the village.

For three days, the Allen Valleys Folk Festival brought style, variation and entertainment which captivated audiences at three packed venues.

North Tyne star Kathryn Tickell was the headline act, taking to the stage on Sunday afternoon with her youth band Superfolkus.

Festival chairman Peter Aldcroft said the event, now in its third year, was well received at Allendale Village Hall, Allendale Primary School and St Cuthbert’s Church.

He added: “This year’s festival built on previous years, with a more diverse music programme offering something for everybody.

“The weekend can be summed up in a single word –wow! Ticket sales were 15 per cent up, the weather was kind and there were lots of fringe events taking place.”

These included workshops, Morris dancing, rapper dancing, a handbell performance and music hosted in Beat-Root Café – a session tent stationed alongside the village hall.

The festival got under way on Friday with Awry, a dynamic Scottish, pipes-driven, ‘electro-ceilidh’ band which had feet tapping from the word go.

They were followed by Stick In The Wheel, a London-based group whose ethos has more in common with punk than many of their folk contemporaries.

No less than 14 bands played on Saturday at all three venues, including Tynedale siblings The Brothers Gillespie, from Wall, at the church.

The same session saw youthful act Reely Ceol and others, including Murrell & Kennedy, Skylark Song and Alistair Anderson.

Also on Saturday, the school played host to a traditional ceilidh led by Scottish piper Alex Urquhart-Taylor.

“This was a real hit with families and young children,” said Peter.

“In the interval, the audience was entertained by Cream Tees – an 11-strong youth orchestra from Teesdale.

“Over at the village hall, there was a powerful line-up of musicians, including Spectacles, Robeto Cassini, Wayward Jane, The Hut People and inspirational lyricist and fine guitarist Nick Harper.”

In the evening, Scottish four-piece Eabhal were followed by London-based The Turbans, who had the entire audience dancing just seconds into their first number.

Sunday opened with father and daughter performers Tim and Rhona Dalling, before Superfolkus wrapped up proceedings.