Folkestone Songwriting Festival

15/09/2026

Folkestone Songwriting Festival 2027 - Annual Songwriters Weekend 19th - 21st Feb ( and hopefully throughout February funding permitting). The Burlington Hotel Folkestone.
Special Guest Tutor to be announced shortly so save the dates!
Just to clarify why the festival will be taking place in February rather than the traditional first week in October - primarily it's due to my accident earlier in the year which affected by ability to actually create a festival.and then apply for funding, and also because there are loads of other festivals taking place in Folkestone on and around those dates so although this festival has been a long established annual event. I don't own the exclusive rights to these dates and if it were to run, suitable venues are very scarce , plus with 2025 festival nudged into Feb 2026 due to bereavement, it was a bit confusing having 2025 in 2026 and 2026 in 2027!

I'm really happy to say that the extra months have given me much needed time to recover from the injuries and trauma and relieved that the blank canvas i wondered if I could fill with unique events has been filled full of lovely projects that I hope to deliver throughout February 2027 - our 10th anniversary!
I'm just back from an R & D meeting with a community group about a possible collaboration where I was so warmly welcomed and they are as excited as I am about it.

This is why I do this....a thought that comes to me whilst driving or swimming or in the wee small hours gets kneaded and an email gets sent to a person who responds and an invitation to discuss happens and a presentation is given and the room full of creatives applauds the idea and the gesture, I am given token gifts of gratitude and I leave a room that a couple of hours before were strangers with a full heart and excited spirit.
This is true creativity.

Now the next phase - funding !!!
More soon!

11/09/2026

Golly Gosh!
I've been a busy bee the last wee while working on 2027 festival offerings and happy to say that it's all coming together nicely.
I have a few cracking new projects up my cuff to compliment the annual 3 day residential songwriters retreat which will be happening over the weekend 19th to 21st Feb.
Just awaiting confirmation from our very very special guest tutor before we can do the big reveal.
Now have to put it all together into a funding application next and then the lo g wait to see if we will be deserving of some assistance to bring the 3 week festival to fruition.
Tomorrow is budget and finance day which I am actually pretty good at.....I am usually amazed at just how far I can make the limited budget stretch - secret is the money is spent on the projects rather than quangos etc.
More to be announced- phew, it's always a relief as I start off with a blank bit of paper and mind wondering if I can create anything or if it's all dried up....et voila!!! A festival appears from nothing more than floating ideas!

06/09/2026

The upcoming songwriters retreat in the lakes with Boo Hewerdine and Findlay Napier s0ld 0ut and the list of attendees looks like it could be the line-up of a really cool festival - Thank you !!!
Sadly one fully paid up person is unable to attend due to a health issue so we are trying to fill their room so there's a last chance to come if you've been thinking about it.
M3ssage me here or email...deets on bottom of poster.

05/09/2026

Planning 2027!
Dates are : Feb 19th to 21st.
Who would you love to work with as our Special Guest Tutor???
Fire away!

01/09/2026

I'm so pleased our writing retreat has s0ld 0ut and due to a waiting list I've rent the chalets next door and have 1 room left...it can be either a single occupancy double or a twin or double occupancy.
If you are keen to come, we will help you develop your songwriting and elevate your compositions.
This is going to be really special and i am blown away with the standard of musicians already booked on...just a few A list folk artists as well as pros and absolutely all are welcome.
Hurry and get this last offering.

26/08/2026

Dear Dolly, a totally one off human being and prolific genius writer of over 3,000 songs.....not so so songs but finely crafted bangers that will be sung forever. What a legend and legacy.
For me, i remember hearing her Coat of Many Colours and it really resonating as my mum got herself a sewing machine and would cobble together copies of the current styles as were at that time hard up with 6 kids and my dads progressive disability.
She worked 4 jobs and eventually bought a business delivering fresh produce across the town and villages...many affected by the de industrialisation of our district during the Thatcher years ...and she literally kept so many families fed through her own philanthropic/socialist beliefs.
Some of the dresses, skirts and jackets she made me were pretty rough lol but she woukd stay up all night making them for me so I would have something to wear to the local dancing or school party.
Dolly wrote songs full of emotion about real things that touched us...whether it's about Jolene, or eternal Love or a raggy coat.
Rest easy lovely lady ❤️

19/08/2026

Thank you Baroness Keeley for advocating for musicians rights.
Our debate in 2023 was intended to raise awareness about the bigger picture and to think about the issues we are now seeing around Permission and the financial impact and not just about the AI softwares as a tool.
Time to do a follow up i think !

12/05/2026

Tonight people of Kent.
This is a brilliant project from two master songwriters, musicians who are also such entertaining raconteurs....perfect for a mid week treat.
Sipport from Lucy May Walker and there will be some t1x otd
Oh and apologies, it's Yvonne Lyon and not Lyons!
As I'm still far away fettung better dear pals Debs Earl from Folk In The Barn is stepping in to host ...so grateful as the night will be in her expert hands.
It would be lovey to fill the rest of the seats for Boo snd Yvonne ...Boo has been such a supporter of Folkestone Songwriting Festival since the beginning and we just love him so please come and see them.
If you've never been to see Boo before, ynow you will be so glad you took the punt.
I'll be watching and waving from the terrace.
Best to get in b4 ticket line closes to save a few bob but even at £14/£16 it's a treat....I travelled to Oundle to see Boo a few months ago and with overnight accommodation it was still worth it !

23/04/2026

Next up!
A nurturing creative retreat deep in the heart of the Lake District led by women for women.
With Michele Stodart Official and Rachel Sermanni ..
Message to book 🎵❤️🎵

23/04/2026

Clea blew us all away this year when she attended the writing retreat in February - not only is she an incredible vocalist and musician she is also a really special person. A full time musician and working mum she is totally authentic in her music and writing and honest about the challenges she faces balancing it all.
She is playing this Friday at The Sound Lounge in Sutton with her band and fellow Folkestone Songwriting Festival attendees Steve Gamble is opening the evening.
A few of the FSF community are going. How about you?

AaaahhhAAAHHHHHH! CANNOT WAIT TO ROCK OUT, ok and Breathe. I am calm. 😝 So excited for this Friday at with my band and btw first gig in YEARS with DRUMS 🥁 Yes baby 😍 our kids are grown into teenagers and we have some spare fresh energy! Tickets in bio or check soundlounge website - come and have a great night out with us!