Click here for information on this year’s Folk Ale
31st May 2013 – 2nd June 2013
A Short History of the Folk Ale
Pig’s Ear were introduced to the term “Ale”, meaning a festival, by Mark Lawson who ran a delightful little Folk Ale at the Red Lion, Badlesmere, for several years. We understand from Mark that it is a term traditionally used in Kent for a community celebration – such as May and harvest festivals.
Note, it is a “Folk Ale”, not a “Folk and Ale”.
It’s about people coming together to eat, drink and make music. It is not a ‘traditional-music’ festival.
The Pig’s Ear Kentish Horse Folk Ale started in 2001 with a family celebration.
In 2001, Grant and Sue Rule celebrated their silver wedding anniversay; it was Grant’s 50th birthday; and their two daughters were 18 and 21 respectively. To mark these milestones, a giant party and barn dance was held in a marquee in the garden of the Kentish Horse pub at Markbeech, just outside Edenbridge in West Kent.
Since three of those celebrating comprised three-quarters of family folk group Pigs Ear, many of the party-goers were musicians. Such a good time was had by all that the decision was made to make it an annual party, with the costs funded by ticket sales.
The Pigs Ear Kentish Horse Folk Ale has grown year by year as people tell their friends just what a fine little festival it is. Hence we now ask people to book in advance - we do not want to outgrow our delightful site at the Kentish Horse.