25/08/2017 by Stephen Hall

Merry Hell Top the Bill at 7th Wigan Diggers’ Festival

MerryHellLive Multi-award winning folk-rockers Merry Hell will top the bill at this year’s 7th Annual Wigan Diggers’ Festival on Saturday 9th September at our usual Wiend venue in Wigan town centre.

The popular local band already have four critically acclaimed albums to their credit and have a growing following on the festival circuit. They combine their music with an energy, passion and lyrical message we can all get behind. Also, one which befits our annual celebration of Wigan’s famous radical thinker and political activist Gerrard Winstanley (1609-1676) and the 17th Century Diggers’ movement, which Winstanley became the inspirational leader of, and our event takes its name from.

Other performers, at what the organisers’ hope will be another bumper festival of live music, poetry, educational talks, theatrical plays, a historic ‘digging re-enactment, real ale bar, and over 50 campaign, food, book and other stalls, plus lots of fun stuff for all ages, will include:

John The Baptist & The Second Coming

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Local legends, melding together krautrock, prog, electronica and grooves to create a unique sound, topped off with a growling poet. Songs about atoms, bosons, myths, dark matter, dementia, the digitisation of modern life, monoliths and how shoulders without freckles are like skies without stars.

More info at : facebook.com/johnthebaptistsecondcoming

Brandon Lee Webb Band

BrandonLeeWebbBand

Based in Wigan, this 4-piece band play their own combination of soulful blues and classic acoustic rock, with their own nod towards The Doors. They have played around the country, including Kent’s Hop Farm Festival and Kendal Calling.

More info at : facebook.com/brandonleewebb

Harp & A Monkey

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Winners of the Folking.com Best Band Award in 2017, this story-telling electro-folk trio have established an excellent reputation on the folk festival circuit and beyond for their lovingly crafted and wonderfully delivered vignettes of Northern life, love and remembrance.

More info at : www.harpandamonkey.com

Wonderland Trip

Wonderlandtrip

Self-described as a pop punk band from Manchester, their enthusiastic, infectious performances combine the melodic sounds and rhythms of American pop punk with guitars reminiscent of 80s Manchester. They will get into your head – and stay there!

More info at : facebook.com/wonderlandtripofficial

Vision Thing

VisionThing

A five-piece band hailing from Liverpool, who produce the most incredibly harmonious and beautiful music, simultaneously lowering heartbeats, yet stimulating lyrically. With lots of US Radio play for their hit song Barcode, Vision Thing have made friends in unlikely places.

More info at : www.visionthingband.com

The Mather Robinson Band

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With two acclaimed albums under their belt and a third on the way, The Mather Robinson Band rock folk as it should be rocked. Mixing history, humour and wry social commentary with vim, vigour and a degree of musical virtuosity, show your appreciation for Salford’s finest.

More info at : www.mather-robinson.bandcamp.com

More Than Words

MoreThanWords

A welcome return visit for the Wigan based community group, using drama, music, dance, poetry, singing and creative activities to help people with a range of social needs, health conditions and mental ill health, express themselves, develop confidence and social skills.

More info at : facebook.com/MoreThanWordsAdvocacy

Pauline Blackburn

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Pauline is a singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist from Wigan who has strong roots in the North West folk scene. She has a soulful voice and sings from the heart.

More info at : soundcloud.com/littlemisspauline

George Borowski

GeorgeBorowski

Universally known as ‘Guitar George’ thanks to his inclusion in the Dire Straits classics, and association with an ever growing list of artists as diverse as The Pixies, Meatloaf, Sad Cafe, The Waterboys, Teenage FanClub and Radiohead, George will be demonstrating that he does in fact ‘know all the chords’, and bringing his own magic to this year’s Wigan Diggers’ Festival.

More info at : www.georgeborowski.com

Eva Curless

EvaCurless

A Performance Poet who uses the medium of spoken word to question pressing issues within society. Eva is a frequent performer at local and regional slams and has notched up a considerable number of wins to her credit.

More info at : www.writeoutloud.net/profiles/evacurless

Bard Company

BardCompany

The Sex Pistols, Houghton Weavers mash up the world needs. The North’s answer to the Young Ones! In yer face poetry, music and comedy with a socialist edge from the
oldest boy band on the circuit! Go see ‘Old Ones’ at your peril! Proof that laughter is an energy.

More info at : whiteleyian.wixsite.com/bard-company/blank

Patchwork Rattlebag

PatchworkRattlebag

Playing what can best be described as ‘brain-pop’ they are a band unlike others, creating song-driven, psychedelic, electronic music that touches on themes ranging all the way from dogma to Dada. File under – something a little different – but in a good way.

More info at : facebook.com/ wearepatchworkrattlebag

Monologue John Bartley

JohnBartley

Ever present at the Diggers’ festival from our first event, John used to work with Dorothy Fryman, after whom our ‘Song & Story’ stage is named, as one half of ‘Song & Story’. His story telling prowess has led to him rejoicing in the name ‘Monologue John Bartley’.

More info at : facebook.com/monologuejohnbartley

Stephen Smith

StephenSmith

An eclectic singer-songwriter from Merseyside, creating songs of love, freedom, loss, peace and revolution. Stephen’s lyrics offer his observations on life and how he sees the world. A Ragged-Trousered Troubadour with acoustic guitar in hand, performing with great passion.

More info at : www.stephensmithmusic.co.uk

George Melling

GeorgeMelling

A Wigan born and bred story teller/poet/sketch actor relating his trials and tribulations. Not afraid to err on the side of Socialism. Just the everyday stories of an ‘Owd Chap, who doesn’t go very far, but always has a tale to tell.

More info at : facebook.com/thOwdchap2016

Joe Astley

JoeAstley

Joe is a fast-rising musician and singer-songwriter, bringing a poetic folk-rock style and sound to venues all around the north-west and increasingly further afield.

More info at : facebook.com/josephstephenastley

Lawrence Hoy

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A veritable veteran of the Wigan folk scene, performing in his own right or as part of the Irish influenced Rare Ould Times. Equally at home singing his own compositions, including from his album ‘Beyond The Seas’ or familiar songs loved whenever they are played.

More info at : facebook.com/Rare-Ould- Times-Irish-Band-1553846934853721

Darren Poyzer

DarrenPoyzer

Celebrating 30 years as a performer, Darren is a smiling, hat wearing songwriter, special needs teacher, music leader, writer and performer of small theatre projects around ‘the human condition’. His engaging on-stage persona adds warmth, love and humour to the songs he brings with him.

More info at : www.poyzer.com

Diggers’ Festival Fringe Events include:

A talk by Dr. David Taylor – Historian & Writer from Cobham, Surrey (Winstanley’s other home and site of the 2nd Diggers’ Community) on

Gerrard Winstanley: The Bible & God

at Wigan Parish Church

WiganParishChurchTalk

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Two Short Plays by the “Soothside Radicles” (Penny Cole, Graeme Arnott, Pauline Bradley & Judy Fergison)

Unfinished Business & The Putney Principle

Venue and timings of both performances to be announced a.s.a.p.

WiganDiggersPlays

BannerUnfurling

The timings and the stages all our artists will be performing on will be announced in the next seven days.

Also watch out for our 3rd video promoting the Festival to be published next week.

Don’t forget to invite all your friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues to come along for what, weather permitting, is sure to be a really great day out.

Facebook event page: facebook.com/events/334601523621308/

Please also Like our Facebook Page @ facebook/wigandiggersfestival/

and follow us on Twitter @wigandigger

14/08/2017 by Stephen Hall

Latest Diggers’ Festival Festival Flyer

Front of the latest flyer for the 7th Annual Wigan Diggers’ Festival on Saturday 9th September in The Wiend, Wigan. This year’s main sponsor is Unite the Union North West Region. Please share and invite your family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues. It’s always a reet good do.

Cheers.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/334601523621308/

07/08/2017 by Stephen Hall

Sad Loss of Diggers’ Festival Stalwart – Joan Blackburn

JoanBlackburn1

It is with great sadness that we report the death, last Thursday, of the Wigan Diggers’ Festival and North West folk scene stalwart Joan Blackburn. She was loved by so many people and will be sorely missed by them all.

Our deepest condolences go out to her family and close friends. We share in their sorrow with love, friendship, and support.

As a tribute to Joan, here’s the words to a song penned by Terry Kinney which helps to express our thoughts of her at this sad time.

A Song for Joan

SongforJoan

Details of her funeral will be posted when they become known.

RIP – Joan Blackburn

19/07/2017 by Stephen Hall

An Invitation to the 7th Wigan Diggers’ Festival – Saturday 9th September 2017

Here’s the second of the three videos commissioned by the Wigan Diggers’ Festival Committee, produced for us by First Take in Liverpool. This one features many familiar faces from our annual event, as well as the excellent new song “Come on England” composed by Festival Committee member Bob Kettle, performed by local band and former festival headliners Merry Hell. Hope to see lots of you there again this year.

15/07/2017 by Stephen Hall

Invitation to Wigan Diggers’ Bolton Bash 2017

Wigan Diggers’ Festival Committee would like to invite you to this year’s Bolton ‘Warm Up’ Bash at the Socialist Club, Wood Street, Bolton on Saturday 22nd July.

The event will take place between 3.00pm and 10.30pm.

We have a great bill of guest performers including: The Earthquakers, Road to Poppyville, James Holt, Gary O’Gorman, Charlotte Mary, Gareth Evans, Tony Harper, Ian Whiteley, Gordon Zola, Daniel Dwyran, Stephen Gall, Andy N, Potting Shed Pete, John Wilmington and our regular Master of Ceremonies Jeffarama.

Hopefully see of you there.
BoltonBash2017

11/05/2017 by Stephen Hall

Booking a Stall at this year’s Wigan Diggers’ Festival

If you would like to book a stall for your organisation, community group, co-operative or small business at this year’s festival then please download Wigan Diggers’ Festival 2017 – Stall Application Form, complete as appropriate and return, along with your payment to the address provided.

Prospective stallholders are advised to book their pitch, tables, gazebos, chairs, etc, as soon as possible to avoid missing out, as the demand for space is growing year on year.

We have space for around 50 stalls at our festival. These include for hot food, books, arts and craft products, credit union, campaign and other community groups, trades unions and political organisations.

27/04/2017 by Stephen Hall

This Year’s Festival Flyer

Eyup folks, here’s this year’s festival flyer, which we will be distributing at this weekend’s Manchester and Salford May Day events, including Saturday’s ‘Defend Our NHS March’ which assembles at 11.00am at All Saints, Oxford Road, Manchester, for those of you who can make it.

WDF7Leaflet1 WDF7Leaflet2

17/04/2017 by Stephen Hall

Wigan Diggers’ Festival Documentary

Starring Ken Loach, Jimmy McGovern and a cast of thousands

First of three videos commissioned by the Wigan Diggers’ Festival Committee, produced for us by First Take in Liverpool. A big thanks to Jane Farley and her team for their sterling work.

22/01/2017 by Stephen Hall

Wigan Diggers’ Festival 2017 – Announcements

digger2017announcements

The 7th Wigan Diggers’ Festival will take place on Saturday 9th September 2017

Are you a songwriter or would you like to perform at this year’s event? If so, then this is for you!

If you are a solo entertainer, duo, group or band and would like to peform at this year’s Festival, then here is the application-for-playing-at-wigan-diggers-festival-2017 form you need to fill in and return to us before 31st March 2017. Successful applicants will be notified will be notified by 30th April.

Please email the application with any attachments to diggersstageentertainment@gmail.com

WIGAN DIGGERS’ FESTIVAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION

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The Wigan Diggers’ Festival exists to promote the ideas of Wigan born Gerrard Winstanley, the inspirational leader of the 17^th century Diggers’ Movement. Winstanley believed that “The Earth was a Common Treasury For All” and that all its inhabitants should benefit from the riches that it has to offer, rather than being the preserve of a privileged few.

2017 sees the 80^th Anniversary of the publication of ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’ in which George Orwell highlighted the extent to which, almost 3 centuries on from Winstanley, the living conditions of the working class inhabitants of Wigan showed that, whatever prosperity abounded in Britain, that it was hardly being shared equally amongst its citizens.

To celebrate the publication of the book and the impact that it had, the Wigan Diggers’ Festival Committee are inviting submissions of songs inspired by Orwell’s groundbreaking work.

THE PRIZE

£250 FOR THE WRITER(S) OF THE WINNING SONG
AN INVITATION TO PERFORM THE SONG AT THE WIGAN DIGGERS’ FESTIVAL 2017

THE RULES:

1: THE SONG MUST BE AN ORIGINAL PIECE OF WORK
2: THE SONG SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE ON OR BEFORE THE 8^TH MARCH 2017.
3: THE SUBMISSION CAN BE IN ANY PERFORMANCE FORMAT – AN AUDIO FILE OR A VIDEO OF THE SONG BEING PERFORMED. IT IS PERMITTED TO SUBMIT A LINK TO A SOCIAL MEDIA SITE SHOWING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SONG – FOR EXAMPLE A LINK TO A YOUTUBE UPLOAD
4: ENTRIES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO diggerssongwritingcompetition@gmail.com
5: ENTRIES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
THE NAME(S) OF THE SONGWRITER(S)
A COPY OF THE LYRICS OF THE SONG
AN ATTACHMENT OR LINK TO A PERFORMANCE OF THE SONG

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RECORDING QUALITY OF THE SONG IS NOT BEING JUDGED – IT IS THE MUSICAL AND LYRICAL CONTENT OF THE SONG THAT IS IMPORTANT. THE COMMITTEE INCLUDES A NUMBER OF WRITERS AND PERFORMERS AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE SONG AND THE METHOD OF PRESENTATION.
6: THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE END OF MAY
7: THE COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF PEOPLE WHO EACH HAVE A SINGLE VOTE – NO PERSON WILL HAVE MORE INFLUENCE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON
8: THE DECISION OF THE COMMITTEE IS FINAL AND NO CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ENTERED INTO REGARDING THE SONGS SUBMITTED.
9: WRITERS OF ALL SONGS SUBMITTED (INCLUDING THE WINNER, WILL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS TO THEIR OWN SONG.

GOOD LUCK

13/09/2016 by Stephen Hall

6th Wigan Diggers’ Festival – A resounding success!

Quite definitely our biggest and best so far, this year’s Wigan Diggers’ Festival was a resounding success. Here are some photos of the day’s proceeding (courtesy of Al Balmer) which saw our best ever line up of live entertainment, five excellent educational talks, two puppet shows, over 60 stalls and a terrific speech from this year’s Gerrard Winstanley Spade Award recipient, veteran Socialist fim director Ken Loach (see below). The weather, food and beer were pretty good too.