The Sidmouth Invasion

In the first week of August, the seaside town of Sidmouth is invaded by all-singing, all-dancing hordes from all over Britain, and from overseas. The occasion is the International Folklore Festival: after 27 years well-established as the Mecca for morris-men, clog-dancers, ceilidh callers and melodeon menders.
In 1981, the Bristol Arts Unit moved to Sidmouth for the week of the festival to taste the flavour of the entertainment, and to witness the effect of this 'friendly invasion' on a tidy, unspoilt corner of Devon. Among those 'caught in the act' were the Kasava dancers from Czechoslovakia, the Louga Folk Ensemble from Senegal, the Czup-Lak Ukrainian dancers from Nottingham, Ekome from Bristol, Packie Byrne, Somerville Gentlemen's Band, Great Western Morris, The Shropshire Bedlams, Ginger's Street Theatre, and Scaramouche.

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