Letdown as Faeries fly away (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Letdown as Faeries fly away

THE headliners at a Cotswolds folk music festival have pulled out at the last minute.

Isle of Skye-based Peatbog Faeries, who were recently named best live band in the Scottish Traditional Music Awards, have told organisers of the annual Celts in the Cotswold festival, due to take place later this month, that they will not be coming.

The band, who signed up to star on the Saturday evening of the two-day festival last June, were apparently unhappy with the standard of the PA system due to be used during the event at the Norgren Social Club in Shipston, though their promoter Ian Smith said this was only part of a much more complex situation.

Mr Smith, who also promotes Shooglenifty, the Edinburgh band which is replacing the Peatbogs at the festival, said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances the Peatbog Faeries are unable to perform at the Celts in the Cotswolds festival. This has absolutely nothing to do with the festival and is not the fault of the festival at all."

Organiser Sue Finlay said she was delighted to have secured the talents of Edinburgh-based band Shooglenifty as replacements.

The band's unique twist on traditional folk has won them a worldwide following.

Sue, who was this week contacting people who have already bought tickets to tell them about the change in the line-up, said: "We will refund money to those who have bought tickets but so far I've only had one person who has asked for their money back."

The late pull-out by the Peatbogs has meant that their names appear on posters and promotional material for the festival, which runs from Friday, February 17 to Saturday, February 18.

Sue and her husband Keith from Stretton-on-Fosse, have decided that this year's event, which started in 1996, will be the last.

Further details are available from Keith or Sue Finlay on 01608 661157 or sue.finlay12@btinternet.com.