Billingham International Folklore Festival
7 August - 15 August 2015
Billingham, Middlesbrough & Stockton on Tees, North Yorkshire, TS232DD
In the late 1950s and early 1960s Billingham U.D. Council had developed a new traffic free shopping centre. Traditionally Billingham residents went to the larger and established shopping centres of nearby Stockton & Middlesbrough. To attract shoppers the Council organised entertainment in the centre, which, because it was traffic free lent itself to such performances.
On one such Saturday an Irish Dance Troupe led by a Sunderland head teacher, Phil Conroy performed on the Town Square and attracted a large and enthusiastic audience. At the end of the show Mr. Conroy happened to mention that his group had just returned from the continent where they had performed at a week long folklore festival. He also remarked that the town centre would be an idea setting for such a festival. Councillors present liked the idea. So was the Billingham Festival born in 1965. Billingham then became a founder member of C.I.O.F.F., the international organisation of folklore festivals and Phil Conroy became its General Secretary. a post he held until his death.
From small beginnings - only Austria, Estonia and Hungary were represented at the first festival - over the years the Festival hosted over 15000 performers from more then 90 countries and each year it hosts 8-10 groups with over 400 artists from abroad and presents the best, world of folklore dance and song has to offer at two venues - The Forum Theatre, the Festival Outdoor Arena in Billingham Town Centre. In 1999 the festival became an independent limited company and registered charity. It has also concluded a partnership agreement with Stockton Borough Council which guarantees its future.
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingswood Guest House | 1.7 ml | £29.00 | Book | |
| Metro Inns Teesside | 1.8 ml | £25.00 | Book | |
| Travelodge Middlesbrough | 2.2 ml | £37.00 | Book | |
| Jurys Inn Middlesbrough | 2.5 ml | £63.20 | Book | |
| Wynyard Hall Country House Hotel | 2.8 ml | £135.00 | Book | |
| Old Mill - Luxury Apartments | 3.3 ml | £90.00 | Book | |
| BEST WESTERN Middlesbrough | 3.5 ml | £18.00 | Book | |
| Blue Bell Lodge Hotel | 4.2 ml | £45.00 | Book | |
| Sporting Lodge Inn Middlesbrough | 5.3 ml | £37.80 | Book | |
| Old Mill - Apartments Ingleby Barwick | 5.5 ml | £90.00 | Book | |
| The Marton Hotel and Country Club | 5.5 ml | £40.00 | Book | |
| The Marine Hotel | 5.6 ml | £60.00 | Book | |
| Altonlea Lodge | 5.7 ml | £33.00 | Book | |
| BEST WESTERN Parkmore Hotel & Leisure Club | 6.0 ml | £50.00 | Book | |
| Stables At The Vale | 6.3 ml | £75.00 | Book |
Billingham, Middlesbrough & Stockton on Tees, North Yorkshire, TS232DD
Similar festivals
