By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 13:33, Tuesday, 08 May 2012

A new festival launched following the demise of Brampton Live got off to a flying start at the weekend.

Maddy Prior at the festival

Combining folk and acoustic, Stepping Stones Festival was set up by a team of music fans, including local singer Maddy Prior to promote what she calls “real, profound quality music”.

It was held at Brampton Community Centre on Saturday and Sunday. There was also a special preview event for those with weekend tickets on Friday evening at Stones Barn, including music, bonfire and barbecue.

The new event aimed to have all the attributes of an old style festival, combining both music and traditional art and craft demonstrations. Star attractions included Spiers and Boden, acclaimed both as a duo and as members of Bellowhead, and harmony group Coope, Boyes and Simpson. Nine-piece festival band Whapweasal, multi-instrumentalist Benji Kirkpatrick and local lads No Soap No Radio were also on the bill.

There were also a host of workshops ongoing throughout the weekend, including storytelling, percussion and clog dancing. Revellers had a chance to show off their own skills at open-mic sessions, while a short musical play about Reivers was performed on Sunday afternoon.

A prize was awarded for the most spectacular hat worn during the weekend.

More photos in today's News & Star

First published at 11:24, Tuesday, 08 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk