Volunteer at free folk festival

The Leigh Folk Festival will take place at venues around the town from Thursday, June 25, to Sunday, June 28.

More than 20,000 people from across the country visit the festival, which is supported by the Echo, and organisers need an army of volunteers to ensure it can continue as a free event.

Volunteer coordinator Helen Shine said: “In 2014 we launched the #FolkFestArmy campaign and recruited volunteers widely for the first time.

“The idea was to give everyone taking part in the festival a sense of ownership, with social media users tagging the volunteers in photos and thanking them for their efforts.

“We’re looking for everything from stewards to photographers, assistance with our social media platforms, updating our website, litter pickers, technical assistance, runners and artist liaison.

“There is so much taking place across the four days, it’s impossible for our team to try and support it.”

The festival itself is a charity organisation, entirely run by a committee of volunteers who coordinate every aspect of the festival, but on the weekend itself there is a demand for more manpower.

Volunteers will be asked to giveaminimum of four hours, and every volunteer will get a free T-Shirt for giving their time.

The festival, which started in 1992, takes place across 20 indoor and outdoor venues around the town.

Over its 24 years of existence, the festival has gained an admirable reputation for innovative and eclectic programming, with its huge diversity of musical styles.

These range from traditional and cutting-edge folk, roots, world music, Americana and associated genres, as well as dance displays from the morris, rapper and clog traditions performing alongside contemporary and international styles, such as salsa and bellydancing.

To volunteer visit bit.do/ vntr or email leighfolkfest @gmail.com For more information about this year’s festival go to face book.com/leighfolkfestival and soon-to-be-launched leigh folkfestival.com