AS the organisers of one of Middlewich’s yearly highlights begin to prepare for this year’s festival, the Guardian has spoken to one if it’s founders about the event that first took place 24 years ago.

Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival took place for the first time in 1990 and it will bring up 25 years in 2015.

Since then its popularity has grown among townsfolk and visitors alike.

Dave Thompson, events manager at Middlewich Town Council, gave the Guardian a little bit of an insight into the beginnings of the festival when it first started out “Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival came about following a conversation in the Boars Head, one early evening in 1989,” Dave said.

“Folk singers ‘the Middlewich Paddies’ were keen to start-up a festival and just by chance, the Trent and Mersey Canal Society wanted to host a canal boat rally- and in no time at all the ‘folk & boat’ festival was born.

“A group of willing volunteers were quickly rounded-up and thanks to welcome support by Middlewich Town Council, Congleton Borough Council, and BRS Northern, the first festival took place on the weekend of June 15, 16, 17, 1990.

“Hosted by the Middlewich Paddies, the weekend featured a concert by folk-comic, Bernard Wrigley and a ceilidh by Token Women. The first talent competition took place in the Wych Centre.

“Music sessions in the beer tent and local pubs, morris dancing by ‘Six Towns Morris’ and the boat rally provided the activities and entertainment for the weekend.

“It was a wonderful occasion that we just had to repeat.”

This year’s festival will take place on the weekend of June 13, 14, 15.

Headliners include Ade Edmundson & The Bad Shepherds, the Moulettes and The Men They Couldn’t Hang.

What are your memories of the Folk and Boat festival? Do you have any pictures from the first event that you could share with the Guardian and its readers? Email middlewich@guardiangrp.co.uk.