They should run something cheap like a camp for families! This was the appeal from Bessie Rye to Bill Rutter that began it all. Bill was then the SW Area Organiser for the English Folk Dance & Song Society (EFDSS) and with their backing he created the ‘Family Camp’ concept that we still know and love today.
The first Family Camp was in the summer of 1961 near Bridport. 50 people attended including 18 children. It was on the basic side to say the least: there were no toilets and water was taken from an open tank. Light was from Tilley lamps as there was no electricity. There were no gas ovens and hot water came from an improvised wood burner. And the marquee had no floor. There was also a strict rule that children under 12 were to leave the marquee by 9pm! It cost just 3 pounds and 15 shillings (£3.75) including the hire of a tent.
In the boom years of the Folk Revival the idea caught on immediately and by 1968 there were 7 weeks of camps at 3 locations to choose from. At this point it was decided that the operation should be split off into an independent organisation – so 50 years ago this year, on 2nd May 1968, Folk Camps proper was born.
Over the decades Folk Camps experimented with all sorts of camps: marquee camps, hall camps, weekend camps, youth camps, continental camps (in Belgium,France,Germany,Holland), self-catered camps, activity camps, craft camps, dancers camps, singers camps and musician camps.
Reading through the history of Folk Camps a few themes emerge that still ring true today:
- The provision of constant hot water by whatever means is an imperative.
- Adults generally need to do a day of cooking.
- Bad weather never makes a bad camp!
Bill Rutter’s vision was for a cheap camping holiday, suitable for children, with dance, singing and music-making at its heart to which everyone would contribute their enthusiasm and talent.
So have we diluted that vision?
You might say we are no longer cheap – but the evidence says otherwise: In 1968 the cost of a full adult place on a week camp was £6. Allowing for inflation this is equivalent to £100 today. But this does not take into account the increase in the general standard of living which has increased by a factor of 3 in the last 50 years. So in terms of affordability that £6 per week would have felt the same as about £300 today – very comparable to the £280 it actually costs at the moment.
You might say we are less committed to the music and dance. Now, it is a fact that we welcome more campers from outside the folk world than in the past. But the effect is not to diminish the Folk traditions but to widen their appeal and bring new families to appreciate their importance. As example, my own family now contains a fiddle player, an accordion player, a folk singer and 4 avid folk dancers – this would never have happened without Folk Camps.
So have we diluted the vision? I think not!
Folk Camps has remained true to its roots thanks to the untiring efforts of legions of campers over the decades. If I were to begin listing them now we would have no time left to dance! So I have set up a board for everyone to write the names of people whose efforts deserve particular mention – I will distribute a photo of the result after the camp.
And the next 50 years?
In a world that is increasingly dividing us into suppliers and consumers Folk Camps insists on every camper being both at the same time.
In a world that divides us into performers and audience Folk Camps encourages us to join in.
In a world that wants to standardise Folk Camps celebrates diversity.
In a world that wants to commercialise traditions Folk Camps reminds us that they ultimately belong to ordinary folk.
Folk Camps is just as relevant today. As ever, the more we put in the more we get out. So with the will of all our campers I believe Folk Camps will celebrate 100 years in style.
Marcus de Frettes
Chair of Folk Camps
26th August 2018