The
Miskin Folk homepage 
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The End of an Era
It was with a very heavy heart that we had to cancel Miskin at Easter in 2007. Circumstances
conspired against us and in the end we had to admit defeat. There was always
something special about "our" Miskin and it will take a lot to fill the
gap It was a wonderful few years and many friendship and partnerships were formed directly as a result of a little bit of Miskin Magic. Every single person who came to any Miskin event contributed to the whole experience, thank you for the amazing support you have given us over the years. I will be maintaining and adding to this website as a reminder of our good times. If you have any pictures memories etc. you would like to share please send them to me as part of the growing Miskin Archive. There have been at least three songs written about Miskin and I hope to publish the words here in due course. Luckily, you will be pleased to know, a film was made during the last Miskin at Easter (2006) A very few copies are still available. We love you all, Andy & Jillie
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from an original by Sarah Tann-Watson 
Miskin Folk Contents
Miskin at Easter 2001 (Cancelled)
Miskin is a small village , near Llantrisant in South Wales. The Miskin Arms, situated in the heart of the village had long been a favorite spot for visiting Dance Sides. Perhaps due to the relaxation of licensing laws allowing afternoon drinking in city pubs, interest seemed to wane. When Yas took our son Toby to scouts in that very scout hall, she would while away a moment or two chatting to Mac and Di in the comfort of the pub. Yas then had the great idea of trying to rekindle some interest in a few sessions. She promptly rang around a few local musicians who then got together for occasional music sessions in the bar. This then was the logical place to wind down at the end of the Llantrisant Folk Festivals, run by Mick Tems in those days. When the Llantrisant Folk Festival ceased to be, there was a hole in the calendar on the last weekend in April. By now the pub had become a popular session meeting place, and the dancers who had become regular at the Festival were keen to carry on the tradition. Mike Greenwood, who gathered and organised the dance side of Llantrisant Festival and myself, who was just keen, decided to keep the spirit of the Llantrisant Festivals alive and carry on at Miskin.
The first year it gained the title of Reunion, as it was really a meeting place for friends, old and new. Since then, although the official title may have changed, the happy, relaxed feeling throughout the weekend is still the same. In 1996 we gained the use of the local Miskin Mill Scout Village for camping. Although there are only a few intrepid souls willing to take to the canvas at this time of year, it gave us much needed room as our gardens and floors were getting fuller every year. For the following two years we had the use of more Mill facilities, most notably The Cottage. Stone built and about the size and shape of a small church, the acoustics are just wonderful. The voices just ring and the choruses go on for ever! With the addition of a small bar, we really did feel at home. With the, ever useful, Scout Hut just across the car park for the evening Ceilidhs, this is an ideal small festival site.
At the end of 1999 the Miskin Arms was sold and extensively changed. This was the cue for the next expansion - we secured the use of the entire Miskin Scout Village Site and the Scout Hall.The small bar we had provided previously at the Mill was replaced by a much more extensive bar within the Mill proper providing a wide choice of quality real ales. Transforming the Mill into our own bar and lounge aptly named Nelly Dean's, created the perfect setting for music and song sessions. During Easter 2003 the bar was officially renamed "Barkers Bar" in memory of our good friend Ray Barker who passed from us in 2002.
The purpose built kitchens in the Mill allowed us
to provide full catering throughout the weekend. The changes and
additions prompted both by the changes at the Miskin Arms and the move
to Easter weekend proved so successful that we thought Miskin at Easter would become a
regular fixture. Unfortunately the Foot and Mouth crisis meant the
cancellation of this event for 2001. Instead the Winter Warmer was a
bigger event than usual with the same atmosphere as Easter (without the
eggs !).
All back to normal for 2002 with a highly succesful Miskin at Easter
once again.
And so we have gone from strength to strength, we were even voted the Best Folk Festival by the Mudcat users group. I have tried to absorb the slowly growing numbers while maintaining the original intimate feel of the weekend. Although we no longer venture "off site" for dancing or processions, these remain an important feature. We now have a choice of two concert venues during both main days, with almost endless sessions of song and music in various locations. With our real ale bar and home cooked catering we really are making the best use of the wonderful facilities at the Mill.
Andy
