Tuffet workshops at the Crediton Folk Festival

Crediton festival had such a wonderful line up of diverse performances this year. Amongst the acts on offer were the wonderful tones and songs of the traditional folk singer were heard from the amazing Mike Nicholson - once heard never forgotten.The hard-hitting lyrics from the band Seize the Day, a self-claimed radical English acoustic band with global roots. This band is not afraid to support action groups at any front-line protests, with their songs  being testament to their strong beliefs that celebrate, inspire and support the liberation of life.A totally different Blue grass flavour was to be found with the young up and coming group from Cornwall, Blue Horyzon featured in this video clip below:-

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Another fine artiste that would make any festival complete is the very fine Nicola Clark who began life in a convent school - very strict and spiritual where she  sang in the choir. She went on to complete a BA in Fine Art, Painting in London. Nicola has also lived at an Ayurvedic (natural Indian medicine) Ashram in India for 7 years where she illustrated their local magazine and started to write devotional songs. Today she is a very entertaining and passionate singer and artiste that should not be missed!


If Morris dancing is for you then you wouldn't have been disappointed with sides such as, Raddon Hill North West Clog, Dr Turberville's Morris, Wreckers Morris, Hobos Morris, and a host of Plymothians - Plymouth Morris Men, Plymouth Maids, Plymouth Mummers to delight and amuse you.

Amidst this array of fine entertainment The Tuffeteer ran a craft workshop for the lucky few to learn the ancient skills of eco-friendly tuffet making and  for the nominal charge of £5.00 created their very own rather good wool tuffets to be used throughout the festival and beyond!!

Lowender Peran review!

The Tuffeteer had a grand array of deliciously sheepy tuffets on display throughout the weekend. There was a steady background dialogue of 'oohs' and 'ahhhs' as many a festival goer lowered their derrieres into a state of bottom heaven whilst perched on a three legged milking stool!! Tuffets are travelling, even as I write, as far afield as the Lizard and beyond to the Carribean! The Tuffeteer's wool tuffets were evident around the festival as a local harpist enjoyed the perfect combination of relaxing tunes and relaxing sheepy comfort!

Although the tuffet is renowned for it's delightful sustainable comfort whilst in the sitting pose, the benefits of warmth and soothing relaxing qualities have reached new heights - as the new head piece - cheaper than your average wig, definately a 'baaa'gain and viewed below - a chinstrap of the finest string may be added to enable the wearing in stormy conditions!!!

The festival was superb, excellent bands and workshops, celidhs to keep you reeling all night long from all celtic nations. The highlight for me was the very exciting young Cornish Launceston band, The Crowns, playing full on  punked-up folk, taking traditional folk tunes and rearranging to their own unique and vibrant style. The dance floor was full, young and old alike all aleaping to the driving rhythms - many a wet shirt went out that night!
The Tuffeteer can sleep well knowing that many folk from the celtic nations have now had the opportunity to  buy a  tuffet and enjoy the well deserved deliciously sheepy and rustic bottom heaven experience in the comfort of their own worlds!

Making Waves Festival - Looe

The scene is set and what a great first festival - all the ingredients of a winning weekend, free Friday, stage on the beach, traditional cornish music in West Looe, alternative stage in the Rose Garden Marquee, what could be missing? Bands such as The Selector, Ade Edmundsen and the Bad Shepherds, Dalla, From The Jam,  Roy Wood and his Rock & Roll Band, Reg Meuross, Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra, Penndrumm, Jessica Sweetman, Unstrung Heroes, Keltique, Pentorr, Kath and her Bluegrass Boys, plus  choirs from Looe, Polperro and Pelynt, Sheila's School of dancing, Big Man Bubba and many more, all combined to make a wonderful diverse festival! Please go to http://www.ilovelooe.co.uk/photographs/events-innear-looe/looe-music-festival-2011 for more great photos of the festival taken by Chris Halls for the festival!

Roy Wood and his Rock and Roll Band on the main stage

So where was the downside? The uncomfortable hard wooden and plastic seats were in abundance and could have led to being the one downside of the festival until The Travelling Tuffeteer arrived to provide the necessary 'bottom heaven' for the twelve hour marathon sung by the shanty singers in The Jolly Sailor on West Looe. As voices were sounding strong and brave, buttocks were slowly becoming numb and disillusioned - the wool tuffets were tested and cares rapidly soothed away as the experience of bottom heaven transformed the basic chair to a seat of luxury. Singers and musicians can all embrace  the wonders of 'Bottom Heaven since 2011'

e.mail contact: tuffets@hotmail.co.uk