The Black Horse Festival 2008

Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May 2008
The Black Horse, Telham, East Sussex, TN33 0SH, England MAP
£48 weekend or £8-18 per session

Last updated: Fri 23rd May 2008

Celebrating its 20th birthday in 2008, this is a small festival often featuring renowned world musicians, taking place annually in the grounds of The Black Horse public house. There is a bar selling real ales and food is available either from the barbecue, or from the Black Horse. Collections are made for one or more selected charities.

The Friday sees a night of varied blues headlined by The Rob Tognoni Band. They will be joined by Storm Warning, and Buick 6.

Saturday has an afternoon of folk music with a session, workshops and other acts at "The Club in the Pub" with story telling and a free Punch & Judy show, Hastings Circus, jugglers and face painters will be on site. Acts will be on the main stage throughout the afternoon including Ian Dobson and John Towner, The Mariners, Tom Bliss, Band Of Two, The Dealers, and Neck. The evening is celebrating 40 years of 'the spirit of Woody Guthrie' with live performances from Hard Travelers including Dave Sharp, Henry McCullough (formerly of Wings), Zoot Money (from The Animals), Gary Fletcher and Colin Allen, with support from The D'Urbervilles, R Cajun, and the Zydeco Brothers.

Following on in Black Horse tradition Sunday has been set aside as 'World Music Day' with Zubop Gambia and Paddyrasta on the afternoon, the evening sees Trans-Global Underground, Kangaroo Moon, and Manlouche.

The Bank Holiday Monday line-up includes Glen Tilbrook and the Fluffers, John Otway and Wild Willie Barrett, and Big Bill Bloater and his South Side Stompers, all celebrating 20 years of the festival.

Originally in a tent with a farm trailer for a stage the festival now has huge marquees with a big stage, light and sound system, off road parking, with a second outside bar area and a new barbecue and food area is planned for 2008.

A free bus runs to and from Battle train station and local camp sites. There is free off road parking too. Camping is not available on site but there are plenty of camp sites in the locality. For full details, contact tourist information.
Tickets for the festival are on sale at Hastings or Battle Tourist Information Centre or The Black Horse Pub priced at £48 (in advance) for the entire weekend or between £8 and £18 for the various sessions on the day. The online service has now closed.

To buy tickets, click here.

More information will be here when available.