THE UNBEATABLE WITTON CASTLE

. The Great North Country & Western Festival 2005

Feature & Photos By Johnny Two Left Feet©2005

Tremendous, incredible, what a festival I thought it impossible to better last years' tenth anniversary but the Witton team hold no boundaries when it comes to putting on a show and the team sure know how to pull out all the right stops to put on the best country music festival I have ever attended.

Witton is well established in its own right and I reckon it will become the North's annual holiday hot spot for some time to come. The atmosphere hits you as soon as you enter the spectacular grounds that surround the huge marquee that caters for all the family including grand ma and grand pa.

The Witton festival is run in such a way that any profit made will roll over to the next festival. This would explain the tremendous live bands Witton put on. Here is how I saw this year's event.

This festival has it all including the people that attend this six-day event. Just take a look at my friends from the North!

Outside shopping at the many stall's look at the beautiful cloths these two are wearing. Like a lot more people the amount of commitment to detail sure puts you in a western mood. Believe me when I tell you. Witton has the best-dressed westerners I have ever seen at any event.

Or just chilling out in the huge seating area with your friends

There's alot of em...(over 3500 attended this festival) Brenda Looks after the dance side of things and has every reson to be proud.Great job well done Brenda.. Could yer start a bit later next year please?

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The huge dance floor was situated to the rear of the marquee which had great all round sound. The dancers could enjoy themselves without interfering with the listeners - Just another carefully thought out plan the organises have put into practice that works so well.

My favourite place! Just look at the size of this bar, great prices and so well run...

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Er no "Yacko & Dacko" The drinks bar! The girls look good too..Go on show us a leg....

Is that your real noes? Oh mmmm it is sorry. Do you mind? I have to be at the karaoke soon!

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The children's entertainment was superb this is a strong point of this festival. Witton are leaders in organisation and know that if the youngsters are happy we are going to be happy and what a show these lads put on every day for the children.

Now with the youngsters happy, the oldies show how they can enjoy themselves and do they!!

The war off the Witton Blues & Greys

This creased me! The rival armies even had spies to see what each other was up to…

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The war of the "Blue's & Grey's" was hilarious. Each year the Blue's & Grey's Take turns in who will win…. Enjoyment is without doubt the key factor and to say the mock war was tongue in cheek would be an understatement! Just great, now this is one war I could join in.

No rock is left unturned as the "Witton Cowboys" pose for a quick shot! (couldn't resist that one lads..). We also had the Big Chiefs here too, Big Paul even brought his "Buckaroo stallion" with him! Not that it impressed "Rodeo John The Stud Tallon". He sure gave that there stallion some stick!

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Oh my goodness, he's broke its back! Hahaha.. Big Paul wont like that!

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I then caught John eyeing up the kids horse.. "Na, it will have to be stronger than that lads - I will test it for yer's when its dun!"

What a fun time, Oh yes the bands! I almost forgot…. Witton has a policy which states that all music will be live with no backing tracks what so ever! This sets a precedent for only the best possible bands to attend this festival. It would also explain the huge crowds of country people who certainly know a good band when they see one.

The standards again were so high with around 30 bands to choose from the "Bog Trotters" who in my opinion took "Band of the festival" they stormed this festival with some of the best content I have heard all year. Brilliant!

The Bog Trotters

The Bog Trotters gave a performance second to none. The most talented band both vocally and musically I have seen in years. All the bands were good with an act to please every one. I am just highlighting the ones that in my opinion stood out from the rest.

The Axe Mouth & Mersey Razzers

You just can't have a festival without Kenny Johnson & North Wind who are in my opinion the most consistent band of all time. This year's performance once again was tremendous. We were treated to possibly the finest all round country act ever when Kenny introduced more talent to join him, the act that was put together just for Witton was "The Axe Mouth & Mersey Razzers" which included Nicky James, Alan West and "The Mad Yank" Mr. Keith Nelson. Perfection is the only word I can find to describe this act.

Person of the year Mr Bobby Arnold

On exallence "The Great Bobby Arnold" received the "Witton Award" for his contribution to country music over the last ten years. Bobby is with out doubt the finest lead guitar player in England today.

Honest Truth

Honest Truth played to this crowd and I must say played a faultless and most enjoyable set that I did not want to end. Honest Truth don't need a six page documentary to explain who they are. They are great.

The Fever

Witton wouldn't be the same without "Fever" who played a clever set this year. They played as many of the Witton favourites as they could which everyone enjoyed.

What about these lads? The Landons. I go back a few years with this talented band

Who have matured to a top act that is very hard to follow well done lads.

And well done the Witton team who as usual personaly bid farwell to all who attend this superb country music feastival. leaving Top comperee "The great alway's on time "Mr Rolex" Johhny Ringo" to bring this show to an end

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Conclusion

Simple, It's the best! If you can do any better let me know. Many thanks to all the Witton team for a great country music festival with special thanks to Dale for the tee shirt. I look forward to seeing you all next year.

Johnny Two Left Feet