Family Folk

Bring your family to a creative and fun Summer folk break at Halsway!

There’ll be a programme of activities each morning and evening, focused around children but suitable for the whole family – mum, dad, aunties and uncles, granny and grandad, even close family friends! – to join in with. You’ll be able to spend quality time together exploring creative and accessible folk activities (no experience necessary) and we’ll make the most of Halsway’s beautiful setting and outdoor spaces to inspire us!

Typical activities might include:

• Singing for everyone – learning some traditional songs or perhaps creating some of our own…

• Fun Folk Dancing for everyone – using up some excess energy or refining your best moves!

• Music-making for all, where everybody can join in whatever their age, instrument or experience, and make a great sound together

• “Have a go” workshops where we create new dances or learn something new or perhaps try new musical instruments

• Games, crafts and outdoor play exploring the environment around us

All activities will be optional, so if you want to take some time out to relax or do your own thing that’s fine, but we do expect children to be supervised by a member of their family at all times.

Afternoons are free time for trips around this lovely area; there’s plenty to see and do including the West Somerset Railway, the seaside and Exmoor. One day a week is left completely free for you to plan your own day trips, or to relax at the Manor if you prefer.

Stay in our beautiful Manor house – large family rooms are available, and also comfortable double / twin rooms for accompanying grandparents, for example – or you can set-up camp in our lovely grounds. All meals are provided, so you can relax and enjoy yourselves in a convivial, family-orientated atmosphere!

Who is it for?

The holiday is for families and children of all ages who want to experience a fun and creative folk break together. We are only accepting bookings from family groups including children. Your ‘family’ group can include close friends and relations of all ages, but please note that the organised programme is aimed solely at providing inclusive family activities. There won’t be any activities aimed solely at adults.

The Team

David Faulkner is a multi-talented musician, dance caller, band leader, vocal coach – you name it! – with many years’ experience in running inclusive and creative folk arts activities and projects in all kinds of community and education settings. He is a regular tutor at Halsway – at last year’s Family Folk week, and many times as a key tutor on our annual Bagpipe Weekend! He has been playing pipes for over 25 years with groups such as the Eel Grinders and Jon Swayne’s Zephyrus, and performs regularly as a duet with accordionist Steve Turner. He has toured in Europe, Canada and America and taught piping courses in the UK and abroad and has worked as a community musician for nearly 20 years.

Maia Ayling first studied circus and physical performance at Circomedia before going on to train as an actor at Central School of Speech and Drama and École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. With a portfolio career she has worked with a range of companies across the world. She co-founded Thimble Theatre, a cross-platform company that explores physical theatre, live music and storytelling. As a circus artist she has performed aerial rope and acrobatics internationally and continues to do so alongside her work as an actor. She is a core artist with circus theatre company, Tit for Tat. ​Maia has sung in large classical performances with Welsh National Opera and Ex Cathedra.  She is a vocal tutor on Ex Cathedra's education projects, in particular Singing Medicine. She has toured with various ensembles including Joe Broughton's Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble and has worked extensively as an actor musician.

Alison Rowley is currently on maternity leave, and we wish her all the best.