Nearly 50 local singers gathered above the town yesterday (Friday 7 August) for a special performance marking the opening evening of this year’s Saltburn Folk Festival.
Alongside a range of other brilliant performers, the “Saltburn Sirens” performed a series of folk and classic pop and rock songs, at Saltburn-by-the-Sea viewpoint, upper promenade - creating a striking community moment, against the stunning backdrop of the sea and coastline.
The inclusive choir is led by Mimi O’Malley, who runs Saltburn School of Music, and is also a director of the festival.
The choir joined the festival for the first time in 2025 and worked with musician Janice Burns to learn folk performance - a new musical experience for many of the members.
Mimi was brought up around music, played clarinet and Irish whistle from seven, and began playing saxophone age 10. It was a real passion - playing every day, performing in orchestras, big bands, concert bands, and clarinet choirs, along with performing Irish music out in the community. At 14, Mimi won a scholarship to Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, studied under some of the country’s leading musicians, and went on to the Royal Music College in London. Mimi grew up in Sheffield and moved to Saltburn 16 years ago.
Mimi said: “Folk music, and music in general, has been part of my family history for as long as I can remember. I grew up going to folk festivals and volunteering with my family, and I have performed at Saltburn Folk Festival over the years.
“It feels really special to come back in a different role, bringing a wonderful group of local singers into the festival and having the opportunity to perform at such an iconic location. It felt like a proud celebration of Saltburn and everything our brilliant group has accomplished.”
In convening the Saltburn Sirens twice a week, Mimi has seen firsthand how much the choir members have gained from taking part. It is an open, inclusive and accessible space for women, non-binary people, and gender minorities of all ages, and there are also benefits to mental health and wellbeing in embracing music and singing.
Saltburn Sirens has two choirs, some people come to both. The groups meet Mondays 7.15-9pm and Thursdays 11.30am-1.15pm. The Sirens are open to new members until mid September.
Saltburn Folk Festival is designed to open up opportunities for young musicians and the upper prom performances kicked off earlier in the afternoon with talented youth music group, Wear’d Aliens, followed by the Fosbrooks, a dance, music and song folk company formed in Stockport, which performs across the UK.
The festival organisers are proud to be passing on folk traditions to young people and breathing new life into the folk arts scene.
Throughout the weekend, there will be a wide range of free events, including musical performances at the bandstand across Saturday and Sunday; singarounds through the town; pop-up dancing and puppetry; and the free Valley Woods Family Festival, with activities for children.
Saltburn Sirens will also perform a 30 minute set on the free Bandstand Stage on Saturday 8 August at 5.30pm.
Elinor Creaby-Attwood, Saltburn Folk Festival’s Artistic Director, said: “Folk is wide ranging, and for everyone. More than anything, the events are community led and open to all.
“There’s the bandstand stage where people can see a range of amazing folk performers for free. I am really focused on developing a pipeline of talent – showcasing emerging artists of any stage in life, young musicians, alongside nationally renowned artists.
“Folk is about storytelling, and it encompasses the tales we tell, the characters we create, the things we make, and the traditions passed between the generations.
“It’s wonderful to now have the free family festival at Valley Woods, with a programme of activities where children can make, play, listen, imagine and encounter characters in a beautiful part of Saltburn. One of the highlights of the festival for me is absolutely the roaming puppet performances. I love puppetry and I think this will bring real joy to people of all ages!”
Free family activities across the weekend
Saturday 8 August
Woodland Centre, outside
·9.30am - 10.30am: Early Years Music Making with Nicola Beazley
·11am - 11.30am: Meet Trolliver
·12pm - 12.30pm: Meet Trolliver
·1pm - 2.15pm: Woodland Creatures Workshop with Merkel
·3pm - 4pm: The Wild Beasts of Silly
Woodland Centre, inside
·10.30am - 3pm: Crafts workshop with Katie Lock, with a break during the session
·3.30pm - 5pm: Come and Try Folk Instruments, fiddle and box, with Nicola Beazley
Around Saltburn
·11am - 12pm: The Wild Beasts of Silly at Saltburn Station Portico
·1pm - 2pm: The Wild Beasts of Silly beside the Cliff Lift on the upper promenade
·3pm - 3.30pm: Trolliver beside the Cliff Lift on the upper promenade
Bandstand
·Free performances throughout the day
Sunday 9 August
Around Saltburn
·11am - 12pm: The Wild Beasts of Silly beside the Cliff Lift on the upper promenade
·1pm - 2pm: The Wild Beasts of Silly beside the Cliff Lift on the upper promenade
·3pm - 4pm: The Wild Beasts of Silly at Saltburn Station Portico
Earthbeat Studio 2
·12pm - 1.30pm: Youth Folk Band Workshop and Jam, led by Jon Doran and Alasdair Paul
Bandstand
·Free performances throughout the day
Families are encouraged to take photographs when they meet the characters and share their sightings by tagging Saltburn Folk Festival and using #SaltburnFolk.
The Valley Woods Family Festival, puppet appearances, bandstand concerts, dance displays and pop-up performances around the town are free to enjoy, and you do not need a ticket to attend (unless otherwise stated). Full details and any last minute programme updates can be found at:
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