Folk Float launched in Egremont Cumbria

Creative Egremont launches the Folk Float, a unique mobile community resource

The Folk Float has been devised by artists ‘public works’ , who were commissioned to come up with a new way to display some of the town’s Crab Fair-related mementoes, and to help revive interest in local heritage amongst people of all ages.

The Folk Float is an eye-catchingly customized second-hand electric milk float, with special revolving exhibition stands, display furniture, a digital printer and even a kitchenette fitted to its rear.

It displays objects of historic significance such as old Crab Fair photos and posters, but also has a twist – visitors to the Float are invited to contribute exhibits that are of importance to them. These can be loaned to the Float for a day, or permanently. The aim is to build up a portrait of Egremont today as well as the Egremont of the past.

So far, exhibits donated range from a ‘sweetheart’ brooch commemorating the town (collected by Crab Fair Archive Committee member Ralph Merrett) to a huge organically grown courgette cultivated by a local couple.

The Folk Float also has a high-tech website featuring a mobile phone blog, where pictures of exhibits can be immediately posted live online, straight from the Folk Float phone wherever it is. Online visitors can play ‘Fantasy Folk Float’ and send an image of something they’d like to see on the Float via the website.

Staffing the Float are Outreach Officers George Rea of Cleator Moor, and Catherine Sadler of Lancaster, who will help members of the public get the most from the ever-growing collection. The Float also hopes to attract volunteers who may be interested in helping aboard.

In between its frequent trips along the residential and commercial streets of Egremont, Thornhill, St. Bees, Beckermet, Wilton and Haile, the Folk Float will be on display at the areas’ country shows and events (see below).

The Folk Float will launch on Sun. 2 September with an extensive tour around the Egremont area. The Folk Float website is at www.folkfloat.org

FOLK FLOAT ON TOUR

As well as regular tours of Egremont and its surrounding villages the Float will be at: