STOWMARKET swayed to the rhythm of traditional folk music as musicians from around the country entertained music lovers at the Museum of East Anglian Life.

STOWMARKET swayed to the rhythm of traditional folk music as musicians from around the country entertained music lovers at the Museum of East Anglian Life.

Around 100 musicians took part in a traditional music day in the museum's grounds.

More than 500 people packed in to enjoy the day of entertainment, which saw Suffolk group Old Hat joined by fellow folk musicians from Hampshire, Dartmoor, London and Sussex.

Each band performed a 45-minute concert during the day in the museum's Edgar Farmhouse. At the same time a massive music jam continued in Abbott's Hall Barn.

A popular feature of the day was the chance to have a go at playing the melodeon, an instrument for traditional music.

In the evening a sell-out crowd was treated to more music from Old Hat and friends, which featured songs, stories and step dancing from traditional performers.

Katie Howson, co-director of the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, which organised the event, said: "Musicians have come from all round the country specifically for this event. This is our first one but we are hoping to establish it and make it a fixture of the musical season."

Harry Barnett, operations manager at the museum, said: "It has been a great success. We are very pleased to host this event and are very keen to host music as part of our events here."

The event, which took a year to plan and twenty volunteers to set up, was certainly well received by the audiences.

Rob Neal, of Cattawade Street, Cattawade, said: "It is a very relaxing day. It is a chance to get rid of all your cares in the world and is a very nice way to spend an afternoon."

Christine Andrusiw, of Bradfield St George, said: "It is wonderful and the music is lovely. I have just had a lesson on the melodeon and that was great. There is definitely more to it than meets the eye."

WEB LINK

www.aboutbritain.com/museumofeastanglianlife.htm