An annual meeting of folkloric minds, with presentations by academics, folklorists and enthusiasts, plus conversation on all things folkloric.

Venue: Number 28, Market Place, Belper
Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Cost: The forum is free to attend but attendees are advised to book in advance as places are limited.
Booking: To book a place please contact  chrislewisjones44@gmail.com

Derwent Valley Folkloric Forum 2026 Programme

9.30 coffee and research question

10.00  welcome address, Chris Lewis-Jones (Chair)

10.05 introduction to Fleet Folkloric Forum, Alex Begg (arborealist, founder member of Fleet Folkloric Forum)

10.30 Matthew Cheeseman (Professor of Writing and Folklore at The University of Derby)  Living Heritage in the UK. 11.00 Discussion

11.15 Andrew Wilson (University of Derby) The Derwent, Crooker, and Mermaids: Water spirits in local folklore

12.00 Discussion

12.15 LUNCH

1.15 Paul Mansfield (folklorist and ethnomusicologist)  Tradition-Revival, Re-imagining, Invention. 2.00 Discussion

2.15 Chris Lewis-Jones (Research Fellow and founder member, Fleet Folkloric Forum)- Finding the Historic in the Folkloric. 3.00 Discussion

3.15  Derwent Valley Folkloric network (break out groups)

delegates will consider the questions: what is the function of a folkloric forum?

3.45 plenary session facilitated by Ian Pringle (Creative Facilitator and founder member of Fleet Folkloric Forum)