A MUSIC festival which has blazed the trail for mod and ska fans across the north could become a permanent fixture, organisers said last night.

Thousands turned up for the first Great Northern Mod and Ska festival set in the sweeping grounds of the Thorp Perrow country estate, near Bedale, home of the North’s largest independent arboretum, and local lord of the manor Sir John Ropner. 

As music lovers danced the night away sporting an impressive array of Union Flag parkas, trilbies and rolled up jeans, even he became a convert,

“It’s not usually my sort of music, but it’s been extremely successful and we’ve been down their dancing every night,” revealed the 78-year-old baronet.

With headline acts over the three nights including Craig Charles, Bad Manners, The Lambrettas, The Selecter, 9 Below Zero and The Chords the audience came from a wide swathe of the north and covered every age range. 

Cheryl Bell, who came with husband Peter, from Stockton said: “The kids went to Leeds Festival, so we came here and it’s been really good. There’s a great cross section of music that you don’t often see – it’s a quality line up.”

For Adam Dixon, from Hull, it was a chance to mark his 20th birthday with friends Dale Williams and Roy Lane. 
He said: “It’s about time we had a Northern ska festival. It’s all about the music, that’s why we’ve come over and it has been worth it.”

The exact definition of ska and mod is much debated. The terms date back through the annals of the history of modern music, ska originating in the early 60s in Jamaica developing through rhythm and blues and at one stage popular with skinheads, with mod a subculture including fashion, scooters and soul. 

There was no hint of traditional violent skinhead characteristics and indeed the slogan on one fans jacket summed it up: “Boots and braces don’t mean racist.”. 

And one festival goer commented: “It’s the friendliest, most peaceful festival I’ve ever been too.” 

There were niggles. Jeff and Jean Padmore, from Cheshire, said more showers and toilet facilities were needed. 
“But I think it’s just getting going. It’ll get better and the music has been brilliant,” said Mr Padmore.

Extra curricular activities included a scooter ride following part of the Tour de France route through the Dales’ scooter building, Skaarchery, children’s events and stalls selling the latest array of mod and ska wardrobe must-haves. 

Great Northern Festivals, a team of musicians and music-loving professionals who organised it following on from their successful Richmond Live, event said it was a big success – although there was a discrepancy between the 5,000 expected and the 2,000 who turned up.

But for the new kid on the block, organisers say the festival’s a winner. 
Andy Brown, promoter, said: “It’s been great. The weather has been gorgeous, and we have had some fantastic feedback.

“People have really enjoyed it. I think it could become a major part of the music festival scene in the North.”