Wakefield Council hosted Festival of the Earth, a series of activities and events which took place from July to October in 2021 across the Wakefield district; including an event in Walton.

Heavy rain forecast on 7th August the day of Walton’s planned musical activities in Walton Colliery Nature Park forced the organiser Ali Bullivant to relocate to St Paul’s Church on the Balk.

Apart from the Wakeylele Band there were some illustrious performances including Mark Taylor with his accordian and vocals, MIcheal Graham playing and talking about a traditional 6 foot long 13 stringed Japanese Koto. Ali Bullivent, Paula Ryan, Reen Onion performed with guitar, vocals, fiddle and bodhran. The Wren flute duo played beautifully and country chart topping Matt Hodges rounded off the event

NIne band members led by David Broadbent played to an enthusiastic audience. Songs included Wakelele Song, Wakeylele Medley, Ain’t misbehaving, Any dream will do , Country roads, Feeling groovy, Find yourself a rainbow and From a jack to a king. Linda Sargent, Margaret Bennett, Maria Morris, Thelma Srivastava. Philip Barr, Peter Agnew, Richard Hancock, Roy Bennett and Stan Hollings formed the band.