Folkal Persuasion is made up of 5 A-level students studying at Bradford Girls Grammar School. The members are:

• Leyla Widdowson


• Sarah Baker


• Sarah Massey


• Jo Tinsley


• Kris Tinsley

The mentor and manager of the group, Dave Webster, is a design teacher at Bradford Girls Grammar School, and was a professional folk singer 27 years ago in a band called Bracken. Julie Partis, also a member of Bracken, helps and guides Folkal Persuasion.

Belgium, Folkal Persuasions first album, was released on the 20th May 1999. The album contains 11 tracks recorded at a professional recording studio.

Appearing recently at the Wharfedale Music Festival, Folkal Persuasion bagged a top award, and played for the Lord Mayor of Bradford (Who purchased a CD too!).

"Funding for the recording of the CD wasn't easy to come by, " comments Leyla, "we raised most of the £3000 through donations from local businesses."

Donations to the group came in many forms, from straight money donations to raffle prizes. "We have pottery, " commented Jo, " and Pace Microtechnology donated a full digital Sky Satellite system.".

Folkal Persuasion are taking local media by storm. Within the past six months, they have appeared on BBC Radio Leeds three times. They have been in the Yorkshire Post twice, and have also featured in the Telegraph & Argus and the Bradford Star.

Each appearance coincided with an organised concert to raise money for the production of the CD, these apperances being held in local venues.

Folkal Persuasion are already hard at work on more tracks, hoping to release a second CD - featuring more contemporary work - using all original material.

Watch out on the mp3.com charts - Folkal Persuasion may release a track in the coming months, watch this space!