AFTER years of steady growth, this coming weekend sees Weymouth harbourside hosting the fourth Wessex Folk Festival.

Musicians and dancers from all along the south coast are coming to the town for three days of traditional entertainment.

The headlining acts are the Martin Simpson Trio on Saturday and Martin Carthy with Norma Waterson on Sunday.

A huge number of local bands as well as dance teams from across the region are also taking part and organisers are hoping that people will turn out in their hordes to do the line-up justice.

Festival organiser Paul Openshaw said: “Turn-out has been increasing year-on-year. The first year we had up to 1,000 people here, then the following year around 1,500 turned up.

“Last year was a huge success and it felt like we had 4,000 people coming along so hopefully this year will be a success too.”

He added: “This year, for the first time, there will also be evening entertainment with a ceilidh in Hope Square led by the Tree Fellahs. There will also be a smaller stage by the Old Rooms Inn for dancing.”

Saturday’s agenda also includes music from One Foot in the Groove, while Sunday sees a performance by jazz-folk band the Elevators, whose line-up includes Rodney Teague and band members from The Crack and Pond Life, who will be performing at 1pm.

The festival also has a comprehensive series of workshops running on Saturday and Sunday, covering everything from guitar tuning, bodhran playing and session fiddle playing to dance instruction and vocal techniques.

There will also be a number of stalls selling everything from ethnic jewellery to garden ornaments stretching along the harbourside from Hope Square to Town Bridge.

“The thing we really want to stress is that the festival is a fantastic family event,” said Paul. “We have been working with the entertainers and the venues in Hope Square and along the harbour to make the weekend the perfect place for families to come.”

The fourth Wessex Folk Festival takes place from Friday to Sunday, June 5 to 7 in Hope Square and along Weymouth’s old harbour.

Martin Simpson is performing in Hope United reform Church in Trinity Street at 8pm on Friday, June 5. Tickets are £10 in advance and £12 on the door.

Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson are also in the church on Saturday, June 6 at 8pm and tickets are £10 in advance, £12 on the door.

For full details and bookings call 01305 821611 or 01305 860277 or visit wessexfolkfestival.co.uk