SOME of the country's top folk acts are set to play at a traditional two-day festival in Weymouth this summer.

The Wessex Folk Festival is set to make its return to the seaside town over the weekend of Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4 at Weymouth Harbour.

Top of the bill on the main stage on Saturday will be Merry Hell, the popular Lancashire-based eight-piece folk-rock band, who recently added Weymouth’s Simon Swarbrick to their line-up on violin.

A favourite with audiences at festivals and folk clubs across Britain, Merry Hell play an energetic mix of their own songs that draw on the best of the folk music tradition.

The Wessex Folk Festival is free to attend and will see well-known musicians joining local Dorset favourites this June. It is the first time the festival has been held over two days since before the pandemic. 

Festival Director Bob Ford said: “I’m really excited that we can now announce the full stage line-up for the Wessex Folk Festival.

"We have a line-up of nationally known and local acts on two festival stages and I have been amazed that so many great acts have agreed to join us for the first two-day festival since 2019.

"It cements our position as one of the very best and largest totally free folk festivals in the country.”

Radio 2 Folk Award winners, The Trials of Cato, are another leading act making their first appearance at the event.

The Welsh/English trio feature banjo, bouzouki, guitars and mandolin to create new takes on traditional folk songs.

Songwriter Reg Meuross makes a return to the festival, bringing his captivating songs that tell stories of struggles and injustices, past and present.

Meanwhile, songs in a contrasting style will be provided by the ever-popular Gaz Brookfield, who teams up with fiddle player Ben Wain for the festival.

The intricate vocal harmonies of Devon-based duo Harbottle & Jonas will provide some intimate moments and an exciting close to the festival is promised by Wight Hot Pipes, who play their own songs alongside covers from all genres, enlivened by the sound and spectacle of fire-breathing bagpipes.

Mr Ford added: “Festival-goers will be able to see some great local acts like State of Undress, Emma Gale and our own David Gordon.

"There are even shanty teams like Dorset Wrecks, as well as the chance to enjoy lots of Morris dance sides and to shop at the many stalls that will be lining the harbourside. I can’t wait.”

For a full list of all the acts and for more information, visit the Wessex Folk Festival website at www.wessexfolkfestival.com