ADVERTISED as the ‘Best Fest in the West’, Bude and Stratton Folk Festival goes from strength to strength and attracted a record number of visitors to the town over the late May Bank Holiday weekend.

The principle venues were the Falcon Hotel, Bude Rugby Club and St Michael’s Church, but also ‘fringe’ entertainments on the Wharf and round Bude Light delighted a great many holidaymakers. The Furry Dance and Maypole Dances attracted large crowds — once again local schoolchildren did themselves proud.

Headliners Gadarene and Jackie Oates and Tristan Seume led an impressive guest list including Against the Grain, Capella, Didjan, Georgia Lewis Trio, Hannah Cumming, Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith, Kitty Macfarlane, Reg Meuross and the inimitable Sam Kelly Trio.

Away from the concert room there were numerous sing-arounds, sessions and workshops. All were packed.

The organisers declared 2018 to be the best ever and were vocal in their thanks to Bude Cornwall Councillors, Bude Stratton Town Council and the Blanchminster Trust for their support, and gave special thanks to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary for their advice and assistance.

Bude and Stratton Folk Festival is a not-for-profit volunteer enterprise run entirely by local enthusiasts. It does the town proud.