AS the year moves ever closer to the summer months, thoughts in Middlewich are turning to the Folk and Boat Festival, which this year promises to be biggest and best yet.

Last year's event was surrounded by a huge amount of optimism and excitement, being the first festival for two years following the cancellation of the 2001 show due to the foot and mouth crisis and as such will certainly be a hard act to follow.

Indications

But the organisers have already promised a strong line-up and the early indications are that, with some big names limbering up to perform, the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival 2003 really will be the best yet.

The festival, which sees thousands of revellers descend on the town, starts on Friday, June 13, and runs throughout the weekend culminating in a huge celebratory evening on the Sunday.

Kicking off this year's event is legendary musician and humanitarian Bob Geldof, who returns to his folk roots to take to the stage in the main marquee shortly before Radio One DJ Mark Radcliffe and his band The Family Mahone liven up proceedings at The Royal British Legion.

Te Vaka, a collection of south Pacific-based musicians and dancers, is the main attraction in the marquee on Saturday, with song and dance guaranteed not only to blow the audience away but also to have them on their feet and dancing in time with the infectious rhythm.

Finishing off the musical feel to the weekend are Waterson:Carthy, The Oysterband and Mercury Prize nominee Eliza Carthy, who has been widely acknowledged as one of the most creative and original young talents in music today.

The festival also hosts The Middlewich Paddies and the Salt Town Poets, who will run sessions, singarounds and poetry workshops and visitors will also be given the opportunity to meet some of the artists.

There is also to be a children's weekend festival run by the Professor Panic team as well as a real ale bar, craft, gift and trade stalls, games and a huge boat rally.

For more information log on to the festival website at www.middlewichfestival.org or ring the box office on 0709 2390501.

ghellam@guardiangrp.co.uk