Life's hard. We have very little money to spend on the things that we enjoy. I asked a some people at the big folk festivals what they like and dislike about the events. They dislike paying a lot of money to camp, and watching concerts they're not really interested in, when all they really want to do is go to the pubs and join in with the sessions and singarounds. This gave me an idea. What about organising a fringe without the main event. So here it is; Bishop's Castle Folk Weekend. This is our third year; the last two have been very successful.

An event that is inexpensive, and a chance to sing , play and tell stories and poetry. An opportunity to step outside of life for a while and have fun. I know that if you join in and sing with lots of other people it's very difficult to feel unhappy at the same time.

So if you enjoy singing in the bath or when washing up, this event in Bishop's Castle on 11th, 12th and 13th June is designed for you. The folk weekend is a throw-back to the days of music and song while drinking ale in your favourite pub. We have both English and Irish music sessions, and singarounds too. Come and stay on our campsite. (£12.00 per adult, Free for kids under 14, for the weekend) Leave your car and have fun in this pretty little market town on the Welsh border. Listen and join in with the old songs and music that will echo in your mind. Chorus songs to swing your pint pot.

This is a weekend to take advantage of all Bishop's Castle has to offer. Real ale brewed on site, good food in the pubs and restaurants, swimming pool, interesting shops and the songs and music of Old England.

Do you like folk/rock ceilidh music? We have it on the Friday night at the Three Tunns Public House. (£6.00 per adult under 14s free when accompanied by an adult). We present Ardvaark from Coventry, returning by popular request, because they are a brilliant ceilidh band that must not be missed.

On the campsite Jan's Blackboard Van from Cornwall will be entertaining the children, again back by popular demand, with weird and wonderful imaginative things to do. You can paint her van any colour you like, it's a big blackboard! Her labyrinth and sausage socks will boggle your minds!

This year we've asked local historians Mike and Terry, (who run a free open Rhyme and Tell session on the 4th Sunday of the month in the Six Bells) to run a session for us. So come and listen or bring your stories, poetry and prose and join 'The Winged Word' in the Town Hall, along with craft stalls from England and Wales in our Trade Market. Come and relax for the weekend.

Contact Sally on 01588 638438 or visit www.bcfolkweekend.co.uk