So off we went to Purbeck Folk Festival on Sunday. We would have loved to go on Saturday as well but work restrictions prevailed and I had to behave myself for a change.

The Isle of Purbeck is one of our favourite places anyway so this was a big attraction to us going as was the fact that Uiscedwr were playing on Sunday. Other than that we approached with good spirit and an open mind to see what the festival offered.

In view of the fact that a number of new festivals have failed because of lack of ticket sales in the last couple of years we were hoping that all would be well with Purbeck and it appears that it was.

The location is just stunning with the village of Steeple being just above Kimmeridge Bay. We could see the sea from the top of the hill and if we had been camping would have been close enough to walk there from the campsite. The farm (Steeple Leaze Farm) on which the festival was run has a permanent camp site in any event so the basic infrastructure of showers and flushing toilets was already there. The campsite looked quite hilly so finding an early pitch might be a good idea.

I found the admin of the festival from booking the tickets through to the information contained on the web-site and the booking in procedures on the day very well organised. They have their own Forum as well, on which I will probably post this review!

As we arrived we walked through a field which contained a few merchandising stalls such as CD's temporary tattoos and clothing, to the children's circus skills area and the cutest mum and baby donkey from a rescue sanctuary you could ever wish to see. We have photos The boys enjoyed the circus skills. On the main festival site there was also a messy play area for little children and 2 table tennis tables and a table football for older "grunge-merchants".

Entering the festival site there were two barns for music (upper and lower) and a third barn where the bar and food were served. Whilst queuing at the bar for a drink I was looking at the menu. We had already eaten at our favourite pub in Corfe (which had changed hands since we had last been there and wasn't so good ) but thought the food that was coming out looked good. The menu included Haggis, tatties and neeps, roast chicken, veggie pasta bake and bolognaise. I saw that the veggie pasta bake sold out early so perhaps two veggie meals next year would be a good idea. I saw the vicar acting as a waiter and thought that this was obviously a festival with the backing of the whole community of Steeple which is a wonderful thing. Our community used to be close to The Great Green Gathering which still continues as a festival but has been moved from its site because of local opposition. There were lots of "lock up your garages and children" type messages; the parish council obviously not taking on board my representations that the average festival goer doesn't feel the urge to steal a lawnmower part way through the weekend So well done to the people of Steeple for being behind the festival and I hope your local causes did well as a result.

Music wise, the afternoon kicked off with Tinderbox. Many of the acts perform at the thriving Bournemouth Folk Club and Tinderbox are one of their regulars. Tinderbox often perform as a duo (Monique Houraghan and Dan Tucker) but were joined by a third vocalist and guitarist whom I spoke to after their set. I think he was Bobby Burke, son of one of the organisers but I'm not sure. Lead singer Monique had a fantastic voice and in some ways they reminded me of Megson. I would certainly catch them again if I was passing.

Next John and I had a split and I went to the Lower Barn to see local band Quinn's Quinney. Paul Burke's daughter , Catherine, was the lead singer and she had quite an earthy voice which I liked. A young man on double bass with dreadlocks caught my eye and I found myself dancing next to his Mum! Quinn's Quinney were fun and had quite a shambolic style almost what you would expect at an American "hoe down". I thought they were good, John went back to the upper barn to see E mily Baker and Red Clay Hale whom he enjoyed more.

We then reunited to watch Alex Roberts, another local musician who is a professional musician who played a set of quite poignant songs. He was an amazing guitar player and also played an instrument which was like a sideways guitar that his MySpace describes as (lap steel - hmmmm best not comment on!) Anyway, the lap steel instrument looked like a cross between a guitar and a zither. Maybe it was a sitar? Quite honestly, I don't have a clue but it was nice ). He describes his music as Folk Blues which is a good description. Would catch him again too

Finally to Uiscedwr. We had met Anna and Cormac in the bar and had a chat to before the performance. Cormac enjoyed his lunch They looked well and happy and were joined by guitarist and vocalist Nick Waldock who is a part time member of the band. Nick plays bass (called Dionne apparently) and had the misfortunate of breaking down at the top of the hill just before the start of the festival. The band performed many old favourites such as Tut-Tut, Mr and Mrs, Flea Circus and Yorkshire Tea together with some items from their new album including Sunshine and The Dirty Nine Steps. . The new album (Fish Cat Door) which is produced by Andy Bell (yes THE Andy Bell) is currently in my car which is making my commute to work more enjoyable. They looked so happy; it was just great Anna and Cormac are getting married next summer and Anna proudly announced that her "rock" was too big for her left hand when she was playing her violin! I bought Henry one of Cormac's bodhran sticks to practice with except that he left it in the garden overnight and that might not have done it a lot of good

We left after Uiscedwr because I was having to behave myself the following day!

I think the festival has the infrastructure, community support and organisation to grow and really take off. I hope it does. We shall be back next year

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