A FEAST of music is coming to South Petherton on Saturday, following the reintroduction of a festival in the village last year after a lull of a decade and a half.

Final preparations are now being made ahead of Folk Fest, which runs from 10am to 6pm, and promises attractions for all ages.

Street performances and pub gigs are free and folk music is on offer at The David Hall from 11am to 11pm.

Entertainment includes folk gigs, Morris dancers, ceilidhs, Irish and clog dancing, poetry sessions, a folk opera, dance and music workshops – and traditional activities such as clipping the church.

Children can enjoy a music workshop, story-telling and face painting and visitors will find food and produce, and more craft stalls than last year.

Well-known Dorset Folk singer John Waltham, who was involved in the former Petherton folk festival from the mid-80s, will open the event at 10am, when all the Morris groups will move from South Petherton Methodist Church into Market Square for the traditional Ceremony of the Glove.

Entertainment will take place in the Square throughout the day and in The Brewer’s Arms pub, the Church of St Peter and St Paul, the Methodist Church Hall and The David Hall performing arts centre.

Headlining the day’s music is BBC Folk Award winner Chris Wood, accompanying himself on guitar and violin. He will perform in The David Hall at 9pm with tickets priced £17 (£16 concessions).

Bristol trio The Home Fires are on stage before him, starting at 5pm – tickets cost £5. Local duo Lazibyrd open the day’s events at The David Hall with a free gig at 11am, followed by other free events.

The festival is launched on Friday with a ceilidh at the Brewer’s Arms at 8pm. The band is Teasing the Cat with Will Antell as caller. Free informal music sessions take place throughout Saturday at the Brewer’s Arms with Bag of Rats playing the final gig at 9pm.

Full details of the day’s attractions can be found at www.pethertonfolkfest.org.uk and anyone interested in booking a stall can e-mail info@petherton|folkfest.org.uk or call 01460-240340. A printed programme with all events will be available on the day.

Workshops cost £3, with payment on entry at the venues.

Tickets for gigs at The David Hall can be booked and paid for via the website, www.thedavidhall.|org.uk. They can also be purchased at N & D News, St James Street, South Petherton and reserved by calling 01460-240340 or by e-mailing boxoffice@thedavid|hall.org.uk