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The Wessex Folk Festival returns over the Jubilee weekend after a three-year gap caused by Covid. The popular free festival will once again bring folk music and morris dancing to the streets of Weymouth.

The highlight of the festival will be the Wight Hot Pipes, a six-piece band from the Isle of Wight who will show off their exciting bagpipe-driven blend of Celtic, dance and rock music to round off the stage programme in Hope Square on Sunday (June 5).

The 2022 Festival will break with its traditional format to tie in with other celebrations taking place over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend. This means that Sunday will be the day for all the music on the stage. The Bournemouth-based Murphy’s Lore Trio will be amongst the performers. They welcomed the return of the festival and said, “We are looking forward to playing a rejuvenated, post-Covid festival.” Also on stage will be The LeftOvers, Amy and The Raven, David Gordon and the Weymouth Ukuleleans.

Colourful morris dance sides will move beyond the traditional quayside festival area to perform in the town on Saturday (June 4). Nine different sides will be dancing at two sites outside the White Hart in New Bond Street and on the Esplanade opposite the King’s Statue from 11 am to 4.45 pm. Then on Sunday, six sides will take it in turns to dance at the Sand Jetty by the harbour on Trinity Road.

There’s a chance for everyone to join in the dancing at 5 pm on Sunday when the Tree Fellahs band lead a ceilidh in Hope Square.

Open music sessions and workshops take place in the Belvedere and Sailors Return pubs throughout Saturday afternoon and evening. The Sailors Return also opens the festival with a session on Friday evening and rounds off the weekend with its popular “survivors’ session” on Sunday night.

Roger Quigley of the festival’s organising committee said: “We’re pleased to be able to welcome everyone to the Wessex Folk Festival as it re-emerges after three years. We’re looking forward to a great weekend, supported by our attendees, musicians, dancers and sponsors.”

The Wessex Folk Festival website at www.wessexfolkfestival.com has full details.

The Wessex Folk Festival is supported by We Are Weymouth BID.

Photo: Wight Hot Pipes will bring their unique brand of folk to the music stage.
Photo: Enigma Morris are one of the dance sides that will be entertaining at the festival.
Photo: West Somerset Morris are one of the dance sides that will be entertaining at the festival.