By Didge Lewis for Folk Orbit:

It doesn't seem twelve months but it is really - another Chester Folk Festival has taken place. It came and went in a blur, no sooner had it started than it was over. I would like to rewind and rerun it, only this time a little slower, (apart from the rain on Sunday), and enjoy it all a second time.

I can't help but write about it because it happens literally on my doorstep, so I'm completely involved with it, and most of all it's a cracking festival. Size wise it is at the middling point of the scale and in tune with this, the mood is relaxed and laid back. The main site (in Kelsall about eight miles outside Chester) is compact and very handily placed next door to the Morris Dancer pub, just across the road from the Co-Op convenience store and a short walk from the other festival venues at the local Community Centre and Social Club, and 2 other pubs: The Farmers Arms and The Oak. All the pubs serve food and the Farmers Arms offers a Chinese take-out service.

To start with a true-life confession - last year I made a solemn promise (signed in a mixture of blood and Weetwood's Old Dog) that this year I would join in on the Morris Dance workshop and report back. However, I have to admit that I didn't make it.

I don't usually the mention the band of organisers, that keep the Chester festival going. They remind me of that saying about the swan that glides serenely by, while under water its webbed feet are going like the clappers. However, I am a member of that group, and it gives me an extra special personal buzz to be part of the thing. Which is a long way round of saying that at the time of the Morris Workshop I had official duties looking after the Social Club, where sound checks for the artists in that afternoon's concert were going on. Oh well, I'll try again next year (or perhaps I might be able to fit it in at another festival.)

From any point of view it was a great festival. I saw some great acts, met a load of really nice people, supped a few decent ales and finished the weekend feeling pretty tired but extremely happy.

I saw some fine performances, though one I didn't get to was Dave Swarbrick. Most people know that Dave has been very seriously ill, but happily has now returned to the performing circuit. Many people came specially to see Swarb and his appropriately named band Lazarus. Unfortunately, some hasty reorganisation was needed for the Sunday evening concert when Swarb decided he wanted to go on first, in doing so he caught both the organisers and the audience by surprise. However, the audience readily forgave a legend who had almost returned from the grave and gave him a good reception anyway.

The other major act I missed because I had other duties at the time was The Churchfitters. This Brittany based band surprised the many who hadn't heard them before and the reception they got as extremely enthusiastic. I missed too, Roy Clinging's musical play "A Poor Man's Heritage" the feedback said it was most moving.

Talking of feedback, festival goers are encouraged to complete feedback forms and I guarantee that us organisers read and take on board every word. (The especially good words we read twice, and I'm pleased to say there has been a fair number of them.) However, though I feel personally sad that the local Co-Op could not supply the hairbrush one festival goer needed, I'm not sure what I can do about it.

With the two major exceptions I've described above, I managed to catch up with most acts I wanted to see. For quite a while now I've been thinking Last Nights Fun might sound even better with a bodhran player, you know how you get these completely stupid ideas (or is it just me?). But Ciaran Boyle has joined the band and guess what he plays! They were terrific full of vigour and energy. I also enjoyed the banter of Chris (he's one with the concertina) between songs which is dry and witty, and perhaps an acquired taste but it just creases me up. That word 'energy' - I've noticed that month after month I'm using it, of bands and acts that really impress me. It's something to do with the way they start to play and hit you between the eyes with their performance, whatever their musical style.

I think I may of used it a year ago of the young band Isambarde, who were such a hit that they were invited back this year. They may be still young but in the intervening year have become seasoned performers and are settling down into a style and repertoire that is so uniquely theirs. And I'm glad to say that collectively Em, Jude and Chris have that Wow factor more than ever. They led a great Youth Session on Sunday morning - Jude had her own woodwind section.

If I was pressed to pick the young act of the Festival that would be The Devil's Interval (muso note - it's an augmented fourth if I remember correctly) who first impressed me on last winter's Waterson Carthy 'Frost and Fire' tour. Without the great grand-parents of English folk, as an unaccompanied trio, they're really impressive. Other acts I liked included Meridian, Crucible, and of course Phil Beer. Local acts Full House, Waite Collective and The Doghouse Roses really were excellent and as good as anybody else on the bill.

Finally my vote for the most unusual sight of the Festival is the Britannia Coconut Dancers, who have to be seen to be believed.

I just can't wait for the next festival.

By Pete Massey for Green Man Review: