sunny Bromyard showcases the fine future of folk

Some events, such as Bromyard Folk Festival 2012, just don't fit the script. The festival takes place in September, at the end of the Summer when shadows lengthen and evenings draw in. It's the end of the folk season for many, the place they head to for a final fix before settling down for the Winter. But this year, Bromyard defies expectations in the pleasantest of ways. For me, it's the first festival of the year where there is no rain, just bright sunshine from beginning to end. Add to that a programme that's brimming with some of the finest acts on the scene, and it's like Summer has started in September.

Bromyard has been going for a few years, and has a bit of a reputation for being a 'proper' folk festival, as much about joining in as sitting and listening. There's a bunch of decent pubs in the town, and if you take a wander you'll encounter all sorts of impromptu sessions throughout the day. All you need to do is pick up your instrument and join right in, its a very welcoming spirit, everyone is included and everything gets a clap.

In keeping with the joining in spirit of the festival, there is a dedicated ceilidh tent. It is right in the middle of the site, and it's on the go from early 'till late. There are some first rate ceilidh bands performing, Blackbeard's Tea Party being a particular hit.

The camp site, run by the legendary Dave the Hat, is a worthy example of friendly stewarding and common sense organisation. As you arrive, you are asked what your thing is and directed accordingly. The result is a camp site of many cultures, an England in microcosm. The get to bed early people are in one corner, the folks with instruments and a fondness for playing them are in another, the dance sides are sort of in the middle and the drunks are at the top. Its a fine recipe for peaceful coexistence and a great way to connect with like minded people and make new festival friends.

The festival site is small but perfectly formed. It's in the middle of the very best of British countryside, and just being here makes you smile. By night, it's illuminated by faerie lights, purchased from the same people who do Blackpool and doubling up as the town's Christmas lights in a fine, rare example of local government efficiency. Food and drink is from the quality end of the market; proper coffee, crepes, veggie, welsh faggots and best Caribbean food you'll find on the festival circuit.

For kids, there's Jan with her Van, and Doctor Sunshine. The festival has a noble record of encouraging the young folks, an example being the Fred Jordan Trophy for young performers. Maz O'Connor is a previous winner, and this year Rosie Hood was the recipient. Bromyard also provides a platform for the young to perform on the outdoor dance stage. This year it's the National Youth Folklore Troupe of England, and very well received they are.

There's a couple of things worth remembering about Bromyard, the first being The Fog. It rolls in off the hills of an evening and sucks the warmth from your soul. In the late concerts, it's common to see audience members sitting wrapped up in winter clothing. Some are already in their sleeping bags. It might look funny but it's much better than shivering in a T-shirt and shorts, as many, outwitted by the daytime sun, are.

Then there's the locals. Some are not entirely friendly, staggering around off their faces and abusing anyone within range. Their behaviour is probably why the venues in town aren't as full as they should be. However, they are a small, if visible, minority and most of the locals greatly enrich the experience of being at the festival. One of my favourite aspects of Bromyard is the way that the festival is completely intertwined with life in the town. As usual, there's a selection of dance sides performing at various pubs in the town. Earlsdon are Bromyard regulars. Resplendent in their flowery hats, they delight all with their spectacular North Western Morris. Silver Flame are here this year and are likewise a hit with the crowd. The locals show up, line the streets, watch the dancing and generally have a whale of a time. It's great to be a part of, and it's heartening to see folk dance performances being so well received by a general audience.

Listening wise, there are many acts that befit a traditional folk festival. Three generations of The Copper Family, sing to a packed Arts Centre on Saturday, and on Sunday it's the turn of Bromyard favourite, Vin Garbutt who does a grand job of closing the festival. Elsewhere, the line-up is generally young, inspired and offering a new musicality and vibrancy which points to a fine future for the scene in general. For me, the triumph of Bromyard 2012 lies in the billing of these younger acts. Some are established, some are up and coming, but all are doing their own talented thing with the music and creating some great listening experiences in the process.

On Friday night, the James Findley Trio showcase a fine musicality and an instinctive sense of interpretation that is very easy on the ear. It's luxurious listening for all. Likewise, Askew Sisters offer a feast of fine singing and beautiful playing, capturing the mood of their songs and tunes in an eloquent and atmospheric way.

Spiers & Boden are the Friday headliners, and the first half of their set offers plenty of tunes for the folky faithful to get their ears around. It's all going well enough, but then a humanitarian disaster over in the ceilidh tent raises the atmosphere of the gig to boiling point. Apparently they've got no Slip-Stop, which makes the floor quite perilous and renders dancing something of an extreme sport. The result is that many young, beautiful and motile people head down to the front of the Wye Valley tent and proceed to do their thing. John Spiers is so inspired that he invents the digital tanktop, seemingly between squeezes. For, oh how they dance: there is waltzing and there are polkas. There's a couple with three people in it, a head banging teenager in a hoody and a fit bird in a catsuit, at a folk festival! Bob Dylan is finally right about something, times they are a changing.

Saturday begins with a Scottish treat in the form of Lori Watson & Rule of Three who enthral all in the Arts Centre with their songs and tunes. For fans of the North of the border scene, Session A9 play later. They've no fewer than four fiddlers, they're are on fine form, and they go down a treat on the Wye Valley Stage.

Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer have already played their happy stuff when I catch them, so all that remains is grim death and some great tunes. Fine by me. It's hard not to cry when Lord Randall dies or when Billy Boy and his Nancy get buried under the great oak bow, for they winkle every last nugget of nuance from their music. If Green and Blacks invented whisky flavoured chocolate it couldn't be any more luxurious than an hour spent in the company of Vicki and Jonny.

Pilgrim's Way are on fine form, upbeat, animated, and with a passion for their music which radiates from every moment of their performance. With the addition of John Loomes on Hurdy Gurdy for an extra medieval dimension, they're clearly doing it their way and having a fine time in process. When I catch them in the Arts Centre, they're playing to a crowd of connoisseurs. There are lots of 'Yeah' s in that brief moment of silence before the clapping at the end of each tune, and you don't hear that too often.

Sunday's bill contains yet more youthful talent. Maz O'Connor knows her way around that guitar of hers and her pure voice is sweetly complemented by brother Joe on squeeze box.

Cupola have a take on the traditional that is purely theirs. Employing some instruments that aren't commonly heard in folk, some nifty tune arrangements and a set list that is all killer no filler, their performance is a delight from beginning to end. My favourite is the John Barleycorn / Cuckoo's Nest mash up: inspired.

I leave Bromyard smiling. It's a festival that's been around longer than most but it's clear from the artists performing here, both on the stages and in the ceilidh tent, that the organisers have an eye on the future. It seems to be paying off too, for there's been a good mix of ages present, and that can only bode well for the future. I, for one, will definitely be back for more.

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