LATE May bank holiday weekend saw and heard the eleventh Bude and Stratton Folk Festival, focused around the Falcon Hotel, the rugby club and St Michael’s Church.

It was a very successful event, and attendance was better than ever, with a good take-up of local hotel rooms and bed and breakfast places.

There were starring performances from Ange Hardy, Geoff Lakeman, the Sam Kelly Trio and the Dambuskers.

Friday night thunderstorms kept many awake and gave a spectacular lightning show, but left the Bark House Green very wet, so the children’s maypole dancing was moved to the Parkhouse Centre, where Kate Tidball and her team of local schoolchildren gave a charming display.

The organising committee have extended thanks to Bude-Stratton Town Council and Bude’s Cornwall Councillors for their grants to the festival, and to all at the Falcon Hotel, the rugby club and St Michael’s Church for their tireless support, and to everyone who attended the event.