Naomi Clarke

SIDMOUTH’S popular Fringe Festival returns on July 30.

Organisers of the ‘intimate’ five-night celebration of the region’s musical heritage have promised some of the biggest and newest acts in folk roots music.

The festival, which started with a few open-mic sessions and informal performances, has been running for around six years and has gone from strength to strength.

The Fringe Festival saw hundreds flock to a sell-out performance from Newton Faulkner last year.

The event was originally set up by local farmer and golf centre proprietor ‘McBuzz’- whose barn and marquee sit in the centre of the festival surrounded by 30 acres of land and countryside.

The staging, lighting and sound systems are controlled by professional tour manager Nick Hannan, of Winslade Road, who also takes on the job of booking the bands.

He told the Herald: “Every year The Fringe Festival has become more popular, we’re aiming to attract a broader field of people who come from outside, so we don’t clash with the folk festival in town.”

He added the event is an opportunity to listen to ‘great music’ and have a ‘very small scale festival experience’.

The festival kicks off with music award nominees The Leisure Society.

Cornish performers Crowns, who have shared stages with chart-toppers Mumford and Sons and The Pogues, will be among the bands performing.

Local acts include Lara Conley from Exmouth and Count to Fire, a four-piece band from Exeter.

An extra fifth night was added to feature sought after urban roots band Po’ Girl from Canada.

The festival will take place at Thorn Park campsite/golf centre in Salcombe Regis from July 30 to August 4. Music will be performed from 6pm to 1.30am.