By Miranda Robertson

When I heard the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival was back on this year I actually did a jig of joy.

The drab and dreary spectre of 2020 suddenly vamoosed, to be replaced in the party part of my brain with colour, music and sunshine. The Boy and I first attended this glorious, gentle, yet buzzing festival when he was five. He will be 13 this time and still it’s quite our favourite camp-out of the year.

While the line-up has grown and grown, it’s still an intimate, safe-feeling festival for young and old alike and is set to take place on August 19-22. And where else can you take part in a beard-off, swap your old clothes and throw a clay pot while listening to hundreds of different and wonderful artists playing on half a dozen stages?

The site, in a glorious area of farmland just outside Swanage, offers spectacular views over the steam railway. Several fields are laid out for different groups – those with campervans, those with tents, a glamping spot, a quiet site…

Two main areas offer glorious foods from around the world, masses of activities for adults and kids, stalls offering colourful, wondrous clothes and there are chances to grab an open mic slot, take part in yoga or just… sit and let it all wash over you.
As well as the beard-off, where people go to enormous lengths to snare the prize, and the poetry slam, where would-be poets compete, there’s a themed fancy dress day (it’s the letter V this year), with prizes for adults, kids and teams.

The Boy was Kim Jong Un for the letter K, so I will be seeking a Vladimir Putin mask this time. I have just six months to grow my beard, then I shall appear not only in the beard-off, but as Veet the Victorious. Not a problem.
Each year organisers Catherine and Paul Burke try to increase their offer for kids, using all the money they receive from ticket sales and putting it directly back into paying performers and workshop hosts to lead fun activities for kids of all ages to take part in.

Catherine said: “Kids’ activities are going to be bigger and better than ever this year with kids crafts running throughout each day,
a storytelling tent, theatre and games workshops, toys swapshop, welly wanging, hoola- hooping, space hopper obstacle course, and MR WOW is
back!
 Woohoooo!!!”

Wessex Circus will
offer juggling, stilt walking, unicycling, diablos, devils sticks,
poy, and acrobatics
with an inflatable tumble mat, and low-level practice trapeze – and adults can have a go at all these activities too.

We’ve all missed our freedom for the last year. For me, PVFF will assure me this nightmare is truly over. I cannot wait.
For more information and to buy tickets go to purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk.

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