Rural festival combines local talent and tasks

The eclectic festival, which is held at the Cliffs Farm Activity Centre in Mawdesley, until Sunday with artists performing sets each day.

On main stage, tonight kicks off at 7pm with local Preston rock band Slither lighting the fuse, followed by Wigan trio Boomin and Fleetwood’s Kiss of the Gypsy topping the night.

Saturday begins with another set from Kiss of the Gypsy which will be broadcasted on Radio Lancashire from 9am until 11am.

From 1pm onwards, folk artist Ric Sillitoe starts, followed by Preston’s spiritual group Mobius Loop, Chorley’s Jon Brindley, reggae-funk adventurers We, the Undersigned (WTU), guitar guru from Preston Jamie Brewer, Welsh world music advocates The Bear Beats Band, contemporary folk/ acoustic duo Gilmore & Roberts, and ending with the inventors of the Techno Ceilidh SHOOGLENIFTY.

WTU, right, are sure to be a highlight, billed as “the world’s first extradimensional band – a rag-tag crew of reggaefunk adventurers from another dimension of sound and colour”.

Including a riotous four-piece horn section, they have a mixture of many influences including reggae, funk, jazz, afrobeat, rock and rap.

On Sunday the day kicks off with Yorkshire singer-songwriter Pip Mountjoy followed by Preston folk-acoustic trio Ivan Campo, Cheshire’s country rocker Chris Bannister, psychedelic Celtic and trance group The Flutatious, Greater Manchester’s pop-rock band The Articles and Rock FM’s DJ Danny Bee to end the weekend.

Another local artist, Tom Welch from Chorley, was added to the Sunday line-up only last week.

Lake Stage also features this year with AD Cooke, The Linda Campbell Band and Jackson-Hewitt on Saturday, then Spiral Scouts, The Last Scout and Atlas on Sunday.

Families are encouraged to join in the fun, with many outdoor activities for adults and children alike, including canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, a leap of faith, or even testing your arm at archery or on the rifle range.

There is also Methusala Market with more than 10 different stalls selling a variety of goods, food and fancy dress, and don’t miss out on the underground real cider bar which hosts Southport Brewery this year, with a special bitter concoction, Methusala Ale.

A live session tent is being held calling for any music enthusiasts to join in for a jam.

Camping and festival tickets are bought separately, with camping tickets at £6 per day or £12 for all three, and festival tickets at £12 per day or £25 for all three days.

To buy your tickets visit www.skiddle.com/festivals or call 01704 823200 for any information.