Dougie stars at folk festival

TOPPING the bill . . . Dougie MacLean

IT may be unlucky for some, but organisers of this weekend’s Saddleworth Folk Festival are hoping that 13th annual event will be blessed with glorious weather to make it one of the best ever.

With organisers opting to name the celebration “the baker’s dozen”, the weekend will see Scottish folk phenomenon Dougie MacLean headline the event, which starts today.

The singer-songwriter’s profile was recently given a boost when his song “Caledonia” was used in the Visit Scotland television adverts.

Festival chairman Paul Roberts said: “We are hoping for some good weather and are really looking forward to a festival full of internationally-renowned acts.

“It’s known as the friendly festival and it really is as it brings a lot of visitors into the area.

“We’re hoping everyone gets behind us a makes this year another cracking year.”

Bernard Wrigley, “the Bolton Bullfrog”, will kick-off proceedings tonight at Uppermill Civic Hall, supported by the Hometowners and Tony Downes, while a wealth of free concerts in local pubs complete the list of 50 events.

Boarshurst Silver Band will be marching on Saturday, while the civic hall’s ground floor will be taken over by a craft fair over the two days.

Other highlights will include sing-arounds, instrumental workshops and presentations as Oldham Community Radio broadcasts live from the event.

Although many of the events are free, for those that aren’t tickets are available from www.safra.org.uk or at Uppermill Post Office. Call 01706-844657 for more details.