Folk festival to return with 'expanded' programme

Organisers said there would be a broad range of folk music, as well as dance and workshops at the festival

Derby Folk Festival is set to return to the city with an "expanded" programme this weekend.

The event, now in its 19th year, will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

This year's festival includes a free fringe event at the Market Hall, which will involve music and dance on Saturday from 12:00 BST to 21:00, and from 10:00 to 15:00 on Sunday.

Bob Rushton, festival director, said: "This year we're trying to scale it back up to more of a festival feel, rather than just a series of concerts."

The festivities will start with a concert from Hoverla Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Chapel Street Arts Centre at 19:00 on Friday.

There will then be ticketed events from Friday evening to Sunday evening at The Old Bell Hotel, Chapel Street Arts Centre and Derby Museums' Wardwick.

Organisers said there would be a broad range of folk music, as well as dance and workshops at the festival.

In addition, there will be free music and dance at the Cathedral Quarter and in the Market Hall.

Mr Rushton said: "Everybody enjoys themselves and it creates a great atmosphere, and we'd like people to come and share that with us because we've been doing it for 19 years and it's a lot of fun."

He added festival organisers were trying "something different" with the event space at the Market Hall.

Mr Rushton said: "We want to try something different and have a more intimate music feel in that space, and the team have been brilliant working with us to make that happen."

The festival is due to end at about 20:00 on Sunday.