And preparations are well under way, according to festival director Dick Dixon.

The 63-year-old helped to found the event in 1979 and has dedicated much of his time to organising it ever since.

He said: “We have got a really good, strong programme this year - it’s a practice run for our 30th anniversary next year. Things are going very well - we have a very varied agenda.”

Among the highlights of the weekend, Mr Dixon mentioned The Oysterband - described as ‘one of the greatest British folk ensembles of all time - and Bellowhead, one of the most popular bands on the live music circuit.

He is also looking forward to Roy Bailey and Tony Benn’s double-act The Writing On The Wall - during which they will present a history of dissent in words and song, drawing on first-hand experiences and stories of people ‘they don’t teach us about in schools’.

With five or six different concerts each day and more than 200 performers, other acts will include Leamington band Nizlopi, Scottish folk band Breabach and singer Bob Fox.

Other highlights include Last Orders, winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, and Northumbrian quartet Rachel Unthank and The Winterset.

Singers, musicians, street entertainers, morris dancers, craft stalls and a variety of workshops will also provide entertainment, and there will be a campsite and food stalls operating all weekend.

Organising the event is no walk in the park.

Mr Dixon explained: “We always start working towards the next festival 15 months ahead - we are already in the process of booking artists for next year.

“But it’s great because folk-related things are really important to our culture. It’s important that people retain songs and dances.

“During the festival we always come across people who like it and want to join a morris-dancing team or learn an instrument - it’s great to be able to pass on an interest in something you love.”