OTLEY Folk Festival is back this year, on the usual third weekend in September, after missing out on the 2020 event due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Otley Folk Festival first took place in 1991 and this will be the 29th festival, taking place on the weekend of Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 19.

This years’ event will be a smaller than usual festival, due to the background of the Covid pandemic, but will still allow folk music fans the opportunity to enjoy live music, Morris dancing and great beer.

The festival official venues this year are Otley Courthouse, the Black Horse - both the stables and the upstairs music room - and the Old Cock pub.

On Friday evening the "fantastically talented" Katie Spencer is headlining the Courthouse concert. One of the best guitar players on the circuit, she was spotted by bass player Danny Thompson who helped her launch her musical career.

Other acts on this bill will include Duncan McFarlane and Anne Brivonese and Jon Palmer. The Concert Ticket Price is £14.

Saturday evening at the Courthouse will be headlined by young folk superstars, Radio 2 Folk Award nominated Granny’s Attic, the trio will finish the evening and support acts will include Plumhall and Yan Tan Tether. The Concert Ticket Price is £18

The Black Horse, now owned run by the Kirkstall Brewery and the Brudenell Social Club, will host afternoon and evening concerts. The afternoon concerts, in the stables, are Saturday afternoon with One A Chord, Dave Vermond Trio and Bayou Gumbo and Sunday afternoon with The Hall Brothers, The Ale Marys and The Jon Palmer Acoustic Band.

There are folk clubs on Friday and Saturday evening in the upstairs room.

The Old Cock, award-winning locally owned freehouse, is hosting a session from 11.30am on Saturday.

Tickets for the Courthouse concerts will be available from Otley Courthouse. All of the Black Horse events will be pay on the door. The Old Cock session is free.

The festival office will be at the Labour Club as usual. All up to date information will be available there over the weekend. The festival website is at www.otleyfolkfestival.com and the Festival is on twitter @otleyff and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OtleyFolkFestival/.

The Festival has two 'hotline' mobiles: 07494 977349 and 07949 303714.

Steve Fairholme, organiser of Otley Folk Festival said:“We’re delighted to be back and to be able to put on Otley Folk Festival this year.

"We’ve carefully kept things stripped back this year, but it’s great to have headline artists of the calibre of Katie Spencer and Granny’s Attic, as well as excellent local artists.We hope people will support the concerts at Otley Courthouse, the Black Sheep and the Old Cock as well as enjoying the pubs and dancing.

"We’re looking forward to a great weekend and then to a full-size Otley Folk Festival next year.”

Last year's Otley Folk Festival was cancelled due to the pandemic.The 2019 Otley Folk Festival saw dozens of acts performing at venues around town from Friday.The shows included a Friday night appearance at the Courthouse by renowned guitar and harp duo, Chris Newman and Mairead Ni Chathasaig, with support provided by Kitty Macfarlane. Audiences also enjoyed Friday evening performances at a number of other locations.