SOME of the biggest names in folk are coming to town.

And it’s part of a four-day festival which is quickly emerging as one of the country’s best for folk talent.

Shepley Spring Festival takes place over the weekend of May 25 – 27, although it starts a day earlier with headliner Elkie Brooks, taking to the stage on Thursday, May 24.

During the festival music-lovers will get to see some of the world’s top folk musicians and artists inspired by the genre.

It takes place at Shepley Cricket Ground and people can attend just one gig, see a day of music or attend the whole festival.

Nikki Hampson, one of the organisers, said: “We are pleased with the variety of acts we’ve got this year.

“We try to book some big names and some emerging acts to play alongside them.

“We’ve managed to get the Demon Barber Roadshow for the Friday night and we’re lucky because although they are a Yorkshire band and have a Skelmanthorpe member they’ve toured the world so we’re lucky to get them back on home ground.

“On the Saturday night we’ve got the Albion Band and while the name has been going for a long time, this is a reincarnation of the Albion Band.

“Ashley Hutchings is one of the founder members and it’s his son, Blair Dunlop, who is taking the band on.

“He’s only the second ever bass player even though the band has been going a long time.

“They played the Bristol Folk Festival last weekend and we’re looking forward to them playing here.”

The Shepley festival, which will be inside a giant marquee, is seated but places are unreserved. If it remains cold there will be heating inside the Shepley Cricket Ground marquee.

The line-up features the Treacherous Orchestra, the Demon Barber Roadshow, Melrose Quartet, Phil Beer, The Albion Band and The Wilsons.

Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, Hekety, Tickled Pink, and local duo Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow will also perform.

Golcar’s Belinda O’Hooley – formerly of Mercury Music Prize nominated The Unthanks – joined forces with Heidi Tidow and their 2012 album Silent June won rave reviews from the music critics.

The Shepley line-up is completed by Roy Bailey, Genticorum, Tim Edey and Brendan Power, The Shee, Steve Tilston, the Durbervilles, The Davenports, The Noble Family, Ruth and Sadie Price, Flats and Sharps, Sciorr:staged, She Shanties, Luke Hirst and Sarah Smout, David Shevelew, Wilful Missing, Katherine Hurdley and Alex Percy and Kirsty Bromley.

There will also be concerts, Ceilidhs, workshops, crafts, a beer tent, food, a children’s festival, dance and displays throughout the cricket ground.

Plus there will also be fringe events at Cliffe House.

Shepley Spring Festival started six years ago and has grown into a major event on the folk scene with capacity for up to 1,000 music lovers and attracting bands, artists and visitors from around the globe.

But its heart is firmly in Shepley and it promises to be a real community event.

Events will be staged at Cliffe House, the village hall, St Paul’s Church and other fringe venues. Camping and caravaning is taking place in adjacent farmers’ fields.

Shepley Spring Festival runs from May 25 – 27 at the main festival site, Shepley Cricket Ground. For tickets visit www.shepleyspringfestival.com, call the 023 8071 1818 or visit the ticket website www.ticketsouth.co.uk.

For more details call the information line on 01484 604704.