We've had the last summer Bank Holiday, soon it will be autumn, back to work, back to school. But there is plenty to look forward to in Wharfedale as the festival season gets under way.

The 12th Otley Folk Festival, which starts Thursday September 18, looks likely to be another best ever, with the traditional mix of local and national talent in the line-up.

Musically, there really is something for everyone - from finger-in the-ear Folk folk to those who enjoy rock, jazz and blues mixed in.

Three years ago, a Canadian team visiting UK folk festivals put Otley in the top three "small town" events - quite an accolade when you consider just how many there are.

Comedy, story-telling, poetry, ceilidhs, workshops and Morris-dancing are on the programme, along with T'ai Chi, crafts, kids' events and even a Sunday morning walk.

Apart from the obvious, events are indoor - or that's how they start.

From previous experience, plenty will spill out into pub yards and onto the street and there will doubtless be plenty of spontaneous music-making around the town.

An extra session is scheduled for this year, with two concerts on Thursday evening. Jackie Leven, whose chequered life and career inform his music with such telling immediacy, is on the bill.

Local artists will be there: Dave Vermond, the Hall Brothers and Duncan McFarlane - Duncan with the acoustic line-up reviewed last week.

Also appearing on Thursday is Festival stalwart Jim Lawton, a noted unaccompanied singer who often acts as MC.

This extra session is a real bonus, giving Festival-goers (bewilderingly spoilt for choice) a chance to catch more of the action.

A glance at the programme gives some idea of that choice.

Seven acts on Thursday, 20 or more on Friday, over thirty on Saturday and nearly as many on Sunday - and that is just looking at the advance billing, without counting the spontaneous, the extras and the last-minute additions.

One way in is to check out the website on www.otleyfolkfestival.com .

It is excellent, full of useful information and links.

Most artists' sites give a very good idea of what to expect from a performance and the sort of background that makes being there so much more rewarding. Jackie Leven's is a case in point.

On a lighter note, you can find out about Jim Lawt-on's gift for wasp-whispering - it gives him a whole new dimension. There is news of Sid Kipper's album, "Cod-pieces, the snack that talks back." And many, many more.

Local talent

abounds. Duncan McFarlane and Dave Vermond are each appearing in various manifestations over the whole weekend.

Duncan will be solo/duo with Anne Brivonese at the Red Lion and in electric mode elsewhere.

As well as his solo spots, Dave will be with the Sham Rock band on Saturday afternoon.

Sham Rock played recently at York and feature Johnny Hardcastle, Steve Carter and Steve Fairholme - also playing squeezebox in Duncan's acoustic line-up.

Local Cajun band Bayou Gumbo are appearing on Saturday, the FM Band from Menston are playing on Saturday afternoon and Glen Folk are at the Woolpack on Sunday lunchtime.

Anne Jackson has a solo spot on Sunday and appears again in the evening with Northern Lights and their American influenced mix of country and folk.

Northern Lights, with Anne, Chris Rawnsley and Mark Longstaff, are regulars at the Three Horseshoes.

Pretty local too are the Witches of Elswick.

New to Otley in 2002, they have since made quite a name for themselves -obviously boosted by their great reception here! Otley Brass Band made their Festival dbut last year and will be back in full force.

Another popular occasional visitor to the Three Horseshoes Folk Club is the Pig's Ear Band.

Those in the know can catch them again and those not can add them to their diaries.

New to the 2003 Festival will be Chechelele from York, on Saturday and Sunday.

Their performance of world music, featuring African rhythms sung a cappella, should be a treat.

The Shellback Chorus are billed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but their repertoire of shanties may well be heard all over the place during the weekend.

There are over 30 of them, so they can certainly spread out.

There's not much contest for the biggest name this year - and she could figure in "What's new?" and in "Welcome back." Christine Collister was in Otley a few years ago and passed virtually unnoticed. Headlining this year on Sunday evening, she will undoubtedly captivate the audience - and get a truer impression of Otley and its folk scene.

Twenty years in the business, working with (among many others) Richard Thompson, Clive Gregson, Bert Jansch and Loudun Wainwright, and solo for a good while, Christine Collister is a major note in the traditional music scene.

Folk, soul, rock and jazz blend in her inimitably throaty voice with its sudden, unexpected soaring purity. Fans please note, others come along!

Any preview has to be personal. I shall be at Tom McConville and Pauline Cato's spot, with their North-East links.

With Terry Docherty on guitar, they have some great tunes. And who could resist Whapweasel, Loctup Together, Four'n'Aft or Instruments of Torture, just for the names?

Adrian Spendlow is always good value, as is Copper Kettle. Otley Poets - regulars at the Red Lion - should be good.

I could go on... You may have lots to say on the subject, so please get in touch and share your ideas.

As for souvenirs, there will be plenty of CDs on offer. Duncan McFarlane and Dave Vermond both have new ones to launch and they will surely not be alone.

OK, you live in the Wharfe Valley. But you might still want to do the full Festival thing and camp for the weekend. Organiser Steve Fairholme (see also Duncan McFarlane and Sham Rock) assures me that it is more comfortable than it has ever been. Great catering by Broth Hall, great toilets - and a bid put in for good weather. Enjoy!