After a succession of sell-out shows at the Shelley Theatre, the Bournemouth Folk Club has announced its first ever folk festival next month.

The Bournemouth Spring Folk Festival is a special one day event on Saturday, April 29 with seven folk acts playing from 2pm to 10.30pm using both the Theatre and the Mulberry Stage.

Headline acts include Chris Wood, duo Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker and band Gadarene.

Other top acts include Glenn Ross & The Creeks, Wikkaman, Hummingbird & The Crow and Fox & The Owl.

Tickets are on sale now at £30 from the Shelley Theatre box office. Food throughout the day will be available from Perfect Pig.

This will be a rare chance to see diverse folk talent all performing under one roof. Topping the bill is iconic English folk musician and songwriter Chris Wood who plays fiddle, guitar and sings. Wood has tasted success at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, where he was recognised more than once as Folk Singer of the Year as well as winning Song of the Year for his song Hollow Point, from The Handmade Life, a song about the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in 2005.

Fellow headliners for the day event are double BBC Folk Award nominees Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker who infuse ageless stories of love and loss with their exquisite command of many instruments.

Whether interpreting words centuries old or singing her own authentic lyrics, Josienne's jewel-like voice finds the nuance in the simplest phrase and sends it, effortlessly, straight to your heart. While Ben's musical tact and flair for arrangement provide the perfect setting, allowing the song centre-stage.

Last but not least, Gadarene blend obscure traditional English tunes, virtuoso acoustic musicians, funky beats and loads of energy. The band's mission is to take little known dance tunes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and get audiences dancing to them again!

Paul Burke of the Bournemouth Folk Club says: “There has been some fabulous folk music at the Shelley Theatre over the last few months. These acts will be at the same level and will bring something very special to the stage.”

For more information please visit shelleytheatre.co.uk or bournemouthfolkclub.com