The countdown has begun to the 40th Warwick Folk Festival, which returns from July 25-28 with Billy Bragg headlining. This year the festival has a new site layout with improved access to all areas and the introduction of a new festival village including craft, food and drink stalls plus a mini beer festival tent. Visitors can also enjoy the return of the festival marquee and swimming pool.

The family friendly festival, which takes place at Warwick School and the surrounding town, will also feature other leading names including Skerryvore, Karan Casey, Calan, Will Pound & Eddy Jay, Breabach, O’Hooley & Tidow and Nancy Kerr. This year there will be several wellbeing areas on-site and at the Unitarian Chapel, where experts will provide free help and advice in areas such as dementia care, Tai Chi and community building. In addition to all the headline acts, visitors can enjoy a programme of ceilidhs, concerts, sing-arounds, dance, intimate acoustic performances or full on gigs. In the town centre there will be a vast array of colourful dance displays, pub music sessions and open-air concerts.

To help celebrate their 40th year the organisers are asking people to send in photographs capturing memories of earlier festival moments such as engagements, births, chance meetings that have sparked musical and personal projects and generations growing up with the festival. Please send images by email to info@warwickfolkfestival.co.uk or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/warwickfolkfestival

Good news for local residents is that they can once again get a 20% discount on Friday, Saturday & Sunday day & evening tickets.  Residents must have a CV34 postcode and will need proof of their address when collecting their tickets. To book online please use code CV342019. A maximum of 4 tickets per household are allowed. Visitors to the festival can choose from Friday – Sunday tickets, Thursday – Sunday tickets or just visit for the day, plus under 14s go free! Tickets can be booked online. For more information please visit www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk