After last year’s Bearded Theory there were very real doubts as to whether the financial impact of the main stage wrecking tornado would mean a sad and premature end for a festival which has shown such great promise in its short existence. So it is testimony to the many fund raising events, hard work and sheer bloody mindedness of Rich and his team that the festival is not only back but bigger and better than before. And those efforts were rewarded with dry conditions throughout and barely a breath of wind.

The site was completely rearranged with a more conventional arched main stage design replacing last year’s saddlespan. The second stage was in a good sized “Bearded Top” marquee and the “Magical Sounds” dance tent returned in a similar sized structure. There were further performances courtesy of the Ladybird cabaret as well as in the bar and the tea tent. There were also several “Busk Stops” scattered around the site for anybody wanting to give an impromptu performance to the punters while they wandered around a good selection of catering, clothing and tat stalls.

There were 2 main bars and a further “lager only” bar which catered for a reasonable variety of tastes but the real ale and cider bar from last year was sadly missed by many, especially as the cider option was limited to Strongbow from as early as Saturday afternoon. The toilets in the arena were plentiful and clean but like so many festivals I'm afraid the facilities in the campervan field were totally inadequate.

The line up included a long list of impressive names for a festival of this size with The King Blues, New Model Army and Dreadzone headlining each night respectively and ably supported by many other familiar names from yesteryear. And then of course there was the World Record attempt on the Sunday lunchtime for the most people gathered together wearing false beards. Even special guests the Cheeky Girls got in on the act.

So all in all this was undoubtedly another huge step in the right direction for an event which has come from pub beer garden to a fantastic opener on many people’s festival calendars within just 3 short years. Congratulations again to all those involved and long may Bearded Theory’s success continue now that its future appears to be financially secure.