I’ve only ever been to the September Off The Tracks in the past so I thoroughly enjoyed the changes that are made to the set up for the Spring Festival. The main stage is outside in the Courtyard with the second stage in the main barn where the real ale bar is positioned for the later event. The “Rave Barn” has recently been converted into the “Oak Room Café” although I understand that there will be a new indoor venue ready for September. The usual extensive choice of real ales was housed in a covered area beyond that.

Otherwise it’s the same old OTT that we know & love. All the familiar faces, although maybe a little less crowded than I’m used to, which was welcome. Fancy dress was in evidence to give Graham the electrician a bit of competition and the bar stayed open until 4am with the usual smattering of folk instrumentalists entertaining us with their tunes.

The line up was excellent and I'm always amazed at how Andy & Boz manage to come up with such quality acts, most of which none of us had ever heard of before arriving at the festival. And thanks to the fact that this was a Bank Holiday there is a full programme of entertainment on the Sunday rather than the 4pm finish we have in September.

The only downer once again was the weather with persistent rain & temperatures failing to get out of single figures on the Sunday. But it didn’t really affect our enjoyment too greatly. It just made life a little difficult for the poor soles who were onstage to entertain us.

Aswad will be making an appearance in September. I’ll see you there.