THIS year’s Folk on the Lawn festival, set in the beautiful grounds of Abbey Mill, Tintern, promises to be the biggest yet.

Over 25 performers will be there, from Wales, England, Ireland, Germany and the United States, to perform between July 16 and 17.

Folk on the Lawn sets out to be more than a little different from the usual folk festival.

While being extremely warm –cosy even – it veers towards a contemporary and leftfield influence and the origins of folk music.

Also, unlike most festivals, it is free.

Donations are encouraged and other fund-raising activities, like the age-old raffle draw, are there to pay for some renowned performers who have agreed to play on the basis of what can be raised.

The line-up includes Brighton bands Foxpockets and the Galleons Band, US songstress Pamela Wyn Shannon, Wicker Bones from Dublin, Aberystwyth band the Hittites and chanteuse extraordinaire, Berlinbased Avital Raz and her new band Gordy Orde.

A full-line up is on www.folkonthelawn.

com