Summer wasn't quite the same with a much-loved festival notably missing from Bridport's calendar.

Luckily, plans are afoot to bring Bridport Folk Festival back in 2024.

Organiser Chris Deacon said the decision to cancel the 2023 event was 'not taken lightly' but was necessary due to 'health issues and financial trends'.

Chris and his ‘right hand’ Helen Goldman announced their retirement and the festival's cancellation came as a shock to the town and those of the festival faithful.

Since then, Mr Deacon says he's been inundated with support, requests to bring the festival back and offers of help. 

Mr Deacon said: "I'm very excited about bringing the festival back. It's a brilliant event for the town and everyone really gets involved. 

"A lot of hard work goes into planning something like this and I obviously had some health issues which made it difficult to do. But people have been coming up to me in the street asking when it's coming back and lots of people have said they want to help out.

"The decision to go ahead with planning for next year was conditional on forming a strong team to take on the many duties previously undertaken by the few in the hope of creating a new management body for future years."

A meeting, ‘let’s make it happen’, is taking place at Bridport Town Hall on November 30 at 7.30pm.

Anyone interested in supporting or playing an active part in the development of next year's festival is welcome to attend. 

"The success of all previous festivals was mainly due to the energy, spirit, and commitment of the volunteers and we’re hoping 2024 will replicate that," Chris said. 

"I honestly can't thank our brilliant volunteers enough. The town council has also been brilliant and, of course, my right hand woman Helen Goldman is back too."

Mr Deacon has already kick-started the festival's fundraising campaign for 2024, with local musicians busking at Bucky Doo and Groves Nurseries.

He has organised a special concert at the Electric Palace this Sunday (19) which welcomes the Gigspanner Big Band to the stage, with special guest Raynor Winn.

Tickets for the Saltlines concert are available from the venue's website. 

"There are lots of ways to get involved with Bridport Folk Festival - so come and be part of the team and we’ll make it happen," Mr Deacon said.