SEPTEMBER

15TH ANNUAL APPALACHIAN & BLUEGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
When: 5-7 Sept
What: Thousands flock every year to this international bluegrass event set in the stunning Ulster American Folk Park. Artists already booked for the 2008 festival include Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass from the USA and the G2 Bluegrass Band from Sweden. Price: various. Tel: 028 8224 3292, web: www.bluegrassomagh.com

BESTIVAL
Where: Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park, Downend, nr Arreton, Isle of Wight
When: 5-7 Sept
What: My Bloody Valentine (English festival exclusive), Aphex Twin (ditto), The Breeders, CSS, George Clinton & Funkadelic/Parliament, Amy Winehouse, Underworld, Gary Numan, The Human League and others grace the stage of this fab, five-year-old Solent-based boutique festie run by DJ Rob Da Bank and his missus Josie. Fancy dress encouraged (this year’s theme tbc). Plus Big Wheel, kids’ area, Breastival Baby Temple, healing and green areas, inflatable church, solar-powered cinema and more. Yurts, tipis and exclusive velvet-lined bivouacs available for those who want to splash out. All this and 88-acres of natural woodland. Price: £139 w/e inc camping, day tickets. Tel: 0870 066 7753 (24 hr), web: www.bestival.net. Ticket and ferry packages: www.redfunnel.co.uk/bestival or www.wightlink.co.uk/bestival

LOCAL EVENT
NATIONAL AMATEUR GARDENING SHOW
Where: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
When: 5-7 Sept
What: Mind your backs - 314 kilo pumpkin coming through. Spectacular garden displays, a feast of flowers, fruit and vegetables, the biggest dahlia show in the world, TV celebrities, top gardening experts, monster vegetables and the best bougainvillea display anywhere in Europe help to make the National Amateur Gardening Show a must-visit for all green-fingered sorts. Plus children’s area, cookery demos, speciality food hall, free lectures and demonstrations and hundreds of trade stands. Price: £10 adv adult (on sale 2 June), concs. Tel: 01749 822222, web: www.bathandwest.com

LOCAL EVENT
SOIL ASSOCIATION ORGANIC FOOD FESTIVAL
Where: Harbourside, Bristol
When: 6-7 Sept
What: Set on Bristol’s famous harbourside, this is Europe’s largest celebration of all things organic and is now in its eight year. More than 300 companies represent the very best organic food, drink, fashion, skincare and homeware products, and there’s also a green planet pavilion, demonstration kitchen, talks programme, food cruises around the harbour and an arts and entertainment fringe that includes food demonstrations, children’s activities, music and street theatre. New for 2008: more on-site entertainment including ‘grow your own’ organic gardening area, as well as ‘Food for Life’ bus touring schools, more seating and eating areas for visitors, improved layout and food trails. Price: £4 adult, children free. Tel: 0117 314 5000, web: www.soilassociation.org/festival

BLACK SHEEP BOOTS & BEER WALKING FESTIVAL
Where: Hawes, Wensleydale
When: 12-14 Sept
What: Drink beer and walk - and not even at the same time! Choose from about 14 lovely hikes from Hawes or Upper Wensleydale, plus evening entertainment ranging from talks and demonstrations to the less sedate ceilidh, quiz and jazz nights. Price: £20 adult w/e for the weekend (over-18s only). Web: www.blacksheepbrewery.com

LOCAL EVENT
KNOWLE WEST ARTS TRAIL
Where: Knowle West, Bristol
When: 13 Sept
What: New arts trail makes it debut, complete with horse and cart to transport visitors between venues. Web: www.treeoflifeknowlewest.org.uk

END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Tollard Royal, Salisbury, Wilts
When: 13-14 Sept
What: “An artistic triumph,” quoth The Independent of this muso newcomer that was voted Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards in 2006. Founded by two chums - one of whom sold his house to fund it - after an epiphany at the Green Man Festival, EOTR’s USP is that bands play longer-than-usual sets. Acts thus far booked to do so include A Hawk And A Hacksaw, Billy Childish, Low, Mercury Rev, British Sea Power and Laura Marling. Plus film, comedy, workshops, kids’ stuff etc. Prices: £105 adult w/e. Web: www.endoftheroadfestival.com

OTLEY BLACK SHEEP FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Otley, nr Leeds, West Yorks
When: 18-21 Sept
What: Birkies on one last time for the summer’s final folk fling, with estimable names (this year Vin Garbutt, Kerfuffle and Les Barker) heading to picturesque Otley. Plus the usual dances, ceilidhs, singarounds, dances etc. All main gigs are indoors. Price: tbc, concs, day tickets. Tel: 01943 464858, web: www.otleyfolkfestival.com

SMALL WONDER
Where: Charleston, nr Lewes, East Sussex
When: 18-21 Sept
What: The UK’s only literary festival dedicated to the short story. Writing workshops plus guest speakers of the calibre of past shorts masters William Trevor, Helen Simpson, Esther Freud, James Lasdun and Colm Tóibín. The beautiful rural setting was once home to the Bloomsbury set. Price: tbc. Web: www.charleston.org.uk/smallwonder 

CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL
Where: Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge
When: 18-28 Sept
What: Described by the Guardian as “a match for the Edinburgh and London Film Festivals”, this non-competitive general film festival was established in 1977 to air the best new international cinema and unearth old, neglected works. Promises many UK premieres and stars. Price: various. Web: www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk

LOOPALLU
Where: Ullapool, Scotland
When: 19-20 Sept
What: The up-and-coming Loopallu (that’s Ullapool backwards) promises lively live acts (line-up tbc, but last year included Franz Ferdinand, The View, Hayseed Dixie, The Undertones and The Bees), in a pretty fishing village in the NW of Scotland. Fringe shows, street entertainment and local food and drink. Look out for the dolphins and seals, too. Price: tbc, c£50 adult w/e. Tel: 0871 2200260, web: www.loopallu.co.uk
ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Abergavenny, Wales
When: 20-21 Sept
What: Top-notch foodie weekend. Enjoy the company of some of the most passionate food-lovers in the country and sample the produce of artisan food-makers from Wales, The Marches and further afield. Plus masterclasses, tutored tastings, children’s events, walks and talks. Price: various. Tel: 01873 851643, web: www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

BARMOUTH FESTIVAL OF WALKING
Where: Barmouth, Mid-Wales
When: 20-28 Sept
What: Choose from 25 guided walks around the gorgeous Mawddach Estuary and Southern Snowdonia, ranging from two-hour rambles to full-day high-level hikes. Local historians and naturalists lead walks on specified themes. Prices: various. Web: www.barmouthwalkingfestival.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
THE BRISTOL FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues (inc Amphitheatre and Waterfront Sq), Bristol
When: 20-21 Sept
What: 2008 marks the debut for this multi-site, multi-cultural, multi-media swashbuckling jamboree of a festival that harnesses the considerable power and organisational nous of its locally born ‘n’ bred committee. With a heavy emphasis on a community-built, DIY ethic, the Bristol Festival promises a nucleus of Bristol-centric musical main stages, club nights, workshops, food, drink and family-friendly entertainment. Unmissable, no less. Price: £5/day adv, £16 full weekend festival pass. Web: www.thebristolfestival.org

PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL
Where: Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, Wales
When: 26-28 Sept
What: Elvis has entered the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl! The biggest Elvis binge in Europe, apparently, starting with a champagne-fuelled launch do followed by a full-blown ‘Elvis in Vegas’ experience, Elvis Disco Party, Elvis impersonator competitions, talks, gospel choir and much more. Ahthanyouverrmuch. Price: £99 adult w/e, single event tickets. Web: www.elvies.co.uk

THIMBLEBERRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Thimbleberry Hill Farm, Stanhope, Co Durham
When: 26-28 Sept
What: Autumn leg of this eclectic music fest. See also 6-8 June.

MALVERN AUTUMN GARDEN & COUNTRY SHOW
Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs
When: 27-28 Sept
What: Delicious seasonal feast of country life, with flowers, fruit and vegetables, exquisite crafts and traditional fayre, countryside pursuits and shopping opps. All this and a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, too. Price: tbc, c£13 adult (Sat), c£11.50 adult (Sun). Tel: 01684 584900, web: www.threecounties.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
SOUND HEALING FESTIVAL
Where: Pierian Centre, Circomedia, Bristol
When: 27-28 Sept
What: Gongs, singing bowls, chanting, meditation, improvisation - “a transformational weekend of resonance and harmony” culminating in a grand performance at Circomedia featuring international gongmaster Don Conreaux and friends. Price: various. Tel: 0117 924 1023, email: celia@soundscape.org.uk

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