Cromer's popular annual folk-rock music festival is gearing up to filling the town with music.

Eastern Daily Press: Library picture of Ashley Hutchings performing with the Lark Rise Band at Folk on the Pier at Cromer.Library picture of Ashley Hutchings performing with the Lark Rise Band at Folk on the Pier at Cromer. (Image: Archant © 2008)

Folk On The Pier will serve up a mix of traditional and modern roots sounds over the weekend of May 9-11 - in a variety of local pubs and clubs as well as a main stage at the Pier Pavilion.

And organisers are thrilled to get an appearance, and seal of approval, from the man accredited with founding the folk rock genre.

Ashley Hutchings has accepted the role of patron to the festival and will make two special appearances at this year's event.

He headlines the Saturday night programme with his latest Morris On show, which takes its name from an album released in the early 70s that 'rocked up' the Morris tradition bringing its appeal to the forefront of modern popular culture.

The line-up, then as now, includes many of the most respected and talented musicians on the English folk scene along with a performance by energetic young Cotswold Morris side Fools Gambit and a solo spot by Stefan Care.

His second appearance seems him hosting an informal Sunday lunchtime gathering in the Cliftonville Hotel to talk about his new book 'Words Words Words' as part of the festival fringe events.

He will read from the book's collection of his poems, song lyrics and other writings that have appeared in the repertoires of many of the bands and productions he has been involved in during his 50-year career, and answer questions.

Festival organizer Scott Butler said: 'Folk-rock was the music genre that inspired me to start Folk on the Pier and Ashley Hutchings has been the pivotal person in genre's 47-year history. His acceptance is the stamp of approval'.

Other acts appearing at this year's festival include historical and up-and-coming acts of the folk-rock scene, from Michael Chapman, Chris While and Julie Matthews and Home Service to Fabian Holland The Young'uns, and Mabon.

Box office 01263 512495. Information at www.folkonthepier.co.uk