by Peter Barnett

Broadstairs Folk Festival danced and sung its way into action with concerts, gigs, workshops and impromptu music sessions - and the fun is set to continue all week.

The Friday night gig by The Hot Club of Cow Town from the US - celebrating this year’s American theme - is regarded by many as one of the best festival launch concerts ever seen in the town.

Festival director Jo Tuffs said: “The band really did give us a great start. The atmosphere is great around the town, with venues very busy, and thousands of people from the UK, Europe and beyond enjoying a real diverse array of 515 events.”

A poignant moment is set to take place on Wednesday, with the placement of a memorial bench celebrating the life of Jack Hamilton, who died two years ago. He founded Broadstairs Folk Show and was a guiding light as the event flourished and developed.

The ceremony is to be overseen by Broadstairs and St Peter’s mayor Cllr Mave Saunders and the seat is at the spot where Mr Hamilton sited his Folk Show caravan for many years.

As the week’s events build to a climax, there will be a march of 100 ukulele players performing the same song from Bleak House to the grandstand at Victoria Gardens at 2.15pm.

The final major concert on Friday night is by The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

For more pictures and full story, see this week’s Isle of Thanet Extra.