More news from those good folks at Galtres……

The Programme

New collaborations are very exciting to us, building on the success of working with wonderful organisations like The Arts Barge Project, who have brought so much to our event over the last couple of years.

We've worked hard to team up with creative organisations to enhance the 2012 festival, and three nights of comedy and cabaret in the Little Top will no doubt be highlights, and a quality alternative to the main stage music programme each evening. Clay Fish Productions will be looking after Friday night's entertainment - these are the fine people who do the festival film-making each year and so much more - it promises to be a thrilling night. On Saturday we welcome Arty Farty Stuff from Manchester bringing us madcap comedy and antics from the north-west. Then on Sunday we go east a bit to Pocklington, where they have one of the best Arts Centre programmes in the whole of England. They'll be delivering a slice of what they do so well for us to enjoy.

Another great collaboration is with the Warren Young People's Project and Warren Records from Hull, who are taking over the Oxman Stage completely on the Saturday, curating a series of what promise to be fine performances from the best bands currently playing in and around Hull - headlined by The Talks. Not to be missed! And on Sunday we've put together the Festival FRACAS - again on the Oxman Stage - a day devoted to Folk, Roots, Acoustic, Country and Swing music. Or was the last one Swing, can't remember? Anyway lots of good people are helping us with this including the Fine Fettle Music agency, and it promises to be a cracker.

Finally, but by no means least, we are exceptionally proud to present the most special 'Solid Air Sessions' put together to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the recording of John Martyn's seminal album. It's a collaboration between festival director James Houston and the legendary David Ward Maclean, and they've got together some of the most amazing guitarists in the country, headlined by Jon Gomm, for this event. Also featuring Kit Holmes, John Liddell, Dave Keegan, Simon Snaize, Andy Stones and many more ... it will be mind-blowing! We're going to film it in its entirety, and probably spend the cold winter months watching it on a loop. Can't wait.

Actually that wasn't finally - one more very important new development must not be forgotten - the Road to Galtres. To help the music selection panel choose the artists who get to play this year (and around 2000 applied) he held a series of heats at The Fulford Arms and The Duchess in York over the summer. They were all great nights in themselves, with loads of you running up to vote. From the acoustic heat at The Fulford Arms four acts were chosen to go through, and they will all play late on the Friday at the festival in the Little Top. So after The Buzzcocks don't head home or you'll miss a treat.

Wine Bar

Galtres Festival has always run a small wine bar, but this year we're significantly upping the stakes, in a partnership with the Wondering Wine Company.

A wide selection of wines will be available including champagne and sparkling wines, as we work towards improving our wine selection to match the 100 varieties of beer and cider on offer at Galtres.

The selection will include local, FairTrade, fruit and organic wines, and pretty much all of them will be selected for their ecological credentials as well as their superb taste and provenance. A good range will be offered at 2 vouchers (£3.50) per 175ml glass.

Said Simon Browne of the Wondering Wine Company:  "Essentially we are a “mobile pop up wine bar business” delivering retail wine bar solutions to events and venues, designed specifically to improve the range and quality of wines served at large public events. We at the WWC are actively working to incorporate as many recycling and environmentally friendly initiatives as possible into our standard operations wherever the event organisers and logistics allow us to.

"Put simply, our aim is to bring more customers to the fantastic world of wine by making our bars and service fun, approachable, consumer focused and great value, whilst delivering a credible wine solution for event, festival and venue organisers.

"We operate from a fleet of great looking, retro, vintage vehicles, currently comprising of Citroen Hvans and original Airstream trailers. This gives us both a unique and stylish service platform, as well as operational flexibility to scale up or down as required, including the ability to provide a multi site operation."

Added James Houston, festival director: "We're really excited to bring our wine offering into line with our range of beers and ciders, and this partnership with WWC will enable us to provide a fantastic range of interesting quality wines at very decent prices."