A folk festival celebrating Suffolk held its official launch yesterday with around 150 people enjoying an afternoon of music, arts and food.

East Anglian Daily Times: Matthew Crampton performs at the launch of Folk East at Glemham Hall.Matthew Crampton performs at the launch of Folk East at Glemham Hall.

FolkEast marked the countdown to its fourth festival in the grounds of Glemham Hall with performances from some of its star acts, including event patrons, the award-winning Young’uns.

Some of the musicians played from a train to highlight the added shuttle buses laid on for this year’s festival by the Community Rail Partnership. Becky Marshall-Potter, who organises the festival with her husband John, said there had been a “fabulous response” to the launch.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic – an amazing way to get things going,” she added.

East Anglian Daily Times: Luke Jackson performs at the event.Luke Jackson performs at the event.

Other attractions included arts and crafts displays and a selection of Suffolk’s culinary delights.

There was also a specially-brewed festival ale, the Green Jackalope, named after a mythical creature, which has become intertwined in the festival’s folklore.

FolkEast runs from August 19-21 – www.folkeast.co.uk

East Anglian Daily Times: A performance from John Spiers.A performance from John Spiers.