A top musician will be ditching his melodeon to discuss his passion for gardening at Suffolk’s fast growing folk festival later this month.

East Anglian Daily Times: Musician and keen gardener John Spiers, formerly of Bellowhead, will be performing at FolkEastMusician and keen gardener John Spiers, formerly of Bellowhead, will be performing at FolkEast (Image: Archant)

John Spiers, former member of Bellowhead, will be taking part in FolkEast’s “Gardeners’ Question Time” – one of many added attractions at this year’s event.

Spiers, better known for his talented musicianship, is also a keen allotment owners. He will join green-fingered gurus in the Garden Marquee at Glemham Hall to field questions on horticulture.

Audiences will be able to ask questions of the panel, led by Steve Coghill, senior horticulturist at King’s College, Cambridge, and consultant head gardener at Glemham Hall, where he was responsible for restoring the walled rose garden.

Spiers said: “There’s a nice connection as I studied at King’s College and it was one of their student hardship funds which helped me buy my first melodeon.”

Although the multiple-award-winning Bellowhead played their final gig earlier this year, Spiers will be showcasing his new solo work at the festival.

He will also host a melodeon workshop and join forces with the legendary fiddler Peter Knight, formerly of Steeleye Span, for an exclusive double header.

Among the other musical performances will be a total of seven 2016 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees.

Other attractions include: the FolkEast Art Arcade; donkey rides; children’s activities; yoga; poetry; storytelling; foraging walks and talks; horse drawn carriage rides and tours of Glemham Hall.

There will also be more than 300 Morris dancers and a dedicated dance venue hosting ceilidh and workshops.

Visit here for more information on the event, which takes place August 19-21.