In 2005, I had no wish to see the demise of what was for me, a chance to play my guitar. With this in mind, and having watched a council backed event slither downhill over a period of years, I penned a letter to the Dorset Echo entitled ‘Folk festival, what folk festival?’.

Where was the buzz and excitement, which is conjured up in those words? The town music shop did not know of its existence and there was little evidence of any significant happenings, other than an obscure, out of date banner draped across the side of the Pavilion.

As a result of the letter I could never, with a clear conscience, not get involved.

From frugal beginnings, this backdrop saw the birth of new ideas and over the past four years, Weymouth has witnessed the Pavilion-based festival moving out into Hope Square and Trinity Road.

Harbour business sponsorship, enthusiastic fund raising and a strong mission statement have been the key elements behind what has produced at times nothing less than a spectacular pageant of live performance, featuring the very best of what has been available.

The last four years have been a hoot! With no axe to grind the time has come for me to move on. This will allow others an opportunity to experience the terrific buzz of bringing things together.

I still scratch my head, wondering what on earth I am going to do with all my free time. Current intentions are to fully exploit the reason why I got involved in the first place!

Now, where did I put my guitar?

Paul Openshaw Egdon Close, Bere Regis,