Ray of Sunshine amid economic gloom

ONE of the highlights of the local music calendar, the Maker Sunshine Festival, is just under a month away.

Set in a panoramic clifftop location near Millbrook on Cornwall's Rame Peninsula, Maker 2008 is happening between July 31 and August 3.

This year the organisers say they are very mindful of the growing credit crisis, and with the general cost of living soaring want to help families who may be feeling the pinch.

To that end they are sending out a positive message of support and are offering free places to all those under 16 years of age.

This means that every full-paying adult can bring up to three under-16s absolutely free.

The youth ticket, for 16-year-olds, is £50 and the standard adult rate for four days' weekend camping is £80.

For your entry fee you will not only be able to spend the weekend in one of the most beautiful locations anywhere in England, but also have access to four days of music and entertainment from 70 bands.

Acts on offer on Thursday include Imperial Leisure, the Martin Harley Band, the Rob Sawyer Band, Bert Miller and the Animal Folk, Lemanis, Ecco Jones, Albenaza and the Dharma Bums.

Friday's headliners are the amazing Dreadzone with earlier sets from the New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, Carus and the True Believers, Rosie and the Goldbug, Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Two Spot Gobi, Yes Sir Boss, Kat Marsh, Hillside Heroes and Runaway Days. The Energy Room will be up and running for a special Friday session featuring alternative sounds from, among others, The Sea, Crazy Arm and Koala Attack.

The Beat will be topping the bill on Saturday night after slots from Sonic Boom Six, Ruarri Joseph, Cosmo Jarvis, The Scribes, Sunfish, Vince Lee and the Big Combo, Louis Eliot, Louise Parker, The Gala Band, The JMW Band, plus Music Is My Poison DJs and many more.

Mad Dog McRea will provide the finale hoedown on Sunday night after a full day's entertainment from Asere, Kangaroo Moon, Diamond Geezers, Circus of Sound, Seize The Day, The Noel Prior Band, Vince Freeman, Mick Hart, Weapons of Sound, Wille and the Bandits and 007.

New for 2008 will be the Cabaret Tent, featuring around 30 regional and national performers delivering a variety of acts including comedy, circus, dance, burlesque, beatboxing, poetry and story-telling as well as music. Look out for Glass Eyed's show Celebrityville, the Zen Hussies delivering goodtime swing ska boogaloo and Swervy World entertaining us with cabaret tricks and wacky music as well as other weird and wonderful acts including the Glitzy Bag Hags, Audible Porno, Icarus and that master of balance and banter, the juggling, unicycling comic genius Goronwy Thom.

As well as onstage entertainment there's plenty to keep everyone occupied with creative workshops – including everything from pottery to circus skills. There are real ale bars and delicious organic food stalls and if you fancy a trip off site you can take a short walk to the villages of Millbrook (for the best fish and chips) or Kingsand and Cawsand which have their own pretty beaches and a great selection of pubs and cafes.

And of course, the charming Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is just around the corner.

As well as weekend camping tickets, day tickets will be available on the gate at £10 for Thursday and £15 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.