Show of Hands’ hugely popular annual signature festival on the Dorset heritage coast celebrates its incredible 16th year next month - with 2014 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Duo winners, a boisterous Balkan tune-inspired band to knock your socks off and an amazing young sibling act among a sizzling summer line up.

show of hands

The unique family festival will take place at Abbotsbury’s glorious Sub Tropical Gardens near Weymouth on Saturday, July 5, close to the Jurassic coast’s Chesil Beach.

This year, with multi instrumental wizard Phil Beer away on his Folkboat music and sailing adventures, the hosting honours are down to his Show of Hands partner, award-winning singer songwriter Steve Knightley who will spearhead over six hours of non-stop open-air entertainment on Abbotsbury’s West Lawn.

At Abbotsbury Knightley - one of the biggest names in British folk - will be joined by two of the hottest duos on the UK roots scene - winners of the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards “Best Duo” title Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin and double bass/mandolin pairing Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston.

Joining the alfresco action the unmissable live act that is Sheelanagig will bring a party central atmosphere to Abbotsbury with their high octane Balkan music mayhem which has been witnessed at Glastonbury and dance floors from Scotland to Southern Italy. Completing the line-up with be the youngest performers ever seen at Abbotsbury – the astonishingly mature Aimee.The trio is led by 17 year-old singer songwriter Aimee Mackenzie and her younger siblings Freya (13) on violin and backing vocals and Ross (11) on cajon.

The Abbotsbury event, which promises a memorable finale, starts at 3pm. Tickets are available on 01305-871130, price £30 (adults); £17 (children) or a great value family ticket for two adults and up to three children for £65. The Abbotsbury Tourism box office is open 9am-1pm and 2-5pm Mondays to Fridays. 

Concertgoers are invited to bring low-backed seating, rugs and picnics into the grounds - entry to the West Lawn area is from 1.30pm. The grounds open at 10am for those interested in looking round the magnificent 20-acre gardens (admission included in ticket price) with one trail taking visitors to a viewpoint overlooking the Jurassic coast and Chesil Beach. For the youngsters, children’s entertainer Rob Pudner will be on hand with his circus skills and storytelling and face painters will also be at the ready.