The fair started with a multi-cultural parade from Christ's Pieces to Midsummer Common music provided by samba band Arco Iris.

The weather wasn't at all promising but that didnt stop the usual throng of the curious, the unwashed, the young and the old making the annual pilgrimage to the fair.

The tried and tested layout was pretty much the same as every year with the same stores selling pipes, clothes and legal highs.

But the sun did come out and the day warmed up and the people packed in. The usual funk of drunks, earth mothers and punks and everyone in between washed between the stages and the comercial tents.

My usual quick flick around the various stages re confirmed there was some good things to be seen although this year I was limited on time at the event.

Cutting back to the main stage I nipped into the acoustic tent and discovered for me the highlight of all I saw that day Brooke Sharkey. This impish singer quietly sung her way through a glourious set of songs that melded French and English. Her melodies and tones were relaxed and reminded me of Nora Jones amogst others. This is one to look out for. Hell I was so impressed I went and brought her CD!!!