AFTER the success of its first festival last year, Cuffern Manor's Music Festival returns on Saturday with a top line up of talent.

On the bill are the Steve Tilston Trio, Eddie Walker, Pembrokeshire's own Lowri Evans and Lee Mason, local singer-songwriter Jess Ward, and Palmerston.

The Steve Tilston Trio features Tilston on vocals and guitars, Keith Warmington on harmonicas, vocals and guitar, and Stuart Gordon on violin and backing vocals.

Tilston is one of the UK’s most celebrated songsmiths; widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music.

His 2011 release The Reckoning garnered 4-star reviews, a guest appearance on Later with Jools Holland and the BBC Four Songwriters’ Circle series, plus a Folk Awards win for “best original song” for the title track.

This new trio sees him teaming up with some of the Bristol music scenes stalwarts who are also his old pals. Harmonica maestro (and popular Radio Bristol presenter) Keith Warmington and violin virtuoso (and sought after composer/producer) Stuart Gordon.

Gordon, probably one of the best improvising violinists in the country, is one of the Three Caballeros and a member of Smile. He was a member of The Shortwaveband, The Korgis, The Incredible String Band, and The Neutrons and has sessioned on albums by The Beach Boys, Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel, Goldfrapp, Massive Attack, Icehouse, Miquel Bose, XTC, The Porcupine Tree and many more.

Eddie Walker plays the old ragtime blues songs of Broonzy, Hurt, McTell, Gary Davis andBlind Arthur Blake. His guitar picking is impressive and the entertainment value irrepressible.

Lowri Evans was raised under the shadow of the mystical Carningli (Angel Mountain) in north Pembrokeshire.

Her striking voice is distinctive and powerful, capable of wide emotional range; her songs take their musical colours from a broad palette that includes folk, country, Americana and blues, all beautifully knitted together through her innate musicality and heartfelt delivery.

Palmerston are a four piece band from Oxford – featuring Peter Ball returning to Pembrokeshire after 10 years away.

With inspired song writing by Alan Rondeau, they are four musicians and four harmonies, a mix of strings, keys and reeds and sometimes a banjo.

Pete Ball ran sessions and concerts at the New Inn Rosebush for many years and was a member of two highly rated Pembrokeshire bands, The Buzzards and the Blizzards. An early life in Bath saw him as a founder of the band Arran Pilot, Druidstone regulars for 30 years, Alice the Mongrel, and member of the Walcot Strings with Johnny G.

Jess Ward is a Pembrokeshire singer and harpist who is about to release her first CD… a mix of beautiful traditional and contemporary songs and tunes.

The festival starts at 6pm on Saturday and takes place in a marquee in the walled garden of Cuffern Manor, near Roch.

There will be a licensed bar and food and drink from local award-winning producers.

Tickets cost £15 in advance or £20 on the gate.

For tickets and more information ring 01437 710071 or email enquiries@cuffernmanor.co.uk

For more information go to www.cuffernmanor.co.uk