Just a few weeks ago everything was looking a little uncertain - problems finding a suitable venue, a dwindling committee, etc - but suddenly everything seems to have fallen into place, and it's full steam ahead for 2008.

"We're delighted to have found a great new venue, as we continue to move the Festival around the ancient Forest of Galtres area - and this year we will be subjecting the good people of Huby to an ordeal of loud music, revelry, beer and cider drinking and family entertainment," explained James Houston, one of the organisers. "We've brought it all forwards about a month to Sunday 24 August - largely because after three fantastic late September Festivals in a row we can't count on the sun showing is face for a fourth time. We also like the idea of positioning the event right in the middle of a Bank Holiday weekend, when no-one needs to worry too much about getting to work with a clear head the next day."

Like last year we're sticking to our tried and tested formula - 25 or 30 barrels or so of fine ale and cider, a line-up of acoustic acts and bands in one of the tents, a barbeque outside, a few workshops for the children  - all in all a right good stomp.

We're delighted that one of York CAMRA's members, Karen Hannah, is joing our organising team this year - Karen runs the Yorkshire Terrier pub on Stonegate and is one of the York beer festival organisers, so she comes with lots of experience and contacts, as well as energy! Also new to our team is accountant Neil Ashton who will be taking over financial matters, Fiona Ashton who will be dealing with the charities we support, and Mark Tomlinson who will make sure we don't go hungry - he'll have special responsibility for food stalls and catering.

See you there! Put it in the diary...