THE newly rejuvenated Stroud Fringe Festival will return later this year - bigger and better than its first incarnation in September.

Organiser Roger Sanders, freshly recovered from last year's hard work of getting the festival up and running, spoke exclusively to the SNJ about what is planned.

"It's going to be the same as last year, only a little different," said Roger with a smile.

"After the considerable success of last year, despite rather lower funding than the original organisers enjoyed, we're sticking with free entry to all official festival events.

"There's no need to charge - it worked so well that this year there'll be three main stages. The new one will be in King's Street.

"There will be a wider range of music, although we'll still be focusing on the excellent local bands and maintaining a big emphasis on youth."

All participants are asked to play for free, and this year, this will include a number of professional bands who have contacted the festival.

They include Aska Kurogi, a classically trained Japanese soprano with Stroud connections, a couple of orchestras 'who we can't name yet', ex-Stroud electric cellist Bela Emerson, Dave Sharp, who played guitar with The Alarm and folk band Remolo.

"The winners of the Youth Talent contest organised by The Door will be given prime slots," added Roger, "and we're looking for an inside venue, because the Subscription Rooms is already booked up.

"We also want street performers, especially child-friendly acts.

"We can't pay - we aren't paying anyone - but there are more than 80 acts already confirmed. We've got more poetry and theatre this year too.

"The whole £7,000 profit from the bar last year was ploughed straight back into the festival - that way we can keep making it a better festival.

"We've taken on board all constructive criticisms - for example, this year we can afford to cover the Cornhill, thanks to the profits from the bar."

Anyone wishing to perform at the festival, or to help with the organisation, should call Roger on 01453 766822.