Two music and comedy extravaganzas, one day: BerkoFest and Old Town Hall open day coming right up

BerkoFest – returning this year after being cancelled in 2013 – will be headlined by comedian Robin Ince and The Silencerz with Lee Thompson of Madness.

The music and comedy festival will be staged at Berkhamsted Cricket Club in Castle Hill from noon to 6pm.

The first BerkoFest in 2012 featured the likes of folk singer Seth Lakeman, 1970s pop group Showaddywaddy, and Glenn Tilbrook, ex-singer for Squeeze –the band behind 1979 hit single Cool for Cats.

Mitch Benn from Radio 4’s The Now Show performed stand-up on the comedy stage, and the festival went on late into the evening.

But last year’s BerkoFest had to be cancelled due to difficulties in finding the money needed to fund it.

Entry to this year’s festival is £14 for adults – or £18 on the door, £8 for 14 to 18-year-olds and £8 for anyone aged up to 13. You can find out more at www.berkofest.com

> Meanwhile, there will be an Old Town Hall open day in Hemel Hempstead – which will feature live music, comedy, an animation workshop and children’s show Splosh.

There will also be face painting, balloon making, dance classes and more. Prices for the various events range from £5 for a two-hour animation workshop to £10 – or £8 with concessions – to see John Gordillo and others perform comedy on Saturday evening.

The event marks the start of an autumn programme of theatre, film, music, comedy and family shows at the venue, which now includes jazz in The Cellar Club. Old favourites like the Screaming Blue Murder comedy club and Acoustic Café nights will be making a welcome return to the Old Town Hall too.

You can find out more about the Old Town Hall and its open day here