* Big news for festivals with this week, with news of a new gathering and an expanded favourite.

First up, recording legend ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris has announced the setting up of his own gathering. It is called Under the Apple Tree, after the name of his popular recording sessions which have enlivened many other festivals in the area – including Truck, Cornbury and Cropredy.

It takes place over the Northamptonshire boundary in Silverstone from May 27-29, making it one of the first of the summer.

Artists appearing include Sam Palladio, The Lake Poets and Ethan Johns on Friday, Danny & The Champions Of The World, Liam Bailey, Boo Hewerdine and Thea Gilmore on Saturday, and Keston Cobblers’ Club, Judith Owen, Nell Bryden, Martyn Joseph and Ward Thomas on Sunday. A Songwriters in the Round Stage will be curated by Squeeze’s Chris Difford.

More acts are to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets from undertheappletree.com

* Exciting developments also come from Bob’s home village of Steventon, where the organisers of Truck festival are to extend the gathering to three days.

The move will delight festival-goers who have been forced to leave Hill Farm, on Sunday mornings. The festival was set up 19 years ago by Robin and Joe Bennett, of the band The Dreaming Spires, and whose first group was named Whispering Bob after their famous neighbour. Truck runs from July 15-17. Tickets are £86.50 + booking fee from Truckfestival.com from today.

* While the Bennetts no longer run Truck, they are responsible for another of the county’s great festivals - the eco-friendly Wood festival, which this week revealed its line-up, with slots by Mercury-nominated, Sam Lee and friends, Danny and the Champions of the World, Owiny Sigoma Band, Nick Cope and, of course The Dreaming Spires. It takes place from May 20-22 at Braziers Park, near Wallingford.

Go to gigantic.com/wood-festival-tickets