WORD is definitely out and spreading to other galaxies, if last year’s appearance by a cohort of Storm Troopers is anything to go by.

The cluster of rising musical stars on the bill was the draw, no doubt, or perhaps the generous opportunity to learn a new skill or two, from drumming to pottery to turning out a tune on a ukulele.

Or then again, it could have been to hear the poetry slamming chimney sweep, David Roe, who took his first tentative steps into literary expression thanks to the bijou family-friendly festival tucked away in the northern most reaches of Tynedale.

But whatever the reason, Redefest certainly burned brightly as far as the Storm Troopers were concerned. Co-organiser Sam Kellie said: “Four of them turned up in full regalia last year, which was a surprise to me, but they looked fantastic. Apparently they are bringing back lots of their friends this year.”

When the curtain lifts this year, on the 4th – Friday August 4 that is – it will be the 11th such happy affair since a group of Rochester residents decided to organise what was originally designed as a fundraiser for the local Holy Trinity Church.

Sam and his wife, Red Kellie, now vice-chair and chair respectively of the hardworking committee that runs the festival today, were married in the church and were quick to throw their support behind its long-standing treasurer, Jim Procter, when he came up with the plan.

Red, who took over from Jim as chairman of the festival when he stepped down recently, said: “It was 2007 and a small group of us came together with less than eight weeks to go before the suggested date.

“That first one was run on a complete shoestring – a local farmer donated a flatbed truck as the stage, we borrowed tents and accepted whatever help we were offered.”

Sam adds with a laugh that while they had a house-full of guests for the occasion, they weren’t the best of hosts. “We had an extension cable running from our house to the site, so we had to say ‘please don’t have a shower or switch on the kettle, because it will blow the power for the festival!’”

They think around 150 people came along that first year, although no-one actually counted. Last year, the 10th anniversary of Redefest, clicker-counters revealed a thousand punters passed through the gates for what had just stepped up to be a two-day event.

The old Brigantium site, complete with its brand new reconstruction of an Iron Age Roundhouse and a myriad of marquees, was buzzing.

The weather has proved a challenge over the years – there’s nothing like slanting rain to make speakers go off with a bang – but the team rise to it admirably. Before they had their marquees, they used to make do and mend Blue Peter style with canopies and impromptu acoustic sets.

And visitors have been challenged. They have learned to throw tomahawks, throw pots, turn wood and write stories. They have sampled the best of locally produced food, from Thai delicacies to fish and chips to wood-fired pizzas, and they have drunk the freshest of Tynedale brews.

And, of course, they have clapped, foot-tapped and danced to the jazziest, most bluesy, rocking and folky music around. There’s the usual mix of firm favourites and fresh blood again this year on a programme that includes Decca, We Steal Flyers, The Sandboys, The Bushbys, Ian K. Brown, 70s Cop Show, Maggie Feeney and the Backyard Rhythm Orchestra.

A community event to its very core, Redefest has continued the fundraising tradition that was its inspiration. Any surplus left after running costs have been covered is donated in the form of grants to local community groups, particularly those that “just a little bit of help” would make a difference to.

In turn, the committee is grateful to Northumberland National Park Authority and the grants that have helped put Redefest on such a sure footing.

“If you had said that first year the festival would still be running 11 years later, I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Sam, “and I certainly could never have imagined we’d be drawing in a thousand people.”