Festivals

The annual Swaledale Festival will take place again this year starting on Saturday 26 May and the last performances on Saturday 9 June. It’s always such a fabulous event. This year there will be young stars of the future alongside world-class instrumentalists, singers, actors, choirs, poets, films, exhibitions, talks, workshops, puppets, and a series of themed walks celebrating the magical landscape of the northern Dales.

Well, what a wonderful afternoon we all spent at the Scarecrow Festival in Kettlewell, Wharfedale, an annual event with all proceeds going to the Church, Village Hall, School and local projects to benefit the whole community. Totally organised, considering how many people were there, parking was easy, volunteers were so helpful, made sure we had our route sheet and quiz, places to eat along the way round.

So sad the Swaledale Festival for this year has come to a close, a magical two weeks of music, art exhibitions, workshops, talks and poetry held in some interesting venues and guided walks in breath taking countryside in Swaledale and Wensleydale in the glorious Yorkshire Dales. Famous artists and not so famous all added to an exciting and entertaining mix for us all to greatly enjoy. For me the highlight was a small intimate concert held in the Cloisters in the Gardens Rooms at Tennants in Leyburn.

This year there are over 120 events taking place between March and the end of October including walks, talks, arts and crafts, family activities, conservation days and photography workshops. An exciting collection of activities inspired by nature here in the Yorkshire Dales.