Published at 13:16, Thursday, 05 July 2012

FURNESS Tradition Festival returns next week for three days of live music and dance.

The annual Ulverston event will also feature ceilidhs, crafts and arts displays, workshops and more.

Now in its 14th year, the celebration of local music, dance and storytelling runs from Friday July 13 to Sunday 15.

Friday night sees an informal gathering in The Cruck Barn at Lanternhouse, at 8pm, in the form of a Cumbrian ‘Merry Neet’ with dance, song, stories and entertainments from guests and locals alike to get the festival weekend off to a fine start.

The main festival day is Saturday, with a grand opening parade setting off from the Coronation Hall at 9.50am to the Market Cross, where there will be dance displays and performances throughout the day.

Storyteller Debs Newbold performs at Natterjacks from 11am and The Hope And Anchor pub holds music sessions from 1pm.

An afternoon acoustic concert at the Coro, from noon to 3pm, will feature internationally-renowned musicians Gavin Davenport, Arthur Johnstone and the Star Band, Roger Davies, Emma Sweeney and Matheu Watson, and Tim Edey, before a special performance from the Morris Offspring, called Must Come Down, at the same venue. The show at 3.30pm brings morris dancing to a new generation, instead presenting it as the English equivalent of a martial art.

The Merry Neet moves to the Coronation Hall from 7.30pm.

The farewell gathering takes place from 10.30am on Sunday at Lanternhouse, with open music sessions and workshops, including a harp tutorial and a chance to ask musician Tim Edey about his large collection of instruments.

The event closes with a concert featuring some of the guest musicians from throughout the weekend.

For a full programme of events and ticket booking information, visit the festival website www.furnesstradition.org.uk

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