St Mawes the merrier

THIS year's two-week Roseland Festival begins on October 17. Now in its fourth year, the festival takes place in villages between Tregony and St Mawes and offers a mix of music, literature, poetry, talks, walks and exhibitions.

Among the artists appearing in the 2009 event are Jacqui McShee's Pentangle, Zum Trio and Celticana String Quartet. There are also concerts by Roger Marks' Cornish Armada Jazz Band, Matthew Scott, The Simon Latarche Quartet, Thorn and Roses, Dew Vardh, Force 5 Wind Quintet, the Roseland Community Choir and Roseland Voices and the Hot House Playboys.

Novelist and Cornwall resident Patrick Gale will talk about his writing and local author Nigel Milliner will discuss his recently-published novel based on the Roseland.

Local favourites The Roseland Poets and Veryan Players appear again, and there are also a couple of craft workshops and various pub events.

Talks include sessions with Eden founder Tim Smit, China clay expert Ivor Bowditch and Catherine Wallace, who will speak about the work of painter Henry Scott Tuke.

Master chef Ann Long will demonstrate "Crab and Salmon in a New Light".

And there is an art exhibition, a display of quilting and an exhibition of the photographs of the late anthropologist Professor Phillip Dark.

Festival chairman Greg Williams said: "This year's festival has attracted more sponsorship from both local and national sources for which we are very grateful.

"This has enabled us to contemplate a larger guest list and, thanks to sponsorship from Making Music, the Ernest Cook Trust and the Roseland Music Society, to initiate a major educational project.

"As a result five local schools will enjoy a programme with the Zum Trio which will culminate with the youngsters performing their own work prior to the Zum Concert.

"The previous three festivals have produced a modest surplus which has helped to support various students and projects on the Roseland. Should this festival be similarly successful, plans are already under way for 2010."

Further programme details and ticket information are available – see the website www.roselandfestival.co.uk

Tickets are also available from Portscatho Post Office, St Mawes Visitors' Centre and Roseland Parc in Tregony, or by phoning 0845 094 0428 or 01726 879500.