Swaledale Festival, starts today and runs until June 6

THE two-week long Swaledale Festival is an annual celebration of music and arts, which kicks off on Saturday. Venues are mostly churches, chapels, village halls and heritage sites like Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal and Gayle Mill near Hawes. All are within in the alluring landscape of the three northernmost Yorkshire Dales – Swaledale, Wensleydale and Arkengarthdale. With a primary emphasis on classical music, the Swaledale Festival attracts artists from all over the world, and regularly commissions new work. There is a strong young artists platform, as well as an extensive programme of education and community activities.

This year’s highlights includes the King’s Singers, Royal Northern Sinfonia, James Gilchrist, Skampa Quartet, Tenebrae Consort, Liane Carroll, Kathryn Tickell, Black Dyke Band, Adam Hart-Davis, Ian M Anderson (pictured), the Railsplitters, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and the Urban Folk Quartet. Joe Broughton, Paloma Trigás, Tom Chapman and Dan Walsh are The Urban Folk Quartet. Since forming in 2009, their unique approach to folk music has captivated audiences thanks to high-energy performances across the world. A new studio album, The Escape, shows off material that the band has crafted over the course of their first year with their latest member, banjo player, guitarist and singer Dan Walsh.

For the full Swaledale Festival programme of events and ticket information visit swaledale-festival.org.uk, or call 01748-880019.

Flower Power plant and gift fair, Raby Castle, Staindrop, on Sunday, 11am-4pm

THE fair will take place in the grounds of Raby Castle and will feature many RHS and other show award winning nurseries. There'll be on offer a wide selection of quality plants at realistic prices grown by nurserymen and women based in the North. Hundreds of plants will be on sale, from shrubs to trees, to climbers, herbs, herbaceous, fruit and specialist foliage plants. Add in quality gifts, herbal soaps and oils and food stands and it's a perfect recipe for a great day out. Tel 01833-660202.

Meccano Magic, Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, on Sunday/Monday, 10am-5pm

A CELEBRATION of the traditional toy for little builders. With displays old and new, come and marvel at the magic of all things Meccano. Meccano was invented by Frank Hornby in the early 20th century and continues to be produced worldwide. The model construction kits have allowed aspiring builders to construct all kinds of mechanical creations over the years, from steam trains, to boats, to cranes and cars! Spark your imagination with a visit to this intriguing exhibition. There will be a hands on children's building/play area where children will be able to create models out of either metal or plastic Meccano. Tel 01388-771439.

Thornton Hall Gardens, Darlington on Monday

BANK Holiday Monday sees the first opening this year of the very popular Thornton Hall Gardens, situated two miles west of Darlington on the B6279 Staindrop road.

Two acres of walled gardens and vegetable garden around a Grade I listed 15th century hall. Lots of rare and unusual plants with many intimate areas with quirky and unusual benches, seats, statuary and sculptures. It is 20 years since Sue Manners took off the first piece of turf in the first walled garden.

There will also be a plant fair held in the courtyard of the hall with many specialist nurseries bringing a large selection of garden plants. In addition to this there will be a chainsaw carving demonstration of an owl which will then be raffled for charity; other sculptures will be for sale.

Light lunches and afternoon teas will be available. Entrance is £6. Wheelchair friendly. The gardens and plant fair will be open from 11am until 4pm. For further information see www.thorntonhallgardens.co.uk.