Richard ParrRoll up, roll up…..it's Festival time in Dereham with an eight-day feast of music and arts treats being staged at various venues around the town.Months of work by the dedicated volunteer committee will come together tomorrow with a gala concert at the town's Assembly Rooms when soprano Meg Starling will be accompanied by flautist Anna Hoskins and David Morgan on keyboard.Richard Parr

Roll up, roll up…..it's Festival time in Dereham with an eight-day feast of music and arts treats being staged at various venues around the town.

Months of work by the dedicated volunteer committee will come together tomorrow with a gala concert at the town's Assembly Rooms when soprano Meg Starling will be accompanied by flautist Anna Hoskins and David Morgan on keyboard. The event starts with a drinks and canap� reception starting at 7pm.

The event, which will feature classical music and songs, will herald the start of a colourful programme of top-class entertainment and the party begins on Saturday when Dereham market place will be closed to traffic as it provides the backdrop for a packed-programme of music and entertainment from 10am until 4pm.

Dereham's new mayor, Robert Hambidge,will officially launch the festival at 10am in the marketplace.

A quarter-peal will be rung from 9am from St Nicholas Church tower by members of the St Nicholas Company of bell ringers to mark the launch of the event.

Dereham Band will open the festival and entertainment will include the King's Morris Men, North West Clog Fiddlesticks and clowns Razz and Pearl.

Creative and colourful artwork by pupils from schools in the Dereham area will be given a public platform when the exhibits go on show at Dereham's The Gallery on the town's Georges Road. Nearly 90 paintings, drawings, and pieces of sculpture from pupils at primary schools, high schools, a sixth-form college and the Fred Nicolson School went on show yesterday and can be seen until May 29. The exhibition has been organised for the Dereham Festival by Neal and Pam French. The Gallery can be contacted on 01362 690969.

Further information about the festival is available from Dorothy Sneesby on 01362 694654 or via email to reddorothy15@mye-mails.com or www.derehamtimes24.co.uk (click onto the special Dereham Festival logo).