An eclectic mix of music, film, art and literature promises something for everyone, in this year's Cromer and Sheringham Arts Festival (COAST), which kicks off with a performance from blues singer Ron Sayer at the White Horse Hotel, Overstrand, on October 24.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the Great War era photographs forming part of an exhibition at the Muckleburgh Collection, Weybourne, which is being staged as part of this year's COAST festival.One of the Great War era photographs forming part of an exhibition at the Muckleburgh Collection, Weybourne, which is being staged as part of this year's COAST festival. (Image: Archant)

Now in its fifth year, the fortnight-long annual event aims to celebrate local talent and provide a forum for artists, writers and musicians to share their work with the public.

The festival will this year mark the anniversary of the First World War, with events and ranging from a poppy painting competition at the Atrium, North Walsham, to a creative writing workshop exploring the truth about the war at Sheringham library.

COAST chairman Sally Wallace said that while the festival had spread its wings to include venues at North Walsham, Overstrand, Weybourne and Mundesley, it remained an intimate event with a north Norfolk flavour.

She said: 'We haven't grown as such, but we have certainly held our own. Although we don't have really big scale events, we do focus on local artists and local musicians, which is wonderful.'

Highlights this year include a literary lunch with writers Rory Clements, Frank Meeres and Jen Hamilton-Emery, a reading by poet Jeanne Markham, an afternoon tea featuring a performance by 1940s-style close harmony group the Honeybirds, a short film competition, and visual art events ranging from an exhibition of a series of paintings of soldiers' heads by former Sheringham High School head of art David Cottrell, to a display of war-themed lightboxes by artist Anna-Lise Horsley.

Also on show at the Muckleburgh Collection, Weybourne, will be Great War era photographs from the private collection of the museum's owner, Sir Michael Savory.

'We have a real variety of activities and experiences and I am confident that this year's COAST festival offers something for everyone,' Ms Wallace said.

COAST 2014, War and Peace, runs from October 24 to November 2.

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