RICHARD BATSON Thass that toime o'year agin - ter dust orf yar best yarns full o' squit, an' tell 'em proper - in broad Norfolk. The county's dialect festival is clearing its throat for the annual celebration of Norfolk's native tongue.

RICHARD BATSON

Thass that toime o'year agin - ter dust orf yar best yarns full o' squit, an' tell 'em proper - in broad Norfolk.

The county's dialect festival is clearing its throat for the annual celebration of Norfolk's native tongue.

More than 100 people flock to Cromer parish hall to listen to people, young and old, voice prose, poetry and jokes in the local lingo.

Organiser Derek Paul said the dialect was “stronger than ever”, thanks to the growing presence of the Friends of Norfolk Dialect across the county.

And he hoped the recently publicised initiative to teach Norfolk in schools would help bolster interest in the younger generation.

There was a junior section in the festival, for under-16s, which had expanded beyond its early beginnings of just featuring the two sons of adjudicator Keith Skipper, who is doing his 24th consecutive year giving his “verdict” on people taking part.

Half the programme involved entrants performing a written piece, such as Boy John letters, after which they would earn certificates of merit, credit or distinction.

The other half was pure fun - a celebration of dialect, open to

all-comers, and which featured local entertainers and ordinary people doing their party pieces.

The event has been running for more than 30 years, as part of the Cromer and North Norfolk Festival of Music, Drama and Dance, and has built up a strong following of its own.

This year's is on Tuesday, April 25, at 7.30pm in the parish hall, with admission £1.50.

Mr Paul added: “Thas allus a bloomin good dew. Dunt yew be learte.”

Entries are about to close, but anyone interested in either section of the festival should contact Mr Paul on 01263 579688.