Newcomers and regulars will mingle at this weekend's three-day annual Worstead Festival, enjoying music, displays, parades, traditional machinery, crafts, stalls and a host of other entertainment.

Newcomers and regulars will mingle at this weekend's three-day annual Worstead Festival, enjoying music, displays, parades, traditional machinery, crafts, stalls and a host of other entertainment.

Begun in 1966 as a way to raise funds for the village church of St Mary the Virgin, the festival has blossomed into what it is today - an all-round, expansive and entertaining event with a truly unique character.

Little wonder then that it attracts around 25,000 to 30,000 visitors over the three days, starting this Friday, July 27, with a special children's day.

The continued success of the festival over the years has meant many charities and community groups in and around the village have been helped to thrive with grants and funding.

Although the number of charities to have benefited is too long to list here, recently there was significant assistance in the form of a £5,000 grant for a youth club set up to give youngsters something to do in North Walsham.

The Carpenter's Arms was given some significant breathing space in its struggle for survival by the cash after it was facing an uncertain future.

But although the festival has a serious purpose, this weekend - the 42nd Worstead Festival - is supposed to be about fun and will see people from all over the region, and indeed the country, enjoying themselves in the attractive village near North Walsham.

On Friday, children's football, sponsored by RAF Careers, takes place in the main display ring while about 200 stalls offering a vast selection of arts and crafts can be found in and around the village in barns, old cowsheds and field marquees.

Saturday and Sunday will witness a full programme of displays in the main ring and the village square.

There will also be a chance to see the famous weaving history being displayed in the church, heavy horses, vintage tractors and excellent food.

“This is a unique event in that there is a full and varied programme of events which are on offer during the three days and located in and around the village,” said festival chairman Vic Steyerman.

“The trustees look forward to welcoming you all again.

“This is a value for money event suitable for all the family covering a wide range of interests to please every visitor.”

t Friday, children under 16 are admitted free, with adults at just £3.

t Saturday and Sunday, children are £1 and adults £5.

t There is free parking for all.

MUSICAL INTERLUDES

This year's musical line-up at the festival promises some old favourites alongside some new blood.

Folk, indie, country, soul, jazz and even a smattering of “gipsy punk” will all be on offer.

There will be the usual two main venues - in the New Inn and out on the village square, both of which are always extremely popular.

Toby Rose, organiser of the musical efforts at Worstead, said: “This year's music promises to be the most diverse line-up to date. From an all-female steel band known as the Steelettos, to political folk, with a dash of punk, from the Mustard City Rockers.

“Three of this year's bands have just performed at the Eastern Haze festival and we're very lucky to have the talented Rory McVicar performing for us. He has just played in front of thousands at the Exit festival in Norwich's twin city of Novi Sad, Serbia.

“The final act of the weekend, on Sunday night in the New Inn, is a new outfit called Fresh Funk.

“Grown out of the Norwich band Michael and the Jerks, this 11-piece funk orchestra promises to be a very exciting end to the festival.”

New Inn

t Friday: The Vagaband, country, soul, jazz

t Saturday: Campfreddie, original indie and Buswood, highly danceable

t Sunday: Fresh Funk, 11-piece funk orchestra

Village Square

t Saturday: noon - Water Rats Jazz Band; 1pm - Steelettos, all-female steel band; 1.20pm - Rory McVicar, original indie band; 2.20pm - Steelettos; 2.40pm - Mustard City Rockers, political folk, gipsy punk; 3.40pm - Steelettos; 4pm - Clickshaft, funky jazz

t Sunday: noon - The Vagaband, country, soul, jazz; 1pm - Lizzy, solo folk; 1.20pm - Spider Murphy, pop covers; 2.20pm - The Husbands, blues, folk and electronica; 2.40pm - Neil Daniels and Dave Morrison, blues; 3.40pm - Ken Farquar, comedy chef; 4pm - The Booze Brothers, rhythm and blues.

DON'T MISS A THING

As with so much of Worstead Festival, a mixture of old and new is vital for the display ring - and this will be evident on both main days.

Football takes up Friday, while on Saturday and Sunday there will be a host of offerings, with music, machinery, animals and birds of prey all playing their part.

“It is essential to try to arrive at a varied mix,” said festival chairman and display ring organiser Vic Steyerman.

“We all like to see some different acts, but always need to see the good old regulars. This year's festival will include our faithful and local presentations and in addition we are pleased to bring a spectacular birds of prey display from the West Country.”

The full line-up is as follows:

t Saturday: 10.30am - Vintage tractors and implements; 11am - Trevor Hill falconry and birds of prey display; Noon - City of Coventry Corps of Drums; 12.30pm - Dino's Dynamic Dog Agility and Flyball; 1pm - Miniature horses and announcements; 1.30pm - Heavy horse harness display and more; 2pm - Dogs-A-Go-Go dancing and heelwork; 2.30pm - Trevor Hill falconry and birds of prey display; 3.30pm - City of Coventry Corps of Drums; 4pm - Heavy horse parade and judging; 4.30pm - Vintage tractor parade; 5pm - Terrier Racing, take your own dog.

t Sunday: 10.30am - Vintage tractors and implements; 11am - Trevor Hill falconry and birds of prey display; Noon - Dagenham Girl Pipers; 12.30pm - Dogs-A-Go-Go dancing and heelwork; 1pm - Heavy horse harness display and more; 1.30pm - Norfolk carriage display; 2pm - Trevor Hill falconry and birds of prey display; 3pm - Dagenham Girl Pipers; 3.30pm - Vintage car parade; 4pm - Heavy horse parade and prizes; 4.30pm - Vintage tractor parade; 5pm - Terrier racing, bring your dog.