We are delighted to find a major artist at this year's Festival, and two others who have previously appeared here, listed in this year's Honours granted by the prestigious Royal Academy of Music.

Harpist Noreen O'Donoghue, who was originally intending to play in The Island Lullaby on Wednesday 8 June, has sadly been incapacitated by acute tendonitis, and so won't be able to come to the Festival. Tríona Marshall, who plays with both The Chieftains and the Ireland's National Symphony Orchestra, has very kindly agreed to replace Noreen.

This year's printed Festival information is now being distributed.

Last year the Trouvere Medieval Minstrels performed at Swaledale Festival in the historic Gayle Mill at Hawes. It is always a great pleasure when a Festival appearance has a spin-off such as a new partnership of artists, or as in this case, the realisation that there is a place for a whole new event. The first Medieval Music in the Dales takes place in Bolton Castle, Wensleydale from 2nd- 4th September 2016 and features medieval music, instrument makers, workshops and market.

Swaledale Festival has a new major sponsor. Brymor Ice Cream will sponsor the Reeth Lecture given by Andrew Graham-Dixon on 30 May They will also sell ice-creams at concerts held in Grinton church, a new venture for the Festival.