Is there a more idyllic place in which to enjoy great music? In early summer, as the buttercups spring to life in the fields, the ancient stone villages which punctuate the magnificent landscape of the northern Dales host top-class musicians from around the world. This year they're coming from Holland, Norway, Ireland, France, Sri Lanka, the USA, Cuba and, of course, Yorkshire. From plainsong singers to string quartets, from folk groups to brass bands, there is music for every taste.

Emma Kirkby, Peter Donohoe, Northern Sinfonia, Red Priest and Natalie Clein are here alongside the prize-winning Carlton Main Colliery Band, saxophone greats Iain Ballamy and Snake Davis, Riverdance star Niamh Ni Charra and the ever-popular Hut People. The Fitzwilliam String Quartet gives the first performance of a specially-commissioned work by David Blake and the superb Dutch woodwind quintet Calefax makes a rare UK appearance. We feature more local bands this year, and with Yamaha's support we launch our Young Artists Platform for outstanding emerging musicians.

In addition to our music programme, we have a puppet show, kite flying and storytelling for children, guided walks, art and craft exhibitions, workshops, a film show, poetry with Jenny Joseph, our second Reeth Lecturer - Brian Sewell, and drama from the excellent Mooncalf Theatre Company.

Thanks to some generous support from Barnard Castle Vision, The Bowes Museum and Radio Teesdale, the Festival ventures into County Durham this year for the first time, with a full day of activities in Barnard Castle on June 13. In addition we have a month-long exhibition at the Bowes Museum in which we are showing pictures by local artists and talented students alongside three watercolours by JMW Turner.

Please note that we're doing our bit to mitigate the impact of the Festival on its glorious surroundings with a brand new Liftshare scheme. Details are here. Please help us to be even greener.

There are two extra reasons to celebrate this year: the Festival has received the 'Local Hero' award from Ability Media International in recognition of the inclusivity and high standard of last year's Semmerwater production. Well over a hundred local people, aged 4 to 84, contributed to this event and they can all be very proud. And church bells will be ringing in the Dales to mark the Swaledale Festival's 30th anniversary this year, so we invite you to help us celebrate with a bang, or indeed a ding!

Malcolm Creese

Artistic Director