FANCY viewing the spectacular jewels from Downton Abbey, courtesy of the Art Society, Saltaire? Not a problem. Would you like to take part in a fun modern jazz dance taster? Come along on the day. Want to learn about the dales activity of dry stone walling? Simply sign up. These are just some of the new activities for village residents and beyond to try out at the 14th annual Burley-in-Wharfedale Summer Festival from Saturday, August 20th to 27th.

Always a family favourite, the Festival Scarecrow trail will this year have the theme, Kings and Queens. Walk around the village and hunt for scarecrows, popping out from local gardens, doorways, and drives, as well as the odd shop window. Prizes for best individual scarecrow, best street and also best community and local business display.

Children will have a weekly beano with such attractions as a teddy bears picnic, Djembe drumming, play in the park and a family fun day with spider mountain and the ultimate wipe out.

Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome will once again provide an interesting programme with such events as a tour and tasting at Ilkley Brewery, visit to a working textile mill and a tour of Weston Hall and Gardens, amongst other planned walks.

Super Sunday - August 21- will see the return of the much anticipated, classic car show at Burley Cricket club, Food and Drink market at Grange Park and a vintage fair and arts and crafts market at the Queens Hall. These events will be complemented by a volunteer organisations event also at Grange Park. Live entertainment will be provided by the ukulele jammers and the big band from Shipley. Praise in the Park, with local churches will begin an action-packed day.

After an absence of two years, the festival musical programme will return in full volume. Events during the week will be staged by the Wharfedale Chamber Ensemble, Ladies Please choir from Menston and Wharfedale Male Voice Choir. The Festival will close with the Traditional Summer Evening at the Opera, where members of Opera North will entertain with arias and ensembles from operatic favourites and a selection of musical theatre classics.

Members of the Festival committee will be at the iconic roundhouse in Grange Park from Saturday August 20th until Saturday, August 27th from 10-4pm providing information and selling forms for various family trails (£1 each).

For full details of all festival events and ticket sales go to burleysummerfestival.org

You are advised to book early for most events.