THE North York Moors will be alive with the sound of music during the Festival on the Moor which takes place from Friday, September 6, until Sunday, September 15.

Some of the leading exponents of folk and world music will be performing at selected venues throughout the national park during the festival.

This is the first time that a festival of this kind has been co-ordinated by the national park authority. "We have arranged the festival as part of our 50th anniversary year celebrations," said Andy Wilson, chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority.

"We have a major attraction for our opening concert," said Richard Grainger, festival organiser. "The most influential British folk fiddler is undoubtedly Dave Swarbrick and he will be appearing with his band,

Orchard, at The Moors Centre, Danby, on the evening of Friday, September 6."

At some of the venues, there will be local performers as well as some better-known artists from the world of folk music. A local singer and songwriter with a growing reputation is Elaine Palmer, who will make an appearance at The Moorlands Hotel, Castleton, on Thursday, September 12.

Castleton will again be the venue for a concert on Saturday, September 14, when Martin Carthy is joined by the singing family Norma and Mike Waterson, who make a rare appearance at a concert in the village hall.

A programme of contemporary, popular and traditional music from France, Italy, Russia, and other countries will be performed at Gisborough Hall Hotel on Tuesday, September 10.

The festival will also take on an international flavour on Wednesday, September 11, at 7.30pm, at The Old Post Office, Commondale. A unique evening of North Yorkshire and Neapolitan culture has been arranged with samples of food and wine, blended with live music from the regions. Local Yorkshire recipes will meet the food of Italy and tickets must be booked in advance.

There are ragtime and blues guitar performances at The Feversham Arms, Farndale; Banoffi in concert at The Feathers Hotel, Helmsley; Morris dancers and folk music at The New Inn, Cropton; and performances by entertainers who will appear at tea rooms in locations throughout the

national park on Saturday, September 7.

Over on the coast, at Robin Hood's Bay, there is a maritime event during the afternoon of Saturday, September 14, with leading voices on the maritime and folk scene.

On the final day, Sunday, September 15, three local writers will host an afternoon of words and music inspired by the moor

at 2pm at Commondale. All poets and songwriters in the area are invited to come and perform their work. Also on the final day, there is a jazz brunch at The Tearooms, The Moors Centre, Danby.

There are many more events on the agenda and for bookings, telephone (01287) 660654, while programmes of events are available from tourist information centres and libraries.

Updated: 10:34 Wednesday, September 04, 2002