Popular arts festival returns to Leek

Leek's Brough Park will once again provide the beautiful setting for the ever-popular Art in the Park event which returns to the town at the weekend.

Now in its eleventh year, the event is going from strength to strength attracting loyal fans and first-timers keen to experience the creativity and artisan crafts of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

This year's event, which is part of the wider Leek Arts Festival, is taking place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May and everyone is welcome to come and join the fun.

Gareth Knapper, Project Officer at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: "The event is as popular as it's ever been and we're looking forward to welcoming a diverse range of talented artists, crafts people and performers keen to showcase their skills and celebrate Leek's heritage as a place where arts and crafts thrive.

"It's always a great weekend and, thanks to the variety of stall holders and exhibitors coming along together with the musicians and opportunities to get involved in activities, there really is something for all ages and interests to enjoy.

"We'd also like to thank the Friends of Brough Park who are providing refreshments in the bowling pavilion - including some delicious home-made cakes!"

High Sherriff of Staffordshire, Humphrey Scott-Moncrieff, will get proceedings officially underway at 11am on Saturday 20 May when he cuts the ribbon at the main marquee.

Visitors can look forward to perusing around 30 stalls displaying arts and crafts from award winning photography and art made from postage stamps to upcycled homeware and wood-turned items.

Music performances on Saturday will start around 11am on the bandstand when Leek & Blues Americana Acoustic take to the stage followed at 2pm by The Sixties Survivors and Mc Lovin' at 3pm.

And on Sunday the musical entertainment will be provided by Poynton Youth Brass Band who will by playing between 2 and 4pm.

Leek Photography Society and Leek and Buxton College art students will be staging exhibitions of their work. There will also be demonstrations of chainsaw carving courtesy of Anthony Hammond and Leek Spinners, Weavers and Dyers will be showing event-goers their skills.

If all this creativity inspires you and your family, then there's the chance to try your hand at art-based activities with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Borderland Voices, join a craft nature trail or take part in the activities taking place at John Hall Gardens with Rethink charity.

The fun takes place between 11am and 5pm on Saturday and 10am and 4pm on Sunday. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/artinbroughpark or follow the event on Twitter: @Artinbroughpark.