THE third Broadway Arts Festival launches this weekend and this year looks back a century to the era before the First World War.

This year's festival, which has the theme of 'Changing Times', runs from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday, June 15.

Sir Roy Strong will open the festival with a lecture The Twentieth Century Coronation on Saturday, and distinguished authorities on the pre and First World War period will speak on the social, military, political, artistic and literary influences of the era.

There will be masterclasses, workshops and demonstrations along with a special exhibition of John Singer Sargent’s work, never before shown as a public collection, at the new Ashmolean Museum Broadway.

Simon Williamson, Broadway Arts Festival Director, said: “Amidst the charm of this lovely Cotswold village, from 30th May until 15th June, the Broadway Arts Festival will be presenting a wide variety of high quality attractions, including art exhibitions, painting demonstrations and master classes, garden tours, recitals and concerts, children’s entertainment and eminent speakers.”

Other highlights include children's day on Saturday, June 14 which includes a painting workshop with artist Antonia Black followed by a lantern parade and children’s entertainers on the green.

People can also get a privileged peek into three artists’ private outdoor spaces and enjoy a variety of concerts and recitals.

Just outside the village, the Little Buckland Gallery will exhibit the winner and highlights of the Festival’s “Open art competition”, a nationwide competition based on the theme of change.

There is also a special cricket match on the last day of the festival from noon to 5pm at Broadway cricket club, Snowshill Road.

To book tickets for events, visit broadwayartsfestival.com or call the Festival Box Office at the Ashmolean Museum Broadway on 01386 898387.