A VILLAGE near Evesham is preparing to host its very own music festival later this month.

Harvington Music Festival takes place from Thursday to Sunday, July 22 - 25 and features an impressive line-up of performers covering all music tastes and highlighting the musical talents in the village.

The festival, which is raising funds for the village, begins at 7.30pm on July 22 with a performance by John Kirkpatrick, known as The Renaissance Man of Folk Music. This popular and highly acclaimed musician, composer, singer and songwriter is a village favourite having performed there before.

He is performing in the Village Hall where a cabaret evening is also being held. Visitors are asked to bring their own drinks but food will be provided and tea and coffee will be for sale in the interval. Tickets are £8 from John Redman on 01386 870255.

St James’ Church provides the perfect setting for the following night’s (23) entertainment - a concert called ‘Sumer is icumen in’ at 7.30pm.

The popular choir Harvington Singers present their summer show starting with Faure Requiem, followed by an interval with wine and strawberries and a mixture of songs. Tickets are £7.50 from 01386 870563. On the same evening, The Duo from the Element are playing at the Coach and Horses.

Church organist Vernon Goodchild will be performing at the church at 3pm on Saturday, where tickets are not required. Later at 7.30pm talented villagers will bring visitors a variety of music covering old, new, classical, modern and a bit in between. Tickets £8 from 01386 870003.

The concert is brought to a close in a packed day of entertainment at St James’ Church, starting at 9.30am with a musical celebration of St James the Great. St James Junior Choir perform at 3pm and the Dukes Jazz and Swing group rounding things off at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £8 from 01386 870003.