A DUNSTER Festival fete will be held for the first time during this year’s event on the village green and in the Tithe Barn.

The festival runs over the spring Bank Holiday weekend of May 24 to 26 with the fete happening on the final day.

It will feature live music from trumpeter Luís Martelo, children’s entertainment from Krazy Kev and Dinky Dino, and an aerial acrobatic display by Natalie Rowlandy, along with food trucks, a bar, and more.

Festival artistic co-director Rory McCleery, an internationally in-demand choral conductor, will hold a choral workshop in the Tithe Barn on the Sunday to explore the music of Palestrina, arguably the Renaissance’s greatest composer.

A festival spokesperson said: “Our workshop is open to all, although some prior choral experience and a familiarity with reading sheet music is recommended.

“Music will be provided on the day and can also be sent out in advance as a pdf.”

Rory married his wife and fellow festival artistic director Rachel Wick in Dunster’s Priory Church of St George in 2016 and it was following their wedding that they launched the festival to bring high-quality live classical chamber music and associated arts events to the village.

This year’s festival includes a late night concert in the church at 10pm on the Sunday with soprano Elspeth Piggott and theorbo player Kristiina Watt presenting the passion-filled poetry and virtuosic performance practice of 17th century Italy.

On the Saturday, there is a cream tea concert in the Tithe Barn with flutist Thomas Hancox and Rachel Wick on the harp playing music by Saint-Saëns and Fauré, alongside lighter numbers.

The festival finale concert on the Monday afternoon features the voices of The Marian Consort combined with expert players of leading baroque orchestra Spiritato, performing works by Bach, including exquisite cantatas and the extraordinary Mass in G major.