THE first-ever Mitcheldean fete and folk festival starts this Friday (July 18).

The three-day event will include a feast of music, poetry and dance.

On Saturday, a traditional village fete on the playing fields, next to the community centre, will be opened at 12pm by a lucky local school girl who will be picked for the role of fete queen.

Various musicians will perform at the fete and there will be other entertainment as well as stalls and refreshments.

Mitcheldean Library will host a poetry recital event with readings from Forest Bard, Dave Harvey at 12pm and a tribute to poets of World War One by local poets.

The third part of the event, at 3pm, a group of Forest poets share their memories of life in the Forest as it was. Among them will be Maggie Clutterbuck and bringing proceedings to a close will be Dick Brice, a celebrated poet and song writer.

From 8pm, in the White Horse, poets Kay Wozencroft and Keith Morgan will be performing recitals interspersed with a host of folk music.

There will also be fun activities and games for children at the parish church from 10am until 12pm. Morris dancing by a number of local and visiting Morris sides will take place throughout the day from 11am. Saturday evening will give music fans a choice of venues: the Brewery Tap will be hosting an evening concert with a showcase of music and singing by a variety of groups and solo acts; a barn dance will be taking place in the community centre.

Sunday's 'Folk Walk' starts at 10am with breakfast at the White Horse, and will start at 12pm to visit five local pubs with a musical theme for each one.