THE rich ancestry of Weardale folk will be celebrated during an eight-day festival this summer.

Weardale Family History Festival will feature a series of talks and exhibitions covering various topics but focused on the lives and times of the people of Weardale, where many families are inter-connected.

Mike Amos will open the festival at St Thomas’ Church in Stanhope at 11am on Saturday, July 1, and it will run until Sunday, July 9.

For a full programme of talks, click here.

An exhibition in the church will run from July 2 to July 9, from 10am to 5pm, with experts available to help with family history queries from 11am to 4pm each day.

Admission is free and refreshments will be available.

For further details contact, Sarah Haynes on 01388-528673.