RICHMOND is celebrating its Georgian heritage at a new summer festival next week.

GeorgeFest is staged in the town from Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 30, and includes a wide selection of events and activities, both indoor and outdoor, and many free. There will be street entertainment, guided walks, tours, Georgian toy making and the chance to sample Georgian food.

Supported by Richmond Town Council and Richmondshire District Council, it is new initiative from the Welcome to Richmond Group, a sub-group of the Richmond and Lower Swaledale Business Association to encourage tourism.

“Events and activities will focus on everyday things, such as where people lived, what they wore, how they spent their leisure time, what toys their children played with and what they liked to eat,” said James Gravenor, chair of the Welcome to Richmond Group.

“Aimed at all age groups, there is literally something for everyone, from Georgian toy-making and storytelling sessions for young children to guided ghost walks or gossipy trips around the Market Place in a Sedan chair,” he added.

Events include street theatre from Monday, August 24; storytelling from the Green Howards Museum; toy making at Richmondshire Museum; and guided tours of the Georgian Theatre Royal.

For more information visit wwwrichmond.org.