Unexpected, that is, as far as some of the venues are concerned, with an organic shop/café and several private houses hosting concerts.

Awards for All lottery funding and generous sponsorship has enabled the organisers, led by Arundel-based musician Steve Dummer, to assemble another varied programme for a wide range of tastes.

The traditional settings of Arundel Cathedral and St Nicholas' Church will again be used, but the more intimate venues will certainly offer something different this year.

Outstanding young cellist Oliver Coates combines three of Bach's solo cello suites with new music in a series of three concerts, Bach, Cake and Coffee, at Absolutely Organics, Queen Street, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 3pm, price £6 including the refreshments, or £15 for all three concerts.

Three private houses in Maltravers Street welcome audiences for events ranging from Dutch house organ concerts by Swedish organist Samuel Eriksson to "Harp and Horror", featuring music for harp and strings and two classic tales by Edgar Allan Poe which inspired the composers.

Back on the bigger "stages", St Nicholas' Church sees Steve Dummer's popular Talkestra group — "the orchestra that talks" — return, for a family concert featuring music by Ravel, Arnold and Saint Saëns, and also involving Drip Action Theatre and members of children's group Jellyroll, on Monday at 7.30pm.

Steve and his clarinet also join string quartet Sounds Underground at the church on Tuesday (7.30pm) for a chamber music concert and at the same venue on Friday, August 29, Hendrik Bouman plays a programme of harpsichord music including his own compositions, and the following night "Recorder Rhapsody" brings together Piers Adam and Howard Beach for a dazzling blend of recorder and harpsichord works.

Guy Bovet brings the curtain down on this year's classical programme with the festival organ recital at Arundel Cathedral on Sunday at 7.30pm. For more details of the programme, click here


Chance to explore "your Arundel"

ART lovers can find out what Arundel means to its residents, and raise money to help some of the poorest people in the world, writes Amanda Barrell.

The "Our Arundel" exhibition, at St Nicholas' Church, features almost 100 photographs, all donated by people living in the town, with the aim of raising funds to help build a clinic in El Sunzal, El Salvador.

Part of the Arundel Festival Gallery Trail, which is celebrating its 20th year, "Our Arundel" has been organised by Art for Life, also known as Susie Jenkins, pictured above, her son Danny and his wife Beatriz Huezo, who is from the Latin-American country.

Susie said: "All of the images are available for sale, at £30 each, and every penny will go towards the charity.

"In the last five years we have raised more than £17,000, which has paid for 25 homes for people displaced by massive earthquakes, in 2001, as well as a piece of land on which a school will be built."

Among the images are some by well-known names Bill Philip, Andy Waite and gallery trail organiser, Michelle Scott.

Susie added that Art for Life was particularly grateful to One Vision Imaging, which produced the stunning images.

The gallery trail runs from August 23 to 31, with 100 artists, including sculptors, painters, printers and jewellers, exhibiting their work in 54 venues, from Arundel Castle to private homes, across the town.

For full details, click here


Some tickets – but hurry


TICKETS for Arundel Castle's Saturday night open-air concert, The Music of Queen — A Rock and Symphonic Spectacular have sold out, days before the town's festival opens on August 22.

However, tickets are still available for the curtain-raiser tomorrow, when folk-rockers The Levellers headline on the outdoor stage, joined by one of folk's fastest-rising stars, Seth Lakeman.

And there are still places for Sunday's programme of classical favourites, featuring Yorkshire-born soprano Lesley Garrett and the National Sym-phony Orchestra.

Call 01603 660444 or click here


Mackenzie's star opening


FIVE-YEAR-OLD Mackenzie Roswell, from Chichester, will star in Arundel Castle's open-air performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream next week.

Mackenzie was chosen for the part of the Indian Changeling child at a special casting session earlier this month and will be on stage throughout the performances on Thursday and Friday night with the British Shakespeare Company.

Advance ticket prices are £25 adult and £15 child (5-15) obtainable from www.arundelfestival.co.uk or from the Arundel Castle ticket office.


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