RICHMOND'S third GeorgeFest extravaganza runs from August 12-26 with events and activities ranging from gin tasting and bell-ringing to theatrical community performances and ghost walks.

The opening weekend offers a chance to look round the Culloden Tower, a folly normally closed to the public. Last year more than 900 people took the opportunity to visit. Landmark Trust open days are Saturday and Sunday, August 12 and 13 (10am-4pm).

The tower's history is the subject of a talk by Caroline Stanford, author of Landmark: A History of Britain in 50 Buildings, at the Georgian Theatre Royal.

Other talks include an insight into Georgian country house life by Kiplin Hall’s curator, Dawn Webster; the battle over Shakespeare in the 18th century by Prof Tiffany Stern, of Royal Holloway, University of London; the pursuit of pleasure by Hannah Phillip, director of York’s Fairfax House; and a dramatic presentation by The History Wardrobe celebrating Jane Austen’s wicked women.

New this year is an evening of gin at the King’s Head Hotel with a talk, tastings and themed canapes.

Local historian Jane Hatcher will conduct a walk looking at buildings associated with Richmond's Georgian characters. There is also a tour of Temple Grounds and the area around Culloden Tower as well as ghost walks and workshops with local photographer Guy Carpenter.

Guides dressed in period costume will conduct daily tours of the Georgian Theatre Royal where other events include a community performance of The Fortress on the Danube, a hit melodrama from 1805 by Guilbert de Pixerécourt, and an Evening of Georgian Theatre Ballads bringing tales of romance, crime and comedy back to the stage where they were originally performed.

Many events are free, organised by the Welcome to Richmond Group. For dates and full details, pick up a GeorgeFest17 leaflet or visit the GeorgeFest17 page on www.richmond.org.