RICHMOND Day has become an established part of Swaledale Festival and the town will see more events than ever this year.

There are six concerts and shows, plus a walk from Easby and an exhibition at The Station resulting from a project involving pupils of Richmond School.

Malcolm Creese, artistic director, said: “Richmond has been important to the Swaledale Festival since it began in the 1970s.

"It is the biggest town in our area and it has some unique venues, including the former cinema – now the Influence Church, the Clark Hall Building at Richmond School, the historic Georgian Theatre Royal and the beautiful ancient Church of St Agatha in Easby."

The line-up begins with Reeth Brass, which usually performs at Grinton, coming down dale to St Mary's Church (May 26).

The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments performs Nine Daies Wonder at the Georgian Theatre Royal (May 28). This is the story of actor Will Kemp’s dance from London to Norwich in 1600 and includes music on instruments such as cittern and viola bastarda as well as dancing and songs.

Richmond School, which proved a popular venue in 2013 for a Come and Sing Day with John Rutter, will see another big name from the world of choral composition and direction, Bob Chilcott, directing a Big Sing Day on May 30 (11am-5pm).

Though many of the participants will be members of choirs, the rehearsals are for everyone who enjoys the chance to sing in a massed group. Music scores will be provided. Advance booking is essential.

St Mary's is the venue Werca’s Folk and Northern Voices (May 31), and the Influence Church (June 1) brings popular jazz and blues singer Liane Carroll appearing with Gwilym Simcock on piano and Hammond organ, Malcolm Creese on double bass – taking an evening off from director role – and Dave Ohm on drums.

Easby church is a suitably romantic backdrop for works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Bartok and Sarasate performed by award-winning violinist Harriet Mackenzie and Milos Milivojevic, virtuoso accordionist, on June 5 (4pm). St Agatha’s is known for its excellent catering, with proceeds going to church funds, and will this year offer pre-concert strawberry teas.

This is one of several afternoon concerts, mostly starting at 4pm, especially appreciated by those who prefer not to travel home late.

The last of the Richmond visitors, the Royal Northern Sinfonia and James Gilchrist, perform in St Mary's Church that evening. Gilchrist is one of the world’s leading tenors, specialising as a recitalist. The concert, with a small ensemble directed by Kyra Humphries, will comprise works by 20th century English composers Peter Warlock, Gerald Finzi, John Ireland and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Other afternoon slots include the Hut People, a duo who create amazing sounds on accordion and a large collection of percussion, at Gayle Mill (May 23, 2pm and 4pm). Mezzo soprano Patricia Hammond and her Ragtime Parlour Band perform First World War songs for an afternoon audience at Gunnerside Methodist Church (May 24).

There are 4pm concerts by Swaledale guitarist, singer and songwriter Ian M Anderson at the Buck Hotel, Reeth (May 25), and YAP virtuoso guitarist Stuart Masters at the same venue (June 4).

Organist Kit Downes and saxophonist Tomas Challenger present Wedding Music in the afternoon at St Matthew's Church, Leyburn (May 26). Leon Bosch on double bass plays Bach and Beethoven and premieres a work by Roxanna Panufnik at St Oswald's Church, Askrigg (May 27). Violinist Rosalind Ventris and cellist Pau Codina are at St Mary's Church, Arkengarthdale (May 28).

BBC New Generation artist Sean Shibe, a talented classical guitarist, is at Holy Trinity Church, Low Row (May 29) and soprano Rowan Pierce and pianist Simon Passmore, who met at Swaledale Festival in 2010, give a recital in St Michael and All Angels Church, Spennithorne (May 31).

The quintet Project Jam Sandwich, graduates of the Royal Northern College of Music, perform a jam session gig at Reeth Memorial Hall (June 2).

The Meridiem Duo plays J S Bach, Debussy and William Alwyn on flute and harp at St Mary's Church, Muker (June 3) and well-known local band Fourum has the final afternoon slot in St Mary's Church, Arkengarthdale on June 6.

For details of all 53 festival events starting next weekend, see the what’s on section of the website swalefest.org.