IN THE ten years since Malcolm Creese took up the post of artistic director, Swaledale Festival has received a great many local, national and international awards and ticket sales have grown by three times.

Looking back over that time, his innovations include the young artists' platform, children’s art and music projects, the Reeth Lecture and the stationary walk – designed for those keen to enjoy and learn about the landscape and history of Swaledale but unable to go on a long hike.

While focusing on presenting art and music of the highest quality, he has broadened the programme to include music from as far afield as the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, North and South America and Australasia, as well as drama, astronomy, archaeology, puppets, film and comedy.

Creese is also a double bassist and occasionally appears on stage at Swaledale with groups such as 21st Century Baroque and his own trio Acoustic Triangle.

Many of the world-class artists he has brought to the festival are personal friends and colleagues.

Leading names include pianist and composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, violinist Alexander Markov, guitarists John Williams and Anthony Forcione, pianist Peter Donohue, the Skampa and Heath string quartets, folk artists Niamh Ní Charra and Lau, avant-garde theatre group the People Show, playwright Alan Plater, art historians Brian Sewell and Andrew Graham-Dixon, comedian Barry Cryer and poets Jenny Joseph and Don Paterson.

Last year he made history by bringing the Halle to Swaledale for the first ever professional symphony orchestra concert in the region.

He has also commissioned music from Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Hugh Wood, David Blake, Alexander Goehr, Sally Beamish, Roxanna Panufnik, Tim Garland, Heather Fenoughty and Jonathan Dove, among others.

A permanent sculpture was commissioned from Michael Kusz to commemorate the visit of the Tour de France to Swaledale, and for one festival Creese famously "borrowed" the steam locomotive Bittern for a day on the Wensleydale Railway.

Local choirs and traditional brass bands have a permanent place, and the programming and commissioning of new works reflects and celebrates the landscape as well as its history, legends and characters.

Passionate about ancient buildings, remote Dales churches in particular, he has expanded the number used as venues which has undoubtedly helped some to stay open. Festival events take place in more than 50 churches and village halls.

During his tenure, impressive awards include the Ability Media International Award for Inclusivity and Artistic Excellence in 2009, Dalesman Magazine’s Top Award for Artistic and Cultural Achievement in 2011, Richmondshire District Council’s Community Group of the Year in 2012, and the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award for education and outreach work in 2014.

In 2015 the festival was awarded the new EFFE (Europe for Festivals – Festivals for Europe) label in recognition of its artistic quality, its involvement in its local community and its values of openness and inclusivity.

The 2017 programme includes appearances by the vocal group VOCES8, pianist Stephen Hough, the London Mozart Players, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Red Priest, the Unthanks, Urban Folk Quartet, Northern Monkey Brass Band, cellist and reigning BBC Young Musician of the Year Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and a trio of world-renowned guitarists: John Williams, John Etheridge and Gary Ryan.

“I’ve been fortunate to secure a fantastic line-up of world-class performers for 2017 and there really is something for everyone,” he said. “It’s my strongest programme yet."

Full details of Swaledale Festival are available to view online at www.swalefest.org.