BUDLEIGH Salterton is gearing up for its annual extravaganza of culture as the popular Festival of Music and the Arts makes a welcome return to the town from July 25-August 2. Tickets are already selling like hotcakes as the reputation of the festival, no

BUDLEIGH Salterton is gearing up for its annual extravaganza of culture as the popular Festival of Music and the Arts makes a welcome return to the town from July 25-August 2.Tickets are already selling like hotcakes as the reputation of the festival, now in its fourth year, has spread far beyond East Devon.Once again the organisers have come up with a crammed-packed and exciting programme which promises something for everyone.A number of events for families and children have been planned for this year's event.The Exmouth Shantymen will be in full voice, singing outside the Longboat cafe on July 26, while a children's drawing competition and prize-giving takes place.Drama workshops for youngsters of all ages, where children can dress up in their favourite costumes, are being held by a professional actress on the Fairlynch Museum lawn on July 30.And a free dance and drama workshop organised by Imperial College Operatic Society will run on August 2 at the Public Hall.Festival chairman Roger Bowen said: "There has been good demand for all concerts with the season ticket being the first to sell out. "There are very few seats available for the Emma Johnson and Andrew West performance on July 25 and many of the other events at the Temple Church are booking well so the advice is book now to avoid disappointment later."Amongst the eagerly awaited evenings are the piano recital given by Mark Bebbington and the NDO opera's Rigoletto. Mark will also give three late evening concerts each starting at 9.50pm and lasting for about 50 minutes. A ticket covering all three that offers a good reduction is still available. "On July 31 we welcome the famous Henschel Quartet from Vienna." A full programme of events can be found at various outlets throughout the town, including the TIC, or by visiting www.budleighfestival.org.uk. Tickets can be booked on (01395) 445275. FRIDAY, July 25: 12 noon, Temple, Frances Waters & Josephine Pickering; 7.30pm, Temple, Emma Johnson withAndrew West.SATURDAY, July 26:12 noon, Temple, Jane Hannah withMargaret Chave; 2.30pm Longboat CafeExmouth, Shantymen forchildren; 7.30pm, Temple, Mevagissey MaleChoir; 7.45pm, Dog andDonkeyCraig Milverton Trio -tribute to Oscar Peterson. SUNDAY, July 27: 10.30am, Temple, Festival service;3pm, Salem, Gerald Dickens performs Dickens; 6pm, St Peter's, Festival service; 7.30pm Playhouse, Radio Budleigh.MONDAY, July 28: 10am, Fairlynch Museum, WW2 recollected; 12 noon, Temple, Charlotte Marino with PamelaMarino; 7.30pm Temple, Mark Bebbington piano recital.TUESDAY, July 29: 10am, OutsideTemple Town Walk; 11am BrookGallery Art talk; 12 noon Temple Helen Organ withFrances Waters; 7.30pm St.Peter's Rigoletto; 9.50pm Temple Mark Bebbington lateevening recital. WEDNESDAY, July 30: 12 noon, Temple, Liz Drury with Brendan Ashe; 2pm and3pm, Fairlynch Museum, Pixie Maz drama for children; 3pm, Lee Ford Garden visit; 7.30pm, Temple, Sound the Trumpet; 7.30pm, Public Hall, On the Town - ICOS; 9.50pm, Temple Mark Bebbington late evening recital.THURSDAY, July 29: 12 noon, Temple, Beacon Piano Trio; 4pm, Fairlynch, Trio Scintillatum; 7.30pm, St Peter's, Henschel String Quartet; 7.30pm, Public Hall, On the Town - ICOS; 8pm, Games Club, Ellingtonia - tribute to Duke Ellington; 8pm, Otterton Mill, Martin Stephenson;9.50pm, Temple, Mark Bebbington late evening recital.FRIDAY, August 1:10am, Fairlynch Museum, Textiles Tell Tales; 10am, Outside Temple, Town Walk; 12 noon, Temple, Courtenay Players; 2.30pm Peter Hall, David Daniel talk: The Development of 5 Seaside Towns; 7.30pm, St Peter's, Festival Orchestra and Chorus; 7.30 pm, Temple, Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir.SATURDAY, August 2: 12 noon, Temple, Trio Scintillatum; 12-2pm, Public Hall, ICOS Children's theatre workshop; 7.30pm, Public Hall, On the Town - ICOS; 7.30pm, St Peter's, The Soldier's Tale and Facade; 8pm, Otterton Mill, Christene le Doux.