AN inspired line-up for this year?s Hatherleigh Festival embraces a wide range of entertainment from the orthodox to the alternative.

Highlights during the four day event ? from July 10-13 ? include live music, workshops and exhibitions.

The Thursday evening classical concert features Daniel Pailthorpe, lead flautist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He is familiar to TV audiences from regular solo appearances at the Proms and last year?s Prom at the Palace, to celebrate the Queen?s Jubilee.

A finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year and a former member of the National Youth Orchestra, he went on to become principal flautist of the English National Opera ? a post he held for 10 years. Daniel is a founder member of the ensemble Conchord with whom he has released two CDs to great critical acclaim.

The concert takes place at Lower Pulworthy at 8.30pm. Daniel will be accompanied by David Robinson on the piano and the programme will include works by Bizet, Gershwin, Mozart, Lennox Berkeley and Debussey.

On Friday the acclaimed ten-piece soul roots band Joey the Lips will be creating a sizzling, up-tempo mood in the town hall for this festival that has built up a strong following.

West Country based band The Blue Bishops will play their own rocking style of blues and R ?n B at Hatherleigh Festival for the Saturday night dance in the Hatherleigh Town Square Marquee on July 12 at 8.30pm.

With a growing reputation these hugely experienced musicians opened for Taj Mahal at the 1999 Bishopstock Blues Festival, the UK?s premier Blues and R ?n B open air festival, as one of only four British bands on the bill.

The band have now welcomed Martin Turner, the long time bass player with Wishbone Ash, into the fold. Geoff Grange, harp player and vocalist, is a long term collaborator with ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and appears on a number of his albums.

As a band the Blue Bishops? pedigree is exceptional. All five members write music and have contributed to their new album ?Hooks ?n Crooks?.

Villages in Action is supporting the Hatherleigh Festival Saturday night gig ? always a splendid occasion with lots of people, music, food, dancing and atmosphere. So just turn up ? this is a free event.

Also on Saturday is the award-winning Parachute Theatre who will be performing two shows at the festival. The company has produced a number of highly acclaimed puppetry productions and were a big hit at the Glastonbury Children?s Festival last year.

The shows feature Punk, a mohicaned motorbike riding dad and his glamourous wife Judy.

In the first show Punk is having a hard time, left to look after his mischevous and independent baby, while the gorgeous Judy, ?all edge and attitude? goes out.

A classic production which thrills audiences where ever it plays, Punk and Judy is followed by the Sequel ? which is also the sequel!

This show follows the wacky family on their holiday at the seaside, which doesn?t quite go according to plan. Just as much for adults and children both shows are not to be missed.

?We try to do something for everyone. It is nice for people to have a choice and be able to go to all sorts of different events. A lot of it is family entertainment,? said festival co-ordinator Claire Gladstone.

?We try to include some locally based events but we also aim to bring in performers from outside so local people can experience a diverse range of performers and artists. It means people can have a bit of an artistic adventure without leaving Hatherleigh. They can try their hand at workshops, see bands and look at exhibitions and hopefully get some inspiration should they want to do something themselves.?

The festival is now in its eighth year and Claire is enjoying her fourth year as co-ordinator. ?The committee as a whole wants to give the town a few days of new experiences and some really good fun. We also hope that we help local businesses and the tourism in the area,? she said.

The only restraint on Hatherleigh Festival is the money. ?We always have ideas for new things ? but it is paying for them!?

Claire said it was important that people supported the event to ensure that it continues ?because it is a fantastic festival and provides a platform for arts and gives people an enjoyable experience.?

Festival tickets can be booked on 01837 810823, festival enquiries on 01837 811116. Information is also available on line at http://www.hatherleighfestival.co.uk">www.hatherleighfestival.co.uk