ACTIVITIES:

-A FUN activity day to learn about castles and crowns for 4-7 year olds on Tuesday at Kendal Museum. On Thursday for 8-12 year olds come and learn about the Tudors and make a Tudor bag. Book in advance on 01539-721374.

-CAMPBELLS on Coniston. Cruise on Coniston Water launch at 4.30pm featuring a detailed history of the water speed record attempts on the lake including Donald Campbell's fatal last run and subsequent events. Call 015394-36216.

-EASTER egg-stravaganza, Sunday (April 20), Fell Foot Park, Newby Bridge. 11am-3.30pm. Children £2.50, adults free.

-MILLERBECK Light Railway opens for visitors, Staveley-in-Cartmel, Easter Sunday and Monday, 11am-5pm. Minimal charge for rides.

-MEET the artists at Farfield Mill's latest exhibition of paintings inspired by the landscape of Dentdale. John Cooke will be on hand to chat to visitors to the Sedbergh attraction this afternoon (Good Friday) and Birgitte Sheard will be there tomorrow afternoon.

EXHIBITIONS:

-LANCASTER Maritime Festival will echo to the atmospheric sounds of sea songs and shanties as the City re-lives its Golden Age' as a major port which is focused upon Lancaster's fine Georgian Custom House (now the Maritime Museum) and nearby quayside taverns. More than 40 acts will perform over Good Friday to Easter Monday. All outside events free.

-ALSO, at the Maritime Festival taking place on Good Friday and Saturday are various nautical activities including ropework and knot-tying demonstrations, illustrated talks and guided walks and much, much more. Further information is available by calling 01524-32878.

-THE Duddon Valley Local History Group will be displaying information and photographs on local events held in the valley going as far back in some instances to the 17th century, showing log books for the schools, details of houses and their occupants, Craven files, listings of births, marriages and deaths, and field names. This event is free from April 18-21 at Seathwaite Parish Room, 2-5pm each day. For more information, call 01229-71696.

-SEE what is possible with coloured pencils and prepare to be amazed at The Cumberland Pencil Museum, Keswick, from April 1-30. Call 017687-72116.

CONCERTS:

-THE Lakeland Singers Chamber Choir will perform in Brathay Church, Ambleside, on Friday, starting at 7.30pm. It includes choral pieces from Montiverdi and Anerio, to Chilcott and Wesley with readings for Easter. Contact 015395-30860 for tickets.

-ALSO, a second concert will be held on Wednesday at 2.30pm in Kendal Town Hall for a WI meeting. The choir will be giving music by English composers for St George's Day. Details as above.

-KENNY Ball and his Jazzmen are appearing at Rheged tomorrow (Saturday). The show starts at 8.30pm or an earlier pre-show themed dinner is available. To book, call 01768-860090.

-BURNESIDE Brass Band will be performing in a joint concert with the Brass Band from Diessen, Windermere's Bavaraian twin town, on Thursday in St Herbert's Church in Windermere at 7.30pm.

FESTIVALS/FAIRS:

-ULVERSTON Society of Artists is holding its Spring Exhibition at the Coronation Hall, Ulverston, from 9am-5pm. Contact 01229-588994 for more information.

-CUMBRIAN Mountain Festival Mountain Rescue Team Easter Extravaganza at various sites across Cumbria. Special three-day programme, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, including Mountain Rescue Centre, open days, fun family events, the rotating, spinning climbing wall challenge and much much more. 015394-40402 or 019467-85682 for more information.

MUSIC:

-ONE of England's finest reggae groups Misty in Roots, is appearing with a live show that pulls no punches at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, at 8.30pm on Friday. Call 01539-725133 for tickets.

-ROCKIN' on Heavens Door, Forum 28, Duke St, Barrow, at 7.30pm. A tribute show featuring Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran soundalikes. Call 01229-820000.

SPORT:

-Cricket starts tomorrow (Saturday) and Kendal CC open against Northern Premier League champions Darwen at the Shap Road (1pm). Netherfield are away to Chorley.

-Whittington Races, near Kirkby Lonsdale, take place tomorrow (Saturday). Tthe Vale of Lune Hunt meeting's six-race card features top point-to-point action and starts at 2pm.

-After their big cup final in midweek, Kendal Town footballers are back on the road, away to Kidsgrove tomorrow (Saturday) at 3pm and at Cumbrian neighbours Workington on Thursday (7.45pm) in the UniBond League.

TALKS:

-DR Mike Hall demonstrates the importance of biodiversity to our survival with From Bites and Stings to Medicines' at Settlebeck School on Wednesday, 7.30pm. More information on 015396-21138.

-THE Paisley Shawl. Valerie Reilly, the Keeper of Textiles at Paisley Museum and Art Gallery, will give a talk on the fascinating history of the Paisley Shawl and the origins of the distinctive design, at the Museum of Lakeland Life, Kendal, 2.30-3.30pm. To book call 01539-722464.

-WORLD Owl Trust. Meet the owls who have flown over from Muncaster Castle on Wednesday and hear from their keepers at the Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole, Ambleside, at 1.30pm. Call 015394-46601.

THEATRE:

-REBECCA by Daphne DuMaurier is being performed at the Kelsick Centre, Ambleside, at 8pm on Wednesday. Call 015394-43329 for tickets.

WALKS:

-A SHORT but very scenic warden-guided walk starts at 11am today (Friday). Climb through Craggy Woods and out onto the fells to visit Potter Tarn and Gurnal Dubbs. Return along the Dales Way on the riverside path. Graded as moderate - 6 miles. Meet Wilf's Caf, Mill Yard, Staveley. Call 01539-731263

-THREE boats to Claife: a castle and Nordic Tarns warden-guided walk. Meet at 9.45am or 10.30am tomorrow (Saturday). Leave by boat for Wray Castle before a short climb to Latterbarrow. After lunch, walk along the Claife forest paths and by Nordic Tarns to Ferry House. Return to Bowness and Ambleside on one of the regular sailings. Begin the walk at either Bowness Bay or Waterhead Tourist Information Centres - 7 miles. Call 015394-42895 for details.

-AN EASY stroll past a spectacular waterfall to a traditional Lakeland farm for some optional tea and cake on Monday. Ask questions and hear all about life on a Lakeland farm before a leisurely return to Ambleside. Graded easy - 2.5 miles. Meet at Ambleside, Market Cross Information Centre. Call 015394-32582.

-A BEATRIX Potter guided walk of two-and-a-half hours, organised by the National Trust, sets off from Hill Top Garden, Near Sawrey, at 10.30am, on Thursday, April 24. Suitable footwear plus wet weather clothing are essential. Call 015394-44746 for details.

April 17, 2003 09:00