TIME to get out the diary and make space for a long lazy weekend of summer music.

As memories of foot-and-mouth begin to recede local music lovers have decided to beat a path to a brighter future starting with a three-day folk festival in Dent.

On June 21, 22 and 23, event organisers plan to bring together some of the biggest names on the national folk world along with the cream of local talent for the festival which is hoped will become the first of many.

Many gigs will be free and there are plenty of family activities scheduled over the three days to keep small ones entertained with performances from South Lakes story teller Taffy Thomas, theatre, dance and circus skills workshops.

Organised by Dent Business Forum with funding from Business Link Cumbria and South Lakeland District Council, the festival is all set to go with bands and venues booked.

- Martin Carthy has been a mover and shaker in the contemporary folk world for decades.

Most famously in the 1960s when, as a resident in the Troubadour Folk Club at Earls Court, the young performer had an impact on musicians including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.

Over the years, Carthy has maintained a busy solo career as well as forming bands such as Brass Monkey and latterly working along side his wife and daughter as Waterson:Carthy.

- Pete Morton has been performing innovative folk for more than two decades.

Influences on his music range from seventies new wave to sixties folk revival and blues.

Traditional ballads are intermingled with up-to-the-minute social comment and heart felt love songs.

- The multi-talented Bill Jones is more than many bargain for.

For a start North East -based Bill turns out to be Staffordshire-born Belinda with a sweet, soulful voice.

Accordion, piano, flute and Irish whistle all come to life at her touch and the classically trained flautist has played with ceilidh bands as well as the London-based Indie outfit The Wise Wound.

For details of the festival contact the ticket hotline on 01524 582803 or log onto www.dentdale.com.

In the meantime, folk musicians looking to take part in a new Kendal music club at The Globe, Kendal, should contact Linda on 01539-724042 or e-mail her at globe.kendal@thwaitesinns.co.uk.