SHEEPFEST is here - and people from far and wide will be flocking to Sedbergh this weekend to celebrate its textile and wool heritage in an extraordinary and ambitious community project involving more than 1,000 people.

Running on Saturday and Sunday (September 13/14), the first ever Sheepfest gathering is packed with activities, workshops and a superb Sheep Trail with 100 or more life-size sheep - put together by businesses, voluntary organisations and individuals – and placed around the highways and byways of the town and at Farfield Mill.

At 11am on the first day of the festival, a fabulous Technicolour Dreamcoat coat will be unveiled by Claire Hensman, Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, at Sedbergh’s St Andrew’s Parish Church. The coat has been woven by 700 children who have all ‘sealed’ their dreams into their own square helped and inspired by highly thought of local artist Donna Campbell and Art Sense, the community arts team based in Kendal, which was also involved in the sheep-making.

Workshops range from weaving with Jan Beadle and felting with Chrissie Day to willow sculpture and singing.

Also featured within the glorious feast of creativity is an illustrated lecture on Sedbergh’s history by Kevin Lancaster and a funny, poignant play based on Farfield Mill by Spellbound Theatre. There will be black and white photographs of old Sedbergh together with poetry by award-winning writers such as Kerry Darbishire, inspired by the landscape and those who live and work within it, plus a new exhibition and talk by acclaimed felt artist Andrea Hunter together with a host of children’s activities – the list is endless.

Elsewhere at the People’s Hall and Farfield Mill, there will be stands selling work by leading designer/makers and visitors will be able to produce their own creative pieces.

Also featured will be guided walks by Sedbergh’s ‘barefoot shepherdess’ herself, Alison O’Neill.

The event has been in the planning for 18 months and Anne Pierson, chairman of Farfield Mill, who initiated Sheepfest has been overwhelmed by the response from those who are participating in the project and those who plan to attend. Additional car parking has already been established with a free shuttle service between the town and Farfield Mill.

Sheepfest coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Heritage Open Days scheme, which encourages heritage sites and buildings to fling open their doors to the public without charge. The festivities begin at 10.30am at St Andrew’s Church with a peal of bells and a brass band.

For full details of the programme and to reserve seats or places at the events and workshops visit www.farfieldmill.org or phone Farfield Mill 015396-21958.