A RARE manuscript written in Ravenstonedale has been discovered in a north Lancashire attic and music lovers will not only get the chance to hear a first class choir perform it - they can have a go at singing it too.

The manuscript features Raddensdale, an old name for the village of Ravenstonedale, and was discovered in Wyresdale by the West Gallery Choir leader Paul Guppy: "It's an unusual piece of writing but not dissimilar to many of the other West Gallery songs our choir sings," he said.

Paul will be teaching the early 19th century piece along with other West Gallery songs at a workshop in Sedbergh Methodist Church Hall, tomorrow (1.30pm) with the big performance in Ravenstonedale's St Oswald's Church at 5.30pm.

Paul described the music as lively and rhythmic, with lots of counterpoint: "It's Handel with a country accent," he added.

"We use a lot of manuscripts from Wyresdale.

Choirs in the late 18th, early 19th century didn't use hymn books."

Born in Dorchester in the heart of Thomas Hardy country, Paul has become a leading expert in a style of music made famous by the author in Under the Greenwood Tree.

He makes and repairs musical instruments; has composed some stunning arrangements of major poets in the West Gallery style; plays in jazz and folk ensembles and directs the Gladly Solemn Sound.

The choir will also use the church's own West Gallery.

"These galleries gave their name to a style of music which died out in the mid-19th century when vicars realised the choirs had more power than they did," said David Burbridge, voice teacher and organiser of the weekend's vocal feast.

He added: "The expression 'turn to face the music' came from the congregation having to turn round to face the singers, who often sang pointedly at landlords who had thrown tenants off their estates, songs like Abbeystead.

"The choirs were also known for their independent nature.

One choir would draw a curtain over the gallery when the vicar started to speak, and out would come the beer and food."

The workshop is part of a weekend of harmony singing including Singaround today (Friday, 8pm) in the Sportsman Inn, Cowgill.

David Burbridge runs a voice workshop tomorrow Saturday from 10am-12.30pm, followed by a Jacob's Join Singing Supper also in the church hall (7.30pm).

On Sunday he hosts vocal improvisation in the Howgill Old School Room (10am), followed by African and Gospel singing at 1.30pm.

Friday's Singaround is free as is the St Oswald's concert; the Singing Supper is £3, and the West Gallery workshop £5.

For a full day £20 or £35 for the whole weekend.