AN ILKLEY singer songwriter with growing national acclaim will be taking to the stage during a two-day summer art and music festival in the North York Moors National Park.

Rupert Stroud will be performing alongside Sheffield band The Buffalo Skinners on the first evening of ParkFest which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23 the grounds of The Moors National Park Centre at Danby.

Stroud has gained national attention after supporting high profiles bands such as Texas on the UK-leg of their tour and for his acoustic rock-inspired tracks being played on BBC’s 6Music and Radio 2.

The festival, which also marks the start of National Parks Week, begins with an artisan art fair during Saturday with a plethora of activities including craft demonstrations, poetry workshops, music and the work of 12 talented artists on display.

On Sunday, it’s a day for families with have-a-go activities such as archery, dragon racing, and spear practice with living history group Rosa Mundi; demonstrations ranging from sheep shearing through to cookery; and tastings galore of locally-produced food and spirits.

Sally Smith, curator of the Centre’s Inspired by… gallery said: “The fact we’ve managed to attract Yorkshire musicians who are rising the ranks of the musical world also speaks volumes for the growing popularity of ParkFest.

“The grounds are a lovely setting for a summer’s evening concert as well as the activities during both days, with the whole festival providing a great celebratory curtain-raiser for the events we have planned during National Parks Week.”

ParkFest is free to attend on both days with events taking place between 11am and 4pm. Tickets for Saturday evening’s Danby Live! concert cost £13 per adult and £6 for children aged 14 and under and can be booked online. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/danby-live-rupert-stroud-and-the-buffalo-skinners-tickets-31416672112

Concert goers are welcome to bring their own chairs and picnic. For further information look on www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/whatson