THE Wharfedale October Festival of Piano and Song (October 19 - 21) has received an unexpected boost by the news that Adam Cox of Cavendish Pianos at Bolton Abbey, who supplies the Festival with one of his instruments every year, is to be a star on BBC television.

His Yorkshire Pianos showroom was visited by the TV crew from the popular programme Escape to the Country recently to film a feature. They were happy to discover that Tabitha Wood, aged 13, who has been a Wharfedale performers every year since 2010, was available to play one .

Also on display in the showroom was the beautiful bespoke Cavendish Trophy which Adam had built especially for the Wharfedale Festival and was awarded last year to Uma Schuth, of Pontefract.

Pat Dibb, general secretary of Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts said: "Adam will be joining us again this year, after the final class, at the Celebration Concert on Saturday 21st October at 7.30pm to present the trophy to this year’s winner performing the most artistic impression of a piece of music.

"Our performers also had a busy time entertaining visitors at the Ilkley Tennis Club Aegon Tournament in June, among them Tabitha Wood, Emily Gibbins and James Adam from Bradford Grammar School, Callum Whitton of Ashlands Primary School and Betsy Riley and Hugo Murray of Westville House School. Yorkshire Pianos again provided an instrument for the musical entertainment which was very well received by everyone lucky enough to hear it."

The 2017 Festival of Piano and Song runs from October 19 to 21 at Christchurch on The Grove in Ilkley and culminates in a final Celebration Concert and Awards Presentation starting at 7.30pm on the Saturday evening.

Pat added: "Audiences are very welcome to join us for any of the singing or piano sessions: the performers range from five years old to adult and always provide the listeners with a rewarding and entertaining experience."