THE revived Royston Arts Festival at the end of the month is taking shape. And organiser Kathy Wholley told The Crow: We intend to revive it this year with a bang. The last Royston Arts Festival was 16 years ago. Kathy said: It s really about getting t

THE revived Royston Arts Festival at the end of the month is taking shape.

And organiser Kathy Wholley told The Crow: "We intend to revive it this year with a bang."

The last Royston Arts Festival was 16 years ago.

Kathy said: "It's really about getting together and showing what Royston has to offer in the way of the arts."

One of the key events announced this week will be a Meet the Author evening in Royston library on Thursday, September 27.

Authors Sarah Harrison and Nick Warburton will be talking about their work and their approach to writing.

Sarah Harrison has been a published writer for more than 30 years and produced more than 20 novels, including the best-selling The Flowers of the Field and The Nightingale's Nest.

She has broadcast, too, on such radio programmes as Woman's Hour and Stop the Week.

Locally, she is president of the Morden and District Writers Circle and a member of the drama group, the Morden Players.

Nick Warburton has written scripts for stage, television and radio and seven of his novels for children and young adults have been published.

His work, too, has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe.

His television work includes scripts for Holby City, EastEnders and Born and Bred, while his latest play has recently been staged at Alan Ayckbourn's theatre in Scarborough.

"We are delighted to have them both taking part," said Kathy. "The evening promises to be entertaining and an opportunity to meet and perhaps even learn from two highly respected writers."

n A Grand Festival Concert will be taking place at the Royston Parish Church on Saturday, September 29.

The programme wil be a mixture of vocal and instrumental music and will cover a range from classical to the popular.

The event will see the return of the Priory Singers, which are led by Richard Prince, a former organist at the parish church.

Their contribution will include music of all ages from the 16th century to the 21st century.

There will be a performance, too, from the Royston Youth Choir.

And the evening will end with the Royston Town Band giving a Proms-style performance in which the audience will be able to participate.