A quick summary to help you plan your weekend in Richmond:

• Mayfest runs Saturday to Monday, a festival of historical and traditional music, in venues all round town. richmondmayfest.org
• Richmond Castle opens all weekend, and is free of charge to local residents (DL9, DL10 & DL11) with proof of address.  Pre-booking not required.
• Richmondshire Museum opens Saturday 10:30-13:30 and Monday 10:30-16:00. richmondshiremuseum.org.uk
• The Georgian Theatre Royal will run its popular tours on Saturday, 10:00-16:00. georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
• The Green Howards Museum is closed on Sunday, but open as usual on Saturday and Monday, 10:00-16:30. greenhowards.org.uk
• The Station will be open as usual, 09:00-late, for films, food and art. thestation.co.uk​
• Richmond Information Centre is open daily, 10:00-16:00, for books, maps, directions and friendly advice. richmondinfo.net

A new festival of historical and traditional music takes place in and around Richmond over the Bank Holiday weekend.

​Concerts, folk sessions, minstrels, maypole and morris dancing, a medieval tavern and a ceilidh are promised in the Market Place, The Station, Richmond Castle, Easby Church and other venues. Many events are totally free, and if you're a local resident, then hey nonny nonny, you can also enjoy 50% discounted prices at all ticketed events!

Details and tickets are at richmondmayfest.org. Meanwhile, to get your feet tapping, here's a song from the Ran Tanners (also shown in the photo).

Traffic - including the X26 and X27 buses - is now running again as normal through Skeeby and Scotch Corner, after the lengthy roadworks.

Expect a few delays, though, as traffic lights may be in operation for several weeks.

Parp parp! Yes, this week's dip into What's On Richmond has pulled out a vintage car rally at Kiplin Hall. What a lovely combination: our favourite country-house garden, and a flock of old vehicles pottering sedately round the grounds, all gleaming brass and cosseted leather. Discover your inner Mr Toad!

The rally is on Easter Sunday, 17 April, from 11:00 to 16:00. Admission is included with your Kiplin ticket, so you can also stroll round the parkland and the beautiful lake, and visit the Jacobean house - bring a picnic and enjoy a perfect afternoon out. Details here. 

Sun, snow, rain, sun... Is it really Spring? Just the Job think so, and they should know. They have been community gardeners in and around Richmond for many years. They even manage the Community Orchard. 

Their Spring Open Garden event is a regular feature on any gardener's calendar. This year that date is Wednesday 6th April from 10am - 2pm . The garden is situated at the top of Quarry Rd, just before Gallowfields Trading Estate.   

There's a chance to explore the orchard, find out about woodland crafts or buy a plant for your own garden. If you know someone who'd like to try their hand at a quirky Easter craft, bring them along. While they roll up their sleeves, you'll be able to relax with cup of something and a slice of cake.  It's Just the Job!

So what's in What's On this time? Let's take a dip...

It's an Easter Activity Trail at The Station, and it runs from 9 to 24 April. As usual, that silly Easter Bunny has misplaced some some of his Easter Eggs, and your children are needed to help find them and solve the puzzle! 

Pick up a trail booklet for £1 at the Station Shop. It's full of activities and competitions to keep lively youngsters occupied. Oh, my fur and whiskers!

Last night was a star-studded occasion at the 2022 Business Excellence Awards, hosted by ORBTA at The Station.

On behalf of Richmond Information Centre, Bev Lawrence climbed into the spotlight to receive from the MC, Baroness Angela Harris, a special one-off award. The One and Only Award was presented to RIC in recognition of our role within the local community.

As Lady Harris said, it was unthinkable that a town such as Richmond should be without an Information Centre. The award was a tribute to the hard work of the entire team which had been involved in rebuilding RIC as a volunteer-run** venture after the closure of the town's TIC.