This is our fourth year of running Richmond Walking Festival and our second book festival. So we are delighted to be offering another ten days filled with activities and events that are good for the body, intellect and soul. Whether you're attracted by the walking or the books Richmond certainly is a great place to be.

We have put together the longer walks programme and this is the information currently available on the website - giving you an opportunity for you to print off a form and book early and sort out your accommodation needs.

A printed leaflet showing the names of the walks, their grading and distance has been distributed - so if you've got one of those you can read a short description of the walks here - sorted under the day/date - to help you make your choice. This year the Swaledale Link has grown and includes an additional link at the suggestion of some of last years festival participants.

As for the rest of the programme we're busy putting that together and hope to be able to offer an interesting mix of writers, adventurers, politicians, storytellers, plus films, slideshows and other allied events.

The offer in Richmond has grown since last year as The Station is now open with two cinemas, a coffee shop and restaurant, a mouth watering bakery, jersey ice cream parlour, another cheesemaker and a microbrewery. More info on www.thestation.co.uk.

Volunteers at Richmond Tourist Information Centre are able to offer advice on accommodation - 01748 828742 - or look on www.richmond.org.

So get booking now - and keep logging on to check on the wider programme and we look forward to seeing you in September. Richmond is a great place to live work and play and we hope that you will come and share some of its delights with us.