Lanercost Priory and Dacre Hall set to host new live music festival

The Echo Festival, which will feature live music, street food, and a bar, will take place within the Priory and Dacre Hall between 2 pm and 11 pm on Saturday, June 22. 

The new event is the product of community interest company Echo Events which was formed by Lanercost locals, including Helen Burleton, as a way of maintaining the village's popular venues and providing a platform for local talent. 

Click this image to see more local events! (Image: Newsquest)Set to feature at the event is a long line-up of local talent including soprano jazz singer Ophelia Appleby, The Kirkby Jazz Collective, Ben Draper, Ros Sluman's Big Shoe Band, and a performance from Lanercost Primary School.

She said: "It is just in its infancy but we have got so many wonderful people in our local community who are real doers and we wall want to use our building and keep them maintained.

"This is a fine way of doing something for the community and supporting local talent.

"That is what it is all about, showcasing local talent and giving everyone a chance to perform and be seen and it is just something fun for our community."

Despite the festival still preparing for its debut, Helen also discussed how its organisers are already planning for its 2025 return which will feature more local artists as well as its musical offerings.

She said: "Hopefully, next year we will be involving more arts, this year it is going to be geared more towards the music.

"We know that Lanercost has such a strong arts heritage, especially with what was happening with Winifred Nicholson in the 1970s."