THE Quinton Methodist Church Arts and Craft Festival is returning this month for the 17th year - and will be the biggest yet.

The popular festival is being held over three days from Friday, May 19, until Sunday, May 21, and will include paintings, music, gardening and food.

There will be over 300 paintings and drawings from artists all over the West Midlands, much of which will be for sale.

There will be displays of wood crafts, weaving, handmade jewellery, ceramics, greetings cards of every description, needlework and textile printing make up the 22 craft stalls.

In addition for keen gardeners, there will be a sale of a large variety of spring and summer plants, suitable for gardens large and small, window boxes, garden tubs and baskets and a Gardens in Shoes Display at the church entrance.

Phil Robinson, festival’s organiser, said: “This year is Quinton Arts Festival celebrates its 17th year.

"The standard of art and crafts seems to get better and better each year."

He added: "The friendly atmosphere is remarked upon by many as they enjoy looking at the exhibition or sharing refreshments in the Arts Café.”

The festival will be formally opened on Saturday, May 20 at 10.3 am by the Lightwoods School Choir and the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis James Morris.

On Friday, May 19, there will be a concert featuring local established cabaret, theatre and TV entertainer, Maggie O’Hara who will be singing popular songs from the 1940s to the 1970s.

The concert will begin at 7.30pm in church, and tickets are priced £7.00, which includes interval refreshments.

Tickets available on the door or by phoning 0121 421 6955.

The festival is a regular event in the church calendar with well over 600 visitors each year.

The exhibition will be open from 11am until 5pm on Friday, May 19, from 10am until 5pm on Saturday, May 20 and from 2pm until 4pm on Sunday, May 21. Admission will be £1 and the Arts Café will be providing food and refreshments all day.

All money raised, including from the Concert, will go to this year’s Church Project, David Livingstone International, a charity which supports under privileged children overseas. www.davidlivingstone-int-ltd.com

For further information and to arrange interviews either prior to the event or on either of the Festival days please contact: