THE Winchester Festival has announced its 2018 dates, along with a couple of tempting teasers of the treats that are in store.

Founded in 1998, the festival has grown into an established week-long celebration of the arts, featuring music, talks, drama and guided walks in venues across the city, which will run from Friday July 6 to Saturday 14.

The festival opens by marking the centenary of the end of the First World War and the opening concert will unite local chamber choir, Southern Voices, with singers from the Choir of St Katharine’s Church, Braunschweig, Germany in an all-Bach programme. headlining with the spectacular setting of the Magnificat (Song of Mary), with its anthems of joy contrasting arias reflecting the tenderness of the rather fearful young mother. Look out for some acrobatics when it comes to the high notes on the high trumpet.

Of course, speakers have become a key feature of the festival, with renowned broadcasters pulling in the crowds – remember Sandi Toksvig and Germaine Greer in previous years? Who better to carry on their example than Jeremy Paxman? Since leaving BBC2’s Newsnight, we have seen a range of aspects of Jeremy’s output and it will be interesting to hear more as he will be in conversation with long-time journalist colleague, Alastair Stewart. With a first-class line up of speakers, a few friends of the festival will be returning and Jeremy Paxman is not the only veteran broadcaster on the list.

Festival Director, Carol Butler, said: “This year’s Winchester Festival will once again showcase musicians with an international reputation and a stellar line-up of speakers and authors, as well as giving a platform to local choirs and orchestras and some of Hampshire’s extraordinarily talented young performers. We are delighted to announce the first details of the 2018 programme and we are also delighted that Godwins Solicitors LLP has once again agreed to be Principal Sponsor.”