'Trigger' to open Suffolk arts festival

AN ACTOR who plays one of Britain's best-loved characters in a long-running sitcom is to open a new Suffolk arts festival.

Only Fools and Horses star Roger Lloyd-Pack, who plays the series' slow-off-the-draw pub regular Trigger, will officially declare the Yoxford Arts Festival open on Saturday .

The special ceremony takes place at 12 noon at the Griffin public house at Yoxford, near Saxmundham.

Griffin landlord Ian Terry and a team of staff and regular customers at the pub have joined together to organise the first ever Yoxford Arts Festival, which will run from Saturday, August 23 to Friday, August 29.

Events will take place at the Griffin, which is a Pubmaster pub, as well as a variety of other venues in the village.

Highlights of the week-long extravaganza include a salsa dancing workshop, performances by modern jazz sextet and the BAFTA Award winning Frank Ricotti All Stars, a flute masterclass hosted by Anna Noakes, Professor of flute at the Trinity College of music, and a piano masterclass hosted by Kathron Sturrock, a Professor at the Royal College of music.

There will also be children's arts and crafts workshops, and a literary luncheon featuring journalist and author Jackum Brown, amongst other events.

Tickets for all events are available from the ticket office at the Griffin, which is on the High Street in Yoxford, or by calling 01728 667040.

A full round-up of events throughout the week can be found at www.yoxfest.org.uk.

"A number of the Griffin's customers are actively involved in the arts whether they be actors, musicians or artists and we wanted to organise an event which will raise awareness of the arts in the local area," said Mr Terry.

"We have had a tremendous amount of support from the local community and we are looking forward to a packed programme of events throughout the week."