Prince William Laid Bare in Rye

The talk on Wednesday at Rye Arts Festival by Royal biographer Penny Junor on her new book on Prince William gave some insight into the 30-year-old helicopter pilot, his poorly-clad brother and their parents. We were assured that both princes really are well-rounded, normal lads, and that William, according to Royal insiders, really is the wild one - he just doesn't get caught (with his pants down, smoking weed, dressing in Nazi uniform or any other of Harry's other faux pas). And given their tragic childhood they've done remarkably well.

What we didn't find out, after audience questions, was what William calls the duchess of Cambridge in private - Kate or Catherine? An old sea dog asked why both princes carry the surname Wales. Penny wasn't sure. Given it isn't their father's surname, it is a bit odd. And neither has a title that might lead them to shorten their moniker to their demesne. Oh well.

The Partridge Family Meal

Great start to the Festival. On Saturday Plainsong played their penultimate gig after 40 years together - a great evening with people coming from as far as Coventry to see them.

Adam Nicolson gave a fascinating and funny talk on the English gentry - something he can speak authoritatively about as he is one of them! Top tip from his father on how to tell whether someone truly is a member of the gentry - it's knowing how to make one partridge feed six for supper! Not a challenge I've ever faced or likely to do so.

Hunky baritone Duncan Rock gave a sublime recital at St Anthony's RC Church, beautifully accompanied by Elizabeth Rossiter on piano. Only disappointment for some of the audience was that he kept his shirt on throughout!

To find out more about the feast of pleasures that are coming to the Rye Arts Festival, which runs right through to 30th September, click here or call the Box Office on 01797 224442 between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

And for tips on how to cook game (including Partridge) click on Fowl

Rye's Rock Concert on Monday

Duncan Rock in Billy Budd

Today, Duncan Rock is singing at the Coliseum on the opening night of The Magic Flute in the role of Papageno. Next Monday, 17th September, the young baritone is taking time out from the ENO to give a lunchtime recital at the Rye Arts Festival.

The concert, which will be held at St Anthony's RC church in Rye's Watchbell St at 1.00pm, will see Duncan accompanied on piano by Elizabeth Rossiter. A real treat is in store for the Rye audience in what will be first lunchtime concert at the Festival and the first time that the lovely church has been used as a venue in the 41 years history of Rye Arts Festival.

Rye Soprano Wins Golden Voice Competition in Poland

Last night soprano Natasha Day won first prize in the annual Zloty Glosy Competition in Warsaw. Natasha, who made her debut at the Rye Arts Festival last year in Gluck's Iphigenie en Tauride, is back again this year and be will be singing in Cosi Fan Tutti on Sunday 29th September at Rye College.

 Natasha will taking the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart's much loved opera - one of a pair of sisters whose 'lovers' attempt to dupe in order to prove/disprove their fidelity.

City Livery Company Lays on Lunchtime Treats

Thanks to The Worshipful Company of Musicians this year's Rye Arts Festival will feature lunchtime concerts for the first time. On Monday 17th September, at 1.00pm the young Australian baritone Duncan Rock will be singing at St Anthony's RC Church in Watchbell Street accompanied by Elizabeth Rossiter. And on Thursday 27th September, the brilliant young classical guitarist will be playing at the same time in the same venue.

Them Good Old Boys are Creating History in Rye

Rye Arts Festival (running from 15th to 30th September) is a forum for international performers, Brits with a national reputation, up and coming stars of the future and also is a showcase for talented locals.

This year, we have Rye author Frank Barnard talking about his latest novel, A Time For Heroes, just out in paperback. Meanwhile, the multi-talented Dave McKean (who talked about his work at the Festival a couple of years ago) has an exhibition at Rye Art Gallery to run in conjunction with the Festival. And John Howlett, screenwriter of the British film classic If  who also spoke a couple of years ago, is about to publish his new novel.

Lizzie Archer Telling Tales - Spooky Ghost Stories!

No, not Nigel Pargetter's voice from the grave! Alison Dowling, who plays Lizzie Archer in the long-running eponymous Radio 4 soap, will be telling The Singalmen and other Ghost Stories on Friday 28th September at the Fletcher Centre - the buildings in Lion St that were once the old Library, art room and coffee lounge of the FE Centre - as part of this year's Rye Arts Festival.

ARRCC Journeys Into The Sixth Continent

Members of ARRCC - the Rye and Folkestone Centres for people living with physical/sensory impairments have recently made two intrepid trips into the sixth continent (aka Romney Marsh). Their mission?

Czech Date

The Zemlinsky String Quartet will be flying into Rye from Prague on Monday 17th September for their only UK concert of 2012. The concert will be at St Mary's Church in Rye at 7.30pm , and the programme will consist of works by Czech composers and Tchaikovsky.

Instant Sunshine in Rye

A gloriously sunny day in Rye today and with more on the way this week it is just what the doctor ordered. And that's not the end of it, as Instant Sunshine are booked to play Rye Arts Festival on Tuesday 18th September.

Mapp & Lucia - Rye's Foremost Ladies Return

You don't want to mess with Mapp and Lucia! So when Guy Fraser-Sampson decided to write sequels to the famous series of books by EF Benson he had to tread carefully. Anyway, the author is coming to Rye Arts Festival on Saturday 15th September to give a talk on his latest addition to the series (which are Rye's literary 'crown jewels') - Lucia on Holiday.

"Bliss!" oozes Gyles Brandreth, who wowed the audience at last year's Rye Arts Festival.