Lark Rise to Candleford is the new production at Theatre bythe Lake in Keswick.

It’s a portrait of rural England which brings Flora Thompson’sclassic to the stage, woven together with original live folk music performed by an ensemble cast. And it’s about how the gentle rhythm of the changing seasons brings a yearning for something else, something more.

It’s been written and directed by Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company and is a co-production with Watermill Theatre in Berkshire.

Tom Speight’s been talking to its co-artistic directors to find out why this adaptation, and why now…

A brand new set of enormous pieces of public art are aboutto be added to the Cumbrian landscape.

Five metres high and distinctive by their style of strips of metal, a huge bull and a mare with a foal have been commissioned by Cumberland Council to mark the completion of the new Carlisle southern link road.

Not without some differences of opinion about them, the new work will dominate two roundabouts for thousands of road users to see for years to come.

They’ve been created by Cumbrian born blacksmith and welder Ellie Barden at her forge and workshop near Penrith. On a fresh winter’s morning, Tom Speight went to meet Ellie as she finalised her work, to discover how she became inspired to become and remain an artist in Cumbria….

Barrow Music Weekender returns this month with four days of live music right across town. Now in its fifth year, the festival sees people of all ages come together for fantastic – and mostly free – music experiences.

There’s a musical trail map, a mini conference looking at thehealth of live music and performance in the town, workshops, dancing and live performance in venues right across the musical spectrum. There’ll also be a chance to see and experience Light Organ, an amazing audio reactive artwork that brings sound to life.

Tom Speight has been to meet the people who make it allhappen - beginning with a challenge from the festival organiser.