ART is copying nature in Ashburton by busting out all over.

The town’s brave new venture – Ashburton Arts Centre – is about to be put through its cultural paces with the week-long Tinners Moon Festival.

Organisers have put together a programme of diverting entertainment at the early Victorian venue in West Street which was acquired for the town a year ago at auction.

Kicking-off the fun this evening is The Lost Sound, a Dartmoor-fostered ensemble of nearly three dozen folk singers whose choral expertise will be heard to best effect in the acoustics of the old chapel.

The choir, who have been booked to appear at the ­

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Sidmouth Folk Week, have also performed at the Royal Albert Hall.

Tomorrow morning starts in an ­

eco-mood with a range of tempting South Dartmoor micro-climate produce being offered by the Ashburton & District ­Garden Association. Members will be on

hand to pass on their extensive green knowledge to visitors.

Entry for the show, from 10am to 12.30pm is free.

With just a breather of a few hours the venue will make way for the Ashburton Community Cabaret, featuring an assortment of local performers of all ages showing what they are made of.

Sunday slips into something special, a real mixed bag of free entertainment, starting at 11am with Taiko Drumming featuring a tympanic treat from the land of the rising sun, world music from Global Harmony, Irish and American folk music from Skylark, the Ashburton Mardi Gras Band and the Bengali Singers...all the way from Bristol.

Free workshops will also feature throughout the day, including flamenco dancing and making things from willow.

If it all proves too much, Mexican food and drink will be available – including vegetarian options.

Wednesday evening (7.30pm) sees jazz enter the scene with performances from Tori Freestone on sax, Alcyona Mick on piano and Brigitte Beraha on vocals.

Laughter should fill the church the following evening with the comedy musical The Ministry of Biscuits, co-written by top-selling author Philip Reeve. The ‘absolutely hilarious’ show (7.30pm) brings with it a wealth of critical acclaim.

‘Electrifying’ cello playing of the highest order can be caught on Sunday afternoon (4pm) with a performance from Guy Fishman, principal cellist with Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society.

Ashburton Arts chairman Su Maddock said the festival was a chance for the group to raise more funds to transform their new home.

She said: ‘We are aiming to be an umbrella and catalyst for the arts locally as a well as a venue.’

She thanked young Jo Giles whose recent tour of UK post offices raised substantial funds for the cause.

‘We are so grateful to all donors – and really hope they and arts lovers from across the area will enjoy the Tinners Moon Festival,’ she said.

l The multi-purpose arts centre will be a gallery of goodies from May 18-20 when it’s decorated by works from the town collective of Robert Manners, Mark Jessett, Karen Pearson, Greg Newman and Alex Murdin.

Among items ‘Turnering’ heads will be a giant pencil made from one of the organ pipes and the creation of two Last Suppers.

Andy Williamson, of Ashburton Arts, said: ‘It’s wonderful that the town’s community of contemporary artists have been able to curate this weekend of visual art and installations which will really bring the building to life, and make people see its familiar rooms, spaces and furniture in a new light.’