Bike to Beaulieu for Motorcycle Ride-in day - Sunday 13th July 2014

Bikes on the Arena

Joining the display at the Motorcycle Ride-In Day

Bikers everywhere will be kick-starting their engines on Sunday 13th July and heading for the fifth annual Motorcycle Ride-In Day at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

Jump on your bike and take a trip through the stunning New Forest to Beaulieu. Display your bike in the attraction’s picturesque parkland, meet other like-minded enthusiasts, and enjoy the Beaulieu attraction, all for a fantastic on-the-day price of £10 rider and bike, £15 with pillion, less if purchased in advance.

Watch amazing tricks and stunts in performances from 3 times British Trials Champion, Steve Colley, as well as the incredible Solent Eagles, children’s motorcycle display team.

Don’t miss the National Motor Museum’s new permanent display, The Motorcycle Story, a journey through motorcycling history with machines displayed in their historical and cultural context, from some of the earliest examples of motorcycles to the latest racing machines. The display is accompanied by artefacts including clothing worn and trophies won by sporting greats in displays which cover varied racing disciplines as well as road safety, British ‘Mods and Rockers’ youth culture of the 1950s and 60s and the Ace Café scene.

Check out the display’s Motorcycling Icons Wall of Fame, a gallery featuring the top twenty riders, as voted for by the public in a recent poll. Has someone been missed, is your favourite there? If not - make sure you vote for the person you would like to see on the wall.

Browse a number of trade stands selling accessories, clothing, parts and all the latest biking gadgets. There will also be refreshments available all day from the Brabazon Restaurant and various catering units in the parkland.

As always, visitors to Beaulieu will be asked to vote for their favourite bike in the People’s Choice Awards and in the afternoon, the winner will be presented with a coveted Beaulieu Trophy.

Advance participant tickets are available to purchase at £6 per rider and bike, £12 with pillion, by telephone: 01590 612888 or online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk

Event spectators should enter via the Main Entrance Hall at Beaulieu’s standard attraction admission rates.

Admission to the event includes entry to the whole Beaulieu Attraction. For further information, please visit www.beaulieumotorcyclerideinday.co.uk

Holkham unveils summer season of popular adaptations for outdoor theatre productions

The open air theatre productions at Holkham Hall are a firm favourite with local people and visitors alike and this summer promises to be as popular as ever with an exciting programme of family entertainment on offer.

Holkam Theatre Productions

Set in the beautiful backdrop of the courtyard in Holkham Park each outdoor theatre production has a unique atmosphere created by theatre goers enjoying their picnics in a buzz of excitement and expectancy of what is to come.   A range of touring companies will be performing some carefully selected productions of comedy and drama with captivating and beautiful adaptations of some of our best loved traditional titles. 

The season begins on August 5 with the Chapterhouse Theatre Company performing The Jungle Book with all the favourite animal characters brought to life in an enchanting and fun-filled musical show for children of all ages.   Join Mowgli on his wonderful adventures with the loveable and wise Baloo the Bear, the powerful panther Bagheera, not to mention mischievous monkeys and the terrifying tiger Shere Khan.

On August 13 the Blunderbus Theatre Company will be performing Hugless Douglas, a new show which brings this well-known tale to life with an irresistible blend of music, puppetry and high energy storytelling.  Hugless Douglas is a huggable, lovable young brown bear who wakes up one morning in need of a hug. Little Cubs aged 3 - 7 years old will love this heart warming tale, but grown-up bears will have lots of fun too. Join Douglas in this happy show, full of laughter, sing- along songs and plenty of opportunities to join in!

On August 20 Alice will be bringing her adventures in Wonderland to Holkham with the help of the Cambridge Touring Company.  This ever -popular children’s fairy tale is presented with a lively and hilarious performance brought to life with music, dancing and a host of pranks that appeal to young and old alike.  Children are invited to come along in their best ‘wonderland’ fashion.

The final production will take place on August 27 when The Lord Chamberlain’s Men will be performing one of Shakespeare’s classic plays, Romeo and Juliet.  With action from the outset, jealousy, comedy, murder, banishment and the most famous balcony in the history of theatre, the audience can settle back and be swept up in the romance, drama and passion of the Bard’s famous tragedy.   

Further information on the productions including ticket prices can be found on the website www.holkham.co.uk/html/events.html.

Perennial Announced as Official Show Charity for the 2014 Woburn Abbey Garden Show

The Woburn Abbey Garden Show, which takes place on the 21st and 22nd June, will have an official 'Show Charity' for the first time this year. Woburn Abbey is delighted to announce that the Show Charity for 2014 will be Perennial, a national charity supporting people who work in horticulture when they are facing adversity in their life. Perennial was established in the 19th century and is celebrating their 175th anniversary this year.

Woburn Abbey Garden Show

Perennial will be offering unique VIP experience packages at the show that support their fundraising efforts which provide information on the assistance they can offer to those working in horticulture.

Martin Towsey, Estates Gardens Manager, is delighted to be working with Perennial: “We are pleased to be able to support this charity, especially in this anniversary year, and hope that visitors to the Garden Show will enjoy finding out more about what they do. Perennial was born out of the great estates like Woburn, supporting the estate gardeners in times of need, so it’s fantastic that we are able to help with their fundraising campaign.” 

Visitors to the Woburn Abbey Garden Show will be able to learn new gardening skills, talk to experts, and purchase an array of unusual plants and garden items, all within the stunning grounds and gardens of Woburn Abbey. Gardening experts Pippa Greenwood, Martin Fish and Alistair Fraser will share their knowledge through a series of talks and Q&A sessions during the event. Top UK nurseries will be there, including Heucerholics, Nobottle Nurseries, Flit Bonsai and Palm Exotics. Whether you have a courtyard garden, a window box or a large country garden, there will be inspiration for every outdoor space.

The Food Hall will be filled with various refreshments from stalls including Breckland Orchard, Buckingham Brewery, Deli Vegetaria, and Friar's Farm. Pet Piggies are returning to the show with a chance to see some very cute micro pigs, and a range of artists will be exhibiting their work including Rachel Carter, Alistair Howie and Abigail Mill.

For the past ten years The Duchess of Bedford, along with Martin Towsey and his team, have been working hard to restore Humphry Repton’s original plans for the ‘Pleasure Gardens’. A newly restored feature from these original plans and a contemporary addition to Woburn Abbey Gardens will both be opened by The Duchess of Bedford at the Garden Show on the 21st and 22nd June 2014. Woburn Abbey’s RHS qualified gardeners will also offer guided tours of the gardens throughout the weekend, included within the admission price, giving visitors a behind the scenes look at the ongoing restoration project.

Tickets for the Woburn Abbey Garden Show are now available to purchase online. For more information, visit www.woburnabbey.co.uk or call 01525 290333.

Meet Transformer Optimus Prime At Beaulieu’s Truckmania!

With over 230 fantastic trucks now confirmed to attend, Beaulieu’s popular Truckmania event, on Sunday 25th and Bank Holiday Monday 26th May, is shaping up to be even bigger and better than last year.

Every type of truck imaginable will be on display, from film branded vehicles and brand new modern eco-friendly lorries to commercial heavyweights and more traditional models, plus some unique, one-off designs.

Do you love Transformers? To celebrate the launch of the new movie and toy line, the most iconic Transformer of all time – Optimus Prime – will be rolling into Truckmania to meet all his fans. Come and have your photo taken with Optimus – both in his truck and robot form – ready to defend the earth from evil!

Optimus Prime

The British Army will be trooping in with a large display of modern Army trucks, ranging from a Challenger 2 tank carrier to a ‘roller-coaster’ troop deployment carrier and will be taking part in special activities and action displays throughout the weekend. They will also be encouraging visitors to have a go on their inflatable assault course.

World-famous monster truck, BIGFOOT, will be performing two action-packed displays each day in the Beaulieu parkland, featuring power demonstrations, gravity-defying stunts and car-crushing.

In the Grand Marquee, see Mini Truck World with a wide range of remote-control model trucks driving around highly detailed mini construction sites and road networks, recreating everything that full-size trucks do on a daily basis.

Meet TV trucking personality, Mark Dixon, who will be joining the action on both days and talking with event commentator, Kevin Harris.

Optimus Prime Truck

Each day in the Beaulieu Arena, watch as truck drivers take on the Truckagility challenge. The professionals will attempt to score ‘nil points’ whilst driving around the tricky obstacle course with a bath full of water and plastic ducks on the back of their truck. The aim is to avoid gaining faults and keep as many of the ducks in the bath as possible!

Enjoy free rides on traditional fairground dodgems and test your strength in the Beaulieu Truck Pull. Both individual and team participants of all ages are welcome, with all those taking part receiving a very special ‘I Pulled at Beaulieu’ badge of honour.

Don’t forget to vote for your favourite truck in the People’s Choice Award, with the owner of the most popular truck winning a Beaulieu Trophy in an afternoon presentation ceremony each day.

Admission to the event also includes entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction, featuring the National Motor Museum and two brand new displays for 2014 – For Britain & For The Hell Of It and The Motorcycle Story, the newly updated World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens.

Big Foot Car Crushing!

Budding drivers can get in the driving seat on Dipstick’s Driving Circuit, whilst younger visitors can get physical onthe Mini Motor PlayTrail with its Veteran Bus climbing frame, swings and Little Tykes ride-on-cars.

Families can enjoy some extra special school holiday activities, not just for the two days of Truckmania, but throughout the May Half Term, 24th May – 1st June. Play Giant Games in the gardens, including Draughts, Chess and Connect Four, and in Beaulieu Abbey, join the costumed monk in a fun game to discover how medieval arches were built.

Specially discounted advance visitor Truckmania event tickets are available to purchase online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk until 5pm on Saturday 24th May, or you can buy tickets at standard attraction admission rates on arrival at Beaulieu.

Free parking for visitors is available onsite, with the event opening from 10am – 6pm each day.

For more information about Truckmania, visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or join the conversation with @Beaulieu_Hants on Twitter using #truckmania.

Spitfire and Hurricane Display Pays Tribute to WWII Airmen at Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Friday 29, Saturday 30, Sunday 31 August 2014

The famous roar of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine will herald the arrival of the legendary Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes in a thrilling display over the heads of thousands of visitors to the Chatsworth Country Fair this summer.

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, the two planes are part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and will be making an appearance on Saturday and Sunday at the three day event which opens on Friday 29 August.

Chatsworth hosts one of England's biggest Country Fairs, held in the beautiful parkland surrounding the house in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire. This year, Chatsworth Country Fair promises even better entertainment, bigger performances and more activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Celebrating the best in traditional country pursuits alongside some spectacular showground entertainments, highlights this year include cookery demonstrations from Michelin chef Tom Kerridge, baking queen Mary Berry CBE and ‘This Morning’ regular Lesley Waters. The Motorcycle Display Team of the Royal Signals, the White Helmets, will gun their 750cc Triumph engines through a daredevil display while the Knights of Arkley will spur their horses into a spectacular demonstration of medieval jousting and swordplay in an action packed schedule of entertainment in the fair's Grand Ring.

The Grand Ring: The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Knights of Arkley, the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team, the Band and Bugles of the Rifles, CJ’s Birds of Prey, the Steve Carver aerobatic display and the Silver Stars freefall parachute display team feature in the three day programme.

Showground Events: Lots to see including cookery demonstrations, pony rides, Highland dancing, hot air balloons, vintage cars, dog agility, lurchers, gun dogs and plenty more countryside and animal entertainment.

Have A Go: With clay-pigeon shooting, archery, salmon and trout fishing, children's fairground, air rifles, a climbing wall, dog shows, catapults and much more - there’s plenty to do as well as to watch.

Taste, try and shop: The Fine Food Village has dozens of producers representing the very best in regional and artisanal food – all of this in addition to the 300 plus trade stands selling everything from country clothing to vintage cheddar.

Gates open at 9am each day with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. The box office is now open for advance tickets. Advance tickets are available from £18 while children under 14 get in free. For more information and ticketing options, including a 10 percent discount for online booking, visit www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk

The Chatsworth Country Fair can also be found at www.facebook.com/ChatsworthCountryFair

Chatsworth house and garden are open throughout (normal admission applies). The farmyard & adventure playground are closed during the Fair. www.chatsworth.org

www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk

Chatsworth Country Fair was established in 1981 by Andrew Cuthbert MBE, at the request of the eleventh Duke of Devonshire.  It is now the premier Country Fair in Britain and is organised by Sarah Green, Tim Acheson and the Red Sock stewards on behalf of the Chatsworth House Trust.

How The First World War Affected An Historic Family, A Village And A Canine Companion Who Returned Alone From The Front To Holkham

Arthur Coke

When Holkham opens the doors to its 2014 exhibition it will lift the curtain on many poignant memories of the First World War, including one member of the Coke family whose faithful canine companion sadly returned alone from the front to live out his days on the historic north Norfolk estate.

Arthur Coke, grandfather of the present Earl of Leicester, spent his early service days in the Royal Navy before moving to the Horse Guards and seeing action in Flanders in the first Battle of Ypres which lasted for three months in 1914.

The exhibition will feature some poignant extracts from letters that Arthur wrote at the front and which take the reader from the build up to war, his reaction to war once action starts and his very early realisation that the war in Europe was set to be a static war in the trenches. At the end of 1914 Arthur wanted to see more action and was able to transfer to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Armoured Cars.

Jack The Dog's grave

Four months later the Armoured Cars were in Lemnos, a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea.  The island was used by the allies as a base to try to capture the Dardanelles Straits. With the cars waiting for action, Arthur volunteered to help man the S S River Clyde which was the first troopship to put men ashore at ‘V’ beach on the Gallipoli peninsula. He was put in charge of five machine guns in the bows.  Battle commenced and was to last for some 13 hours but despite heavy losses the beach landing held. Arthur described this action as: “The greatest day of my life.” He went on to join the battle for Krithia but was killed on May 2 1915 during a particularly fierce offensive by the Turks.

Throughout his time in Gallipoli, Arthur was accompanied by his faithful dog, Jack - an Airedale Terrier. Following Arthur’s death, Jack was brought back to Holkham by Arthur’s fellow officers.  He lived out his days at Holkham and was buried near the orangery in 1918.

The exhibition will feature details of Arthur’s two brothers, Tom and Roger, who were also involved in the First World War and the impact the war had on the family. Personal letters, archives, books, photographs and artefacts will all be on display and the exhibition will also aim to show the impact of the war for the families of over 90 Holkham men who are mentioned on the Roll of Honour.

Viscount Coke said: “The Great War was supposed to be ‘The war to end all wars’, but as Harry Patch, the last surviving soldier known to have fought in the trenches said: “We have learnt nothing from it.” The making of this exhibition has been fascinating. I knew a fair bit about my great-grandfather Arthur’s service and his ultimate death at Gallipoli, but we have unearthed so much more about his brothers’ involvement in the war and that of many other Holkham men and women. I challenge our visitors not to be moved by it.”

Two special features on display in the courtyard at Holkham will demonstrate the creative talent of students at Norwich University of the Arts. The students will design and build a two-thirds scale profile of a Mark V tank and a replica 20 foot section of a trench representing the Somme battlefield. The trench display will also feature a memorial wall on each side and inside it will feature periscopes, a sniper hole and a selection of graphics.

Sarah Steed, business director at Norwich University of the Arts said: “NUA students Andrew Rhodes and Jason Billman are delighted to have been selected to work on the Holkham project. They hope to use their skills as a fine artist and an illustrator to bring the exhibition vividly to life for the families that visit.”

On August 4 there will also be a special day of reflection to commemorate Britain joining World War 1. Further details of the day will be published on the Holkham website in the coming months.

The 2014 exhibition at Holkham Hall will be open to visitors from April 1 to October 31 on a Sunday, Monday or Thursday between 12 and 4pm and normal hall admission charges will apply.  For further details about visiting Holkham please go to the website www.holkham.co.uk

Pack a Punch for Chatsworth's New Season 16 March - 23 December

An umbrella, a high heel shoe and a wheelbarrow are some of the large and vibrantly coloured sculptures gracing the historic garden at Chatsworth as it opens for the new 2014 season on Sunday March 16 with a major exhibition of contemporary sculpture by Michael Craig-Martin. 

Exhibition by Michael Craig-Martin

In the house, a new permanent ceramic installation by the artist Jacob van der Beugel features the DNA profiles of the Devonshire Family in a ceramic piece that looks at ideas of ancestry and inheritance.

Another undoubted draw for visitors this year will be the Chatsworth in Wartime exhibition opening on April 4 uncovering life on the estate during WW1 and WW2 with fascinating personal stories revealed by material drawn from the extensive Chatsworth archives.

Beaulieu's Spring Autojumble 17th and 18th May 2014

Spring Autojumble

Back for its 21st year, Beaulieu’s popular Spring Autojumble will be taking place on the 17th and 18th May in the grounds of the world-famous National Motor Museum.

The 1,000 Autojumble spaces will be selling everything motor-related, including parts, automobilia, literature and accessories, while the Motormart on the Beaulieu Arena will have up to 200 vehicles for sale, ranging from concours classics to restorable relics. In the Dealermart there will be a selection of quality classic cars for sale.

2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the prestigious European Car of the Year title, and in celebration of this, Beaulieu is hoping to display an example of each of the 50 winning vehicles. The unique line-up will tell the story of the competition, from its first winner in 1964 (the Rover 2000) to the 2013 victor (the Golf MKVI). Owners of vehicles which have won this award can join the display – to see if your vehicle is eligible, view the full list of winners at www.springautojumble.co.uk. If you find your vehicle on the list you can put it forward for the display by filling in an entry form and emailing it, along with a photo, to events@beaulieu.co.uk.

Spring Autojumble Motormart on the Arena

Show sponsors, Practical Classics, will be present at the event with a one-off practical demonstration – the restoration in one weekend of the world’s first production Hillman Imp – along with a collection of magazine cars and previous restorations, including Lord Montagu’s MGB GT, which was restored to working order during last year’s Spring and International Autojumbles.

Sunday highlights include Old Sodbury’s Land Rover Sortout, selling Land Rover and 4x4 parts and accessories, and Trunk Traders, with amateur autojumblers selling their surplus car bits from the back of their vehicles.

Trunk Traders

Introduced in 2012, the popular Walkabout Auction will again be taking place on the Sunday afternoon, with Practical Classics Editor, Danny Hopkins, as guest auctioneer. It offers an ‘end of show’ chance to buy and sell, giving exhibitors an opportunity to sell off surplus items of stock they don’t want to take home with them.

For just £1, exhibitors can buy a box to fill with bits (larger items can go alongside), to be auctioned at the end of the afternoon. It’s a simple and easy way of buying or selling those last bits from the show and there are no auction fees to pay.

Visitors to the event can enjoy all the Beaulieu attractions, including the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.

Spring Autojumble stands

Don’t miss the museum’s exciting new Land Speed Record breakers display, For Britain & For The Hell Of It. Open from Easter 2014 onwards, it features Beaulieu’s iconic Land Speed Record cars and tells the story of British pluck, technological mastery and national pride – alongside new vehicles with a more alternative land speed heritage. A moving audio-visual presentation transports you back to a golden age of invention, courage and patriotism and introduces you to those who are keeping the record breaking dream alive today.

The on-the-day, inclusive admission price is £9.70 for adults and £7.50 for children, even less if booked in advance on the ticket hotline 01590 612888 or online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk. Two day tickets are also available.

There is still time to book Autojumble stand spaces, with prices starting at £65 and £30 for Motormart spaces. The cost of a Sunday Trunk Trader space is just £20. For all stand bookings, please contact the Events Department, by email at events@beaulieu.co.uk or by telephone on 01590 614614.

For more information, visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or join the conversation with @Beaulieu_Hants on Twitter, using #autojumble.

Impressive musical line up at Holkham this year

The Marble Hall at Holkham will be resonating with the sounds of international musical talent during 2014 with an amazing line-up of musicians to perform in this stunning venue.

The Marble Hall at Holkham

The 2014 chamber music series of concerts, arranged by artistic directors Barry Cheeseman and Simon Rowland-Jones, begins on April 13 with the award winning Arcadia Quartet performing works by Haydn, Janáček and Beethoven.

A highlight of the series is the return of Andrei Bondarenko who won everyone’s hearts with his concert at Holkham in 2012.  For this performance on June 27, he will be joined by his wife Eleonora Vindau, soprano, who sang before HRH the Prince of Wales at Houghton Hall to launch the ‘Houghton Revisited’ exhibition in the summer of 2013.  The couple will sing songs by Rachmaninov and other Russian composers and arias and duets from their favourite operas accompanied by Gary Matthewman on piano.

Other chamber music concerts include the Gould Piano Trio with Robert Plane on clarinet. The trio has remained at the forefront of the chamber music scene for over twenty years.  One of the world’s leading pianists, Angela Hewitt, who regularly appears in recital and with major orchestras throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia. The final chamber music concert of the season will be by Marianne Cornetti, mezzo soprano and David Harper, piano performing ‘Broadway and Beyond’ a musical journey across America, from spirituals to Broadway and American Art Song to arias by Verdi, Cilea and Saint-Saëns.

The programme of music continures with a special evening paying tribute to the legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf which takes place on June 7 featuring many of Piaf’s well-loved songs as well as a beautifully crafted narration of her tragic life story.

On August 4 as part of Holkham’s commemorations of World War One a special Centenary concert will be held. with a moving programme performed by tenor Joshua Ellicott to include readings by Joshua of a selection of his great uncle Jack’s letters which he wrote to his parents in Lancashire during his time on the front.  Joshua was given the entire collection of letters by his grandfather, Harry Ellicott.  Jack volunteered in 1914 and joined the South Lancashire Regiment, Prince of Wales Volunteers.  He died just a few weeks after arriving on the front in 1916.  The recital which will also include songs by Poulenc, Bridge, Finzi, Ireland and others will vividly bring to life in a very personal manner the experiences encountered by so many in the Great War.

The year will conclude on December 5 with a Christmas concert by The Upper Octave singing ensemble who impressed visitors to Holkham when they performed at the Holkham Christmas Celebrations weekend last year. Their repertoire will offer opera, classical and Broadway songs from composers such as Bizet, Handel, Schubert, Larsen and Schönberg.

Full details of all the concerts can be found at www.holkham.co.uk