The most prestigious property lifestyle magazine delivered to AB1 homes throughout the counties of Rutland and Leicestershire
5 Nights from 23rd November to 3rd December.
Staying in the 1,000 year old town of Bautzen, with excursions to Dresden Christmas Market, Meissen Porcelain factory, visit to the famous Colditz Castle and much more. Organised by ex RAF Linguist,
Visit www.kpholidays.com
Visitors to our East Midlands children’s hospice, Rainbows, will be able to glimpse the future plans for extending the hospice and its facilities.
The Rainbows ‘Building for the Future’ appeal aims to raise the £4 million needed to extend the hospice. The extension will provide more professional facilities and extra bedrooms for our life-limited children and young people. Visitors who attend the open day on 20th September will be able to see a scale model of the building plans and talk to staff about what the project will mean to the people that use the services.
A scale model of how Rainbows will look was kindly constructed by students at De Montfort university of Leicester. It shows what each part of the extension will do. Dana Simons, Appeal Manager for Rainbows said “Building for the Future really is a major project for us. We are excited to have the opportunity to show local people our plans during the open day. This project means so much to Rainbows and we can’t wait until everything is completed.”
Apart from seeing the future plans, guests can walk around the beautiful gardens and enjoy stands including: a tombola, Rainbows’ shop, cakes, garden furniture, plants, refreshments and a barbeque. Everyone is welcome to come along on the 20th September. You can turn up at Lark Rise, Loughborough at any time between 10am and 3.30pm. Directions can be found on Rainbows’ website www.rainbows.co.uk or by calling 0800 952 11 33.
Grand Designs Live, the UK’s no. 1 consumer show for design, build, interiors, homewares, gardens, kitchens, bathrooms and innovation returns to the NEC, Birmingham for a third year and promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The multi award-winning show remains the only contemporary design exhibition, offering visitors the chance to buy, build and furnish a house, all under one roof. This year sees even more features, celebrities and expert advice than ever before.
One ticket provides visitors with access to six inspiring shows:
Interiors: Kitchens: Bathrooms: Shopping:Build: Gardens:
Other interactive features include the Celebrity Chef Kitchens, where top TV chefs ‘road test’ the sleekest new kitchens whilst cooking up gourmet dishes and Face Fabric – a bespoke sofa upholstered using photographs of visitors’ faces!
Free seminars will also be taking place at the show, including lectures and discussions covering topics such as planning, design, ecology and finance. The schedule covers the six key elements of the show and includes an exciting line up of TV stars, industry experts and Grand Designers from the TV programme. Seminars will include ‘Design Crimes’, ‘How To Manage A New Build With A Full Time Job’ and ‘Go Green, Get Rich’.
Since its launch in 2005, the show has gone from strength to strength. Based on Channel 4’s successful show fronted by design guru, Kevin McCloud, the event brings together over 500 exhibitors.
Kevin McCloud, commented: “This year’s Grand Designs Live Birmingham show will be packed full of fantastic interactive features to innovate, inspire and enthuse. Visitors will have access to celebrity experts as well as 500 exhibitors offering cutting edge products for your home.”
“We are delighted to be returning to Birmingham for Grand Designs Live.” commented Lee Newton, managing director of show organisers, Media 10. “Following the success of last year’s event, the Birmingham show promises to educate and inspire home owners, green fingered enthusiasts and budding chefs.”
Grand Designs Live will be taking place at the NEC, Birmingham between the 10-12 October 2008.
To book tickets please visit www.granddesignslive.com
The spectacular back drop of the Castle sets the scene for one of the traditional events of the summer season at Rockingham Castle. With the stunning view over the valley below visitors have the opportunity to fly their kites over the ramparts.
The White Horse Kite Flyers Club will be flying their fantastic range of spectacular and unusual kites over the turrets of the Castle. Unusually there will be the opportunity for your favourite teddy bear to take a parachute jump, bring him and her along for the thrill of a teddy’s life. Free entry to the grounds is provided for all children that bring their own kite. No kite? Never fear there will be the chance to make one in the kite making workshop.
The Castle owner, James Saunders Watson said “Kite flying is such a wonderful activity for family and friends to enjoy together. The flying demonstrations are wonderful with vast kites in various shapes and sizes swooping over the Castles roof tops, a sight not to be missed”.
Opening 2008. July to September.
Tuesdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays
Open 12 noon – 5pm.
Grounds open at 12 noon. Castle opens at 1pm.
For further information about visiting the Castle and the
events taking place visit the website at www.rockinghamcastle.com
A UNIQUE opportunity to browse and buy the work of the country’s most exciting contemporary craft designers has been unveiled this autumn.
Lustre will take place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November at Lakeside, the University of Nottingham’s public arts facility based in the picturesque surroundings of Highfields Park and its boating lake. It will offer a unique chance to meet the makers, browse the exhibits and buy their work.
Now in its ninth year, Lustre is one of the largest and most sophisticated events of its kind, attracting over 4,000 visitors in 2007.
With its recent expansion into the stylish Djanogly Art Gallery, Lustre 2008 is set to be bigger and better. It’s already on the map as one of the UK’s leading craft retail showcases, and people flock to Nottingham from all over the country to it.
Featuring top quality work by 55 UK designers, this is a key diary date for anyone interested in discovering original pieces of jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass, wood, leather, furniture and metalwork. It’s the perfect purchasing opportunity for festive shoppers and serious collectors alike.
Lustre’s designers’ backgrounds are as diverse as their art. In previous years they’ve included Nottingham’s Donya Cowardd, whose witty fabric dog portraits now sell in the stores of the city’s fashion legend Paul Smith; and traditional book-binder Katherine O’Connell, whose gorgeous notebooks use 100% recycled paper from an English mill. And this year sees the debut of cabinet maker Steve Handley, who makes cupboards from reclaimed timber pieces and old kitchen utensils.
Young Meteors showcases stunning creations by the best of the emerging graduate talent from universities in the East Midlands – and offers a chance to own an original piece by one of tomorrow’s big names.
This year’s event is, as usual, expected to attract people from all over the country, tourists and national journalists. A special preview and VIP night will be held on 7 November.
Shona Powell, director at Lakeside, said: “Lustre has become a nationally renowned and eagerly anticipated event in the national crafts calendar. Over 4,000 people attended last year, and in 2008 we promise another opportunity to discover a wealth of original design from talented makers across the United Kingdom. We firmly believe that you’ll find something that you like, need, or would really love to give, and look forward to welcoming you to Lakeside this November.”
Onion Sunday at the Fox and Goose, Illston on the Hill on Sunday Sept 7th 2008.
Onions to be in for judging between 10.30am and 12pm. Raffle, Bring and Buy stall, Guess the Weight of the Cake, Kemp Cake Cup (if you would like to enter this then please contact the Fox and Goose on 0116 2596340 for details),
Auction and Onion Competition - Heaviest Onion, Best three and Novelty. Bar open all day and Barbecued beef cobs available at a small charge. All for charity.
The Steam & Country Show at award-winning Rockingham Castle is now in its fourth year. The show is bigger than ever with even more for visitors to see and do. Extending over the beautiful Great Park at Rockingham a range of events will be taking place over the three days in three event arenas with programmes running throughout each day.
The vintage heavy haulage vehicles will have their own arena and transport display area. The size of the working tractor display increases this year along with a ploughing demonstration area. Complementing the full size working steam engines is the largest collection yet of miniature and stationary engines.
The Peak Vale Tractor Pulling Team are increasing in numbers and Rockingham will be one of the largest tractor pulling events in the country which will include, for the first time this year, mini tractor pulling.
Also supporting the show this year is Land Rover Experience, East of England, now becoming part of the show with a new event for off road enthusiasts. Displaying a range of Land Rovers and having experienced staff on hand to take the adventurous on an exciting ‘off road’ driving experiences on the Castles 4×4 course.
Castle Operations Manager said “This is a terrific show which combines a wonderful range of activities combining the countryside and the world of steam engines. Every year the show has grown, attracting more enthusiasts and more diverse attractions ranging from the remarkable Wilf and his Dancing Digger at one end of the spectrum to Dog Mania at the other”.
The Rockingham Dog Mania Dog Show returns with a great selection of fun events for dog owners and admirers. With all entries on the day there will be competitions ranging from agility & obedience classes, companion dog show and family pet show, best-looking dog to terrier and lurcher racing. This year for the first time there will be a ‘Flyball’ event. ‘Flyball’ is one of the most exciting events in the canine world – it has to be seen to be believed; requiring speed, agility and a competitive spirit. It’s a real crowd pleaser!
The show ground will be full of activity, to name a few: steam fair organs, an old tyme fun fair, side stalls, over 100 trade stands, craft marquee, motor cycle display team, falconry display, heavy haulage & military recovery display arena, Land Rover Club display, ferret racing and the Wild Bunch Cowboy show and helicopter rides.
And finally; for children of all ages the remarkable Pedro’s Travelling Circus Workshops where expert tuition is given on all the tricks of the clown’s trade, providing hours of entertainment.
Adults £5, Senior Citizens £4 & Children £2. 10am to 5pm each day
Information & trade booking forms available at www.davehoyles.co.uk
Opening 2008. From Easter (23rd March) to the end of June. Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays
July to September. Tuesdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays
Open 12 noon – 5pm. Grounds open at 12 noon. Castle opens at 1pm.
Enquiries: 01536 770240 and estateoffice@rockinghamcastle.com
Web: www.rockinghamcastle.com
Kings, Queens and Revolutionaries Compton Verney, Warwickshire 7 June – 14 December 2008
Portraits from Chequers presents a rare opportunity to view a select group of historically significant works from the official country residence of Prime Ministers since 1921. The portraits, which have not been seen in public for almost a century, are displayed within the British Portraits Gallery, alongside Compton Verney’s paintings of Edward VI, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
Included in the display at Compton Verney are Charles I and Henrietta Maria both by Anthony Van Dyck; The Children of Charles I after Van Dyck; Lord and Lady Lee at Chequers by Philip Alexius de László; John Pym, a miniature by Samuel Cooper; Lady Mary Grey attributed to Hans Eworth; Elizabeth Claypole, Daughter of Oliver Cromwell by Jacob Huysmans; Mary I after Antonis Mor; Oliver Cromwell attributed to Robert Walker; Queen Elizabeth’s Locket Ring, containing portraits of herself and her mother, Anne Boleyn; Lady Margaret Beaufort and James I both by unknown artists.
Chequers is one of Britain’s most famous houses, yet as the country seat of the Prime Minister, it is not open to the public. It has an important collection of paintings, furniture and decorative arts. The house, which was built in the sixteenthcentury, remained in the ownership of a single family, passing through the female line. It was eventually taken on a long lease by Sir Arthur Lee, later Lord Lee of Fareham, who was seeking a country retreat, and he finally purchased the property in 1917.
The post World War 1 era brought about a new breed of politician; one who did not possess the country houses of previous prime ministers to entertain foreign dignitaries or relax from the affairs of state. Following discussions with the then Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, Chequers was given to the nation as a country retreat for the serving Prime Minister, as a result of the Chequers Estate Act of 1917, initiated by Lord and Lady Lee who had extensively restored the property. Since then, Chequers has become pivotal in the public and private lives of British Prime Ministers’, and has become the setting for many significant moments in political history.
Portraits from Chequers provides rare public access to a number of key works normally only on private display, and also signals the start of a series of interventions within Compton Verney’s six permanent collections.
Contact: Ina Cole, Communications Manager, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ
Tel: 01926 645540; Email: ina.cole@comptonverney.org.uk
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