Things to do this bank holiday before the summer is at an end
IT’S been an unusual year for getting away and enjoying leisure time with family and friends.
The Covid pandemic has put the kybosh on international travel for many, so it’s been staycations in the rainy old UK instead of basking in the sunshine on the Mediterranean. Some families will have decided to give it all a miss completely this year because of Covid restrictions, trying to find an available hotel room or camp site pitch, and the sheer cost of holidaying in this country.
Now we’re at the end of August and suddenly autumn is on our doorstep. This weekend might be the last chance to get out and do something before the kids go back to school, the nights draw in and the last of the half-decent summer weather fades away.
There’s a few things going on around Burton and Swadlincote this bank holiday weekend. Here’s just a few of them.
Claymills gala reopening
It’s a regular fixture of bank holiday weekends. The Victorian pumping station will be firing up its boilers and getting it’s vintage machinery in back steam tomorrow and Monday.
It promises activities for visitors, free guided tours, and 25 fully restored steam engines in operation.
It will be open 10am to 4pm.
Adults £6.50, under 15s £3, family tickets £16.
More information is at www. claymills.org.uk
Heritage bus rides
Midland Classic is running some old restored buses in addition to its regular services, on its Route 21 between Burton and Swadlincote today, and tomorrow between Burton and Uttoxeter via Tutbury on Route 401.
The free services in heritage vehicles are both to celebrate 15 years of Midland Classic’s operations, and also 95 years since Stephensons buses in Uttoxeter was established.
Full timetables for the special services can be found at the web page
www.midlandclassic.com/ wpcontent/uploads/2021/08/ Runningday-timetables28.29.8.21.pdf
Also tomorrow there will also be a static display of buses at the firm’s garage in Wetmore Road which the public are welcome to attend from 11am to 4pm.
The National Brewery Centre
Always a good place to visit any day and night of the week, the venue is lining up a Michael Buble tribute act to serenade visitors throughout the day on Bank Holiday Monday.
Max Hutton singing as the Brewery Tap Bar will be open, with some great hand-drawn ales.
Burton Town Brewery, Falcon Close, Burton
The brewery and bar in hosting Pick n Mix Silent Disco for a Bank Holiday party!
The venue says it is “bringing you some of Burton’s finest beer, live DJS and Street Food!”
The partygoers will pick up LED wireless headphones and pick their own playlist on three channels. Red for rave, blue for indie and green for guilty pleasures. It happens tonight, from 8pm to 2am, with tickets costing £11, over 18s only. Go to www.gigantic.com to book.
National Forest Adventure Farm, Postern Road, Tatenhill
This bank holiday is the venue’s last weekend of Sounds of Summer and has one live performances taking place today.
We Love Little Mix are performing, and the venue says: “If you love Little Mix, you are going to just L.O.V.E this show! Featuring four fantastic singers and dancers who really capture the look, the sound, and all the dance moves of one of the UK’S best loved Girlbands.
We Love Little Mix features alllive vocals, breath-taking costumes and an impressive light and video show. This non-stop, highenergy show is packed with all your favourite Little Mix songs including DNA, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Love Me Like You, Secret Love Song, Shout to my Ex, No More Sad songs, and many more.
Doors at 6pm, performance 7pm, with two 45-minute sets.
Tickets cost from £18. Go to https://www.adventurefarm. co.uk/event/soundsofsummer/
The venue is also open as usual for indoor fun, outdoor adventure and farm animals.
Rebound Inflatable Park, Ashby
As well as running the usual inflatable sessions, Rebound will have character visits all three days, this weekend, and there will be a popup stall from Project Doughnut on Monday.
Sessions cost £10 for an hour, £15 for two hours, with a Little Rascals session at 10am on Monday for £8. Book via the website reboundashby.co.uk
Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park, Pirate Day, Furnace Lane, Moira
Bank Holiday Pirate Day sets sale on Monday. To celebrate having Quantum Theatre in ita meadow performing ‘Treasure Island’ it will be giving visitors a chance to have a go at our piratical Treasure Hunt.
For just £1 per trail, can you solve the riddles, follow the map and find the hidden treasure within the site?
The Joseph Wilkes canal barge will be taken over by our pirates for the day with the Jolly Roger flying high. Tickets for these trips are also available at the museum with trips leaving every 20 minutes.
If you don’t have tickets to the pre-booked theatre show, don’t worry, you don’t need them to enjoy the treasure hunt and boat trips, the event is free to come along to for all.
Theatre tickers are £15 adults, £10 children. Go to www.quantumtheatre.co.uk/event-details/ moira-furnace-museum
Don’t forget, all the area’s other visitor attractions area open as normal, including Rosliston Forestry Centre, Conkers National Forest adventure centre in Moira, Alton Towers, Drayton Manor and the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.