Unmissable events
Art fair October 6–9 Moniker Art Fair, Old Truman Brewery, 85, Brick Lane, London E1. Returning to Shoreditch, it invites visitors to participate in numerous exhibitions and interactive installation experiences (www. monikerartfair.com)
Concert October 14 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons with David Le Page, Armscote Manor, Warwickshire. Enjoy the beautiful setting of Armscote Manor as the Orchestra of the Swan (right) performs one of four exclusive concerts. Tickets £40, includes Prosecco and canapés (01789 267567; www.orchestra oftheswan.org)
Food fair October 14–16 The Chocolate Show (below), Olympia London, Kensington, W14. Get stuck into the country’s biggest chocolate celebration, with celebrity chef demonstrations, workshops, tastings, masterclasses and plenty of treats to try (www.thechocolateshow. co.uk)
October 15 Whitstable Food Festival, various venues, Whitstable, Kent. Some of the UK’S bestloved chefs gather for talks, book signings, events and tastings (www. whitlit.co.uk)
Literary festival October 21–23 North Cornwall Book Festival, St Endellion, Cornwall. An array of talks and workshops, with highlights including Scotland’s Poet Laureate Jackie Kay and Francesca Simon, creator of the ‘Horrid Henry’ books (07787 944935; www.ncornbook fest.org) Book now December 14–18 Nativity at Wintershall, Bramley, Surrey. A Christmas staple for all the family, the Nativity at Wintershall takes place outside the Barn Theatre complete with shepherds, sheep and horses. Mary even arrives on a donkey (01793 418299; www.wintershall-estate. com) The Place for Plants, East Bergholt, Suffolk CO7 6UP
October 9, 1pm–5pm. £6, children free, homemade teas, plants for sale East Bergholt is famous as the birthplace of John Constable, but, thanks to generations of the Eley family at East Bergholt Place, for a century or so, it has also been a draw for plant lovers. At this time of year, the 20-acre garden is full of early-autumn colour with the National Collection of deciduous euonymus and the layers of plants, from majestic trees to small, choice shrubs, reflect the creations of a century ago and today. This is the ideal time to be planting and next door to the garden is Rupert Eley’s renowned nursery, where you’ll be spoilt for choice with a wonderful array of plants to take home. Visit www.ngs.org.uk
Not strictly an insect, the humble woodlouse is a crustacean and a close relative of crabs and lobsters, which removed itself from the sea millions of years ago. There are more than 45 different types of woodlouse in the UK and it's known by many local names, from gramersow to wood pig. Various shades of grey, all types possess an armadillo-like articulated body and some can roll up in a ball when threatened. Nocturnal, it hides in damp areas during the day in a bid to avoid drying out and thrives on vegetable matter. Simon Lester