May Events
Breadmaking for Beginners Bettys Cookery School, Harrogate, North Yorkshire 3 May A one-day creative course that will cover the art of making delicious fresh bread. Learn the techniques required to prepare and make a fitness bread, wholemeal rolls and mouth-watering Yorkshire cobble loaves. Bakers will be able to take home their successful efforts at the end of the day to share with friends and family. www.bettyscookeryschool.co.uk Garden & Flower Photography Workshop Lacock Photography, Lacock, Wiltshire 5 May This introduction to garden and flower photography is ideal for anyone with a keen interest in improving their photographs from an artistic point of view. Run by Heather Edwards, one of the leading garden photographers in the UK, the course teaches how to bring style and creativity when photographing plants, with an afternoon practical session and one-to-one reviews. Refreshments and lunch are included in the course. www.lacockphotography.com Peak District Nordic Walking Festival Tissington, Derbyshire 4-5 May A two-day event in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Get involved in workshops and equipment reviews at Tissington Hall and Estate, which also provides the perfect gateway to walks in areas of outstanding beauty, including Dovedale and the Tissington Trail. Instructors will lead a range of walks suitable for all abilities, which promise to make the most of the spectacular surrounding landscape. www.nordicwalking.events Artisan Cheese Fair Exhibition Halls, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire 5-6 May More than 70 cheesemakers from across the UK and Ireland will display more than 300 products, including some of the UK’s rarest cheeses, only available direct from the producer. The weekend offers talks and demonstrations from industry experts as well as tastings of a wide range of cheeses. www.artisancheesefair.co.uk Beltain Festival Butser Ancient Farm, Petersfield, Hampshire 5 May Beltain is an ancient Celtic celebration to mark the beginning of summer. Visitors can expect entertainment including Roman cooking, Anglo-Saxon re-enactors and demonstrations of traditional skills such as metalwork, leathercraft, hurdle making, flint knapping, willow weaving and spinning. The festival culminates with the burning of the wicker man at dusk. www.butserancientfarm.co.uk Lino Cutting Plant Forms The Beth Chatto Gardens, Elmstead, Essex 6 May Join Sue Bedford, art teacher and artist, for this one-day creative course, set in the beautiful surroundings of the gardens. Learn the basics needed to cut lino safely and how to print it accurately using registration techniques, while exploring the technique of Chine-colléto to add a splash of colour. Suitable for beginners and those who have experience in the art. www.bethchatto.co.uk
Plant Hunters’ Fair Weston Park, shifnal, shropshire 6-7 May With more than 1,000 acres of glorious parkland, much of it wooded and planted with spring bulbs, bluebells, azaleas and rhododendrons, Weston Park provides a stunning backdrop for the fair. the event brings together keen plant enthusiasts and artisans, with top specialist nurseries displaying a range of perfect plants for the garden. www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Keswick Jazz and Blues Festival Keswick, cumbria 10-13 May this four-day event is held in the historic market town, a stunning location within the majestic lake District national Park. the festival will celebrate both traditional and mainstream jazz and blues, with impressive world-class names alongside the best new talent. there will also be open-air performances and vibrant music and dance around the town, bringing a symphony of music to the streets for all to enjoy. www.keswickjazzandbluesfestival.co.uk British Falconry and Raptor Fair Broadlands estate, romsey, Hampshire 6-7 May this long-established event has found its new permanent home in the spectacular grounds of the estate and will showcase British falconry and hawking. the weekend will offer exhilarating displays and world-class fieldsport competitions, as well as countryside sports for visitors to have a go at themselves. With a variety of activities available, there will be something to cater for every age and interest. www.falconryfair.co.uk St Ives Food and Drink Festival Porthminster Beach, st ives, cornwall 11-13 May this three-day festival takes place on the iconic beach and brings together culinary experts, from wine, cider and beer producers to chocolate and cheesemakers and fruit and vegetable growers. the stalls will have meat, chutneys, curry and bread on offer, all produced in cornwall. this event is sure to be a delight to the taste buds. www.stives-cornwall.co.uk Living Crafts Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire 10-13 May the historic house is hosting the best of British crafts. Hundreds of designer-makers will be showcasing contemporary craftsmanship in an event packed with inspiring talks and spectacular demonstrations. Fun workshops include willow weaving, paper cutting, stone carving, jewellery making, oil painting and more. relax and enjoy the music, entertainment and fabulous festival food. www.livingcrafts.co.uk Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature Fowey, cornwall 11-19 May organised by the du Maurier Festival society, cornwall’s premier literary festival is staged in the stunning riverside town and brings together a diverse range of authors, speakers, musicians and artists. there will be talks by authors, performances from famous faces and practical workshops to inform, challenge and inspire the imagination. it is a festival to be enjoyed by writers as well as readers. www.foweyfestival.com