EAST MIDLANDS & EAST ANGLIA

Handtied-Bouquet: Spring Flowers

the cambridge Flower school, cambridgeshire

5 January

spend a morning making a stunning hand-tied bouquet of seasonal flowers and foliage at the venue in newton, cambridge. Participants will learn the skills needed to create their own stunning bouquet, wrapped in gorgeous floristry paper, cellophane and presented in a box. suitable for beginners and those wishing to refresh their skills in flower arrangement.

www.thecambridgeflowerschool.co.uk

Aylsham Farmers’ Market

Market Place, aylsham, norfolk

5 January

living up to its reputation as a food lovers’ town, the farmers’ market, organised in conjunction with slow Food aylsham, brings together specialists and producers from the surrounding area in rural norfolk, providing the best food and drinks on offer. there will also be a series of free cooking demonstrations, from local chefs. ingredients will be sourced from a wide range of local produce for sale on the market or in the local independent shops, and visitors will be given the chance to taste the finished products.

www.deepdalebackpackers.co.uk

The 40th Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival

Whittlesey, cambridgeshire

18-20 January

the straw Bear maintains the folklore tradition of parading one of the confraternity of the plough dressed in straw along the streets following Plough Monday. revived in 1980 by the Whittlesea society, this annual event includes a ceilidh band, storytelling, music sessions, a barn dance and the celebrated straw Bear procession, featuring more than 250 dancers, musicians and performers from across the British isles, performing traditional Molly, Morris, clog and sword dances.

www.strawbear.org.uk

Bittern Roost Watch

Hooks Marsh car park, Waltham abbey, essex

20 January

Join staff and volunteers for an afternoon of birdwatching, with an opportunity to glimpse a bittern coming to roost in the reed beds at river lee country Park. Participants will learn more about these elusive birds and the work taking place in the lee valley to protect their way of life. the event is run as part of the Hertfordshire Bittern action Plan to promote bitterns and their conservation. it is advisable to bring a torch and wrap up warm, as some time will be spent waiting in the hide.

www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/whatson/bittern-roost-watch-jan