EVENTS 2008

What you've already missed!

Falconry at Cressing Temple

Late Spring 2008 Garden Update

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APRIL 2008

See a review of the St Georges Day joust.

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MAY 2008

4th and 5th - Cressing Antique and Collectors Fair
One of the longest established events on the site and one of the most popular in the county. With exhibitors from several counties and items priced from a few pounds up to thousands, it is an event not to be missed. Sun/Mon 9.30am-4.30pm. £3/£2.
All enquiries 01702 710383.

10th and 11th - The 15th International Napoleonic Fair
This unique event returns to Cressing Temple bringing together Napoleonic Regiments providing outdoor Drills, Displays and Living History from the colourful era depicted so vividly in 'Sharpe's Rifles' and Pride and Prejudice' with indoor War Games Demonstrations, Specialist Traders, Book sellers and craftsmen and a costume display.

There will also be recruitment stands should you fancy taking the 'King's Shilling' yourself! Meet Jason Salkey from Sharpe's Rifles, with his 'Rifleman Harris Diaries' or even buy a replica 'Brown Bess' as made for the latest Sharpe film. Quality caterers and a Real Ale Bar. 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. Adults £6, Concessions £5, Children £3 (5-15). This event is directly supporting the Farleigh House Hospice. Full details at the website www.internationalnapoleonicfair.com.

17th and 18th - The Essex Food Show - Spring Edition.
A huge range of speciality foods and drinks to taste and buy, plus household items, and lots more. attractions for all the family. 10.30am-5pm on Saturday and 9.30am-4pm on Sunday. Adults £3.50, Children £1.50 (under 3's free) All enquiries Penny Farthing Fairs 01621 773403.

22nd - Materials for Historic Buildings. 9am - 4.30pm.
This seminar will look at the range of materials found in historic buildings particularly in Essex and how they can contribute to the special character of the building. It will look at the history of use, methods of repair and their availability today. The day will concentrate on timber and infill, brick, lime plaster, render, pargetting and cladding, thatch, roofs, metal work and new materials. Cost £80.

27th and 28th - Half Term Children's Activity Days.11am-3pm.
Themed craft activities. Age range 2-12 £4 per person. Booking essential.

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JUNE 2008

7th and 8th - Spring Arts, Crafts and Garden Show.
Over 100 exhibitors displaying, selling and demonstrating their work. Art by some award winning artists. Crafts by top quality craftspeople, and for the garden, everything from flowers to furniture. So if you're looking for a special gift, a Father's Day present, or simply looking to treat yourself, this is the show for you. Unlimited free parking available. Coach parties welcome. Open 10.00am - 5.00pm each day. Admission: £3.50 Adults, £1.50 Children (Under 12). £10.00 Family Ticket.For further information contact Kent Events on 01322 400497.

15th - Father's Day - Sights, Sounds & Smells of Tudor Times. 11am - 3pm.
Give the family a treat on Father's Day and see a falconry demonstration presented on horseback at 2pm. Also meet the Tudors cooking with produce from our Walled Garden and playing tunes on replica Tudor wind instruments. £5 adults, £4 concessions, £15 family ticket. Pre-book for a 10% discount. 01376 584903 / 585046.

19th - Basic Maintenance for Historic Buildings. 9am - 4.30pm.
This one-day seminar is aimed at owners of historic buildings and concentrates on sympathetic methods of repair and maintenance. Illustrated talks will cover the need to maintain your building, the need for buildings to breathe, window repair, lime plaster, brick repair, the structure of the building and using the right professional for the job. Plus practical demonstrations, including wattle and daub, pargetting and leaded window repair. Cost £45 including refreshments and buffet lunch

21st and 22nd - The Dark Age Festival
'From the fury of the Norsemen, Good Lord, deliver us'. Was it all murder, ravage and pillage? After all, many of the Vikings settled here, they are our ancestors, inextricably bound into the very fabric of East Anglian history and culture.

At the Dark Age Festival you can meet the country's leading Dark Age Re-enactment group, the Vikings, who will be camped in Living History Tentage displaying the day-to-day skills and crafts that made them not only fearsome warriors but great traders with particular skills in metal work and jewellery.

The Vikings of old had trading outposts from the Black Sea to Dublin. Of course, there are likely to be displays of fighting and skill at arms as well! The event also features a Dark Age Market with specialist traders and craftsmen, plus good quality catering and a Real Ale Bar. 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday Adults £10, Concessions £7, Children £5 (5-15). This event is directly supporting the Farleigh House Hospice.

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JULY 2008

5th - Cressing Rock 08. Fifth Anniversary Concert.
Regretfully this event has been cancelled.

10th - New Development in a Historic Context. 9am - 4.30pm.
We will look at new development ranging form extensions to infill and large scale developments within a historic area. The day will address at the need for understanding and assessment for the site and its setting looking at the methods to do so. Cost £80

12th - Kingposts to Crownposts - the historical development of medieval roofs. Essex Historic Buildings Group Day School This will cover East Anglia, Hampshire, The West Midlands, Devon and Northern England. The speakers are all nationally known specialists and this day will show the advances in study made since the first serious attempt to classify roof types 50 years ago by J T Smith. Price per person is £20 with lunch extra at £7.50. Details and application forms from 01371 830416, 01245 361408 or ask at Cressing Temple Reception.

18th - The Making of the East Anglian Landscape.
This illustrated talk will be given by Edward Martin, an archaeologist specialising in Landscape History. Meeting starts at 7.30pm for 8.00pm. For non members of Essex Historic Buildings Group, a donation of £1 would be welcomed. Further details 01245 361408.

27th - Discover Dowsing. 11am-1pm or 2-4pm.
Ever wondered how dowsers locate water or cables or lost buildings? See how archaeologists use the fascinating art of dowsing to find buried remains; rods available in our gift shop. Pre booking advised. £5 adults £4 concessions, £15 family ticket. Pre book for a 10% discount 01376 584903 / 585046.

28th -29th - Children's Archaeological Dig - Every Monday & Tuesday in School Holidays. See details for August. Be one of the first to uncover the archaeology at Cressing Temple.

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AUGUST 2008

Children's Archaeological Dig - Every Monday & Tuesday in School Holidays.
10.30am or 1.30pm. Come and learn about archaeology from archaeologist Barry Hillman-Crouch. He will share with you the secrets of the past and how to uncover them. Booking essential as places are limited. Sessions last two hours and include a short talk on archaeology, excavating an archaeological site with real tools and working with 2000 year old finds! Cost is £8.50 per child. Age range 4 to 10 years old. Booking essential - 01376 584903 / 585046. There is no session on Bank Holiday Monday.

Tudor and Medieval Children's Activity Days - Every Wednesday in School Holidays. 11am - 3pm.
Every Wednesday from 30th July until 27th August. Different activities each week including fun craft activities, meeting historical characters, self led trails and games. Falconry at 2pm. Age range 2-12. £5 adults, £4 children, £15 family ticket. Pre-book for a 10% discount 01376 584903 / 585046.

Sunday 3rd, 10th, 17th and 31st August. 10.30am, 12noon and 3pm.
Costumed Hospitaller Tour. Meet Sir Robert Hales, Master of the Knights Hospitaller, and Treasurer during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381... Falconry at 2pm. Normal entry fee.

I don't fancy yours Much...

21st - The Festival Players Shakespeare Play. Much Ado About Nothing.
Having survived its wettest tour to date ( 2007 - As You Like It) but with only one performance cancelled, the Festival Players Theatre Company are back in 2008 with a nationwide tour of Shakespeare's sparklingly witty comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. This acclaimed professional company will bring you a fast-paced, energetic, and crystal-clear production of the ever-popular play which centres on the banter between the reluctant lovers, Beatrice and Benedick. A Right-Royal battle of the sexes for everyone to enjoy. Much Ado is now on the syllabus for many schools. Cost is £8.50 adults, £6.50 concessions 10% discount for groups of 10+.

24th and 25th - The Guild of Essex Craftsmen Annual Flagship Craft Weekend.
Over 60 Guild members displaying and selling their hand made craft work. Interests for all the family with many working craft displays including woodturning, jewellery, fabric craft, spinning, art and many more demonstrations including:
Chelmsford Marquetry Exhibition. (Sun/Mon)
Nemo the Clown. (Mon)
Local Goat Farm selling home-made yogurts/icecream. With the possibility of their kid goats being on show.(Sun/Mon)
Country and Western Music Group. (Sun)
Braintree Bowmen. Have a go at Archery.(Sun/Mon)
Fair Organ (Sun/Mon)
Display/Demonstration of Miniature War Games. (Sun/Mon)
Handbell Ringers.(Sun/Mon)
Herbs in Stock. A local family firm selling many varieties of herbs.(dates to be confirmed)
Local Karate Display Group (dates to be confirmed)
Suffolk Samba Band with 40 Musicians and Dancers. Two shows. (Mon)
At this event the Guild's main charity will be The Essex Air Ambulance. Last year the Guild raised over £2,000. Unlimited free parking available. Coach parties welcome by arrangement with the Guild. Open 10.30am-5.30pm each day Admission £2.50 per adult Accompanied children under 16 free.

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SEPTEMBER 2008

6th and 7th - Cressing Antique and Collectors Fair.
One of the longest established events on the site and one of the most popular in the county. With exhibitors from several counties and items priced from a few pounds up to thousands, it is an event not to be missed. Sat/Sun 9.30am-4.30pm. £3/£2. All enquiries 01702 710383.

11th - Victorian Day. 9am - 4.30pm.
With the passage of time, the appreciation of Victorian architecture has changed, and the conservation of Victorian buildings has become a more urgent issue. This day will consider: Re-evaluation of Victorian architecture; Victorian architecture in Essex; Victorian details, Victorian Brickwork; An Essex Architect and his work; Industrial architecture & workers houses; A restoration case study. Cost £45 including refreshments and buffet lunch.

13th and 14th - The East Anglian Medieval Festival.
This popular event is moving to Cressing Temple from Rougham Airfield and the new setting will make it even more enjoyable. A packed programme of Arena Displays will culminate in a daily Battle, there will be living history camps to explore where you can find out more about life in the Middle Ages.

A Medieval Market for your retail therapy featuring a surprising variety of things from traditional Mead to a made to measure suit of armour, side shows such as 'Have a Go Archery', quality catering and a traditional Ale Bar.

Although the final line up is still to be confirmed, previous East Anglian Medieval Festivals have featured Archery, Falconry, Music, Mounting Hunting Games, Dance, a daily battle and full on competitive jousting in full armour plate. 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday Adults £10, Concessions £7, Children £5 (5-15) This event is directly supporting the Farleigh House Hospice.

20th and 21st - The Carpenters Fellowship Woodworking Fair.
Frame 2008 - annual gathering of The Carpenters' Fellowship.
Join us to celebrate and investigate traditional timber framing! Speakers of international repute lecture on many aspects of traditional and contemporary timber framing, and related topics. Practical demonstrations & hands-on workshops include hewing and shingle making. Rare and specialist books and tools will be on sale. You can even try Axe Throwing! Frame is a great social occasion to which the whole family is welcome.

Leading up to Frame, we will be cutting an oak frame employing 12th Century design & technology (i.e. no power tools, tape measures or even pencils!), similar to those used to build the barns at Cressing. The frame will be erected in the walled garden on Friday 19th.For more information visit www.carpentersfellowship.co.uk

27th and 28th - The Essex Art and Design Show.
Over 70 artists and designer makers showcasing and selling a wide range of work including fine art, photography, jewellery and other contemporary crafts. 10.00am until 5.00pm. £3.50 (accompanied under 16's free). Contact David Shields 07944 806340.

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OCTOBER 2008

1st - Action in the Autumn.
A shopping extravaganza in aid of medical research. Entrance £4. All enquires 01621 853420.

The Barley Barn full of gorgeous food.

11th and 12th - The Essex Food Fair - Autumn Edition.
A huge range of speciality foods and drinks to taste and buy, plus household items and lots more.Attractions for all the family. Adults £3.50, Children £1.50 (under 3's free). Sat 11th (10.30am-5pm) & Sun 12th ( 9.30am-5pm). All enquiries Penny Farthing Fairs 01621 773403.

26th - Halloween Ghost Walks for Children - the Hall Keeper returns!
Meet the ghosts of Cressing Temple, waiting to greet you all over the site. Fun activities for all the family. Age range 2-12. Ghoulish treats in the tearoom. £5 adults, £4 children, £15 family ticket. 11am-3pm. Pre-book for a 10% discount. 01376 584903 / 585046.

28th and 29th - Half Term Children's Activity Days. 11am-3pm.
Themed craft activities. Age range 2-12. £4 per person. Booking essential - 01376 584903 / 585046.

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NOVEMBER 2008

29th and 30th - Christmas Food and Craft Show.
The eighth Christmas Food and Craft Show with 120+ stalls of genuine and unusual quality crafts, speciality foods and drinks, home and garden accessories plus attractions for all the family. Sat 29th (10.30am-5pm) & Sun 30th (10am-4.30pm). Adults £3.50, Children £1.50 (under 3's free). All enquiries Penny Farthing Fairs 01621 773403.

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DECEMBER 2008

6th and 7th - Santa Hunt. Christmas fun for all the family on our themed search for Santa! Wrap up warm as you'll be exploring the whole site. Seasonal treats in the tearoom. Age range 2-12. £5 adults, £4 children, £15 family ticket. Pre-booking essential as searches are timed. 01376 584903 / 585046.

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES PLEASE PHONE 01376 584903/ 584453/ 585046
Cressing Temple, Witham Road, Braintree, Essex CM77 8PD.

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