MARCH 2008

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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.

Falconry on Horseback.

15th - Father's Day - Sights, Sounds & Smells of Tudor Times. 11am - 3pm.
Take Dad on a trip into Tudor Times at one of Essex's most popular family attractions. A host of historical characters will be visiting to amuse and stimulate visitors to Cressing Temple, the rural leisure attraction near Braintree, between 11am and 3pm on Father's Day, Sunday 15th June.

Visitors will be wowed by an extremely rare chance to see falconry presented on horseback! Catch resident falconer Mike Simmons, who regularly presents medieval falconry demonstrations here at Cressing Temple, as he shows falconry in the context of the genuine Tudor hunt. Don't miss this fantastic display at 2pm.

Tudor cooking with authentic recipes.

The event will stimulate all of the visitor's senses. Members of re-enactment group the Household will tantalise taste buds by cooking with produce from the Tudor Walled Garden. Against a background of rooms from the Tudor household in the mid 1490s, (the time of Henry VII), the characters will prepare a celebratory meal for the mistress of the household and her friend. Visitors are free to interact with the characters - find out more about a notable local people in the period and what happened in the local area at the time.

Go Wylde in the country.

Listen to Wyldes Noyse play a range of replica Tudor wind instruments including the shawm. Visitors can even try Tudor dancing.

£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.
Regrettably this event has been cancelled.

Vikings invade! - click for more information.

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.