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Time Travellers Go… Ugly Bug Safari
Audley End House and Gardens
Monday 30th July – Friday 3rd August 2012
“Grab a magnifying glass and join our Victorian explorer for a hunt through the gardens to find a mass of fascinating minibeasts. Then create your own creepy crawly to take home. ”
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Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Wednesday 1st August 2012 – Thursday 2nd August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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Hyde Hall Flower Show
RHS Hyde Hall
Friday 3rd August 2012 – Sunday 5th August 2012
Dates for 2012 confirmed, no further details at present.
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Brightlingsea Free Music Festival
Hurst Green, Brightlingsea
Friday 3rd August 2012 – Sunday 5th August 2012
“Classical : Friday 6.45 to 8.45pm; Roots & Blues : Saturday 12.00 to 8.00pm; Jazz & World : Sunday – 12.00pm to 6.00pm.”
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Toot Hill Country Show
Bridge Farm, Church Road, Stanford Rivers CM5 9PW
Saturday 4th August 2012
“Celebrating the Olympics 2012 “Super Saturday” at a traditional country event. Royal Horticultural Society marquee with competition exhibits from locals including garden produce, jams, cakes, handicrafts and art work. Entertainment includes; Pony Club Gymkhana, Samurai fighting and falconry. Also classic vehicles, a fun dog show, stalls and side shows and lots more!.”
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Military and Flying Machines 2012
Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster
Saturday 4th August 2012 – Sunday 5th August 2012
“Essex & London’s premier military vehicle show. Come along to Military & Flying Machines Show, the fastest growing military vehicle show in Essex at Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster, for a fantastic family fun filled day on the 4th & 5th August 2012. The Military and Flying Machines is proud to announce that we are listed as a “parallel event” for the 2012 Olympics, so we are expecting many visitors to the Olympics will take the time out to visit this magnificent and hugely entertaining show and sample a little bit of British heritage, history and hospitality.”
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Dickensian Garden Party and Fete
Kentwell Hall
Saturday 4th August 2012 – Sunday 5th August 2012, 12:00 – 5:00
“We shall have some typical games and side shows of the time. Our Mr Dickens will also give regular readings of favourite Dickens passages.”
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Farmers and Craft Market
Hylands House and Park
Sunday 5th August 2012
“Set amongst the tranquil surroundings of Hylands Stables Visitor Centre you will find many specialist foods including freshly baked breads, homemade cakes, pies and Indian foods, specialist wines, coffees, fine sausages and a growing number of craft stalls.”
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Read our article about our visit to Hylands House and Park, and the market.
Bikemeet
Museum of Power, Langford
Sunday 5th August 2012
“All classes welcome: Veteran, Vintage, Classics, Trials, Scooters, etc. Trophies for several classes. Arena display. Trials bikes/combinations riding demonstrations. Live band, beer tent, bike stalls, bouncy castle. Trade stands welcome – Go to web-site for contacts/entry details. ‘Marshall’ the Lilleshall steam driven pumping engine will be in steam.”
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We went to one of their events last year and were most impressed : click here for our article and video of Marshall and traction engines of all shapes and sizes! (nb no traction engine for this event, they are due on 8th April 2012)
Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Sunday 5th August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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Spitfires, Merlins & Motors
Imperial War Museum, Duxford
Sunday 5th August 2012
“For this new event, we partner the iconic Spitfire with stunning classic cars, represented by car clubs such as the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club. Hear the unmistakable roar of the exhilarating engines that power these thrilling modes of transport.”
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Time Travellers Go… Cavaliers & Roundheads
Audley End House and Gardens
Monday 6th August 2012 – Friday 10th August 2012
“Pikes at the ready! Join Oliver Cromwell’s army and discover what it took to be a soldier of the English Civil War. Then test your agility in the children’s battle and learn to use a pike in our soldiers drill.”
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Tudors : Live!
Cressing Temple Barns, nr. Braintree
Tuesday 7th August 2012 – Thursday 9th August 2012, 11:00am-
“Interact with family characters and learn about secrets of Cressing Temple. Tel: 0845 603 7624. Cost: child wristband £2.50, adult £5.00″
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Steam with Colin
Colne Valley Railway
Wednesday 8th August 2012
“Two trains operating, one steam and one diesel railcar. Reduced child entry if bringing a bear to see Colin, the Railway’s own Bear. Children can take part in Colin’s Treasure Hunt. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30)”
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Invitation to View : Thorpe Hall Garden
Thorpe-le-Soken
Wednesday 8th August 2012
“Early c20th garden by Viscountess Byng, inspired by William Robinson. Viscount ‘Bungo’ Byng of Vimy became Governor General of Canada in 1921 and his wife plant-hunted through North America. Her tender plants and water gardens, his eccentric brickwork, Col Gavin Jones’ rock gardens. Tour 1.5-2hrs, £15 incl tea or coffee with cake.” Booking line 01206 573948.
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Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Thursday 9th August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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Invitation to View : Warner Textile Archive
Braintree
Thursday 9th August 2012
“Second largest collection of flat textiles after V&A showing history of Warner & Sons from c18 to c20. nearly 100,000 samples, designs, documents. Archive store (in original c19 mill) is open to Invitation to View visitors who will have a special tour and talk on the firm and its fabrics.” Tour 1.5-2hrs, £13.50 incl gallery talk, visit to Archive store, tea and coffee with biscuits and home made cakes.” Booking line 01206 573948.
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She Stoops To Conquer
Museum of Power, Langford
Thursday 9th August 2012
“DOT out door theatre company. An Outdoor performance on the museum field starting at 7:30 pm. Gates open at 6:30 pm. Tea room open for refreshments.”
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Festival Players Present Richard III
Cressing Temple Barns, nr. Braintree
Friday 10th August 2012, 7:30pm-
“Shakespeare’s Machiavellian tale of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who will stop at nothing to gain the Crown. Booking essential. Tel: 0845 603 7624. Cost: adult £10.00, concession £8.00″
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Summer Craft & Gift Fair
Theydon Bois Village Hall
Saturday 11th August 2012, 9.30am-1.30pm
“Handmade & home handicrafts: baked goods, home furnishing, giftware, Easter gifts, Greeting Cards, Jewellery, Children’s Books, Chocolate Explosion, Handmade Sweets, Kitchenware & more. Free entrance. Free car parking outside the library. Fun day out for the family.”
Invitation to View : Hoses Hall
Halstead
Saturday 11th August 2012
“Originally a Saxon manor given to Sir Roger Huse (also spelled Husee, Hose or Hosey) in 1312 by John de Buick, hence the name Hoses Hall. It has previously been owned by Lord Alan Sainsbury, Lord Plummer and Lord Beaverbrook. A large part of the existing building dates from the 16th century. The tythe barn dates from the same period as Cressing Temple. Well-stocked four-acre garden plus four acres of meadows with bulbs. Tour inc coffee on arrival, garden tour and 2-course lunch in tithe barn two and a half hours, £26; tour inc garden, house (ground floor) and tea two and a half hours, £15.”
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Farmers Market
Barleylands
Saturday 11th August 2012, 08:30am – 12:30pm
“Enjoy a morning out wandering round and picking up delicious food for the weekend from our undercover Farmers’ Market. This is a great opportunity for you to buy all of your fresh, local produce from farmers and growers. Every second and last Saturday of the month, throughout the year from 8.30am to 12.30pm. Free entry and Free Car Park. Arrive early to avoid disappointment!”
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Time Travellers Go… WWII
Audley End House and Gardens
Monday 13th August 2012 – Friday 17th August 2012
“Air raids, rationing, evacuation – how would you have fared during WWII? Find out what life was really like during the 1940s, and learn about Audley’s role during the war, then take part in the children’s drill and obstacle course.”
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Tudors : Live!
Cressing Temple Barns, nr. Braintree
Tuesday 14th August 2012 – Thursday 16th August 2012, 11:00am-
“Interact with family characters and learn about secrets of Cressing Temple. Tel: 0845 603 7624. Cost: child wristband £2.50, adult £5.00″
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Invitation to View : Ingatestone Hall
Ingatestone
Wednesday 15th August 2012
“Grade I c16th manor with 11 acres. Built by Sir William Petre, Secretary of State to four Tudor monarchs and still occupied by the family. Building largely Tudor with oak pannelling and two priests’ holes. Grounds with stew ponds, walled pleasure garden and lime tree walks. Tour approx 2-2.5hrs, £15 incl tea, coffee and pastry on arrival.” Booking line 01206 573948.
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Invitation to View : Beeleigh Abbey
Maldon
Wednesday 15th August 2012
“c12th haunted abbey bought by Foyle family (of bookshop fame) mid c20th. Visited by Edward I and Queen Eleanor 1289. Tour includes calefactory (warming room), parlour, Chapter House with Handel’s London organ, Great Room (previously Canons’ Dorter or domitory- now the Library) and King James I bedroom. Abbey tour 1.5hrs plus 1-2hrs to explore the 3.5 acre garden. £16incl tea or coffee, cakes and biscuits.” Booking line 01206 573948.
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Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Wednesday 15th August 2012 – Thursday 16th August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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All About Gardening – Southend 2012
Garon Park, Southend, Essex
Friday 17th August 2012 – Sunday 19th August 2012
“Green fingered enthusiasts and occasional gardeners alike will find plenty of inspiration at All about gardening Southend. Whether you have an established garden, small balcony or shady courtyard in need of a little something extra, this show will offer lots of new ideas to ensure you create the perfect sanctuary.”
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Copped Hall Guided Tours
Copped Hall
Sunday 19th August 2012
“The tours last about 2 hours 30 min – 3 hours and cover the whole of the gardens, part of the mansion, the cellars and the stables. Tours start from 10.00am and entry gates close at 11.00am. Cost £7.00. (The reason the gates are only open for one hour is that we have to get the tours started within this hour as the tours can last up to 3 hours including the refreshments – there is more to see than people realise !)”
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2012 Classic Ford Car Show & Autojumble
Battlesbridge Showground
Sunday 19th August 2012, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Public admission £5 accompanied under 16′s free
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Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Sunday 19th August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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The Forgotten Gardens of Easton Lodge Open Day
Easton Lodge, nr. Great Dunmow
Sunday 19th August 2012, 12:00 – 6:00
We enjoyed our trip there last year.
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Time Travellers Go… Royal
Audley End House and Gardens
Monday 20th August 2012 – Friday 24th Aug 2012
“See if you have what it takes to join the ranks of royalty in our special royal-themed Time Travellers event. Enjoy games and crafts fit for a king or queen and meet some royal characters of times gone by.”
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Invitation to View : Thorpe Hall Garden
Thorpe-le-Soken
Wednesday 22nd August 2012
“Early c20th garden by Viscountess Byng, inspired by William Robinson. Viscount ‘Bungo’ Byng of Vimy became Governor General of Canada in 1921 and his wife plant-hunted through North America. Her tender plants and water gardens, his eccentric brickwork, Col Gavin Jones’ rock gardens. Tour 1.5-2hrs, £15 incl tea or coffee with cake.” Booking line 01206 573948.
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Steam with Colin
Colne Valley Railway
Wednesday 22nd August 2012
“Two trains operating, one steam and one diesel railcar. Reduced child entry if bringing a bear to see Colin, the Railway’s own Bear. Children can take part in Colin’s Treasure Hunt. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30)”
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Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Thursday 23rd August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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Clacton Air Show
Clacton Promenade
Thursday 23rd August 2012 – Friday 24th August 2012
“The 21st year of the show! Each day will have a full flying programme and BBC Essex will be providing Radio Air show on 729am throughout the flying displays as well as providing live commentary.”
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The High Summer Re-Creation of Tudor Life
Kentwell Hall
Friday 24th August 2012 – BH Monday 27th August 2012
“This is a very popular Weekend Re-Creation – a follow-up to the Great Annual Re-Creation which ended in early July. It is on a much smaller scale but nonetheless covers much represented then with some activity in the House, more in the Moat House and some in the Gardens and Farm areas. It carries through as many of the Great Annual Re-Creation’s themes and activities as possible. If the weather is favourable as much as possible takes place outside.
We usually expect about 150 Tudors to take part, although there are always fewer on the Friday. There is no Time Tunnel.”
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Diesel Locomotive Operating Day
Colne Valley Railway
Saturday 25th August 2012
“One of our mainline diesel locomotives will be hauling trains. Entrance Price: Adults £6, Seniors £5, Child £4 or Family £20 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – All days 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30). ”
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Farmers Market
Barleylands
Saturday 25th August 2012, 08:30am – 12:30pm
“Enjoy a morning out wandering round and picking up delicious food for the weekend from our undercover Farmers’ Market. This is a great opportunity for you to buy all of your fresh, local produce from farmers and growers. Every second and last Saturday of the month, throughout the year from 8.30am to 12.30pm. Free entry and Free Car Park. Arrive early to avoid disappointment!”
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Medieval Weekend
Royal Gunpowder Mills Secret Island, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY
Saturday 25th August 2012 – Monday 27th August 2012
“August Bank Holiday is devoted to our ever popular medieval archery and jousting weekend. The Black Knight will be back to try his skills with the lance in a daily joust, and Robin Hood and his men will be showing off their skills with the bow and arrow in a spectacular archery display. The Middle Ages are also brought to life for younger visitors with craft activities, story-telling, and interactive games and quests.”
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Essex Heats : British Lawnmower Racing Championships
Blakehouse Craft Centre
Saturday 25th August 2012 – Monday 27th August 2012
“2 Practise Laps from 10am, Racing 1pm-5pm. Watch this annual spectacular as lawnmowers race around the track at top speed. Barbecue and more. Adults £2. Children £1. Donations to the Essex Air Ambulance.”
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Coalhouse Fort Open Day
Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury
Sunday 26th August 2012 = BH Monday 27th August 2012
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Royal Joust
Castle Hedingham
Sunday 26th August 2012 – BH Monday 27th August 2012. Adults £11.00, Concessions £10.00, Children £8.50, Family £39.00
“The Royal Joust with the Knights of Royal England and Food & Craft Market – 26th & 27th August
Watch the breathtaking mounted skill at arms from an era of chivalry. Laugh with the jesting rat catcher. Enjoy ‘Have a go’ archery with the Norfolk Longbowman. Watch the remarkable birds of prey flying display. Enjoy a drink in our Castle Inn and browse through the craft and food market.”
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The Guild of Essex Craftsmen Annual Craft Show
Cressing Temple Barns, nr. Braintree
Sunday 26th August 2012 – BH Monday 27th August 2012, 10:30am-
“Expect up to 100 craftsmen taking part, together with a number of other guests. Tel: 01376 322047. Cost: under 12’s free, adult £4.00″
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Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Sunday 26th August 2012 – Monday 27th August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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WWII: Soldiers & Spies!
Audley End House and Gardens
Sunday 26th August 2012 – Monday 27th Aug 2012
“Visit Audley End House aka Station 43 this weekend and be transported back to the time of WWII. Join our troops as they train for battle, learn more about Audley’s secret wartime history and witness an explosive arena display!”
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Invitation to View : The Abbey, Coggeshall
The Abbey, Coggeshall
Monday 27th August 2012
“Recently restored Abbot’s stew pond was a feature when Edward II held court here in 1325; in 1293 the local vicar was gaoled for illegal fishing. Tour includes abbot’s house, chapel, guest house, riverside courtyard and knot-garden. Early and exceptionally fine medieval brickwork. Tour approx 2 hours, £15 including tea or coffee with home-made cakes and biscuits.” Booking line 01206 573948.
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Steam Operating Days
Colne Valley Railway
Wednesday 29th August 2012 – Thursday 30th August 2012
“One or more Steam locomotives operating. This may also include Heritage Diesel Trains. Entrance Price: Adults £8, Seniors £7, Child £5 or Family £26 (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Opening Times – Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 – 17:00 (last train 16:00); Midweek 10:30 – 16:30 (last train 15:30).”
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