From shabby to chic

painted furnitureTurning old furniture into new bespoke pieces is a popular pastime these days and, with a little help from the experts, it’s surprisingly easy to do.

If you fancy giving it a try, the new painted furniture workshops at Manor Farm Tea Shoppe in Bleasby might be just up your street. Run by Angela Crawley of Aubrey & Noah, the workshops are held monthly with the next one taking place from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 22 July.

All materials are provided, just bring along your apron and a small piece of furniture to upcycle…

Places are £65 each, including refreshments and light lunch – for more details and bookings, email aubreyandnoah@gmail.com or call Angela on 07806 500501.

A fruity family festival

elderflower festivalTo celebrate 30 years of making their famous cordials and pressés, Belvoir Fruit Farms will be holding their first ever Elderflower Festival on Sunday 13 July.

Set in the grounds of Knipton Cricket Club, just below Belvoir Castle, the festival runs from 10am to 4pm and will be packed with activities and entertainment for all the family.

Sample and buy some of the tasty treats from local producers – browse for gorgeous gifts among the craft stalls – listen to live jazz music – and watch Morris and Maypole dancers perform.

For the children, there’ll be street party games, juggling, balloon modelling and face painting, as well as the opportunity to enter the Elderflower Fairy Children’s Fancy Dress Competition, with a hamper of goodies for the winner of each of the two categories (5 and under and 6 to 11).

frances quinnFoodie fans will enjoy the cookery demonstrations by home economist Teresa Bovey, head chef of Les Rosbifs Restaurant Duncan Hooper and special guest Frances Quinn, winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2013.

Frances will also be on hand to judge entries in the Elderflower Baking Competition. The results will be announced at 3pm, with a Belvoir Fruit Farms Hamper and a ‘Lovely’ clock for the winner of each of the three categories – Elderflower Cake, Belvoir Fruit Farms Cordial Cake and Lovely Cake – and a wooden ‘Lovely’ trophy for runners up.

Admission to the festival is £1 for individuals or £5 per car. Visit their website for more details; and while you’re there, why not check out some of the yummy recipes and cocktail ideas too?

A very fashionable fundraiser!

children's society vintage fashion showIt’s all about vintage on Friday 1 August, when St Mary Magdalene Church in Newark is the stunning setting for The Children’s Society’s Charity Vintage Fashion Show and Craft Fair.

Funds raised by the event will be matched by Barclays Bank and all proceeds go to The Children’s Society, helping to support its work to defend, protect and safeguard the childhood of children and young people across the UK through a network of programmes and services.

Local models – including the current Miss Newark – will be strutting their stuff along the catwalk in the nave, with John Knight of Vintage2Versace compering the show. And with three separate areas, given over to children’s toys, games and activities, crafts and vintage items, there’ll be plenty to see, do and buy for everyone.

The event runs from 4pm till 8pm, admission is £1 with children going free and there’s no need to book, just pay on the door.

Even if you can’t make it on the day, you can still buy tickets for the raffle. At £1 each, they’re already on sale at the charity’s shop on Middlegate in Newark and at Daphne’s Handbag on Mansfield Road in Nottingham.

With a plethora of prizes on offer, including gift vouchers, beauty treatments, cuddly toys and a very special bottle of Gout de Diamants champagne worth £350 to name just a few, this is one raffle you won’t want to miss!