From country shows, historic battles and historic vehicles to giant robots, flavours of India and family theatre there’s plenty to enjoy this weekend.
101st annual Tendring Hundred Show, 8am-6pm, tomorrow
This year’s show will feature iFarm, exploring how robotics and new technologies are transforming farming and food production. Say hello to 8ft robot Titan and visit the food pavilion which celebrates regional food and local producers with a new look chef demonstration area. Children activity areas include a family arena with The Dorset Axemen, who will be illustrating their skills throughout the day; performing dogs, donkeys and dancers plus a new children’s treasure hunt. The art show and lifestyle area welcomes regular and new artists to exhibit their work, together with the chance of buying anything from bespoke furniture, fabrics and rugs to designer clothes. The education and outdoor activity area represents 40 local schools and institutions while the countryside area has everything from bees to bats and owls with advice on how we can ensure the future of our countryside.
Why not enter your dog for The Tendring Dog Agility Have a Go Ring or enjoy main ring displays including new vintage and modern farming machinery displays, the Farming on the Move agricultural machinery show, fast-moving scurry, hound parade and vintage cars.
1066 Battle Royal: The Play, Framlingham Castle, tomorrow and Sunday.
The Time Will Tell Theatre group explore the three battles which occurred in 1066 – including the Battle of Hastings – and follow the fortunes of the three kings who were fighting for the wealth of the kingdom. Performances are at 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm both days. In between shows you can meet the characters and ask them what life was like in the 11th Century.
Haverhill Historic Transport Rally and Road Run, the south car park, behind Haverhill Arts Centre, 10am–5pm, Sunday.
Some 150 vintage vehicles from sports cars and commercial vans to military jeeps on show. There will also be free bus rides around Haverhill between 1pm-4pm. Starting at 11.30am, there will be a road-run through the villages of Stambourne, Cornish Hall End, Ridgewell, Ashen, Clare, Stoke by Clare and Baythorne End. Trophies will be awarded around 4.30pm. The arts centre will also be open, screening archive footage throughout the day.
The Tractor and Country Show, Blake House Craft Centre, near Braintree, 10.30am-5pm tomorrow and Sunday.
Climb on massive tractors, sit behind the wheel or sit on a combine harvester, see static engines and more. Proceeds from the event go to Essex Air Ambulance, which will have a stand. On Sunday keep one eye on the sky, as organisers expect a visit from the helicopter and its crew. Youngsters will enjoy the new kids arena, with quad bikes and rides, face-painting, glitter art and more. There’s also a bounce zone and zoo lane, where you can meet snakes, parrots and rabbits. The country market has a variety of stalls, on Saturday there’s also the Blake House weekly boot fair.
The Elveden Country and Craft Show, Summerpit Farm, the Elveden Estate, 10am-5pm, tomorrow and Sunday.
Plenty to see and do including the amazing Stunt Monkeys riding team to the World of Birds with falcons to owls. Supporting small producers, an addition to the food and drink markets and this year is the Junior Classic Bake Off; plus visitors can enjoy cookery demonstrations by chefs. Other attractions include making bath salts workshops with Suffolk forager Julie Foster, Harvey’s Shire Horses from Norfolk, chainsaw carving, alpacas, sheep racing, amazing reptiles, Gemma’s petting farm, children’s activities like Punch and Judy and circus workshops, large model aircraft flying, classic cars and rural crafters. Joining in the fun is the East Anglian Festivals of Dogs with more than 25 classes daily to enter, as well as dog agility challenges. The rings feature Dogs Have Got Talent, best dressed dog and more.
Ipswich Indian Summer Mela, Christchurch Park, Ipwich, noon-6pm, July 10
Organised by Ipswich and Suffolk Indian Association with Ipswich Borough Council, this annual celebration of Asian culture includes live entertainment with performances of Bollywood dances, songs, music, dance workshops, cooking demonstrations, sari and turban demonstrations, Mela’s Got Talent, a market and a food village.
Living Latino, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, 1pm, July 9
University Campus Suffolk event management students have been working hard behind the scenes on the new stage at Global Rhythm this year. Visitors are invited to shimmy with salsa, fiesta with flamenco, kick up with kizomba and rumba to their hearts’ content. The stage is playing host to a range of acts including Malcolm Green of Ipswich Community Radio, Paradox dancers, JS and the Pompe, Los Musicos, The Old Stuff Band, Mr G’s Kizomba and KJ Salsa Dancers.
Fantastic Journey, The Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge, 2pm and 6pm, July 9-10
A follow-up, of sorts, to the Company of Four’s popular Toy Journey. A grandmother reads her two grandaughters a bedtime story which leads to the sisters entering a magical land alongside an elf and a scarecrow. During their musical journey they must help save the world of nursery rhymes and fairy stories from a wizard banishing happiness from their kingdom.
The Adventures of the Little Ghost, DanceEast, Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich, 2pm, 4.30pm, July 9
An immersive dance performance for young audiences based on the book The Little Ghost by Otfried Preussler. Sophie Nüzel has created a new show especially for those aged four plus and their families. In a locked chest in a dusty attic of a very old castle lives The Little Ghost. At the stroke of midnight each night he wakes and haunts the castle, visiting the knights as well as his friend the owl. At the stroke of one, he falls asleep in his chest. His greatest wish is to see the world in daylight, just once. There will be two free workshops at 1pm and 3.30pm, led by a professional dancer in the company, which is open to anyone with tickets for the show.
BSTK Festival, Morris Farm, Stow Maries, July 8-10
Formerly known as Brownstock Festival, the line-up includes Kelis, Tinie Tempah, Annie Mac, Mark Ronson and many, many more. Visit www. BSTK.co.uk for the full programme.
Family Fun Day, Castle Park, Colchester, 10.30am-4pm, July 10
Enjoy bouncy castles, a petting zoo, puppet show, gifts and treats, games, performers, fundraising stalls and much more.The event is being held in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Neverland, Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft, 7pm, July 8
The Seagull Young Company’s version of the classic story of Peter Pan. The Darling children aren’t looking forward to the alarm clock going off. Enter a mysterious young
boy who promises an escape to where there are no worries at all. Apart from the pirates. And the crocodile.
Follow @WhatsonWayne on Twitter and check out our Event guide in the paper every Friday for more days out ideas and breaking entertainment news.
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