Rare plants fair at Caldicot Castle
The Rare Pants Fair at Caldicot Castle offers a feast for plant hunters withunusual and hard to find plants, as well as more traditional and well-known varieties. Admission to the event is £3.75, which includes entry to the Fair and to the grounds and restored medieval towers of the castle. Monmouthshire residents qualify for discounted entry of £2.50 to the event with a museum pass or proof of address. Children free.
Contact : Caldicot Castle, Caldicot 0845 468 1368 or visit www.rareplantfair.co.uk
Dates
18th May 2008
Vintage and Heritage Day at Dean Forest Railway
Savour and compare country branch line travel 1930s and 1960s style - ride in the vintage steam push pull train (also with the luxury Inspection Saloon attached) and the heritage diesel railcar with panoramic views.
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
18th May 2008 15th Jun 2008 29th Jun 2008 13th Jul 2008 3rd Aug 2008 17th Aug 2008 7th Sep 2008
Castleford & Forest of Dean Male Voice Choirs
Castleford (Yorkshire) Male Voice Choir and Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir combine forces to deliver two programmes at Westbury on Severn Village Hall on Saturday 24 May at 7.30pm. Bring the whole family, there is something for everyone. Tickets cost £6.00 and all profits go back to the Village Hall.
Contact : Jim Brass 01452 760506 or Geoff Annis 01594 822932
Dates
24th May 2008
Stone Carving Festival at Harts Barn Craft Centre
A major festival celebrating the ancient craft of stone carving - the first of its kind to be held in the UK since 2003 - is coming to the Forest of Dean from 24 - 26 May. Harts Barn's resident stone carver, Carrie Horwood of Cat's Eye Carving, trained at Gloucester Cathedral in the art of stone masonry & carving which she now applies to everything from commemorative plaques, statues & restorations to house numbers, names and personal commissions. She has invited colleagues & craft peers from Gloucestershire & nationwide to join with leading craftsmen and women from across Europe & North America for a 3 day demonstration of the best of stone carving. Using local materials for their work, generously donated by Veizeys Quarry Tetbury, the festival will culminate on Monday with a Charity Auction of all the pieces sculpted over the weekend. Benefactors this year will be the Mitcheldean Cub Scouts, towards their appeal for a new scout hut, and The Forge, Cinderford, an independent local charity which has established a resource centre for blind and visually impaired people in the Forest of Dean. The event is being supported by the NFU and local businesses eager to boost local tourism which is still recovering from the impacts of flooding and foot & mouth over the past two years. Other activities over the weekend include a BBQ with refreshments hosted by the Old Dairy Tearoom and children's activities including face-painting & teddy bear making. The tearoom will also be serving their usual menu of home-cooked food using local produce and afternoon & cream teas. For more information about the resident crafts, visit www.hartsbarn.co.uk. Open daily from 10.00 - 17.00.
Contact : Carrie Horwood 07795 495170
www.hartsbarn.co.uk
Dates
26th May 2008
Nine places in Monmouthshire
An exhibition of artwork by B O'Higgins from Friday 21 March - Sunday 1 June.
Contact : Abergavenny Museum
01873 854282
www.abergavennymuseum.co.uk
Dates
1st Jun 2008
Summer Exhibition at Mariana Art
A colourful exhibition of paintings by D. Mariana Robinson depicting flowers and landscapes both home and abroad. Open 10.30 - 5pm (except Tuesdays).
Contact : Mariana-Art Gallery, East Street, St. Briavels, GL15 6TQ
01594 530484
Dates
1st Jun 2008
Gloucester Medieval Fayre
On Saturday 14th June 2008 Gloucester City Centre will again be transformed into a medieval village as the Westgate Association stages Gloucester's Medieval Fayre.
Comprising over 60 stalls selling everything from wooden beer tankards, English wines and ciders to local fruit and vegtables, plus much more. Westgate Medieval Fayre is a spectacluar day for all. You can expereience archery, try squiring training or see a battle re-enactment on the Cathedral Green. There will be numerous demonstrations from the likes of Fletchers and the Plantagenet Medieval Society. But don't forget to save enough time to sample the pig roast or even a drop of mead.
The Fayre begins at 10am and continues until 4pm
Contact : Westgate Quarter www.westgatequarter.co.uk
Dates
14th Jun 2008
Diesel Gala Day at Dean Forest Railway
Diesel Gala Day featuring our heritage main line diesels.
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
14th Jun 2008 12th Jul 2008 27th Sep 2008
Diesel Dining Evening at Dean Forest Railway
Have a ‘Traditional British’ 2 course supper with real ale in style on our premier class Royal Forester dining train, hauled by a heritage main line diesel (advance booking).
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
21st Jun 2008 6th Sep 2008
June Gala at Perrygrove Railway
June Gala including model railways and naming ceremony for new locomotive. Adults £4.60 OAPs £4.10 Children £3.60 No charge for extra rides. Treasure hunts £1.80 (optional). Event runs from 10.30 - 16.15.
Contact : Perrrygrove Railway on 01594 834991 or visit www.perrygrove.co.uk
Dates
29th Jun 2008
Scenic Supper Cruise (Evening) at Dean Forest Railway
See the splendid medieval forest from the panoramic windows of the heritage diesel railcar, with fish n’chips and real ale on board! (advance booking)
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
5th Jul 2008 19th Jul 2008
Steam & Diesel Day at Dean Forest Railway
Steam locomotives 9681 & 1450 plus the vintage push pull coach will be running AND some of our heritage main line diesels. A fascinating day of different sights and sounds.
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
27th Jul 2008
Swing, Jazz & Jive Evening at Dean Forest Railway
Swing, Jazz & Jive Evening with real ale and the famous Keith Little Band.
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
2nd Aug 2008
The Winter's Tale
For the 3rd successive year, Penallt hosts the acclaimed Rain or Shine Theatre Company at the Babington Arena. This year they are bringing Shakespeare’s bitter sweet comedy – The Winter’s Tale - to the wonderful open air stage. With the backdrop of the Forest of Dean across the Wye Valley, the setting is quite stunning and the purpose-designed arena gives the audience of up to 300 a clear view of the performance and excellent acoustics.
The afternoon performance that starts at 3pm on August Bank Holiday Monday is ideal for families, many of whom bring their picnics with them. Some chairs are provided, but bringing your own seating or rugs is advisable
Tickets are £12.00, with concessions at £10.00 and children under 14 at £5.00. All proceeds go towards the Babington Meadow Recreation Ground Trust: Charity No. 102952.
Contact : Babbington Meadow Committee
01600 715781
Tickets are avalable from Ticketweb.co.uk
Dates
25th Aug 2008
Enthusiasts Afternoon at Perrygrove Railway
Perrygrove Railway host an Enthusiasts Afternoon including vintage trains from 10.30 - 16.15. Adults £4.60 OAPs £4.10 Children £3.60 No charge for extra rides. Treasure hunts £1.80 (optional)
Contact : Perrygrove Railway on 01594 834991 or visit www.perrygroverailway.co.uk
Dates
30th Aug 2008
Day Out With Thomas at Dean Forest Railway
A chance to meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. Characters from the Thomas books brought to life under the watchful eyes of the Fat Controller. Other attractions and entertainment included in the ticket price. Dates are 4 -7 April, 30 May - 1 June and 29 - 31 August
Contact : Tel: 01594 843423 (24 hour information line)
Dates
31st Aug 2008
Halloween Daytime Specials at Perrygrove Railway
Spot the spiders in the wood + seasonal treasure hunt + Pumpkin Patch + seasonal refreshments. Daily from 10.30 - 15.45. Adults £4.60 OAPs £4.10 Children £3.60 No charge for extra rides. Treasure hunts £1.80 (optional)
Contact : Perrygrove Railway on 01594 834991 or visit www.perrygrove.co.uk
Dates
31st Oct 2008
Evening Ghost Trains at Perrygrove Railway
Board the Ghost Train and set off into the darkening woods. There’s no need to be frightened, it’s only a bit of fun. But what’s that Thing lurking in the shadows and why has the train stopped suddenly? Don’t scream too loudly, the undead might wake up and come for you! Ghoulish refreshments included for the survivors. Daily at 18.00, 19.00 and 20.00. £8.50 pre-booked – NOT SUITABLE FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN
Contact : Perrygrove Railway on 01594 834991 or visit www.perrygrove.co.uk
Dates
31st Oct 2008
Hallowe'en Ghost Trains at Dean Forest Railway
Travel if you dare on the Transylvania Express! Scary fun for all the family –Advance booking.
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
1st Nov 2008
Christmas Exhibition at Mariana Art
A lively exhibition of watercolour paintings by D. Mariana Robinson; pottery by Russian artist Tanya Saltmarshe and many Christmas gift ideas, including watercolour tuition vouchers. Open 10.30 - 5pm (except Tuesdays).
Contact : Mariana-Art Gallery, East Street, St. Briavels GL15 6TQ
01594 530484
Dates
14th Dec 2008
Santa Specials at Dean Forest Railway
A traditional favourite for all the family – Santa comes to your seats with presents. Advance booking essential.
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
24th Dec 2008
Christmas at Perrygrove Railway
Father Christmas comes down the chimney. Start with seasonal refreshments then ride on the steam train to collect magic badges from Jack Frost. Return to a cosy room where children rub their magic badges – now watch their faces as Father Christmas actually comes down the chimney to meet them and give them presents. At Perrygrove Father Christmas comes to see you, not the other way round, so NO QUEUING! £12:00 pre-booked
Contact : Perrygrove Railway on 01594 834991 or visit www.perrygrove.co.uk
Dates
24th Dec 2008
New Year Mince Pie Specials at Dean Forest Railway
Relax after Christmas with a trip through the winter Forest.
Contact : Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Lydney
01594 843423 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Dates
28th Dec 2008 1st Jan 2009
