Yurt camping and woodland craft courses such as green wood working, basketry, hurdle making and bee keeping are all available at a new business enterprise called Forest Garden Shovelstrode, located in the High Weald of Sussex.

The setting is based around 6 acres including an ancient woodland and a vacant paddock that has been recultivated into the early stages of a Forest Garden with a newly created wildlife pond.

Forest Garden Shovelstrode is a place for people to come and learn the principles of Permaculture demonstrated in the Forest Garden and also a range of woodland craft. A shop will sell products such as honey, eggs, green wooding tools and locally produced crafts.

Charles Hooper and Lisa Aitken have worked on a plan since 2009, searching for ways to live more self sufficiently and sustainably from a small area of land. Forest Garden Shovelstrode sets out to inspire others in a similar way.

With the help of a European grant, work began in earnest in September 2010, with renovations made to stables creating a kitchen, farm shop, shower and WC facilities, a new parking area and a new storage barn was erected.

Now with Spring arriving, they plan to welcome visitors for camping from the Easter weekend, Friday 22nd April with courses beginning in June.

2 yurts are available for hire, the first being a traditional Mongolian style with painted wooden poles, the other is a locally produced hand crafted yurt made of coppiced wood. The yurts are both located in the woodland in a peaceful environment. The yurts are both fully equipped with a log burning stove and many creature comforts to create a truly wonderful camping experience. Glamping at its best!

Courses begin in May:-

Sunday 22nd May – Intro to Bee Keeping
Wednesday 1st June – Introduction to Vegetable Gardening
Saturday 11th June – Basket Willow Weaving
Thursday 16th/Friday 17th June – Green woodworking
Friday 15th July – Hurdle making
Sunday 17th July – Children’s Green woodworking
Friday 22nd July – Flintknapping
Saturday 20th August- Beeswax Products

Click here for more information on all courses offered.

Further courses take place right up until October.

To learn more click here to visit the Forest Garden Shovelstrode website.

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Article by Forest Garden Shovelstrode for Rural Smallholdings Magazine

This post was submitted by Forest Garden Shovelstrode.

The 2011 Edible Garden Show is being staged from this Friday 18th March to Sunday 20th March at Britain’s most famous agricultural venue, Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.

Billed as ‘THE Ultimate Grow Your Own event for visitors and exhibitors alike’, The Edible Garden Show 2011 will provide a unique opportunity for people from all walks of life, whether town or country dweller, realist or dreamer, novice or experienced gardener to unite with like minded individuals, learn from the professionals and purchase from the wide range of gardening essentials on show.

Whether your interest lies in growing your own fruit and vegetables, running a smallholding, poultry keeping, organic herbs, sausage making, bee keeping, home baking, home brewing, or you just have a general interest in being self sufficient, the Edible Garden Show is the place to visit for all those with an interest in growing your own.

As well as exhibitors, the event will include a host of seminars and a packed programme of practical demonstrations. The British Beekeepers’ Association and The Poultry Club of Great Britain are both supporting this years show and experts from both will be on hand to give demonstrations and advice. The event also has the support of the Women’s Institute. Rachel Green – one of the UK’s foremost authorities on food – has signed up to front the WI Cookery School at the show.

She will join experts from the Women’s Institute’s famous National Cookery School at Denman College, Abingdon, who will be providing cookery demonstrations and offering advice to visitors on everything from preserving, jam-making and pickling to baking your own bread and getting the best out of your home produce.

Diarmuid Gavin, the Mirror’s new gardening correspondent and TV presenter, will be at The Edible Garden Show 2011 on the opening day of the show on Friday 18th March. The popular 46-year-old garden designer fronted a number of BBC programmes including “I Want a Garden,” “Planet Patio” and Home Front with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

His inspirational designs have won him accolades at the Chelsea Flower Show and he is the author of a number of bestselling gardening books including Diarmuid Gavin’s Big Ideas and Outer Spaces. The celebrity gardener who launched his new Daily Mirror column on Saturday March 5 will join the Mirror team on the opening day of the show on Friday 18th March.

Garden Gurus Pippa Greenwood and Paul Peacock will be on hand for help, tips and advice at the show’s Miracle-Gro sponsored ‘Experts Theatre.’ Both renowned for their newspaper and magazine columns and specialist gardening books.

TV Presenter Botanist James Wong, renowned for his award winning “Grow Your Own Drugs” BBC TV series will be talking about Incredible Edibles on Friday March 18th – Offering a light-hearted, dynamic and innovative alternative to conventional ‘spuds and sprouts’ gardening talks, James will be revealing how growing your own can be so much more cutting edge than you might think.

Incredible Edibles reveals the astonishing array of rare, exotic and luxury foods that can be grown by even the most ardent gardening phobic. From Himalayan goji berries and cocktail-sized kiwi fruit, to fragrant saffron and oh-so-trendy wasabi, an enormous range of fruit and veg are not only hardy in our blustery North Atlantic Island, but can unbelievably be easier to grow and more productive than a grow bag of tomatoes.

Visitors to the show can also enjoy a 15% discount for advance booking with current discounted ticket prices being £11 for adults, £9 for children aged 6 and above/Senior Citizens, whilst children under 6 go free. Book now to get your early bird discount.

Tickets may also be purchased at the gate on the day of the event (subject to availability).
Gate Prices: – Adults – £13, Child age 6 – 16 – £11, Child Under 6 – Go free – 1 Free with a paying adult, Senior citizen 60+ – £11

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Article by Rural Smallholdings Magazine

With the debut of the Edible Garden Show being postponed until 2011, the planning for next years show is well underway and they are currently offering early bird rates to exhibitors.

Billed as ‘THE Ultimate Grow Your Own event for visitors and exhibitors alike’, the Edible Garden Show will provide a unique opportunity for exhibitors to present their products and services to the buying public and stands are available to book now. Exhibitors can currently enjoy up to 25% discount but this offer ends on the 30th of September 2010 so book now to avoid disappointment.

The 2011 Edible Garden Show is being staged from Friday 18th March to Sunday 20th March at Britain’s most famous agricultural venue, Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.

The Edible Garden Show 2011 will provide a unique opportunity for people from all walks of life, whether town or country dweller, realist or dreamer, novice or experienced gardener to unite with like minded individuals, learn from the professionals and purchase from the wide range of gardening essentials on show.

Whether your interest lies in growing your own fruit and vegetables, running a smallholding, poultry keeping, organic herbs, sausage making, bee keeping, home baking, home brewing, or you just have a general interest in being self sufficient, the Edible Garden Show is the place to visit for all those with an interest in growing your own.

As well as exhibitors, the event will include a host of seminars and a packed programme of practical demonstrations. The British Beekeepers’ Association and The Poultry Club of Great Britain are both supporting this years show and experts from both will be on hand to give demonstrations and advice. The event also has the support of the Women’s Institute. Experts from the WI’s famous National Cookery School at Denman College, Abingdon, will be providing cookery demonstrations and offering advice to visitors on everything from preserving, jam-making and pickling to baking your own bread.

Visitors to the show can also enjoy a 15% discount for advance booking with current discounted ticket prices being £11 for adults, £9 for children aged 6 and above/Senior Citizens, whilst children under 6 go free. Book now to get your early bird discount.

Still looking for Your Smallholding? Visit Greenshifters for the latest smallholdings for sale, rent and exchange.

Article by Rural Smallholdings Magazine

With the sun shining and the show season now in full swing here’s a round up of smallholding, farming, gardening and outdoor events across the country to enjoy this week.

Cheshire County Show – taking place today and tomorrow (22nd – 23rd June) in Knutsford, Cheshire the Cheshire County Show is a chance to celebrate and experience all that is great and good about the countryside. There are competition classes for cattle, sheeps, goats, pigs and rare breed livestock and equines from Shires to Shetlands. For Poultry enthusiasts the poultry section takes place on Tuesday only and pigeons, rabbits and cavies aplenty can be found on the Wednesday only as they compete in the many classes held at the show. The prestigious Cheshire Show Dog section attracts over 2000 entries from across a vast array of breeds. Tuesday sees classes for Non-Sporting Breeds only, whilst Wednesday is Sporting Breed classes only.

Other attractions at the show include: The Roberts Bakery Food Halls bring together local, regional and national producers and purveyors of fine food and drink to suit everyone’s tastes, whilst the Roberts Bakery Food Live Theatre enables visitors to enjoy some tremendous food edu-tainment from local Cheshire chefs and college students, at the Cheese and Wine marquee visitors can experience the delights of cheese and wine produced locally and beyond, the Rural Life area includes the WI marquee with hundreds of entries to the many classes of craft ranging from cake making, floral art, produce making through to art and photography and much more, the Vintage Machinery section re-counts a bygone era with an extensive display of tractors, agricultural machinery, stationary engines, cars and commercial vehicles of yesteryear.

Country pursuits and traditional crafts come to life it the Countryside Experience Area. From falconry demonstrations, have ago Clay Shoot and Archery, to fly-fishing demonstrations and parades of hounds, it’s a real haven for country lovers. The Main Ring attractions include the Bolddog Freestyle Motorcross Team, Gauntlet Birds of Prey and Meirion Owen’s Quack Pack.

For further info on this event click here

Lincolnshire County Show – taking place tomorrow and Thursday (23rd – 24th June) in Lincoln, the 126th Lincolnshire County Show has a variety of attractions including: The Select Lincolnshire and Tastes of Lincolnshire Food Court, Show Jumping Classes in the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring, an action packed sports area, live entertainment on the Lincs FM Stage, the Medieval Village, spectacular Grand Parade of the best of the County’s Livestock, vintage to modern day agricultural machinery display, the Carter Homes Sustainable Living Exhibition featuring interactive displays and exhibits of everything you might need to live an eco friendly lifestyle, boutique style shopping avenue, plus 600 traders around the show ground.

For further info on this event click here

Royal Highland Show – running from Thursday to Sunday this week (24th – 27th June) in Ingliston, near Edinburgh Airport the Royal Highland Show showcases the best that Scotland has to offer and a chance to indulge your love of food, farming and countryside pursuits. There is so much going on we couldn’t hope to cover it all here so please visit the website for the latest news.

For further info on this event click here

Irish Game Fair and Country Lifestyle Festival – taking place this weekend (26th – 27th June) at Shanes Castle, Antrim the Irish Game Fair and Country Lifestyle Festival is one of the two great game fairs in Ireland. Attractions include: Clay Shooting – the fair will host a heat of the All Ireland Game Fair Championships and a heat and the final of the Barbour Novice Championships on a new and extended layout beside the Castle. In addition there will be have a go air rifle, shooting games, archery and lazer shooting.

Dog Competitions – Apart from the top competitions for all breeds of gundogs including hosting heats for the All Ireland Game Fair Gundog Handling Championships and heats and the final of the Barbour Novice Hadnling Championships. There will be a gundog scurry, and main arena gundog displays including one by the Irish CLA Team captained by Willie Edgar and sponsored by Calor. The Winners of the Sunday Life Pet Idol Competition will be presented with their prizes and a special treat for all dog owners – main arena displays and an advice facility on the Irish Countrysports and Country Life stand from Keith Mathews the BBC’s famous dog whisperer. New for this year’s show is the Director’s Gundog Challenge and the Fair will host the 22nd Barbour/Irish Countrysports and Country Life All Ireland Terrier & Lurcher Championships.

There are also equine events, Angling events/exhibits, the Medieval Living History Festival, falconry, ferrets and hounds and a huge tented village of trade stands. Again we can’t hope to cover it all here so please do visit the website for more information.

For further info on this event click here.

Shropshire County Show – taking place this weekend (26th – 27th June) at the County Showground in Shrewsbury, the Shropshire County Show offers an action packed weekend. There will be exciting entertainment in the Main Ring for the whole family to enjoy. In the side rings there will be competitions judging cattle, including Hereford, sheep, pigs and equestrian events. The Countryside Arena will hold a dog show and agility display, as well as a llama show. On the showground there will be a display of classic cars and agricultural vehicles, cookery demonstrations in the cookery theatre, craft displays and much, much more.

The Shropshire Food Festival is being launched at the Show this year embracing the theme “From Gate to Plate”. Packed with an abundance of Shropshire produce on display a visit to The Festival is a must! Local suppliers of food to schools will also be at the Show with their produce being put to good use in the working school canteen that will be on display. Other attractions include: Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team, the Red Devils Parachute Regiment Display Team, Grand Parade, Chef’s Table Restaurant, BBC Countryfile – all seven presenters from BBC Countryfile programme will be at the Show on Sunday 27th June to film their Summer Special programme.

For further info on this event click here

Axe Vale Festival – taking place this weekend (26th – 27th June) at the Showground in Axminster, the Axe Vale Festival has attractions including: Craft marquee, trade stands, floral marquee, food hall, antiques and collectibles, horticultural show, children’s entertainment, demonstrations, ferret racing, falconry displays, terrier racing, gundog displays, working lurcher display, live bands, and a display of paintings by the members of Axminster Art Society.

For further info on this event click here

Please always check with show organisers/websites for up to date information on these shows before travelling to events in case of incorrect details, show changes or cancellations.

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Article by Rural Smallholdings Magazine

Interest in local and heritage varieties of fruit trees has grown significantly in recent years, according to Hamid Habibi of the Keepers fruit tree nursery in Kent. Sarah Irving talks to him about growing apple trees and why growing fruit is a good path for the smallholder to go down.

“The growth of interest in local produce has motivated people with a bit of land to try and grow fruit,” says Hamid Habibi. “Fruit is a crop which you can produce as a semi-amateur, if you like – it’s not like trying to grow wheat or other major crops. It can be done on a small scale.”

Habibi has run Keepers Nursery for nearly 20 years, since founder Mike Cook retired.

“It started as a hobby for Mike,” Habibi explains. “He worked for Morley Research Station and was a fruit tree enthusiast. After a while, people started asking him for unusual varieties of apple trees – old varieties or new ones which weren’t commercially available – and he built up a reputation. My wife and I got involved in 1991 because we had some land that the nursery could use.”

Over almost twenty years, Habibi has witnessed the growth of interest in heritage apple varieties and in locally sourced food more generally. He attributes public interest in growing food to rising food prices and then to the current recession.

“Apparently people are spending a lot more time in their own gardens instead of going out and spending money,” he says. “Obviously it makes sense for economic reasons, but its also more interesting to grow things that you then eat.”

This widespread engagement with growing food has meant that Keepers Nursery and other selling a broader range of edible plants have bucked the recessionary trend. “We’ve seen a surge in demand in the last three or four years,” says Hamid Habibi. “And the reports I’m hearing from fellow nurseries is that many of them have had a bumper year too. It’s only December now, which is fairly early, but we’ve already almost sold out of many of our trees this year.”

For aspiring fruit growers – whether smallholders or individuals looking for just one or two orchard trees for their garden – Habibi has some words of advice.

“If you go to your local general nursery or garden centre, the choice you get is extremely limited still and it is mainly pot-grown trees, which are quite honestly not as good as bare root apple trees,” he says. And despite Keepers Nursery’s huge collection of over 600 varieties of apple trees, as well as pears and plums, he urges new growers not to “get too hung up” on the idea of growing local or heritage varieties.

“It’s most important that you pick trees which are going to give a good crop, that are disease resistant and which have nice apples that you and your children are going to like,” he says. “That’s not necessarily going to be local varieties – some are very good, but some are quite indifferent. Quite a lot of commercial varieties are also not that good for small-scale growing, because they don’t have resistance to disease and need spraying. So for an allotment or smallholding, by all means go for a local variety – but only if it fits those other requirements.”

Despite this pragmatic advice, Habibi remains concerned about the fate of some of Britain’s heritage fruit varieties. “We are lucky in this country in that there is still a big national collection at Brogdale, although it’s constantly under threat of extinction from lack of funding,” he says. Keepers Nursery, says Habibi, continues “to try to fill that gap,” supplying unusual types to local authorities, National Trust properties and conservation organisations with a commitment to preserving the huge diversity of Britain’s traditional fruit trees.

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Article by Sarah Irving for Rural Smallholdings Magazine

With the show season now in full swing here’s a round up of smallholding, farming, gardening and outdoor events across the country to enjoy this week.

Royal Cornwall Show – running Thursday to Saturday this week (10th – 12th June) in Wadebridge, Cornwall the Royal Cornwall Show is the premier annual event of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. The famous JCB Dancing Diggers and the Devil’s Horsemen will perform all three days. On Thursday and Friday the RAF Falcons Parachute Display team will be dropping in. Also in the main ring: the Band of HM Royal Marines (Plymouth) showjumping and the exciting inter-hunt relay. See the cattle, sheep, pigs, rare breeds and discover the smaller animals and birds. Attractions include flower show, horses, countryside area, forestry, steam and vintage vehicles, motor fair, agricultural machinery, festival of dance, dog show, rabbit show, goats, full music programme. Over 1,000 trade stands and great food and drink from Cornwall!

For further info on this event click here

Aberystwyth & Ceredigion County Show – taking place tomorrow (12th June) in Aberystwyth, Wales the Aberystwyth and Ceredigion Show is the areas annual agricultural show. This local show attracts many visitors from the surrounding areas, uniting the farming industry and local community. A wide range of events take place from produce and poultry shows through to equestrian. It provides excellent opportunities for local farmers, plant growers, and exhibitors, and is a fun day out that can be enjoyed by all the family.

For further info on this event click here

South of England Show – running from Thursday to Saturday this week (10th – 12th June) in Haywards Heath, West Sussex the South of England Show includes Arena displays – The Sussex Cadet 150 KITKAR Display Team, The Light Cavalry HAC Skill at Arms Display Team, Agricultural Machinery Display, Prize winning British livestock including Cattle Parade each day, Piggy Pranks & Pig Village, Sheep Agility plus the best of British poultry, rabbits, foxhounds and beagles, World Class Show Jumping and Events including 2010 International Stairway Competition, Dinnages Grand Prix Competition, Hackney Horse Driving, Heavy Horses, entertainment and a host of Food and Farming attractions including Cookery Demonstrations and a Regional Food & Wine Pavilion and Food Hall.

For further info on this event click here

The Angus Show – taking place today and tomorrow (11th – 12th June) at Brechin, Angus The Angus Show has attractions including Vintage Vehicle Parades of agricultural and non agricultural vehicles, Pony Club Games, Phoenix Falconry, Grand Parade of Stock, Quad Bike Display, Djembe Drummers, Childrens Races, Highland Dancing Competition along with trade and craft stands.

For further info on this event click here.

Caerwys Agricultural Show – taking place tomorrow (12th June) in Holywell, Flintshire the Caerwys Agricultural Show offers a fantastic day out for all the family with a variety of attractions and entertainment throughout the day. The show gives the general public a chance to watch classes for sheep and cattle in the livestock section. A poultry tent houses one of the biggest poultry shows in North Wales. There are also classes for horses, floral art, photography and produce. The vintage machinery and tractors section boasts a wide range of tractors and stationary engines all lovingly restored by their owners. There are numerous trade stands and food stalls selling everything from plants to hats.

For further info on this event click here

Honley Agricultural Show – taking place tomorrow (12th June) in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire the Honley Show is one of the most prestigious, best attended and well respected rural shows in the country. Now in its 78th year, the Show’s Farnley Tyas showground remains one of the region’s best venues to showcase a stunning range of activities, agricultural events, stands and displays. It provides a fun day out for all the family whether you live in Kirklees, West Yorkshire or the North of England.

For further info on this event click here

The Grampian Country Fair – taking place tomorrow and Sunday (12th – 13th June) in Aberdeenshire, the Grampian Country Fair includes Country pursuits and attractions, shooting, fishing, live music, shopping, crafts, cuisine and much more! Falconry, horse and pony show, vintage vehicles, carriage driving, dogs, children’s entertainments and displays, autographs, Scottish Country Dancing, demonstrations by The Frilly Ghillie, all the fun of the fair and the list goes on. Some of the country’s top Strongmen will join the North East’s very own Strongman Steve Evans to amaze the crowds with superman strength using the heaviest weights and events ever seen on Scottish soil. The Kincardineshire Foxhounds will parade with their master and be on hand to speak to everyone. Pick up some memorabilia at Kevin’s Roupe! Celebrity Mini Highland Games, zip sliding, 5-a-side football, golf and Karting Grand Prix. You can even take a trip in an HJS helicopter and see Aberdeenshire as you’ve never seen it before. Bring your own dogs for the Gundogs Scurry!

On Saturday only the cast and team from TV’s Emmerdale will be at the show to raise vital funds for The Anthony Nolan Trust – helping take back lives from leukaemia.

For further info on this event click here

Clonakilty Agricultural Show – taking place this Sunday (13th June) in Clonakilty, Co Cork the Clonakilty Agricultural Show offers a great day out for all the family. This years attractions include Tractor Pulling Competition, Ricks Plant Hire “Hook a Duck” Competition, Balance a Quad Bike Competition, Na Fianna’s open air concert and much more.

For further info on this event click here

BBC Gardeners World Live – taking place next week from Wednesday to Sunday (16th to 20th June) at the NEC in Birmingham the BBC Gardeners World Live Show in association with the Royal Horticultural Society offers access to the top gardening celebrities including the all new Ask The Experts Stage, Gardeners Questions Time sessions, RHS Floral Marquee, Floristry Masterclasses, Show Gardens, A Taste of Greenacre, Countryfile Magazine Area, Plant Avenue, Plant Swap, and the BBC Summer Good Food Show.

For further info on this event click here

Please always check with show organisers/websites for up to date information on these shows before travelling to events in case of incorrect details, show changes or cancellations.

Got a smallholding, farming or gardening event you would like to promote on this site? Write and tell us all about it by clicking here.

Article by Rural Smallholdings Magazine

Some varieties of strawberries produce so many runners that a smallholder never has to worry about multiplying strawberry plants. The plants themselves do all the work. This is typical for the June bearing varieties. Unfortunately, June bearing strawberries give you one crop and then go on to put all their energy into runners.

You can choose an assortment of June bearing strawberry varieties so your harvest season lasts longer, but there is a downside. No two varieties of strawberry quite tastes the same or preserves the same. Once your favorite variety finished producing on your smallholding each year, you won’t have fresh strawberries with that same flavour again for another year.

Day neutral and everbearing strawberries are different. If you find an everbearing strawberry variety that you really like, you can expect it put on two crops each year. Some energy will go into runner production, but more of the plant’s energy will go into fruit production.

Day neutral strawberries put almost all their energy into fruit production. Every three weeks from the onset of warm weather, you can expect a flavourful crop to develop every three to four weeks, especially if you keep the fruit picked, the garden well nourished with compost and watered just enough to keep the soil moist but not enough to keep the plants waterlogged (about 1-inch of water per week).

If you want to have a predictable supply of strawberries available all the way into the autumn, you’ll want to multiply your own day-neutral varieties. This can be far less expensive than ordering the typical minimum wholesale order of a 1000 plants, if you don’t have enough room to plant four 15-metre rows of strawberries (at least 4 x 15 metres overall). It is also very risky to order a 1000 plants of a strawberry you have never grown before (one recommendation I tried had less flavour than the grocery store strawberries shipping in from South American—an expensive lesson).

Day neutral strawberries produce very few runners unless you take action to encourage runner production. That action is very simple. First, you use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Organic sources include alfalfa meal and composted chicken manure. This encourages plant growth and discourages flowering. Then you don’t allow the strawberry plants to produce fruit. Every time the strawberry flowers, you clip the flowers off between your fingernails. (This is good practice the first year after you plant anyway.) Allow any runners that develop to root down.

If you want to confirm that you will like the strawberry variety you’ve selected, allow the most robust plant to set fruit in the middle of the summer, remembering that higher nitrogen levels do “dilute” the flavor of the strawberry. This way you can decide if continuing your efforts is worthwhile for the next year.

During the second year, go ahead and allow the strawberry plants to set one initial crop of fruit. Then clip of the flowers for the balance of the growing season. This will encourage all the plant’s energy to go into runner production.

It is very easy to turn a patch of day neutral strawberries into a strong income generator for a smallholding U-pick operation. We generated over £500 each summer just from strawberry sales off our four 15 meter rows of day neutral strawberries. Then we were able to produce value added products that generated additional income from the less marketable strawberries—fresh strawberry tarts, jams and dried strawberries.

So find a space on your smallholding that you are willing to keep weed-free and dedicated to strawberry plant production. It will pay for itself.

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Article by Denise Rutledge for Rural Smallholdings Magazine

With a welcome return of the sunshine predicted for this weekend (it’s absolutely pouring here!), here’s a round up of smallholding, farming, gardening and outdoor events across the country to enjoy in the sunshine.

Ballymena Show – running tomorrow (29th May) in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland the Ballymena Show promises something for everyone this year with competitions for Horses, Ponies, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Poultry and Crafts, Trade Stands with Cosmetics, Painting, Ceramics, Health Products, Baking, Jewellery, Handbags, Cars, Machinery, Garden Equipment, Books, and Horticulture. A chance to test your skills at Archery and Air Rifle Shooting while the Young Farmers have fun and games to win prize money for charity – lots of water will be involved.

For further info on this event click here

The Hays Festival – continuing all this week until Sunday (27th May to 6th June) in Hay on Wye, Wales The Hay Festival is a gathering in the staggering beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Every year, around 80,000 visitors flock to Hay-on-Wye for the town’s annual literary festival. The programme of events is so packed we could never do it justice here so please do visit the website to find out more.

For further info on this event click here

Heathfield & District Agricultural Show – taking place tomorrow (29th May) in Broad Oak, Heathfield, East Sussex the Heathfield & District Agricultural Show is the premier one day agricultural show in the South East. The Show has cattle, pig, horse and sheep programmes as well as over 200 trade stands and Country Ways displays and demonstrations including Bee Keeping, Fly Dressing and Fishing, Heavy Horse Display, Hounds Display, Lace Making, Plumpton Forestry Display, Rush, Cane and Cord seating demonstrations, Saddlery, Sussex Young Farmers and many more.

For further info on this event click here

Baston & District Spring Show – taking place tomorrow (29th May) at Grimsthorpe Castle Park, Lincolnshire, the Baston & District Spring Show is a one day equestrian event taking place in the beautiful surroundings of the Castle Park. As well as the equestrian competitions there will be ‘have a go’ dog agility running all day and refreshments available.

For further info on this event click here and here.

Cothi Bridge Show – taking place tomorrow (29th May) in Llanegwad, Carmarthenshire the Cothi Bridge Show has cattle, sheep and horse classes as well as a Ladies Section including handicrafts, preserves, cookery, floral art, photography and rural crafts sections, a children’s section and a Companion Dog Show.

For further info on this event click here

Hertfordshire County Show – taking place tomorrow and Sunday (29th – 30th May) in St Albans, Hertfordshire, the Hertfordshire County Show promises something for everyone this year with attractions to include: the Devils Horseman on Saturday and due to popular demand, The Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcycle Team will return on Sunday in the Grand Ring, The All Human Festival Circus,
The Royal British Legion Band, The Chiltern Vehicle Preservation Group, The Morden Hall Alpacas, Mr C O’Donnell’s Eagle & Vulture Show, The Sheep Show ( 4 performances throughout the day), Racing Herts Flyball Team, Rockwood Dog Display Team, Country Craft Displays and much much more. All childrens entertainment is free.

For further info on this event click here

Melton Mowbray Show – taking place this Bank Holiday Monday (31st May) in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, the Melton Mowbray Show promises a day packed full of attractions to include: the famous Gardening Question Time Roadshow, Quack Pack Sheepdog display, Ridgeside Falconry display, Llama racing, Royal Artillery Flying Gunners Motorcycle Display Team, Rockin Horse ‘Orc’ Show, the biggest Motor Show ever, trade and charity exhibits and much more.

For further info on this event click here

Northumberland County Show – taking place this Bank Holiday Monday (31st May) in Tyndale Park, Corbridge, the Northumberland County Show is expected to attract 25,000 visitors this year with attractions including: Showing Classes for Cattle, Sheep, Light Horses, Heavy Horses, Goats, Alpacas, Shearing, KC Dogs, Poultry, Rabbits, Stick dressing, Competitive Home Crafts, Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, The Journal ‘TASTE’ event with top North East Chefs, 300 Trade Stands – from large Agricultural Machinery, to delicate crafts, Falconry Display and static displays, Grand Parade of Livestock, Spectacular Main Arena IMPS Motorcycle Display Team, Full working Milking Parlour, Horse Shoeing Demonstration, Live Music, Irish Dancers, Meet the Hounds, Beekeeping demonstration, Funfair, Stick dressing and hedgelaying demonstrations, RAF Battle Of Britain Memorial Fly Past featuring the Spitfire, the show promises something for everyone.

For further info on this event click here

Surrey County Show – taking place this Bank Holiday Monday (31st May) in Stoke Park, Guildford, the Surrey County Show is the largest one day agricultural show in the UK attracting up to 40,000 visitors. First and foremost, Surrey County Show celebrates farming. So come and see the pick of the crop, the cream of the herd, the pride of the flock, beautifully presented and in hot competition for rosettes and trophies. Some of the farmers have been competing at Surrey County Show for more than half a century – a magnificent tradition of pride in quality animal husbandry. Come to the show and become a part of the Surrey farming experience.

Other attractions include: The daring aerial stunts of the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Team, Pony Club Games, Osborne Refrigerator Scurry Driving Classes return again this year with teams of ponies galloping round a challenging obstacle course, NEW for 2010 is the Pig Racing Championships, complementing Surrey’s increasingly popular Pig showing classes, Gamegoer Working Dog and Hawk Display, Huxley Experience Falconry display, the great Cattle Parade, the spectacular Hot Air Balloon Challenge (weather permitting) will lift off at the end of the finale in the grand arena.

The Countryside Arena will feature the Huxley Experience Falconry Display, and fly-fishing as well as working dogs and hawks and pig racing followed by the Battersea Dogs Home Companion Dog Show. At the Food Theatre and Surrey Food Festival, visitors can not only find out about growing their own vegetables but also explore the harvest of the deep! Pigs of all shapes and sizes are enjoying an exciting comeback at Surrey for the Smallholder Pig Event. There is so much going on we cannot do it justice here so please do visit the website to find out more.

For further info on this event click here

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Article by Rural Smallholdings Magazine

With a heatwave predicted for this weekend, here’s a round up of smallholding, farming, gardening and outdoor events across the country to enjoy in the sunshine.

Devon County Show – taking place from Thursday to Saturday (20th-22nd May) in Westpoint, Exeter the Devon County Show promises a great day out for all the family. Traditional attractions include magnificent livestock, wonderful food and drink, inspiring flower and garden displays, marvellous crafts, stalls offering a wealth of goods, and lots of traditional entertainment in six rings.

New for this year’s show, Children’s feature FunForKidz is bursting with hands-on activity for lively youngsters; everything from planting seeds to baking bread, milking Daisy, weaving willow wands, seeing chicks hatch, watching Tractor Ted DVDs and petting Crealy’s tame animals. ‘Indulgence, fashion & lifestyle’ is a pavilion offering demonstrations and fashion shows as well as lots of trade stands.

Enjoy delicious and wholesome food: Westcountry food and drink producers bring the great taste of the countryside to the table with their affordable and tempting produce.

And for farmers and smallholders there’s livestock to see, machinery to ogle, suppliers to chat to and old faces to bump into!

There’s so much going on – don’t forget the equine competitions and dog show! Children go Free on Saturday when accompanied by an adult.

For further info on this event click here

Otley Show – running Saturday this week (22nd May) in Otley, West Yorkshire the Otley Show attracts an average 12000 visitors plus exhibitors in Cattle, Sheep, Horses, Goats, Poultry, Dogs, Rabbits, Produce, Handicrafts, Floral Art and Farriers. In excess of 100 Trade Stand Exhibitors and 40+ Craft Exhibitors also attend the show.

This year sees the 201st Show and amongst the many attractions will be Jason Smyth, with the Adrenaline Tour Stunt Show, Richard Savory with The Sheep Show, Les Dixon with his Mountgrace Gundogs and Ben Potter’s Birds of Prey.

For further info on this event click here

Althorp House Craft and Country Show – running all this weekend (22nd – 23rd May) in Althorp, Northampton entertainment will include the Horkesley Park Suffolk Punch Horse Demonstration Team, birds of prey flying displays, The Sheep Show – an educational as well as fun show, working and agility dogs, Newfoundland Dogs, as well as rural demonstrations . Arts, craft and gift marquees as well as lifestyle and food hall stands will give you the chance to sample and buy unique products.

Also on Sunday at this event, they’re proud to host the Companion Dog Show – so bring along a canine friend and have a go! (And all proceeds from entries will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care).

For further info on this event click here

RHS Chelsea Flower Show – running from this coming Tuesday to Saturday (25th – 29th May) the World’s most famous flower show should need no introduction, but we hope you have your tickets already as they are now SOLD OUT!

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NBA Beef Expo – taking place this coming Thursday (27th May) in Hexham, Northumberland Beef Expo is the National Beef Association’s annual flagship event and is held at a different venue each year with a comprehensive programme of technical, practical and livestock demonstrations, competitions, seminars, beef breed displays, trade stands and educational exhibits and a strong commercial focus.

Every corner of the available exhibition area at Hexham Mart has been taken up with live displays by 22 beef breed societies and 150 trade stands.

The theme of this year’s Beef Expo is “The Way Forward” and a special feature will be the National Spring Spectacular Show of cattle which proved a major success at last year’s event at the Three Counties Showground and has this year attracted an entry of 110 cattle from 35 exhibitors, as well as 13 entries in the young handlers’ section. The show will be judged by leading Scottish beef cattle producer, Archie McGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, Glasgow.

For further info on this event click here

The Hay Festival – taking place next week from Thursday to the following Sunday (27th May to 6th June) in Hay on Wye, Wales The Hay Festival is a gathering in the staggering beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Every year, around 80,000 visitors flock to Hay-on-Wye for the town’s annual literary festival. The programme of events is so packed we could never do it justice here so please do visit the website to find out more.

For further info on this event click here

Ballymena Show – running Friday and Saturday next week (28th – 29th May) in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland the Ballymena Show promises something for everyone this year with competitions for Horses, Ponies, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Poultry and Crafts, Trade Stands with Cosmetics, Painting, Ceramics, Health Products, Baking, Jewellery, Handbags, Cars, Machinery, Garden Equipment, Books, and Horticulture. A chance to test your skills at Archery and Air Rifle Shooting while the Young Farmers have fun and games to win prize money for charity – lots of water will be involved.

For further info on this event click here

SWHP Bluebell Dog Walk – taking place this Sunday (23rd May) and starting at Trostry Lodge, Bettws Newydd, Usk The Society For The Welfare of Horses and Ponies invites you and your dog or doggies to a dog walk. Registration 2.30 for 3 p.m. the walk starts at Trostry Lodge, Bettws Newydd, Near Clytha Park just off old A40 Raglan to Abergavenny Road. £5 per dog to include gorgeous rosette, teas and refreshments also available. All funds go to the SWHP a registered charity.

For further info on this event click here

Got a smallholding, farming or gardening event you would like to promote on this site? Write and tell us all about it by clicking here.

Article by Rural Smallholdings Magazine

In case you missed our previous posting, the BBC are currently seeking participants for an exciting new Smallholding/Farming series to be shown on BBC2. There is still time, just, to apply so if think you could fit the bill and be one of the couples they are seeking, apply now by sending an email with your name to:

farm@splashmediatv.co.uk

an application form will then be emailed out to you. The deadline for applications is 28th April 2010. Good luck!

The series will feature ten couples or pairs (married couples / siblings / friends etc.) who would like to grasp the opportunity to change their lives forever and run a farm/small holding. The programme will see the ten couples learn all the basics they need before decamping to a farm in the beautiful British countryside where they will be challenged in all areas of farm life, from animal husbandry to coping with the unpredictable summer weather.

They are looking for couples of all ages and relationships (married couples / siblings / friends etc.) who are serious about wanting to change their lives and who will relish farm life. Whether it’s a love of animals, a passion for gardening, an interest in sustainability and food provenance or a general lust for all things outdoors, they want to hear from anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes to take on this lifestyle-transforming project.

They are especially looking for people who may already have some experience in working or volunteering with animals, food or nature, just some kind of demonstrated interest that would make them a credible and hopefully successful small holding partnership.

The series will culminate in the winning pair getting the opportunity to live and work on their own small farm.

Still looking for Your Smallholding? Visit Greenshifters for the latest smallholdings for sale, rent and exchange.

Article by Rural Smallholdings Magazine