We're spoilt for choice when it comes to leisure activities over the next week, with lots of family-orientated events going on within easy travelling distance of Haddenham.
Here are some obvious choices, with links to full details below:
- Bucks County Show
- Live in the Park
- Towersey Festival
- Dinton Village Fete
Bucks County Show – Thursday 27th August
The Bucks County Show takes place all day on Thursday 27th August, at the showground in Weedon Park, Weedon, which is located on the A413 between Aylesbury and Whitchurch. The postcode for Satellite Navigation is HP22 4NN.
The Bucks County Show is one of the best one day agricultural shows in the country and one of Bucks' main summer attractions.
This year in the Main Ring the show will welcome back the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Stunt Team who will perform twice. Only recently they stared on ITV's 'Britain's Got Talent'. A list of all the other attractions, and details of how to book discounted tickets in advance can be found here.
Live in the Park – Saturday 29th August
Vale Park in Aylesbury will be the venue for a continuous live music gig performed on a large outdoor stage on Saturday 29th August, from 12 noon until 8.30pm. Headline artist will be 1980's pop star TOYAH and a number of fantastic local bands playing an array of musical styles and genres: from rockabilly, punk and new wave to well-known pop and rock covers, as well as their own songs.
In addition to the attractive line up of live bands the entire family can enjoy traditional fun fair rides such as Helter Skelter, Chair-o-planes, Mega Slide, children's Swing Boats, Teacup Ride and Bouncy Castle, all for free.
Local bars and food suppliers will also be in the park, for you to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat whilst soaking up the summer sun, listening to live music and having fun with your friends and family.
During over nine and half hours of live music you will be entertained by TOYAH, Platform Soul, El Bronson, Whirlwind, The Synthetix, Old Country Union and Bustin' Loose. Katie Buckhaven, Kitty Roisin, Raving Wild, Georgie Bird, James Manders and Paul Adams are our local singers and songwriters.
This promises to be a great day out for all. Bring your friends, family and a picnic if you would like, to enjoy a jam packed day of FREE entertainment in the beautiful Vale Park.
As parking beside Vale Park is limited the town council advises the use of public transport and local taxis to get to the venue or use town centre car parks.
There will be a selection of bars and caterers where you can purchase soft and alcoholic drinks along with hot and cold food. If you would like to bring your own picnics and drinks then please only use plastic containers as glass is not permitted at the event.
For further information call Aylesbury Town Council on 01296 425678
Towersey Festival – Friday 28-Monday 31st August
The large and very popular Towersey Festival takes place from Friday 28th to Monday 31st August, at the Thame Showground, on Kingsey Rd, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3JL.
An annual highlight of the UK's cultural calendar since 1965, the 'Visit Britain: Best of British Festival' is headlined by legendary songwriter Joan Armatrading, multi-award-winning folk big band Bellowhead and Oxford's much lauded Stornoway, plus Show Of Hands and Sally Barker.
Over 60 stalls offer gifts and goodies, from handmade soaps, unique jewellery and clothing, to garden herbs, while Towersey Real Ale and Cider Festival, well stocked with acclaimed and award-winning beverages from leading local independent brewers, presents the perfect accompaniment to the array of delicious street foods, courtesy of local artisan producers.
As always, there's also a range of free performances and activities aimed squarely at families, with art, craft, science and circus workshops, face painting, games, singing, dancing, storytelling and more.
Among the free performances are Reckless Invention's Comedy Waiters, Bite-Sized Circus' Lukey Luck and Evie Mischievey, the unhinged Sid Bowfin, and ground-breaking dance company Folk Dance Remixed, whose performances fuse traditional folk dance with hip hop styles and live music.
The Showground Bar Stage also returns, with Thame's First Thursday Music Club hosting a variety of invited guests, including The August List, Papa Truck and 2am Blue.
Towersey regulars will also see a number of changes to the new site, including a new Creative Quarter, improved site lay out and improved site access.
Families and visitors can enjoy a great day out with a Towersey Festival Taster Experience ticket. The Taster Experience ticket allows visitors to immerse themselves in a day's worth of great music, inspiring workshops and demonstrations, entertaining performances, and good food and drink – all for just £8/£9 (adult) and £4 (child). They are available in advance from Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame, or at the festival's Box Office, on the day (from 10am-6pm).
Car parking is free, while there's also a red London Routemaster bus shuttle running regularly between Thame and Towersey throughout the festival.
If you are attending, why not also check out the festival's big main stages with tickets from £30/£14 per day, or upgrade to a full festival ticket (£55-£135 with major discounts for Thame and Towersey residents) and enjoy such acclaimed acts as Joan Armatrading and Bellowhead, plus some great films, spoken word activities, and dancing. Under 5s are free.
For further information, call 01629 827016 or see here.
Dinton Village Fete – Monday 31st August
Dinton is holding its annual village fete on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, from 1.30 pm to approx. 4.30pm The location is the Dinton parish field, HP17 8QU.
Main attractions include a Dakota fly-past (weather permitting) the brilliant award winning colonel custard, Bletchington Silver Band, traditional games and challenges, stalls, books, plants, preserves and garden produce, bric-a-brac, BBQ, a beer tent, wonderful teas and cakes, a children's challenge, inter-village challenge tug-of-war, and tag rugby.
