Local interest | MAY 2017 Photograph by Helen Boosey
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or a marvellous day-out with a wildlife theme and a vintage twist, visit the Floral Fringe Fair 2017 which takes place at Knepp Castle in Shipley on the weekend of June 3rd and 4th from 10.30am to 5pm. The overall theme of the fair is our native wildlife and how to encourage it into the garden but the fair has grown and developed into much more than that. It is about everything that is quintessentially English and quirky; it’s about celebrating the outdoors, gardens and gardening; and it’s about talented craftspeople and artists of today as well as the craftspeople of a bygone era (represented by vintage stalls and classic cars). You can expect over 130 quality stalls hailing from Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire including specialist nurseries and experts on wildlife such as honeybees, insects, birds and bats. Many stallholders have actually made what they sell and so are able to talk with first hand knowledge and passion about their product. We also have many vintage stalls selling items made by craftspeople from the past. All of our stallholders are independent, small businesses and not many of them have card machine facilities so please remember to bring lots of cash to the fair. The fair is becoming something of a foodies favourite and there will be plenty of stalls selling a wide range of food including: gourmet fishfinger sandwiches with nori batter, freshly baked pizzas, vegetarian organic bhajis and pakoras, quiches, pies, cheeses, breads and smoked meat. If that doesn’t whet your appetite, what about 3 2 | B N 5 M A GA ZINE
fruit smoothies, coffee, teas, cakes, ice cream, chocolates, marshmallows or fudge? There are many picnic spots by the beautiful lake - why not bring your retro picnic basket and rug and buy all the ingredients for your picnic from the numerous street food stalls at the fair, or eat in our fabulous pop-up tearoom. Well-behaved dogs on leads positively welcomed and there will be several stalls selling delicious doggy treats, plus handmade collars and leads. On the Knepp Estate there are free-roaming cattle, sheep, ponies, geese and deer which may have young, so leads are essential for dogs at all times. Knepp Castle is the subject of an unusual and nationally important re-wilding project and there will be the chance to learn more about this at the fair. Wildlife safaris have recently been launched on the Estate and there is a well-equipped luxury campsite. The beautiful private gardens at Knepp Castle, designed by Georgia Langton, will be especially open during the fair. Entry is £6.50 per person, £1 for children under 14 and children under 4 free. If arriving in a classic or vintage pre-1975 vehicle, entry is £5.50 each for the first two occupants. Classic and vintage vehicles will have a specially allocated parking area. If arriving in such a vehicle, dressing in appropriate fashion is especially encouraged. Even if not arriving in a classic car, dressing in style is welcome! Jean Jackman
Want to know more? Go to www.henfieldbn5.co.uk