Whats Ons

WHAT’S ON SEPTEMBER

& OCTOBER

We aim for accuracy but do check with the venue before setting out in case details have changed after print... And don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families West Kent.

For Half-term and Halloween activities see our special guide on pages 8&9

September

2 SEPT (every Monday in term time) 11-11:30am Storytime at Knole Green Court, Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP Storytime in Knole’s bookshop. Enjoy short stories and nursery rhymes: suitable for under-5s. Free event. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

5 SEPT 8pm-10pm Bat Walk Ightham Mote, Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT Learn all about the species of bats living at Ightham Mote on this evening walk. Paid event. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ightham-mote

5-8 SEPT 9:30am-5pm Contemporary Craft Fair Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG Craft in Focus have chosen specific designers for their individuality and innovation in contemporary design. Plus live music, children’s activities and the Yew and Water mazes. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

7 SEPT Dragon Boat Festival Bewl Water, Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH Annual dragon boat racing with crews of 16 paddlers (plus a drummer) racing in Chinese-style dragon boats over a 250-metre course. Food & drink and cake stalls, competitions and more. Info at www.bewlwater.co.uk

7 & 8 SEPT 10am-6pm Taste of Kent Food Festival Bradbourne House, New Road, East Malling, ME19 6DZ Artisan producers from Kent, food demos with top chefs and stars of the great British Bake off. Cookery masterclasses and children’s entertainment along with performances on the main stage. Paid event. Info at www.tasteofkent.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

Send your events in to editor@familieswestkent.co.uk by October 1 and if we have space we will try to include them

7 & 8 SEPT 10am-10pm (7th), 10am-6pm (8th) Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU Sample up to 50 varieties of beer and cider, see the last coal-fired Oast House in Britain and have a go at picking hops by hand. Festival with a variety of live local music. Paid event. Info at www.kentlife.org.uk

8 SEPT 10am-4pm Kent’s Classic Car Show The Friars, Aylesford, ME20 7BY A showcasing of classic cars, motorcycles, sports and exotics cars. Also Auto Jumble. Small admission fee applies; under-16s go free. Info at www.kentsclassiccarshow.co.uk

8 SEPT 12.30-2.30pm Family Dog Show & BBQ Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Riverhill, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RR Family dog show with fun classes for all abilities, plus food stalls and bar. Info at www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

8 SEPT 9am-5pm Ford Power Live Brands Hatch Brands Hatch Circuit, Fawkham, Longfield, DA3 8NG From classics to brand new models, from US legends to European icons, every Ford imaginable will be welcomed and celebrated. Info at www.brandshatch.co.uk

8 SEPT 10am-3:30pm Musical Day: Moana Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP Singing and dance tutors help to create a musical medley in

just one day. The medley will then be performed to an audience of parents and friends at the end of the day. Info at www.trinitytheatre.net

UNTIL 8 SEPT 10am-6pm A Pirate’s Life for Me The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, ME4 4TZ Fun for all the family including a touring exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood. Info at thedockyard.co.uk

13 SEPT – 18 OCT 9:45-11:45am Nature Tots Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH Nature Tots is based on Forest School, specifically for pre-school age children. Paid event – 6-week course. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org. uk/events

13 SEPT Doors open 6:30pm; film starts 7:30pm Outdoor cinema: Christopher Robin Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP See Christopher Robin on the big screen at Knole. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

13 SEPT 4pm Toy Stories - Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra The Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra present their annual family concert. This year the theme is ‘Toys’ including Leopold Mozart’s Toy Symphony and excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

13 SEPT 7-9pm Astronomy Evening Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, TN8 7AR Join the Edenbridge and District Astronomers for an evening looking at the night sky in the farmyard. Paid event. Info at www.boreplace.org

14 SEPT Doors open 6:30pm; film starts 7:30pm Outdoor cinema: Cinderella Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP See Cinderella on the big screen at Knole. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

14 & 15 SEPT 9:30am-5pm Paws in the Park Kent Showground, Detling, ME14 3JF Activities, games, and dog sports from agility to water sports; dog competitions including heelwork to music, novelty dog show classes and Best in Show! Info at www.pawsinthepark.net

15 SEPT 10:30am The Larkfield 10k and 5k East Malling Research Centre, New Road, East Malling, ME19 6DD This event near Maidstone has been a popular race for many years in the Kent running calendar. Info at www.larkfieldac.co.uk

20 SEPT 6:30-8:30pm Bat Walk Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, TN8 7AR After a short introduction, you’ll be guided on a night walk around Bore Place farm using bat detectors to listen out for bats as they leave their roosts and fly out to catch insects. Paid event. Info at www.boreplace.org

21 SEPT 10am-4pm Young Readers’ Festival Hosted by Sevenoaks Bookshop. Held at The Drive Methodist Church, The Drive, Sevenoaks, TN13 3AB and Marquee on the Vine, Sevenoaks, TN13 3SY A day of bookish events for families and children, with workshops, author visits and activities. Info at www.sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/ young-readers-festival/

21 & 22 SEPT 11am-6pm Royal Tunbridge Wells Food & Drink Festival Calverley Grounds, Mount Pleasant Avenue, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1RG Try, taste and buy from more than 75 stallholders selling a range of food and drink produced in and around Kent and from across the globe. Info at www.visittunbridgewells.com

To advertise in our November/December 2019 issue contact editor@familieswestkent.co.uk 079801 18626. Booking deadline October 1, artwork deadline October 5.

21 & 22 SEPT 11am-5pm CactusWorld LIVE - A Succulent Adventure Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford, DA4 0JA A cactus show, a variety of stalls and children’s attractions, as well as authentic Mexican food and music from a Mariachi band. Kids under 15 go free. Info at www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk/events

26 SEPT 4:30pm Leeds Castle 5k with Dame Kelly Holmes Run with Dame Kelly Holmes in this celebration of running at Leeds Castle, plus a mini event village and music. Paid event. Info at www.sportingeventsuk.com

28 SEPT 10am-4pm Apple and Orchard Day Ightham Mote, Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT Celebrate the Garden of England with apple tasting and stalls. Admission fee applies. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ighthammote

October

For Half-term and Halloween activities see our special guide on pages 8&9

5 & 6 OCT 10am-5pm Apple and Cider Fayre Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU Up to 35 varieties of apples will be on sale to try and buy. You can also watch the traditional process of apple pressing. Live local music, cider tent, demonstrations & tours, local Morris dancers, apple crafts for children and more. Paid event. Info at www.kentlife.org.uk

12 & 13 OCT 11am-5pm Autumn Extravaganza (inc Fine Food Festival) Great Comp Gardens, Comp Lane, St Mary’s Platt, TN15 8QS Now in its 7th year, this includes the Fine Food Festival and features artisan food producers and specialist nurseries. Paid event. Info at www.greatcompgarden.co.uk

WHAT’S ON THEATRE & DANCE

4 SEPT 1:30pm

Dear Zoo Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP Child-engaging puppets, music and audience interaction. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres. co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre

15 SEPT 2:30pm

Suddenly Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP From the illustrated chapter book adaptation, SUDDENLY…! AND OTHER STORIES. Join Really Big Pants Theatre Company for a fun twist on traditional tales. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres. co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre

22 SEPT 2:30pm

Goldilocks and Friends Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP The animals and people that live in the Friendly Forest agree that Mummy Bear’s porridge is delicious, that Red Riding Hood’s cheese & karate loving Grandma can knit the finest cloak and that the Three Little Pigs give the best house warming parties. Suitable for ages 4-8. Info at www.trinitytheatre.net

25 SEPT 12noon

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy The Plaza, The Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ The UK’s premier baby friendly comedy club is coming to The Stag Plaza! Featuring the funniest comedy stars from the circuit and TV. We provide soft flooring, toys and baby changing at all of our venues, so that your baby is happy and you can relax, have a coffee (or a cheeky G and T if you prefer!) and be entertained! We feature two acts, plus a compere, with a 15 minute interval, and the whole show will last approx. 75 minutes. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk or call box office on 01732 450175.

29 SEPT 11:30am & 2pm

Monstersaurus E M Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, TN9 1JP Energetic show with original music and plenty of audience participation. Suitable age 3+. Info at www.emftheatre.com

3-6 OCT am & pm performances Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LU Horrible Histories live on stage. Using actors and 3D special effects, historical figures and events will come alive on stage. Info at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

4 OCT 11.00am

Baby Broadway Family Concert The Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ Sing and dance along to songs from popular musicals and films such as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Frozen and many more. There are interactive elements such as bubbles, a puppet, actions and plenty to sing and dance along to. Open to all ages from newborns to school age to grandparents, concert lasts approximately 45 minutes, doors open 15 minutes before start time. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk or call box office on 01732 450175.

4 & 5 OCT 5:30pm (4th), 2:30pm (5th) Horrible Histories:

Awful Egyptians Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LU Horrible Histories live on stage. Using actors and 3D special effects, historical figures and events will come alive on stage. Info at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

7-9 OCT 4:30pm (7th), 11am & 2pm (8th & 9th)

Mr. Men and Little Miss Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP Join your favourite Mr. Men and Little Miss characters in this live stage show. Featuring Mr. Bump, Little Miss Splendid, Mr. Tickle, Little Miss Inventor and many more. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/ Hazlitt-Theatre

22 OCT 7.30pm Vienna Festival Ballet presents Snow White Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ World premiere choreography propels this timeless fairytale and answers the question: who is the fairest one of all? Based on the traditional Grimm brothers’ story, this ballet incorporates all the important elements – a beautiful girl, an enchanted mirror, a poisoned apple. Hip-hopping dwarves help Snow White find her Prince Charming. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

24 & 25 OCT 2pm & 7:30pm

Peter Pan Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP J.M. Barrie’s original stage play of a modern fairytale about Wendy Darling, her two brothers, and their adventures with Peter Pan. Info at www.trinitytheatre.net