September offers everything from music and drama to country fairs, floral displays and steam engines
Throughout September
Conan Doyle Month
Groombridge Place is be celebrating its connections with the famous writer and creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with a special programme of tours, talks and performances. These include The Homecoming Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery and Dinner (19 Sep); Sherlock Holmes: The myth and the facts talk with Dr Antony Richards (19 Sep); and theatre event Oh yeah! I remember Sir Arthur… (25, 26 and 27 Sep). Advance booking for these events is essential.
Tickets: £2.50 to £40 (depending on event)
01892 861444
Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN3 9QG
Trio of talent
Fiona Abrahams, lecturer at Hadlow College, will be teaching a new course to give you confidence in your garden, talented local artist Kaidy Lewis is back teaching a four-week painting course at Godinton and finally, Brenda Burgess, who used the gardens as inspiration to explore the qualities of clay sculpture earlier in the year, will return on 24 Sep with her new theme Shapes in the Garden Space.
Tickets: Contact venue
Fiona.abrahams1@btinternet.com (Fiona Abrahams); kaidy246lewis@btinternet.com (Kaidy Lewis); www.brendaburgessarts.co.uk (Brenda Burgess); 01233 643854 (Godinton House)
Godinton House & Gardens, Ashford
Satnav: TN23 3BP
3 Sep
The Beaux Stratagem
As part of the NT Live broadcast season, Simon Godwin (Man and Superman) directs George Farquhar’s comedy of love and cash.
Tickets: £14; £12 (concs). 01732 304241
EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School
Satnav: TN9 1JP
4 Sep
Andy Fairweather Low
Andy Fairweather Low is the guitarist and vocalist of choice for a phenomenal cast list of musical luminaries, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Elton John and hundreds more. Seize the chance to see a musical legend in action with a supremely talented band.
Tickets: £22. 01304 370220. The Astor Theatre, Deal. Satnav: CT14 6AB
4 Sep
Abba Reunion Tribute
Starring the original Frida from the London West End cast of The Abba Reunion Tribute Show, the show gives fans of the Swedish pop group the chance to re-live the addictive Abba phenomena that swept the airwaves and dominated discos during the 70s and 80s. From Mamma Mia to Dancing Queen, all of the greatest hits are wheeled out.
Tickets: £19.50 to £23.90. 0844 871 3015
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. Satnav: CT20 2DZ
4 to 6 Sep
Talk of the Town
Celebrate the hidden histories of Westerham and Crockham Hill through a rich selection of music and theatrical interplay. Visitors will be able to interact with costumed characters, from Sir Winston Churchill’s chauffeur to the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. The event ends in a street procession.
Tickets: From free
www.visitwesterham.org.uk/whats-on
Satnav: TN16
5 Sep
Chas & Dave
Due to the huge success of 2014’s On The Road UK tour, the legendary duo is back in Kent, promoting the critically acclaimed That’s What Happens album, which was recorded in Studio 2, Abbey Road (The Beatles room) with Grammy winning bluesman Joe Henry on production duties.
Tickets: £24.50 to £28.50. 01322 220000
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Satnav: DA1 1ED
8 to 12 Sep
Avenue Q
This charming musical tells the story of the loveable characters on a downtown New York street trying to make sense of life’s burning issues. Hilarious, cheeky and entertaining, with a terrific batch of songs performed by a cast of hugely talented performers and puppets, Avenue Q is a musical like no other.
Tickets: From £15. 0844 871 7620
Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Satnav: BR1 1HA
9 Sep
Blooms at Belmont
A follow-up to last year’s event, but with a twiggy twist. The session will begin with a demo using ?owers freshly picked from the gardens and then move on.
Tickets: £50 (per person). 01795 890202
Belmont House, Faversham
Satnav: ME13 0HH
10 to 19 Sep; 24 Sep to 6 Oct
Magna Carta Rediscovered
2015 is the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta. Faversham’s valuable and rarely displayed copy of the Magna Carta will be the centrepiece of this exhibition, which has been on a tour of Kent this summer.
Tickets: Free
Maison Dieu, Dover (10 to 19 Sep); Jury Room, Guildhall, Sandwich (24 Sep to 6 Oct)
0370 333 1181 (Maison Dieu); 01304 617197 (Jury Room, Guildhall)
Satnav: ME13 8NS (Maison Dieu); CT13 9AH (Jury Room, Guildhall)
11 to 13 Sep
Hand-made, Home-grown
Celebrate all things hand-made and home-grown in the heart of the Kent countryside. Watch demonstrations from skilled craftsmen and meet makers, artisans and local artists.
Tickets: £9 to £42.50. 01732 865224
Hever Castle, Edenbridge
Satnav: TN8 7NG
11 to 13 Sep
The Weald of Kent Craft & Design Show
Returning to the fine grounds of Penshurst Place, the show will have something for all lovers of handcrafted pieces for the home and garden, as well as workshops, cookery demonstrations and children’s activities.
Tickets: £5 to £8. Penshurst Place, Tonbridge
Satnav: TN11 8DG
11 to 13 Sep
Wheels & Fins Festival
The festival spans three days and will showcase music, extreme sports (surfing, skating, SUP, soapbox racing, parkour) and all kinds of family friendly beach activities.
Tickets: Free. 01842 282508
Joss Bay, Broadstairs. Satnav: CT10 3PG
12 Sep
Ride & Stride
A popular annual event, the premise is simple: cycle, walk or run around Kent churches and you can help raise money to be divided equally between the Friends of Kent Churches and the church or chapel of your choice.
Tickets: Contact venue
friendsofkentchurches.co.uk/ride-and-stride
12 and 13 Sep
Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival
T.Rextasy, one of the world’s only official live tribute bands dedicated to iconic glam rockers Marc Bolan and T.Rex, will be headlining a packed programme of music at this year’s festival. The line-up also consists of some great local bands and musicians. And, of course, festivalgoers can also sample a selection of up to 60 local ales.
Tickets: £8 to £12 (each day).
01622 763936
Kent Life, Maidstone.
Satnav: ME14 3AU
13 Sep
Chiddingdstone Fair
A packed programme of exciting activities will take place at Chiddingstone Castle, from the Dog & Runner Duck Show, a display from the horses and hounds of the local Old Surrey Burstow & West Kent Hunt; carriage driving; working dogs and Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting.
Tickets: £4 (adults); £1 (children aged five to 13); Free (children under five). 01892 870347
Chiddingstone Castle, Chiddingstone
Satnav: TN8 7AD
13 Sep
The Country Fair
The Country Fair is a perfect family day for everyone interested in country life. Displays include The Galloping Acrobatics, Xtreme falconry display, ferret and terrier racing.
Tickets: £7 (per person); free (children under 12)
01795 890202. Belmont House, Faversham
Satnav: ME13 0HH
13 Sep
Plant, Craft & Wildlife
Lullingstone Castle and The World Garden is holding a Plant, Craft & Wildlife Fair to showcase a host of local crafts, including jewellery, fresh produce, cakes and floral delights from local growers and specialist nurseries.
Tickets: Contact venue. 01322 862114
Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford
Satnav: DA4 0JA
13 Sep
A Unique A-Fayre
With the permission of Sir Robert and Lady Worcester, the A Unique A-Fayre, in support of the Heart of Kent Hospice, will be held in privately owned Allington Castle, which is rarely open to the public. Combining bespoke interiors, homewares and lifestyle products with the dedication and craftsmanship of many local businesses, the event will showcase the products of over 30 handpicked exhibitors.
Tickets: £15. 01622 790195
Allington Castle, Allington
Satnav: ME16 0NB
14 Sep
Pocket Merchant
Enjoy a condensed version of The Propeller’s acclaimed 2009 production, Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and then get involved with a Q&A session with the actors.
Tickets: £8. 01732 304241
EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge
Satnav: TN9 1JP
15 Sep
Puttin’ On The Ritz
Travel back in time to Hollywood’s golden age with award-winning singers and dancers. Special guests include Robin Windsor and Anya Garnis from Strictly Come Dancing, and star of stage and screen Ray Quinn
Tickets: From £17.50. 0844 871 7620
Churchill Theatre, Bromley. Satnav: BR1 1HA
17 Sep
Think Floyd
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Wish You Were Here, this extraordinary show (and band), dubbed The Definitive Pink Floyd Experience, is renowned for its stunning authenticity. The band faithfully recreate all the atmosphere, visual magnitude and musical excellence of Pink Floyd live on stage.
Tickets: £21.50. 01892 530613
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN1 2LU
19 Sep
Murder Mystery
Amateur sleuths can test their deductive skills and try to beat Sherlock Holmes to the solution when a thrilling murder mystery evening unfolds. Guests are invited to join the Irregular Special Players for a drinks reception and delicious three-course meal, during which they should expect the unexpected.
Tickets: £40.
01892 861444
Groombridge Place, nr Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN3 9QG
19 Sep
Thank You For Your Music
The world’s favourite Abba and Bee Gees tribute bands return with their all-new, sequin-spangled spectacular. Entertaining the nation for longer than Abba in their prime, the international smash-hit show’s all-star cast will be joined by one of the UK’s leading Bee Gees revues. Enjoy a night of non-stop hits such as Mamma Mia, Stayin’ Alive, Dancing Queen, Night Fever, How Deep Is Your Love, Super Trouper, and Bee Gees-penned smashes Islands In The Stream, Grease and If I Can’t Have You and more.
Tickets: £22.50.
01892 530613
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells
Satnav: TN1 2LU
19 to 20 Sep
Salute to the 40s
The Kent Spitfire, TA805 Spirit of Kent, will be taking part in an exhilarating air display as part of the Salute to the ‘40s. Visitors can also enjoy 1940s entertainers, see military trucks, jeeps, re-enactors, encampments and anti-aircraft guns. See also page xx.
Tickets: £15 to £47. 01634 823826
Historic Dockyard, Chatham
Satnav: ME4 4TE
24 Sep
Coriolanus
The National Theatre Live’s 2013 broadcast of the Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus stars Tom Hiddleston.
Tickets: £14; £12 (concs). 01732 304241
EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge
Satnav: TN9 1JP
25 Sep
The Carpenters Story
Producer Phil Aldridge has updated The Carpenters Story, which is widely regarded as one of the best tribute shows ever. This version brings the show bang up to date with lavish arrangements, stunning vocal harmonies and Claire Furley’s uncanny representation of Karen Carpenter.
Tickets: £19 to £25.90. 0844 871 3015
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
Satnav: CT20 2DZ
26 and 27 Sep
A Perfect Day Out
Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends will be pulling into Tenterden Station. It’s 70 years since the birth of The Railway Series by the Rev. W Awdry and the release of its first book, The Three Railway Engines. Come and celebrate by meeting the Fat Controller and taking a ride in Annie and Clarabel behind Thomas at Tenterden Station.
Tickets: £13 to £51.50. 01580 765155
Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden
Satnav: TN30 6HE
Reader competition
The Leeds Castle Festival of Flowers 22-27 September
Leeds Castle is hosting an Art Deco-themed Festival of Flowers this month, a floral celebration exploring the art of the 1930s. Award-winning floral designers will team up with Leeds’ floristry team to transform the Castle rooms through floral works of art, on display 22-27 September.
Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin will open the Festival on 22 September at 2pm and give an illustrated talk on the history of garden design in the Festival Marquee on Pavilion Lawn.
Kent Life has teamed up with Leeds Castle to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to an exclusive event preview evening on 22 September, 7-9pm. Tickets are worth £40 and include a welcome drink.
You will meet the designers and award-winning florists who created each display, including Laura Leong, RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year, and hear a talk on Lady Baillie’s love of flowers. Just answer this question:
How many acres of beautiful grounds and gardens is Leeds Castle set in?
A) 300 acres
B) 400 acres
C) 500 acres
Then write your answer on a postcard and send it to: Festival of Flowers Competition, Kent Life, Archant Kent, 81 Station Road, Ashford TN23 1PP. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime tel. no. Or email your answer: editor@kent-life.co.uk, with Festival of Flowers Competition in the subject line, including your name, address and daytime tel. no.
Closing date: 15 September 2015
The prize is two non-transferable evening tickets for the preview event on 22 September 2015. The winner will be notified via post, telephone or email. The editor’s decision is final. Any entries received after the closing date will not be eligible for entry. Usual Archant competition rules apply.
The ticket must not be re-sold or exchanged and has no monetary value. Employees of Leeds Castle and Archant are not permitted to enter.
30 Sep
Paul Chowdhry
Following a successful UK tour and a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014, Paul Chowdhry is back on the road in 2015 and will be hitting Dartford. PC may be his initials, but the world he lives in definitely isn’t.
Tickets: £16.
01322 220000
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Satnav: DA1 1ED
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