Minstrels, dog show and cream teas

Strolling minstrels, organ recitals, a dog show, steam engine and vintage tractors are some of the attractions at this year’s Epperstone Village Festival and Open Gardens event on June 16.

It takes place every two years and this time there will be ten gardens open to visitors from noon to 5pm, offering an interesting range in size.

There will be a range of stalls and other entertainment, including granny’s attic, cakes and produce, plants, WI teas, Pimms and strawberries at Epperstone Manor, and minstrels and organ music in the village church, where cream teas will be on offer.

New this year is a light-hearted dog show at the Cross Keys pub with classes for most beautiful bitch, handsomest dog and the dog the judges would most like to take home. Dogs must be on leads at all times.

Youngsters can learn bushcraft skills with experts giving tuition on how to light a fire using just two pieces of wood.

There will be a miniature steam engine, a classic car, and vintage tractors on display.

One of the organisers, Patrick Helps, said: “We have been having these open garden/festivals biennially for 20 years or more now and since 2000 we will have raised about £10,000 for the air ambulance.

Free carparking is provided. Admission to all the open gardens is £3 per adult, with under 16s being admitted free.

Proceeds go to the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, Rainbows Children’s Hospice and Epperstone Church.