What’s On - August Bank Holiday

We have tried to mention as many of the the major attractions as possible, but if you have an event that’s not mentioned you think will interest our readers, use the commenting facility below to publicise it.

Some events may depend on the weather. You should check they are still being held before travelling.

Wings and Wheels motoring and air show is being held on the West Sussex/Surrey border at DUNSFOLD aerodrome (home of BBC TV’s Top Gear) on Saturday and Sunday. The Red Arrows are due to feature in a five hour airshow and there will be a two hour motoring show. Free parking and 80 different retail outlets, along with a military zone and much more. Full details at www.wingsandwheels.net/.

The RUDGWICK Steam and Country Show will be from Saturday to Monday with a beer festival, music acres of market stalls and much more. Full details Text to display http://www.rudgwicksteamshow.co.uk/.

ARUNDEL Festival continues with an eclectic mix of music, arts, drama, street entertainment, including the gallery trail. For full details see Text to display http://www.arundelfestival.co.uk/.

England’s Medieval Festival at HERSTMONCEUX Castle (open 10am - 6pm daily). Activities and entertainment for all. See www.mgel.com/.

The annual Visual Arts Festival for the LEWES district. Artwave offers a fantastic opportunity for visitors to view a vast range of different artwork, with the opportunity to buy pieces directly from the artists and makers. Full details at www.artwavefestival.org/

Gardens open:

Nymans house and gardens - Handcross.

Set in the High Weald with splendid views, the garden is a series of experimental designs with spectacular planting and beauty all year. The house, transformed into a Gothic mansion in the 1920s, burnt down shortly after, leaving romantic ruins. The remaining rooms are unexpectedly charming, filled with flowers from the garden as Anne Messel, Countess of Rosse had them. Ancient woods beyond the garden dip into the valley, with walks among avenues, wild flowers, the lake and cascades.

High Beeches Garden - Handcross.

27 acres of magnificent woodland and water gardens, full of rare, exotic and unusual plants; RHS award winning plants, a botanical treasure trove, and one of the great gardens of Sussex.

Borde Hill - Ardingly. Borde Hill Garden is nestled in 200 acres of English Heritage listed Sussex parkland and woodland, with wonderful views across the Sussex Weald and the magnificent Ouse Valley. Borde Hill Garden is home to a nationally important collection of rare shrubs, champion trees and exotic plants.

Wakehurst Place - Ardingly

Visit Wakehurst in West Sussex and explore 465 acres of country estate with ornamental gardens, temperate woodlands and an Elizabethan Mansion. Join in our seasonal walks and themed tours to discover more.

How about a nostalgic trip on a steam train?

Bluebell Railway Railway - Sheffield Park. The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line running for 11 mi along the border between East and West Sussex, England. It uses steam trains which operate between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, with intermediate stations at Horsted Keynes & Kingscote.

Two miniature railways are open this weekend. There will be rides on a temporary track on Saturday, (August 24) at the South Downs Garden Centre off Brighton Road, HASSOCKS.

POLEGATE and District Model Engineering Club will be organising rides around the portable track between 11am and 4.30pm. All the profits will support local charities.

The miniature railway in Beech Hurst Garden, HAYWARDS HEATH, is also open over the entire bank holiday between 2pm and 5pm.

NEWICK Youth Theatre is performing Fantastic Mr Fox at Wowo campsite near Sheffield Park. This family production is free but booking in advance is required. There will be performances on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August. Bring a picnic and enjoy the show, starting at 3pm. For more details and to book spaces, visit: www.newickyouththeatre.org/current.html or contact Alex Harrison on 01825 722468 or Anita Chamberlain on 01825 722802.

Saturday

Family Fun Day at The Snooty Fox, Haslett Avenue, CRAWLEY. Entertainment supplied by Crawley Music Scene, during the day and Mike Dobie in the evening. Inflatables and much, much more. 999 services in attendance. From 11am until midnight. The event will be opened by the Honourable Mayor and Mayoress Burgess. All money raised will go to Chesnut Tree House.

Drusilla’s Park near Alfriston: Katsuma from the Moshi Monsters will be at Drusillas to meet and greet visitors. Details at: www.drusillas.co.uk.

Balcombe Club, BALCOMBE: World record attempt at the longest running barbecue. All are welcome from 3.30pm onwards at the club off Stockcroft Road.

A new regular street market selling locally produced items and unique gifts will launch in HAILSHAM Vicarage Field. The new street market will be open between 9.30am and 3pm on the third Saturday and every second and fourth Thursday of each month, until Saturday December 21.

NEWICK Bonfire Society is staging its annual Country Fair and Car Boot sale on the village green from 8am to 1pm with attractions for all the family.Refreshments will be available in the Community Centre, while a barbecue will take place on the green.

PLUMPTON Village Hall hosts a jumble sale tomorrow in aid of St Peter and St James Hospice, Chailey, from 2-4pm.

Sunday

CRAWLEY Irish Festival at The Hawth, Sunday August 25 from noon-8pm. Free admission.

Clair Hall, HAYWARDS HEATH: 12 hour zumbathon marathon for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice, beginning at midnight and through into Bank Holiday Monday. Entry is £10 in advance or £15 on the door. Download an entry form via: www.zumbalive.co.uk

Making Waves on Broadway. Street party festival with two stages hosting musical performances at The Broadway, HAYWARDS HEATH town centre (11am).

Monday

Borde Hill is hosting the Teddy Bears Picnic. Children are invited to dress up their teddy bear and enter the ‘Best Dressed’ teddy bear competition. Story telling with Teddy bears related stories, music area with rugs and cushions. Story slot and songs, box of percussion instrument to be used by kids and their parents (all day long). Vintage ice cream van. Pack your picnic, bring your Ted and come and join in the fun!

PULBOROUGH: The Annual Rackham Fete & Flower Show will be held on Bank Holiday from 2pm at Rackham Old School (between Pulborough & Storrington). Fancy dress, adults and children’s races, famous giant slide and tea tent. There will be coconut shies, hoop-la, an amazing raffle, and much more.

STORRINGTON & Pulborough District Rotary Club Car Boot Sale. A popular event for buyers and sellers - 8am to 12 noon - Storrington Library Car Park, Ryecroft Lane, Storrington. Free for buyers. Sellers: Cars £7, Vans from £10. Contact: Mike Webster on 01798 812764 to reserve your spot. All proceeds go to charitable causes supported by Rotary.

WISBOROUGH GREEN Horticultural and Craft Show at 2pm on Village Green. Entries to be submitted by Friday 23rd August. Exhibits to be staged ready for judging between 7am and 10.15am. Schedules available from Village Stores or on line Village website. Village Fete on the same day on the Green starting at 1pm.

Drusilla’s Park near Alfriston: Enjoy photo opportunities with Sir Topham Hatt and The Fat Controller at the Thomas the Tank Engine railway.

Details at: www.drusillas.co.uk.

Rotary Charity Car Boot Sale at Oakmeeds Community College, Station Road, BURGESS HILL (9am - 1pm).

Bank Holiday Family Day (11am) with cover bands and children’s entertainment at Trading Boundaries, SHEFFIELD PARK.

‘Family Fun Day & Hog Roast’ at The Red Lyon, The Street, SLINFOLD, RH13 0RR. From 2pm - bouncy castle, tombola, yard of ale contest, games and ‘much,much more’. From 6pm - hog roast and local live band, ‘Moot’ from 6:30. Organised by the Horsham and Crawley branch of the British Heart Foundation. Tickets £10 from The Red Lyon or Gerry Howard, the branch’s chairman, on 01403 257027.

Old-fashioned entertainment is on the menu at FIRELE’S Traditional Village Fete on Bank Holiday Monday. Visitors can try their luck at catch-the-rat, bowls and hoopla on the village cricket ground from 2pm. Sheep racing will be another attraction and there are some great prizes to be won in the raffle. Proceeds go to the Village Hall and St Peter’s Church.

Le Marche, HEATHFIELD’s Anglo-French Market takes place for the 17th consecutive year. Everything about Le Marche is free - free entertainment, free park and ride and free access to more than 60 stalls and attractions. Half the stallholders are from Normandy and will display a colourful selection of fruit, vegetables, cheeses, patisserie, crepes and gifts. Station Road and Station Approach are closed to traffic and the market opens at 9.30am and closes at about 3.30pm.

A traditional day of donkey races, stalls and fun fair rides awaits visitors to Seaford. Seaford Donkey Derby will be attracting the crowds from far and wide, with thousands of people expected to attend. Mayor Anthony White will open the event at the Martello Fields at 12.30pm and it should finish at 4.30pm.