Crafts in Action at Michelham Priory

Dan recently appeared on the BBC2 programme B&B The Best as a local tourist attraction to be visited in North Nottinghamshire. Billed as a family day, there will be loads for children to do with craft workshops including claywork, ‘sheep making’ and craftwork using recycled materials. There will also be two storytellers - local author Shirley Webster will read her own stories and poems on Thursday and Friday. While Dave Arthur, Storyteller in Residence at the Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, will read three times per day (12-1pm, 2-3pm and 4-5pm). There will also be a free Punch & Judy show on Saturday and Sunday (12-12.25pm, 1-1.25pm and 2.20-2.45pm).

Live music will be performed throughout the four days of the craft fair. On Thursday and Friday the Old Faded Glory String Band will play traditional American old-time music with banjo, guitar, fiddle and bass - they will be accompanied by a ‘limberjack’ a little wooden dancing man of medieval origin, dancing on a board. Jazz trio Moodswing will play on Saturday, while guitarist Richard Hearn and the superbly named Prints of Whales (bluegrass and western swing) both feature on Sunday. Visitors will also be able to see the archaeological (and reputedly haunted) ruins of the Priory, and visit the historic house, working windmill and seven acres of beautiful gardens - all surrounded by a moat. KA