A little bit country
Black Deer, Kent’s local Americana festival makes it return after a hiatus of three years due to the pandemic to Eridge Park on the weekend of June 17-19. The 2022 line-up boasts the Belfast Cowboy himself, Van Morrison and winner of NME’s 2015 Best Solo Artist Jake Bugg. In 2019, The Guardian newspaper voted Black Deer Best New Small Festival and it’s easy to see why given there’s so much to see and do at this event including kids’ activities, Live Fire cooking demos, classic US car displays and so much more.
To book tickets visit blackdeerfestival.com
Did you know?
Jake Bugg has just released his fifth studio album, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning and his headline set at Black Deer 2022 will be his first festival appearance this year
Join the green party
TWODS put on their performance of Shrek the Musical at the Assembly Hall from June 14-18. As you’d expect from the cast and crew at TWODS this will be super fun, highly charged and animated event with great acting, singing and dancing. Fun for all the family there are matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday. For more info and to book tickets visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
The stage is set…
Hever Castle’s popular Theatre Festival summer programme is back for 2022. As usual there’s a wealth of musical acts, operas, films and live comedy and theatre to enjoy over the summer months until the end of August. Dubbed the West End in the Garden of England, this year’s line-up is as diverse as ever and includes A Celebration of Father Ted (June 19), Rapunzel (July 27) and James Bond Concert Spectacular (August 5). Find out more at www.heverfestival.co.uk
Water world
Located on the border of Kent and East Sussex, Bewl Water is the largest reservoir in the South East, boasting 770 acres of water. Enjoy a takeaway coffee from The Waterfront Café while watching your little ones explore the Adventure Playground or why not have a go splashing around on the Aqua Park or cruising around the mountain bike trails? If you’re looking for something more relaxing, fishing is now open, and the water has a history of large trout and pike as well as perch. For more information and to make a booking, visit www.bewlwater.co.uk
Celebrate Father’s Day…
June 19 is Father’s Day and with the finer weather now here it’s a great opportunity to actually get out and about to help him celebrate.
Two local venues: Salomons Estate and One Warwick Park’s STEAK are putting on some fun events which are sure to make your dad’s day.
There will be a special roast on offer at each venue at lunchtime – with each father qualifying for a free beer – so it’s up to you whether you want to head towards the stunning 36-acre estate of Salomons or keep it local in the centre of Tunbridge Wells.
For more info and booking: onewarwickpark.co.uk & salomons-estate.com
Strictly sensational
Keeep Dancing! is a brand new spectacular show featuring Strictly 2020 finalist and EastEnders star Maisie Smith, together with Strictly 2021 semi-finalist and CBBC Presenter Rhys Stephenson. The pair will be joined by the incredible Strictly professional dancers Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez, Jowita Przystal and Nancy Xu for an evening of cha cha, salsa and samba. And, as an extra special treat for Strictly fans, live music will be performed by The Wanted’s Max George, who competed in the 2020 series of the smash hit BBC One show. Running at the Assembly Hall on June 22 this is one not to be missed for all dance fans! www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Fair play
The ever-popular Wealden Times Fair returns to Hole Park in Rolvenden. Running from June 9 – 11 there will be a plethora of lifestyle and foodie brands present including Alsop & Walker cheese, Ladies Who Lunch jewellery, Fine Grind coffee emporium and Anno gin distillers. The Hole Park venue is the ideal setting for this three-day fair as you can also tour around its glorious gardens and see its stunning seasonal flowers in bloom. For tickets and further info visit www.wealdentimes-fair.co.uk
Poetry in motion
The Tunbridge Wells Poetry Festival runs from June 5-26 and returns for 2022 with a varied programme of workshops and events at venues such as Trinity Theatre, Even Flow, Ashdown Forest and The Forum. This year’s festival has been expanded by a week in order to fit it all in. Opening on Sunday June 5 with a taster event as part of Unfest, a full three weeks of community-based ‘poetry for all, big or small’ will then follow. See www.twpoetryfestival.com
National treasure
Nestled in the Weald of Kent, Sissinghurst Castle was once the home to poet and writer, Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicholson. The stunning National Trust property was beautifully described by Vita in one of her works: “The heavy golden sunshine enriched the old brick with a kind of patina, and made the tower cast a long shadow across the grass, like the finger of a gigantic sundial veering slowly with the sun. Everything was hushed and drowsy and silent but for the coo of the white pigeons.” The historic house’s famed gardens should now be coming into bloom and the café is always a great spot for a coffee and delicious snack. Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Blues for you
Jools Holland and his 19-piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of a pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones, rocks into town on June 8 and 9. Performing at the Assembly Hall with special guests Eddi Reader and Ruby Turner, it promises to be a really fantastic event as the orchestra plays a host of feel good rhythm & blues – both classic and contemporary. To book tickets visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
