Alfriston

ALFEST2016: Tomorrow (Saturday) we celebrate ‘Our blunt, bow-headed whale-backed Downs’ with a laid back festival of Food, Drink and Music. With fabulous food, wines and ales from South Downs suppliers and great local music. Sponsored by The Star Inn, Rathfinny Wine Estate and Longman. This true Sussex County festival is all in aid of St Andrew’s Restoration Fund. Our Cathedral of the Downs is an iconic landmark in the Sussex landscape and we hope you will come join the village at play and support this worthy cause. Obviously great fun will be had by all. The Tye 11am to 10pm.

HOBBS HAWTH: Has arrived and can be found at The Gun Room. This is not a local celebrity but the latest Cradle Valley wine from Rathfinny Wine Estate. Pop along and try some. The name itself is of Downland interest being the former farm hidden in the copse on the estate. Kevin Gordon wrote in his column once that all fields once had names, many have been lost in the mists of time with the removal of hedgerows (and their associated wildlife) so it is lovely to see the name resurrected in such a delicious way.

SOUTH DOWNS POETRY FESTIVAL: July 16 to 24 http://www.sdpf.org.uk/ An exciting programme of poetry readings and writing (with Le Tour de Downs Sud, or poetry Bike Tour) will tour the South Downs stopping at Much Ado books on Tuesday July 19. Clare Best creative writing teacher will run a two hour poetry workshop in The Barn called The Poem as a Journey. Tickets are priced at £10 and available online at Much Ado books or in store. http://www.muchadobooks.com/events-workshops.php. The workshop is followed (4.15pm to 5pm) by readings from the cycling members of the festival including Sussex Laureate Hugh Dunkley, John Davies aka Shedman, performance poet Dave Allen and Stella Bahin.

LOOKING AHEAD: Horticultural Annual Show, August 5 and 6. It’s not just fruit and veg. Every member is encouraged to enter at least one category. Why not enter a delicious cake, loaf of homemade bread or tasty chutney. Open to the public on Friday August 5 from 1pm to 5pm and Saturday August 6, 11am to 4.30pm AWMH. Refreshments including homemade cakes available.

RUDE MECHANICALS: Return to The Tye on Wednesday August 3 with Macbyrd purchase tickets from The Apiary www.therudemechanicals.co.uk

Enjoy your weekend and embrace The Spirit of The Downs

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