Proms-in-the-Market-Place

What’s on in Faversham and Swale during Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend

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What’s on in Faversham and Swale during Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend
2nd – 5th June

It’s another bank holiday weekend – but with a difference!!  Four days of fun to celebrate the Queen’s seventy years of service.  There are plenty of events happening around Swale, so check out our blog below and see what takes your fancy!  

FAVERSHAM

Jubilee in The Rec, Faversham

Sunday 5th June 2pm to 4pm

Faversham Recreation Ground, Park Road, Faversham ME13 8BF

Bring your picnic to Faversham Recreation Ground and listen to the stirring sounds of Faversham Mission Brass!  There are two playgrounds for children of all ages to enjoy and plenty of space to run and play.

Proms in the Market Place, Faversham

Friday 3rd June from 5.30pm

A full programme of entertainment will be taking place from 5.30pm.  The Faversham Gunpowder WI will be serving hot drinks, cakes and Pimms throughout the evening and The Railway Swing Band will be performing at 7.30pm

Free.  Market Place, Faversham, ME13 7AE.  https://favershamtowncouncil.gov.uk/community/community-events

Faversham Markets plus added entertainment
Saturday 4th

There will be street entertainment on the Market Place on Saturday 4th June including acoustic music and a clog dancing display!

Friday 3rd June – Charter Market in the Market Place selling a wide selection of food, drink, plants, flowers, gifts, homewares and clothes. 

Saturday 4th June – Charter Market and Best of Faversham selling locally created and grown artwork, food, drink and crafts. 

Sunday 5th June – Antiques and Vintage Market, with a fabulous selection of furniture, paintings, jewellery, collectibles, clothing and more. 

www.favershammarket.org

Faversham Town Crown Trail

From 28th May, visitors will be able to spot the crowns hidden around Faversham Town centre and solve the clues to be in with a chance of a prize.  Check out the Town Council’s website for details and to download a map.

Faversham Town Crown Trail

Duckingham Palace at Faversham Pools
3rd July, 2-5pm

Make a splash for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Faversham Pools! There will be a barbecue, music, treasure hunt and fun family activities for all to enjoy. 

Booking online essential www.bookwhen.com/favershampools 

Jubilee Tea Dance for Senior Citizens, Alexander Centre, Faversham

2nd June 2022 –   12 to 3pm 

To commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, The Alexander Centre is putting on a Seniors Tea Dance, with dance instruction by Mr Meadowlark, accompanied by a delicious afternoon tea.

FREE ENTRY, although booking is essential.
The Alexander Centre, 15 – 17 Preston St, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8NZ

This Sceptered Isle – A musical celebration for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, The Assembly Rooms in Faversham 
2nd-6th June

Faversham Music Club is hosting a long weekend of musical treats in  celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Click here for details https://favershamtowncouncil.gov.uk/event/this-sceptered-isle-a-musical-celebration-for-the-queens-platinum-jubilee/

Tickets can be purchased on the door.

SITTINGBOURNE

Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June

This special June event weekend is 1940s themed! So feel free to come dressed for the occasion, whether that be a service uniform or a fabulous tea dress. There will be visiting themed displays from local groups to really immerse in the experience! There’s also a fabulous tea room serving cakes, drinks and refreshments.  Tickets are £15 for adults, £7.50 for children over 5.  (Online booking prices.)

The Warren, Bredgar, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8AT   01622 884254
bwlr.co.uk

Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June

Edward Bear’s Teddy Bears Picnic.  This event is aimed at young children – bring your bear and a picnic or purchase some scrummy food at the Footplate Café.  There will be a treasure hunt at Kemsley Down. 

For timetables and prices check out the website www.sklr.net 
Sittingbourne Viaduct Station, The Wall, Sittingbourne, ME10 2XD

Jubilee Picnic and Fete, Newington, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7NN
Saturday 4th June 1.30 to 5.00pm 

The Parish Council is planning a picnic and village fete on the Recreation Ground to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There will be a tea tent, a variety of stalls, traditional games and a raffle.  Tickets will be available in advance and on the day.  

Fancy dress competition 2.00pm – The theme is ‘1952’, the year the Queen came to the throne. Further details will be in Village Voice and via Newington School. It’s time to start thinking of ideas, sewing, delving into the wardrobe or looking in charity shops.

Fun Dog Show 3.00pm

Entertainment: There will be entertainment with a 1950s theme. The Newington Concert Party will be providing some of the live music.

Entrance is free.

SHEPPEY

Rose Street Cottage Coronation/Jubilee Collectibles Exhibition,  Sheerness

2nd June to 4th June

Rose Street Cottage will have an exhibition of Coronation/Jubilee collectables celebrating the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.  Rose Street Cottage and its two neighbouring properties are the only remaining homes of a number that were built for Sheerness Dockyard workers in the 18th and 19th centuries – often using timber “Chips” from the docks. They are weather boarded, roofed with Welsh slate and are Grade II listed.

Rose Street Cottage of Curiosities, 10 Rose Street, Sheerness Isle of Sheppey, Kent 
Opening hours 11am to 3pm

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Lighting of the Queenborough Beacon Ceremony
Thursday 2nd June at 9.15pm

Queenborough will join the nation in lighting a beacon for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Thursday 2nd June on Crundalls Wharf at 9.15pm. An event coordinated by Queenborough Town Council.

Crundalls Wharf , Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey, ME11 5EL

Swale Vehicle Enthusiasts Club Annual Show, Sheerness

Saturday 5th June 2022  10am to 3pm

A wide range of classic vehicles on show, trade stands, food and bar, all profits to go to local charities and causes

Sheppey Sports Club, off Queenborough Road, Halfway, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3DB
Entry: Adults £3, under 18s £1, under 5s free
www.svec.co.uk

Queenborough Castle Site Platinum Jubilee Picnic

Sunday 5th June 2022 between  2 pm and 6 pm

Pack a picnic fit for royalty and join the Jubilee celebrations on the grounds where a once magnificent castle stood in Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey. Make sure you pack a bottle of bubbly and let the merriment flow.

Queenborough Castle Site, Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey, Kent ME11 5AS
www.queenborough-tc.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee-castle-picnic

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Take a trip to Faversham’s Festival of Transport

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What’s on at Faversham Festival of Transport?

On the weekend of the 14th and 15th May, Faversham town centre will be full of the sounds of engines revving and horns tooting as Faversham Festival of Transport comes to town!  This two day celebration of transport from across the decades will include vehicle displays, vintage bus rides, live music and stalls serving delicious food and drink.

Beautiful location

Faversham town centre has a fabulous Market Place and is packed with historic buildings – making it the perfect backdrop for a display of beautiful old vintage vehicles and sparkling sports cars.  With its lovely selection of independent shops and cafes, Faversham is also the perfect place to visit and enjoy your weekend. 

Programme of events

The highlight of Saturday is sure to be the FREE vintage bus rides taking place around Faversham and the surrounding countryside. For the older generations, these are a wonderful trip down memory lane and the youngsters are bound to adore a trip on a beautiful old bus!

On Saturday there will also be an electric vehicle event at the Church of St Mary of Charity in Church Road as well as a display of commercial vehicles throughout the town centre. 

Don’t forget, the oldest market in Kent – Faversham Charter Market – will be trading with its usual  selection of traders selling food and drink; clothing; collectibles; plants; homewares; pet supplies and more. 

Visit the market website here to learn more about the traders.

  • Free Vintage Bus Rides on Saturday

On Sunday, visitors will be treated to the main car show taking place in the Market Place, Court Street and Preston Street along with a display of steam vehicles down at Standard Quay at the bottom of Abbey Street.  The kids will also love the Go Kart Circuit located in the Central Car Park 

Make the most of Faversham

There are plenty of amazing places to visit and explore while you’re here – so why not make a day or even a weekend of it?  Standard Quay is within easy walking distance of the town centre and along with its attractive Creekside setting, it also boasts delicious places to eat and drink and some lovely antique shops too.

Brogdale Farm, just outside Faversham, is home to the National Fruit Collection – the world’s largest collection of temperate fruit trees.  It’s a beautiful place to visit.  It also has a popular Courtyard Café and shops selling plants, local beers,  fruit inspired local produce and artisan chocolate. 

The blossom at Brogdale Collections

If you love your food and drink, Macknade is well worth a visit.  This renowned food hall has one of the region’s best selections of fabulously curated food and drink, including produce from Kent and fine foods from around the continent.  Macknade also has a very popular indoor café and outdoor food deck – so why not grab some delicious lunch?  There’s a free park and ride service running from Macknade to the town centre, so you can catch a lift into the thick of the Festival and leave your car at Macknade for free.

If you have time, you could also enjoy one of the areas beautiful walks, followed by a spot of lunch in a rural pub.  For walking suggestions, check out the link here.

Helpful information

The car parks get pretty busy over the weekend, in addition, roadworks are planned on the M2 between Sittingbourne and Faversham during the weekend.  So why not enjoy another mode of transport and take the train!  There’s a regular service from London, Ebbsfleet, Canterbury, Dover and Ramsgate.

There’s also a free park and ride service running throughout the Festival, from Macknade, Selling Road, Faversham, ME13 8XF.

Free park and ride service from Macknade

If you do decide to drive, you can find more information about local parking here. 

For further information on visiting Faversham for the Transport Festival, take a look at their website here.  The Visit Faversham website can give you more ideas on places to visit and things to do while you’re here too.

Mad-March-Market

Celebrating Faversham with our Mad March Markets

by with No Comment News

Celebrating Faversham with our Mad March Markets

By Jess Roberts

Faversham Markets hosted a weekend of Mad March Markets and great fun was had by all.

Fun-packed weekend

The Mad March Markets brought thousands of visitors into Faversham on the 26th and 27th of March. What a weekend it was. 

The event was organised by Faversham Town Council, Faversham Markets, Red Dog PR and many great volunteers. It was held to celebrate the arrival of spring and life getting back to normal, following two years of restrictions. 

Many old and new faces took to the cobbled streets to set up their wonderful stalls full of local produce, handmade items, artwork, interactive crafts and more. Visiting Faversham Markets is always a great opportunity to meet the maker, and likewise for the businesses to meet their customers. We saw a lot of happy shoppers and stallholders spending time getting to know each other at the market weekend, which isn’t something you’ll see in national retail chains! You’ll always find a warm welcome and smiling faces here, the Faversham community is one of the best. 

Businesses joined in the fun!

Many of Faversham’s local businesses and shops also got involved in the Mad March Weekend and worked very hard on their window displays. A challenge was set to Faversham’s shops prior to the event to decorate their windows, celebrating all things spring, and we weren’t disappointed. The public voted for their favourites, and the results came in at the end of the second day. 

First place went to The Yarn Dispensary, who decorated their windows beautifully in knitted bunting, stockings, jumpers, and more. Their trophy was presented to The Yarn Dispensary team by Faversham’s Mayor, Alison Reynolds. A special shout out has to go out to the two runners up, Ollie Bongos Pet Essentials and Lotty’s Flowers, whose windows were superb. A lot of time and effort went into everybody’s windows and the results were very close – Faversham town centre looked very special. Thank you to all those that took part, and to the sponsors Alloy Marketing. 

Fun and games

Activities throughout the weekend included the Spot The Hare trail, which was another great success. Hundreds of programmes were picked up and taken around Faversham’s shops to find the hidden hares. The aim was to jot down the letter that the hare was hiding to spell out a secret word. Everybody that completed the task was entered into a hat to pick two winners to win family tickets to the Royal Cinema and some lovely spring pots from Richard’s Plants. 

During the course of the weekend, there was live music, entertainment, and even an appearance from a very cute, miniature pony!

Labyrinth and The Hospice Band provided visitors with some great music which attracted a great crowd, provided a fantastic atmosphere and was key to the success of the event. The two bands also managed to raise an admirable amount of £600 to help support the Hospice and the crisis in Ukraine.

Merryman the Jester was also present, providing fun and entertainment for the children. He never fails to impress with his juggling, magic tricks and silly pranks.  Roleplay Rascals created a fantastic dressing up opportunity, where children could pose in child-sized toy packaging! Craft activities were provided by local charity Holding On Letting Go on Saturday and on Sunday, Nan in a Van entertained the children with pottery painting.

In addition to all of this, we also had a special guest named Rupert. Rupert was a Shetland pony who visited the markets on the Saturday. He enjoyed his time taking photos with the Easter bunny, getting petted by the visitors and munching on hay throughout the day. If you missed him, he will be back at Christmas!  Rupert’s appearance was sponsored by Harrisons Homes and also managed to raise an admirable £200 for Holding On Letting Go.

A great success

Overall, the event was a huge success and brought everyone together after a tough time during the course of the pandemic. We look forward to many more events in Faversham in the weeks to come. 

Claire Windridge, from Faversham Town Council, says: “The purpose of the weekend’s activities was to welcome visitors and shoppers back to Faversham and showcase the town’s wonderful shops and  businesses. A massive thank you to the visitors and businesses who supported the event, it was wonderful to see so many people in town having fun.”

Thank you

Congratulations to Faversham Market,  Faversham Town Council, Red Dog PR and all the charities, stallholders, businesses and entertainers who worked hard to ensure the weekend was a success.  A wonderful example of everyone working together for the good of Faversham.

Mad March illustration

Faversham Mad March Market

by with No Comment NewsUncategorized

Celebrate the arrival of spring with Mad March Market – 26th and 27th March

To celebrate the end of a difficult time for many local people and businesses, Faversham Town Council and Faversham Market have joined forces to hold a Mad March Market.  This will celebrate the best of Faversham in spring and will welcome back visitors, shoppers and residents to this lovely town.

What to look forward to

There will be a bumper weekend of markets. There will be a selection of stalls from Faversham Charter Market, Best of Faversham Market and Faversham Antiques & Vintage Market making an appearance.

The whole family will also be able to enjoy a mad selection of activities and entertainment including:

  • Meet Rupert the Pony, sponsored by Harrison Homes
  • Street entertainment including magic and fun
  • Music
  • ‘Spot the Hare’ trail
  • Fun photo opportunities
  • Window Display competition, sponsored by Alloy Marketing

12 Market Place will be hosting talks and demonstrations by local producers along with fun activities for children.

Many of the town centre’s unique and independent shops, cafes and businesses will also be open for visitors to enjoy. 

Where it’s taking place

Taking place in Faversham Market Place and Court Street along with a Best of Faversham Market in Preston Street on Saturday.  There will also be displays and activities in The Town Hall at 12 Market Place.  Most of the fun will be taking place between 10am and 3pm.

The weekend’s themes

Sunday 27th is Mother’s Day. The Mad March Market will be a lovely way to spend some time with family and friends, without breaking the piggy bank.

The organisers will be working with local attractions and businesses to highlight the best of Faversham this season. There will be a focus on food and drink; flowers, nature and growing; farming; creativity and more.

More information

If you are a business, trader or attraction and would like to find out how you can get involved – please email [email protected]

For more information click here.