NEW for our 50th Anniversary Year.
Join us as we continue our celebrations
with a Wildlife and Country Fair At Tenterden and Bodium stations
14th and 15th September 2024
The trains will be running all over the weekend come along and enjoy the fun!
Steam trains will be running over the weekend
Traction engines will be on display at Tenterden station so come and have a look!
At Tenterden station we are delighted to welcome you to the Wildlife and Country Fair
Cecis corner, will be selling her lovely Jewellery made of nuts.
Don't miss the Wheat weaver from Tenterden who will be demonstrating the fine art of
Corn dollies, or more correctly harvest trophies, were commonly seen around harvest time as part of the rituals celebrating a good crop in the current year and ensuring a good harvest in the following year. With the changes in farming practices, particularly the introduction of short stemmed wheat and the use of harvest combines, the craft of corn dolly making is dying out; it is red listed by the Heritage Crafts Association and is also in the process of becoming recognised as an aspect of intangible cultural heritage at risk of being lost according to UNESCO.
A small number of people still practise the craft although I am the only person I know of in Kent who not only makes items, but also gives talks, runs workshops and researches the topic. Elsewhere around the British Isles makers are equally thinly spread.
We Welcome Anno Distillers, who will be selling gins, rums and liqueurs
Mini mouthfuls will be selling some wonderful mouth-watering fudges
Soy Candles
Tenterden Men's sheds
Cartridge Crafts Handmade gifts for shooting fanatics and countryside lovers
Sussex Essentials, is a homemade brand created in the heart of East Sussex.
Gary Polykett
Will be selling science kits and educational toys and will be with us over the weekend,
Paula Honey – Beautiful Jewellery made from pre decimal coins.
The wildlife corner, undercover in the marquee
Tenterden Wildlife Group
Wildlife images on display
learn everything about Bees form the Bee conservation trust
Trevor Bouldon –will be chatting about pond dipping
Thorne Hedgehog rescue
At Bodiam Station
Les Langley Chainsaw artist – will be joining us at Bodiam over the weekend,
Julian Apps talented walking stick maker will be amazing us with his demonstration over the weekend.
Jill Jempson spinning demos
A tractor will be on display by hop garden, Rother Valley Ltd will be on hand letting you know everything about the Robertsbridge extension
We will still be Celebrating our Hopping story at Bodiam Station
September is traditionally when the hopping season would have started.
Come along to Bodiam station and take a trip down memory lane, learning all about hop picking in the local area.
Have you ever been up close to the magic ingredient that helps to make your beer? Visit our hop garden where you will be able to touch and smell the hops.
Our replica hoppers hut will be open for visitors to see how hop pickers would have lived. Learn more about the history of hop picking and the local Bodiam area with talks throughout the day with Bodiam volunteers Vic and Colin.
Our staff will be dressing for the occasion and you can enjoy a display of hopping equipment.
Pick up your on-board hopping activity sheets to enjoy while you travel through the Rother Valley.
Bodiam will have the bar open and a selection of hot and cold food will be available.
Book online and save
Music will be supplied on Saturday by Sideboard Men on Saturday and Sunday ????
'Roses are red' and 'anderida border' morris sides will be dancing on Saturday
