With the long school summer holidays looming ever closer there may be many mums and dads out there scratching their heads trying to plan how they keep their children entertained without breaking the bank. It’s an expensive business these days, taking a family of four out for the day as by the time you’ve calculated the entrance fees, food and drink, travel and parking costs, ice creams and any other incidentals it’s not surprising that many choose to stay closer to home and save their hard earned money for something special.
I defy any child to dislike tractors and tractor rides, army tanks and military vehicles, heavy horses, noisy agricultural machines, traction engines, live music and craftsmen at work. It sounds like a kid’s (and parents) paradise to me? Others may prefer the craft stalls, dog shows, classic and vintage cars and perhaps a trip aboard a tractor and trailer?
Whatever your preference there is something for all the family at the annual Rural Past Times event which takes place on Saturday and Sunday August 10 and 11 from 10.00am-5.00pm each day. It’s at Monkings Farm at Horns Cross (TN31 6JG), between the villages of Northiam and Staplecross. Parking is free and entry is excellent value at £10 for adults and for children from ages 5-14 entry is half price at £5. All profits will be divided between various nominated local charities.
There will be live music all day, rural crafts for you to watch, a big variety of food vans, obligatory beer tent, working arena and this year, a special attraction is a Swiss Panzer tank.
Its a fabulous location and a very well organised event which attracts visitors and participants from far and wide and if your budget is more restrictive this year you could always take a picnic and enjoy the spectacle without breaking the bank.
That’s one weekend’s entertainment organised for the kids summer holidays but keep an eye on the Rye News events page for a huge variety of possibilities for you to consider throughout the summer and don’t forget, for you music lovers, the line up for the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival has just been announced, taking place over the last bank holiday weekend in August 22-26 and so much of the festival is free, especially the street music.
So there you have it, two fabulous weekends to put in your diaries.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .