The nights are drawing in, the leaves are turning golden brown and despite the wet weather there’s still plenty of things to enjoy doing in Cumbria this month (if many are now indoors!)
1. Comic Art Fest 11-13 October
Comic art returns to Kendal with a festival that promises fast drawing, record-breaking challenges and international talent.
A world of comic art will return to Kendal for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, 11–13 October 2019. The family-friendly festival takes over the scenic town of Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District, for a weekend of wonderful events, activities and workshops for all ages.
Julie Tait, festival director said: “I’m so delighted to be bringing the best of comic art to Kendal in October. We are welcoming more creators, more countries, more exhibitors and more commissions than ever before!
We have a packed programme of events for festival pass holders and a free Comics Clock Tower and family zone which will showcase an amazing selection of artist and publishers.”
The world of comic art is a diverse and spectacular place, bursting with creations that transport us to other dimensions and other worlds. The festival promises kick-ass super heroes, future worlds, fantastical creatures, zombies, crime fighters, politics, satire, documentary, comedy, manga and much more.
To find out more and book tickets visit www.comicartfestival.com
2. Apple Days
This month the nation celebrates our wonderful apples – and in Cumbria, communities are coming together with their apple harvest.
Saturday 19 October, Appleby town centre will be hosting an Apple Day market, community fruit pressing, Film festival and more. we have full details here.
And just down the road at Acorn Bank there will be lots of activities in the historic orchard -get to the core of which apple varieties grow in your garden with Apple Identification Day – 12 October.
Apple experts from across the North of England will be coming together for one day to lend their expertise to budding gardeners.
Members of the public are invited to bring along apples from their garden to find out which varieties grow at home.
“Lots of people have a mystery apple tree in their garden. This is a popular opportunity to put a name to the tree and find out about that variety’s history,” says Heather Birkett, Senior Gardener at the popular house and garden in Temple Sowerby, which was originally established by the Knights Templar.
From 11am to 4pm experts will not only be helping to identify mystery apples but also advising on how to care for the trees on which they grow. Anyone wishing to have their variety identified should bring three apples from each tree, along with some leaves from the plant. Information such as the location, age, and blossom colour of each tree could also prove useful. There is no maximum number of apples which can be identified.
Acorn Bank has 175 apple varieties in its orchard, and many are now available to buy with new apples ripening and becoming available every week until November.
There is so much new theatre coming to Cumbria – and October is no exception.
3. A night at the theatre
The Rural Highlights Scheme brings drama, music and dance to your doorstep – with performances in village halls and community venues.
Apple Identification Day is free to attend for National Trust members (admission applies for non-members: £8.80 for adults and £4.40 for children). For more information about Acorn Bank’s events check their website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/acorn-bank
They have the full programme of performances in Cumbria Autumn/Winter 2019 here.
And you’ve only got this month left to catch the 2019 summer season of plays in rep at Theatre by the Lake – for our review of this season are here.
And The Brewery Art Centre also has a full programme of performances this month including Dorian by Proper Job Theatre Company on 16 October which we will be reviewing. The full programme of performances is here.
Over in Kirkby Stephen, Kirkby Stephen Community Arts on Friday 18 October they welcome Herd Theatre with their funny, engaging and immersive show, Slime, for under 5s. With all tickets £5 and children encourage to play, wriggle and giggle throughout the performance, this is a perfect first theatre experience for little ones.
Kirkby Stephen Community Arts has something that will appeal – to book tickets or for any more information call 017683 71885 or visit http://www.kirkbystephencommunityarts.co.uk
Slime is also visiting Kendal Brewery Arts Centre and Orton Market Hall.
If your community is hosting a production, please share your events on the comments below and on our Facebook page @Cumbria24.
4. Winter Droving 25 October Ullswater Droving (Pooley Bridge) 2 October Winter Droving Penrith
The two day festival of masks and magic will kick off on Friday with a fire torch procession as dusk falls on the shores of Ullswater. Throughout Saturday crowds will visit the biggest street market in Cumbria dotted with six music and performances stages, the Crafty Vintage street market, vintage fairground rides and more entertainment before the evening parade and finale.
The Winter Droving will be headlined by K.O.G & the Zongo Brigade, who have been lighting up the festival circuit throughout Europe. Their unique blend of infectious, high-energy West African grooves will have Great Dockray bouncing as they lead the procession through to their finale set, bringing to a close the weekend of events.
The Ullswater Droving this year will be led by favourites, The Baghdaddies, who will depart the Ullswater Steamer at Pooley Bridge jetty at 6pm, and greet the waiting torch bearers to parade through the village. Their exuberant and rampant brand of world music is an exhilarating cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska and latin grooves is guaranteed to light up the village.
Full details of all the activities at Pooley Bridge and Penrith here.
5. Greenwood Fair, Sizergh estate 12 October
Visit the Greenwood Fair and try your hand at a traditional woodland craft. Make the most of your trip to Sizergh, near Kendal, next Saturday and take part in a day of woodland demonstrations and activities.
The annual Greenwood Fair runs between 10am and 3pm and shines a spotlight on the 150 hectares of ancient woodland found across the Sizergh estate. The area is managed by rangers, volunteers and tenant farmers and the day provides an opportunity to learn how this is carried out, including how the wood is felled and what products it can be turned into.
The themed event is suitable for all ages and there will be ranger demonstrations of traditional Lakeland techniques like drystone walling, hedge laying and orchard management. There’ll also be guided walks exploring the woodlands and its inhabitants – focussing on butterflies, lichen and the estate’s oldest trees. Visitors can watch firewood machinery in action and find out how charcoal, turned bowls, longbows and furniture are made. There will be a selection of stalls to peruse, or if you’d prefer to get hands-on, for a small donation you can make your own butter knife, have a go at soft archery – ‘safe’ archery using foam tipped arrows – or leave a lasting impression by planting a tree seed.
Partners in the event include Cumbria Woodlands, Westmorland Red Squirrel Association, Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife.
Sizergh’s house, garden, shop and café will also be open throughout the day. The event is free for National Trust members, or for non National Trust members it’s £8 for adults, £4 for children.
And also this month:
- My favourite artists – An Exhibition of Modern Quilters at Dufton Village Hall on Saturday 12 October, 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, entrance £3 including a glass of Prosecco. The exhibition is one of the Suitcase collections from the Contemporary Group, of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles with over 70 Contemporary Quilts on display. All the pieces have explanatory notes from the Quilter on techniques and materials used.
- At Autumn’s Mellowing takes place on Saturday 12 October and is the second pop – up event by Handpicked Productions, taking place at Low Hall The Lakes, the enchanting
17th century farm with views over the Lorton Fells.A seasonal celebration with stories and shadows, poems and posies, firelight, feasting and apples galore will see Storyteller Ian Douglas and wordsmith Emma McGordon lead you through an afternoon of activity into an evening of warm conviviality. More details and booking here. - Wedding Inspiration Day on Sunday 20 October at Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield
- The Westmorland Landscape prize exhibition, Rheged for the whole of October, entry FREE full details here.
- TWO’S COMPANY: Turner and Rembrandt share centre stage at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery 19 October 2019 – 5 January 2020 Full details of the exhibitions here.
- Kendal Wool Gathering 25 & 26 October, Kendal Leisure Centre – more details here.
- ‘Silver Sailors’ offered 75% off with Windermere Lake Cruises in October – find more information here.
