Alfriston

MAD HATTERS AND TEA: On Sunday visit Ye Olde Smugglers Inn for a Curious Garden Party. This all day (and evening) free family steampunk event includes the ancient art of tea duelling and corset limbo. With stalls, entertainment, fabulous music and fancy dress competitions there is something to entertain all the family. So pick your biscuit and join in the fun.

FABULOUS FAMILY FESTIVAL: Arguments have broken out recently on social media debating how many years the annual Alfriston Summer Festival has been held with fascinating photos being posted of festivals of old. Irrespective of age, the 2016 Summer Festival taking place August Bank Holiday promises four days of fabulous family fun.

KIDS FUN DAY AND REVUE: Kicking off the kids day with a picnic from 1pm Friday August 26, there will be lots to entertain the little ones (bring your own picnics). Friday night 7.30pm is the annual Revue an eclectic mix of sketches and mayhem which gentle chronicles events of the last year in the village. Tickets are £5 (free to under 12’s) and can be obtained from The Apiary. Long Man Brewery will kindly be providing the cash bar.

LONG MAN FUN RUN: Run, roll, hop or stroll for the Long Man Fun Run, the route is 6km and shows our gorgeous valley in all its glory. Register on the day from 11.45am. Individuals entry is £5 and the entry form can be found on the village website. Look out for links. Classic cars will once again be on the Tye from 2pm along with many stalls, items of interest and of course tea (and Pimms).

INSPIRING SUSSEX: This area has always inspired and a regular part of the festival events programme has been the Art Exhibition once again in The Old Chapel Centre from Friday August 26 to Sunday August 28, 10.30am to 5.30pm and Monday August 29, 10.30am to 5pm. 2016 the organisers have spread their wings and are part of Lewes Artwave. With a range of affordable original art both framed and unframed by local artists it is worth a visit.

ARTWAVE: August 20 to September 2, can also be found in the High Street in Alfriston Arts. Artwave is a series of art trails, open houses and exhibitions. Alfriston Arts have a wide selection of some of the best established and emerging painters, potters, printmakers, sculptors and stained glass. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Visit www.alfristonarts.co.uk

WAIFS AND STRAYS: Sunday August 28 is the day for animals and starts with a blessing of the animals on the Tye at 11am. The bells will ring to call animals and their humans to the Tye from 10.30am. Many stalls over the festival weekend will be donating proceeds to animal charities. At 2pm the dog show this year run by Waifs and Strays the lovely animal rehoming charity will look for the prettiest bitch, best rescue, best child handler and a number of other categories.

ROCK THE RESTORATION: Sunday will close with a concert on the Tye from 7pm featuring Kindred Spirits, back by popular demand after their fabulous set at Alfest. Music from The Sofa will also bring their own unique style. Bring a picnic and there will be a cash bar provided by Longman Brewery.

CAR BOOT SALE: Monday August 29. Sellers from 7.30pm, £8. Opens at 8am with parking all day to take advantage of the family fun, £2.

CLERGY HOUSE: There is free entry to The Clergy House on Monday August 29 as part of the festival programme, so if you have not been to see the fabulous garden this year pop along.

WELLY WANGING AND LOTS MORE: The Bank Holiday promises to be a fun packed weekend with the opportunity to compete and win some fabulous prizes donated by local businesses. Once again there is so much going on in the village. I do apologise for the lack of column over the last three week. Normal service has now resumed. Visit the village website for timings and more information on weekend events and so much more http://www.alfriston-village.co.uk/festival

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.sussexexpress.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Sussex-Express/

3) Follow us on Twitter @sussex_express

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Sussex Express - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.