Henfield set to buzz with visitors for Festival of Gardens and Arts

This is the 15th year of the festival and some 27 venues will be open over the weekend between 11am and 5pm on Saturday June 14 and Sunday June 15.

Seventeen of these are gardens of varying size loving tended by their owners. Some will also have works of art on display and many will be serving teas or lunches.

The pubs and cafes will also be open, so there is no need to go hungry! Other venues around the village include 2 of the churches, the school, the scout hut, the Henfield Club which all have a varying display of art or will also be serving food.

Not to be missed is the display in miniature by the Henfield Doll’s House Project Group entitled ‘messing about on the river’ at Maidment Court.

Music is always a feature of the festival and a wide programme of events is planned, some of which you can have a go at.

These include Morris dancing, local choirs, a ukulele workshop, an operatic singer, jazz and brass bands, culminating in a grand finale in the grounds of Red Oaks on Sunday evening where you can relax on the large lawn with a glass or two of Pimms.

If all that is not enough, on Saturday there is an art watch, a plant swap, woodcarving demonstration, an evening bird watch, as well as activities for the kids.

Henfield is a compact village and all venues are readily accessible on foot along its many ‘twittens’ and pathways. For those less able, the community minibus will be offering a free dial-a-ride service.

There is no charge for entry into the venues, but each year a local charity is chosen for which donations will be gratefully received, although owners are free to choose their own. The year’s charity is Henfield’s scout group, the oldest existing group in the world formed in 1907, which needs urgently to replace its meeting hut.

To find out what is going on in more detail, pick up a blue guide which contains a useful map from libraries, certain shops, pubs and other outlets in Henfield and all surrounding towns and villages,. You will be most welcome in this friendly village so do come along for an enjoyable weekend.

Report and picture contributed by David Hayes.