Countryside comes to town

2:02pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

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If you wander onto Hampton Court Palace Green for A Country Affair this weekend you might be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped back in time. In sights rarely seen since the 17th century chivalrous knights will be sorting out age old disputes, possibly involving damsels in distress, with a spot of jousting.

Over the bank holiday weekend a bumper programme of attractions and activities will be taking place for the annual event, returning for its fourth year, with the jousting displays by Henry’s Knights sure to draw the biggest crowd.

Phil Bayles, one of the organisers of A Country Affair, says: “Jousting is not something you see everyday in London and it’s great to be bringing it back to the palace. It’s an exhilariting experience, getting up close as the horses thunder by. Henry’s Knight put on a colourful show and they really get the crowd going.”

The jousting will take place twice daily in the main arena where there will also be terrier and hen racing and spectacular falconry displays. The dog show returns after proving popular last year, including the perenial favourite “dogs who look most like their owner” category.

Shopaholics will also be able to indulge themselves at crafts and food stalls and there will be cookery demonstrations by celebrity chefs and a music stage featuring up and coming bands including the Hensons (“no relations to the Muppets”, apparently), Laundrette Poets and Gabby Young and Other Animals.

Bayles says: “A Country Affair is a community event and it is about encouraging local people to participate. There is something for everyone and people come from areas all around the palace, from different towns and counties, to enjoy themselves.

“We are also keen to help amateur talent by providing an audience for young people in bands, dance, performance and martial arts groups, and this is something we hope to develop in future years.”

This year there is a special bonus for visitors to the show this year - a 2 for 1 offer for entry to Hampton Court Palace (a saving of £13.30). By collecting a voucher at A Country Affair, visitors will be able to take up this offer at any time before October 17, 2008.

The show opens at 10am and closes at 6pm from August 23-25. Adults £7, senior citizens £6, children 3 to 15 £3, under-3s free. For full details of the show and for a programme of events visit acountryaffair.com or phone 020 8977 0705.