Visitors to Glastonbury Abbey will step back in time with a host of different events scheduled for the summer months ahead. Whether it is the sights, sounds and smells of medieval life, captivating Shakespearean theatre or classical open-air music – the mesmerising charm of Glastonbury Abbey offers tantalisingly activities for all ages.

There are more summer events than ever this year – so if you fancy learning the secrets of medieval sword making or listening to alfresco performances by world famous classical and modern musicians there is something that will appeal. A full list of events, classes and performances taking place at the Abbey is available at http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/

The Abbey’s extensive history will be dramatically brought to life daily by living history guides. These colourful historical re-enactors will share ancient insights and daring tales – recounting the legends of the Abbey and showing why the Domesday Book described it as the richest monastery in all of England. The guides are on hand over the summer months to reveal the Abbey’s past, its reputation as the oldest Christian sanctuary in the British Isles and the venue’s fascinating connection with King Arthur.

Historical tours of the grounds will allow those with ‘Arthur-mania’ to discover the legendary king’s enigmatic world and his links to Glastonbury Abbey. These special Arthurian walk-arounds are available on request.

For the design and craft enthusiasts, the summer exhibition unravels elements of intricately decorated medieval textiles. Interweaving with the Abbey’s ecclesiastical history, ‘Sacred Stitches’ (1 July-30 September) will highlight techniques and skills used in medieval textile design. The focus is on the 15th Century Othery Cope, (a cloak worn by the clergy) displayed in the Abbey’s museum. A contemporary display, and demonstrations of embroidery, felt and textile work inspired by the imagery of the Cope will feature alongside other significant pieces.

For lovers of the Middle Ages, the Abbey’s Living History encampment (14-15 August) will show how people lived and played in medieval times and offers a glimpse into a past seldom seen. Linked to this same era, the Abbey will also host old-world pottery demonstrations (12-17 July), tile-making classes (19-21 July) and the chance to try your hand re-creating an ancient coin (22-23 July) - just as they did in the time of the crusades.


If soaking up the sunshine in calm idyllic surroundings while listening to ambient music is more your thing, the timeless venue offers much over the summer months. Performances range from international harpists to Country and Western bands. This year’s ‘Extravaganza’ leads with the catchy ska-rhythms of pop super-group Madness on Saturday 7 May followed on Sunday 8 May by the internationally acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, performing popular classics, accompanied by water fountains, lights and fireworks.

Alongside the musical events taking place this summer are performances of Shakespeare at the Abbey, from the comedy of As You Like It (16 June) to the darker tones of The Merchant of Venice (12 August). Also performed in the splendid open air setting the Abbey provides, is the Edinburgh Fringe-winning production of ‘Abelard and Heloise – Holy Guilty or Wholly Innocent’ (31 July).

Throughout the summer, visitors can enjoy the Abbey’s spectacular 36-acre grounds - discovering the special wildlife found in the area and absorbing the peace and calm the significant historical venue provides. The peaceful setting and extent of the grounds also make it an ideal place to relax over a picnic.

Katherine Gorbing, Director at Glastonbury Abbey, said: ‘Over the summer, visitors can discover the oasis of calm in the centre of Glastonbury’s bustling market town. This year visitors can choose from a wide range of historical, musical and theatrical events set against the backdrop of Glastonbury Abbey, one of England’s most spiritual sites.’

• The abbey is open daily between 9am and 6pm until September. Entrance to the Abbey is £5.50 for adults, £3.50 for under-16s and children under five go free. For more information, please visit the abbey’s website at http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/
• A full schedule of events taking place over the summer months is available at: http://tinyurl.com/2a2pmwj

NOSE AROUND A BOOK STORE ON WORLD SMELL DAY
World Smell Day on June 16th 2010 is a perfect opportunity to explore your sense of scent. For many, the first thought would be to head for the open air or perhaps a flower, bread or coffee shop to breathe in some interesting aromas, but this year you’ll find some fresh (and not so fresh!) smells wafting through your local book shop!

Innovative publisher, The Smelly Book Company has revolutionised the publishing industry by ensuring that its range of children’s books adds another dimension to reading!

For children aged 3-7, the Scratch, Sniff and Mr Smith books offer the perfect reason to really get your nose stuck into a book!
With storylines to amuse, educate and entertain, The Smelly Book Company, using its patented technology, has found a way to incorporate long-lasting smells which are released with short scratch to the page, into its books.

Kids are invited to ‘smell and tell’ their way through the aromas encapsulated into the books. Whilst some smells are lovely, others are most certainly not, but for children of course, the stinkier the smell, the better the fun!

Scratch, Sniff and Mr Smith are characters that have been developed for the books by author Shibani Mohindra, and illustrated by Sue Sansom. Scratch the cat is not only lavender in colour, he smells of lavender too! He joins Sniff, the robot and Mr Smith of the loud-looking, tropical-smelling shirts and together they explore lots of adventures and smells along the way, with the ‘Smell and Tell’ feature keeping the excitement going right to the story’s end! What’s more, each book comes complete with a set of 16 ‘smell and tell’ stickers that children can enjoy and share with their friends.

A delightful and different approach, The Adventures of Scratch, Sniff and Mr Smith bring a whole new dimension to the reading experience by utilising a largely neglected sense and creating excitement around the activity of reading. The books will keep even the most reluctant readers engaged but also waiting impatiently for the next titles to appear. They are becoming firm favourites at ‘Show and Tell’ time at school, and have even been chosen for CBeebies Story Time!

There are three Scratch, Sniff and Mr Smith books available, with a new title, ‘The Super Witch Contest’ due to launch next month.

Shibani is now working on a new series of travel adventures for Mr Smith and his friends for launch later this year, plus children can go online and join The Smelly Book Club for lots of extra fun and games, all centred around smells! Visit www.thesmellybookcompany.com for more information.
The books, which make perfect gifts for children aged 3-7 are available to buy at just £5.99 from all good children’s book sellers including ELC, TRU and Waterstones.

SUMMER SHOWTIME AT THE NATIONAL TRUST

The National Trust has the perfect summer entertainment on offer in some of the most enchanting locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Enjoy a spot of Shakespeare performed in the grounds of country manor; relax to the rhythms of live jazz on a perfectly manicured lawn or join a spectacular open air music concert.

Invite all your friends and family and spend some perfect summer time together, pack the rugs and blankets, not forgetting to load up the picnic hamper, and then kick back, relax and enjoy. What’s more many of our outdoor theatre productions take place whatever the weather, so don’t let the forecast put you off [1].

Make it a night out to remember with one of these great events:

Buckland Abbey, Devon
Musicals in the barn 5 June 7.30pm - 9.45pm
Join the City of Plymouth Concert Band, Plymouth Theatre Company and Four's Company for an evening of songs from the West End musicals in the beautiful 13th century Great Barn. It’s sure to be a night to remember for everyone.
Pre-concert suppers will also available.
This event takes place in the Great Barn so please wrap up warm as the Great Barn can be chilly, even in summer.
Cost- all tickets £10.
Booking is essential for this event please call 01822 853607.

Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Lazy jazz Sundays 6, 13, 20 and 27 June 2pm - 4pm
Every Sunday in June, enjoy a lazy afternoon at Polesden Lacey. Spread out your rug on the South Lawn, take time to peruse the Sunday papers and relax listening to wonderful live jazz music.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01372 452048.

Stowe Landscape Gardens, Buckinghamshire
Stowe's summer of sound: dining at dusk 11 June 7pm - 9pm
Enjoy an evening of music next to the Temples of Concord and Victory, overlooking the beautiful Grecian Valley. Why not bring a picnic and really make a night of it?
Cost- adult £6 (advance), £8 (on the day), child £3 (advance), £4 (on the day), family £14 (advance), £20 (on the day).
Booking is essential for this event please call 01280 822850.

Rowallane Garden, Co Down Northern Ireland
Hot Jazz 12 June 6pm - 10.30pm
Come and enjoy the special relaxed atmosphere on this annual jazz night at the bandstand. Bring a rug and a picnic.
Cost- Adult £10, child £4 and family £25.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 028 9751 0131.

Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire
The Hidcote play - The Tempest 17 June 5.30pm - 10pm
The Hidcote play returns with Shakespeare's magical farewell to the stage, where love and tragedy will be combined in equal measure. Why not enjoy this open air performance with a picnic or take the night off and book a pre theatre supper in the Garden Restaurant?
For theatre supper bookings please contact the catering manager on 01386-
438703.
Please bring a picnic rug or lawn chairs and warm, waterproof jacket as the play will continue if wet.
Cost- all tickets £15.
Booking is essential for this event please call 01386 438333.

Upton House and Gardens, Warwickshire
Jazz concert at Upton 19 June 7.30pm - 10pm
Bring a picnic and enjoy the music as the sun sets on a summer's evening at Upton.
Cost- adult £13.50c (advance), £15 (on the day) and child £7.
Booking is advisable please call 01295 671122

Erddig, Wrexham
Twelfth Night 26 June 7.30pm - 10pm
Enjoy a tale of love, mistaken identity and plenty of laughs. Performed in the Rose Garden, so bring along a picnic and lounge on a rug as the actors put on a show to remember.
Adult £12 Child £8 Family £35.
Booking is essential for this event please call 01978 355314.

Stackpole Estate, Pembrokeshire
3 Counties big band midsummer concert 26 June 7.30pm - 9pm
Join the talented young musicians from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion at the Stackpole Centre as they perform from their extensive repertoire.
Limited availability, please book early to avoid disappointment.
All tickets £6
Booking advisable please call 01646 661425.

Corfe Castle, Dorset
Romeo and Juliet 1 July 7.30pm - 10.15pm
Shakespeare states in the opening 10 lines of this play that it is an explosive swash-buckling romance with a thrilling storyline and more laughs than tears. The Montague and the Capulet families are at war with one another - but when Montague's son falls in love with Capulet's daughter at a party, a chain-reaction is set in motion which has a devastating conclusion.
Ilyria last performed this terrific play 10 years ago to rave reviews so its definitely not one to be missed
No seating can be provided, so please bring low back seats, rugs, picnics and remember to dress up warmly.
Please note that the National Trust car park is a good 10 minutes walk uphill to the Castle, it would be best to drop off passengers/chairs/picnics etc in the Square before parking, so leave enough time to do so.
Cost- adult £14.50, child £8 and family £40.
Booking is essential for this event please call 0845 249 1895.

Wallington, Northumberland
Music for a Summer Evening 3 July 7pm - 9.30pm
Following the success of their Christmas concert, the Belford Singers return to Wallington with a new concert of secular and sacred music. With music spanning several centuries, from the Tudor period to the early 20th century, the performance will be full of beautiful melodies and harmonies, well suited to the lovely setting of the Central Hall. Light refreshments will be served outside during the interval (weather permitting) to add to the special atmosphere.
Booking essential please call 0844 249 1895
Cost- adult £12 incl refreshments and child £6 incl refreshments

Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
Lazy Sunday Afternoon 4 July 1.30pm - 4pm
Relax in the Tea Room Gardens, read the papers and listen to music provided by our cheery musicians.
Booking is not required for this event.
Normal garden ticket admission required but there are no additional charges.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
The Tempest 10 July 7pm - 10pm
From a shipwreck to a magical island where nothing is as it seems, enjoy this open air performance of Shakespeare's most poetic and magical comedy in the atmospheric abbey ruins.
Please bring a picnic, rugs and low back chairs.
Cost- adult £15 and child £12.
Booking is essential for this event please call 0844 249 1895.

Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire
Robin Hood 10 July 6pm - 9pm
Cambridge Touring Theatre perform a wonderfully adapted and funny version of Robin Hood, a play for the whole family from aged two to ninety two - and above. Staged in the atmospheric setting of the Old Rectory Garden, there’ll be a barbecue and refreshments from 5.00pm.
Cost- adult £13, child £9 and family £43.
Booking is essential for this event please call 01223 206000.

Mottisfont Abbey Garden, House and Estate, Hampshire
An Ideal Husband 15 July 7.30pm - 9.45pm
Find yourself in Victorian England at a dinner party in the fashionable Grosvenor Square, where the guests are anything but they seem, in this popular Oscar Wilde play. Gates open at 6.30pm, performance starts at 7.30pm. One interval of 20 minutes and show ends at 9.45pm.
All tickets £16.
Booking Essential 08442491895.

Scotney Castle, Kent
La Bohème 17 July 7.30pm - 10pm
Scotney Castle and Opera Brava present La Bohème. Set in Paris in the 1830s among a group of impoverished Bohemians, the opera centres around the tragic love affair between a seamstress, Mimi and Rodolfo, a poet. La Bohème is a masterpiece and is undoubtedly Puccini's finest score.
The performance will take place within the Walled Garden. Please bring your own rugs or low-backed seating. No tables, gazebos or naked flames (including candles). The event will go ahead regardless of weather.
Cost- adult £25 and child £10.
Booking is essential for this event please call 01444 443000.

Belton House, Lincolnshire
Pride and Prejudice: open air theatre 24 July 7pm – 10pm
In a social whirlwind of balls, dinners and very eligible officers, Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy stand alone as the only sane people but they hate each other. Or do they? Can she see beyond his pride, and can he overcome her prejudice, in order to achieve their mutual happiness? Once again the irrepressible Illyria sharpen their claws to bring you Jane Austen at her vibrant best.
Situated on the East Lawn, please bring a picnic, seat and torch.
Cost- adult £12 (advance) £13 (on the day) and child £8 (advance) £9 (on the day).
Booking is essential for this event please call 01476 566116.

Wallington, Northumberland
Pride and Prejudice: open air theatre 25 July 7.30pm – 10pm
Illyria return with an enchanting version of Jane Austen’s classic love story in the beautiful setting of Wallington Courtyard. Bring picnics and blankets or chairs.
Cost: Adult £15, child £7.50.
Booking is essential for this event, please call: 0844 249 1895.

Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
Cliveden rocks! 31 July- 1 August 7pm - 10.30pm
On the first night join us for a sensational tribute band concert featuring Queen B and Utter Madness with fabulous firework finale, and on the second night be entertained by the Tremeloes (inc original band members) and the Boogie Brothers playing best of American 1960s, Soul and R&B.
Please note: no gazebos.
Cost- adult £20 (from 2/1/2010 to 30/4/2010), £26 from (1/5/2010 to 30/7/2010), £30 (on the day).
Booking is essential for this event please call 0844 249 1895.

Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
Outdoor theatre - Pride and Prejudice 31 July 6pm - 9pm
Jane Austen’s popular novel is brought to life by the talented troupe Illyria. Watch as one of the greatest love stories of all time unfolds at one of Lancashire's finest 16th-century Tudor buildings.
Cost- adult £12.80, child £8.50, family £37 (2 adults and 2 children) and concession £11.50.
Booking is essential for this event please call 01704 823812.

[1] Please contact properties directly to find out if performances are taking place.

For more information on National Trust events, please visit our website at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

BAG YOURSELF THE ULTIMATE FIRST JOB

If you want to make your friends jealous by bagging the coolest first job ever, then look no further. Mookie Toys, the makers of legendary Swingball, has launched a brilliant new game, Tailball, and is searching for 10 lucky kids to become official Tailball Testers.

Those who are successful will be sent a selection of free products from the range to try out at home and then simply asked to tell Mookie what they think of the game! Any great suggestions could even make it into a new and improved Tailball product.

Offering a fresh new take on the traditional bat and ball game, Tailball is perfect for kids who love to get out and about. Tailball even features a unique ‘tail’ design to make it easier to hit, improving hand to eye co-ordination and also making it more fun!

Available in five varieties, including Tailball Back Pack Attack, which comes in a handy back pack including a net, Tailball Extreme, which is strictly for outdoor play, and Tailball Flyer, a fresh take on the traditional Frisbee game, Tailball is suitable for all ages and abilities. Kids can also play whatever the weather with the Tailball Light, which can be used indoors.

Guy Orr, head of product development at Mookie Toys, comments:

“At Mookie we pride ourselves of designing games that kids will love, so who better to try out our new product than our very own junior Tailball testing team? Everyone has played Swingball at some point in their lives and as the latest addition to the Swingball family, Tailball, is set to be even bigger.

“Those who are selected to become part of the testing team will have the key role of telling us what they like about the product, and more importantly, how they think we can improve it. Who knows, we might even discover some potential toy designers in the making who are lucky enough to see some of their ideas put into practice in our future products!”

If you’re aged between six and twelve and would like to apply to become part of the Taillball testing team, simply email why you think you would be a fantastic tester in 100 words or less to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday 11th June.

The Tailball Range

Tailball Back Pack Attack
A perfectly-sized package in a handy backpack that’s easy to transport to the local park, Back Pack Attack includes all the Taillball essentials, and can be played everywhere. Approximate RRP £29.99

Tailball Extreme
Families can get together and challenge each other to a game of Tailball Extreme, strictly for outdoor use. Approximate RRP £14.99

Tailball Light
At home with the rain? Don’t worry; you can still get your Tailball fix with Tailball Light – a game that can be played both indoors and outside. Approximate RRP £12.99

Tailball Flyer (RRP £8.99) and Tailball Rocket Zoomer (RRP £9.99)

Like a game of Frisbee or throw and catch, but simply better.

Taillball is available to purchase at Toys R Us stores nationwide.

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