For Doddington and Newnham see:  www.twokentvillages.org                        Updated 24-02-2010

Doddington Place Gardens open every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from Easter Day until the end of September 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm .  Open for the National Gardens Scheme:  May, July & September.

Faversham Pools, open all year in May outdoor pools open for the summer.  01795 532426

A program of events in the area will be posted here as soon as all the information is available, for now try looking at www.faversham.org.

March

13th - Faversham Choral Society Spring Concert, 7.30 in St Mary of Charity Parish Church, ticket from Wyn's Flowers, Preston Street, or further information phone:  01795 538882

April

3rd - Mount Ephraim Gardens open for 2010. 10 acres of Edwardian terraced gardens, Woodrose tea rooms, enjoy traditional home-made lunches, cakes and teas as you warm your toes by the range in the old Edwardian kitchen.

24th - Oare String Orchestra

Dvorak, Aviss, Vaughan Williams:  Soloist John Turner (recorders).  Alexander Centre, Faversham at 7.30pm.  Tel:  01795 535209

May

!st - Faversham Pools

Outdoor pools open for the summer.  Tel:  01795 532426

2nd - Annual Charity Bike Ride

The 17th Annual Faversham Bike Ride starts at 11am from the Recreation Ground.  Tel:  01795 535267

2nd - 3rd - Pat-a-Lamb

First Bank Holiday weekend in May - make friends with friendly lambs for the whole family to enjoy.  See Mount Ephraim in May when Spring is in full swing and the 10 acres of gardens are bursting into bloom.  Tel:  01227 751496

8th - 9th - Belmont House and Gardens

Spring Fayre, 11am to 5pm.  Tel:  01795 890202

16th - Classic Car Show

Classic and Sports Car Show:  motorcycles, craft stalls etc.  Faversham Town Centre.  Tel: 07842 162192

16th - Spitfire Steam Trains

A truly nostalgic day out:  travel in style from London aboard an express steam train and enjoy the vibrant Car and Motorcycle Show.  A local afternoon trip from Faversham is also available.  Tel:  01795 542285 (Advance booking essential)

June

5 - 6th - The Secret Gardens of Faversham

Private gardens not usually seen, open for public viewing 1pm - 5pm.  Admission by programme £7.50 + postage from 1st May from Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre.  Tel.  01795 534542

20th - Fathers' Day Tour with Lunch or Tea

Dads and beer go hand in hand, so why not treat yours to a Fathers' Day to remember?  A tour of Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, followed by a tutored tasting over a traditional Sunday lunch or a sumptuous, homemade Brewers' Tea.  tel.  01795 542016

July

3rd - Cherry Day at Mount Ephraim

Sample some of the best cherries in the country on a real family farm.  Farm tours, fruit and craft sales, 'forgotten craft' demonstrations, traditional lunches and teas.

3rd, 10th and 17th - Open House, Faversham

The Open House Scheme, now in its 41st year, is the longest running event of its kind in Great Britain.  Historic properties not usually seen, open for public viewing 10am - 4.30 pm.  Entrance by handbook from June from The Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre.  Tel.  01795 534542

10th - Wheelie Bin Grand Prix

Fun racing by teams in vehicles adapted from wheelie bins.  BBQ 1pm and live music from 3.30pm.  The Three Horseshoes, Staplestreet, Hernhill.  Tel 01227 750842

10th - 11th Cherry Festival at Brogdale Farm

With over 300 varieties of cherry in the National Fruit Collection your taste buds will tingle.  Orchard Tours, tasting, music, summer bar, displays, children's activities and crafts.  Tel.  01795 536250

9th - 10th Davington Church Flower Festival

With refreshments and local crafts.  Also Brass Band concert.  At Davington Church, 10am - 4pm (on Sunday after morning worship to 4pm)  www.davington.org

24th - 25th - The Secret Gardens of Faversham

Private gardens not usually seen, open for public viewing 1pm - 5pm.  Admission by programme £7.50 + postage from 1st May from Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre.  Tel.  01795 534542

August

8th - Charity Car Show and Giant Bootfair

In support of Help for Heroes.  300+ classic, sports cars, military vehicles and motorbikes.  250+ Bootfair stalls, plus live music, children's fun fair & displays.  10am - 3pm Abbey School, Faversham.  Tel.  01795 590449

8th - Classic Car Show at Beech Court Gardens

Classic Car Show.  10.30am - 5pm.  Tel 01233 740735

September

4th - 5th Faversham Hop Festival

Hop Festival's 20th year - Kent's biggest street festival:  Live music, dance and hops.  Faversham town centre.  Tel:  01795 417426

5th - Spitfire Hop Pickers Steam Trains

Make tracks to Faversham aboard the legendary Spitfire steam train.  This train recreates the Hop Picker Specials aboard which Londoners once travelled to Kent for the September harvest.  Tel:  01795 542285

12th - Apple Sunday at Mount Ephraim

Join the apple harvest celebrations on the family farm including apple pressing demonstrations, fun farm tours and a chance to buy some of the best grown fruit in Kent.  For children, Apple Bobbing, an Apple Trail and Tasting Quiz.  Starts 11am.  Tel:  01227 751496

19th - Plant fair at Mount Ephraim

Specialist Nurseries situated adjacent to Mount Ephraim house and tea room.  10 acres of stunning gardens to explore and many attractions including 'forgotten crafts' visitor centre.  Tel:  01227 751496

25th - Oare String Orchestra

Elgar, Pehkonen, Brahms:  Soloist Robin Ashwell (viola).  Alexander Centre, Faversham at 7.30pm.  Tel:  01795 536250

25th - 26th - Cider Festival at Brogdale Farm

98 cider apple varieties, 20 perry pear and up to 30 varieties of cider to try and buy, you'll be amazed at how different each can taste!  Orchard Tours, tastings, music, hog roast, food, entertainment, demonstrations, crafts - a fun day for all the family!  For details phone 01795 536250

October

Saturdays and Sundays - Faversham Artists Open Houses

11am - 5pm.  Tel:  01795 591555

16th - Carnival

Spectacular evening procession through Faversham town centre, 6.30pm.  Tel:  01795 538747

23rd - 24th - Apple Festival, Brogdale Farm

With 2200 varieties of apple, there will be hundreds of varieties to taste and buy, eat your way through history while having fun with all the family!  Orchard Tours, Hog Roast, food, music, display, demonstrations, local ales and cider bar, children's activities, crafts.  Full details tel 01795 536250

28th - Feast Day of St Jude

Celebrated with special Masses and Devotions.  Shrine of St Jude, Tanners Street, Faversham.  Tel:  01795 539214

30th and 31st - Ghost Tours

As Britains oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame has a few 'old' friends.  Find out about unexplained happenings and sightings as actors bring some of the ghostly tales to life on these special Hallowe'en tours.  In addition to the daytime tours, there is a specially themed Beer and Food Evening including a Ghost Tour on Saturday 30th October.  Tel:  01795 542016

November

6th - Doddington Fireworks Display

Gates open 5.30.  Bonfire from 6.30, display at 7pm.  Tel:  01795 886332

12th - Murder Mystery Evening

Savour a superb four-course dinner in the 15th Century function room at the Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre - but keep your eyes peeled for clues and solve the mystery!  Tel: 01795 542016

27th - Christmas Lights in Faversham

Switching on the lights in Faversham town centre, 5pm.  Tel:  01795 539016

28th - Service of Thanksgiving and Memorial

A service to remember loved ones who have died.  St Mary of Charity Parish Church. 3.30pm.  To include a name please email admin@stmaryofcharity.org

December

23rd - Carols in the Market Place

Market Place Faversham at 7pm.