Jane Austen Fayre

The Walled Garden, Down Grange, Basingstoke

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August 2005, 11am to 4.30pm

Following the success of our 2004 event we returned to the walled Garden for a 2-day fayre in 2005, with additional performances including music, song and Jane Austen readings. New performers included the musical duo Hautbois, The Madding Crowd and members of the 1st Battalion 95th Rifles, whilst equestrian displays were augmented by owner-riders Karen Wright and Jackie Lake. Once again gratifyingly large numbers of visitors - many taking up the invitation to wear period costume - visited the event and enjoyed the numerous ongoing and timed displays.

EventPlan arranged the historical displays, co-ordinated the performers and linked displays with announcements at this special event to celebrate the life and times of novelist Jane Austen on behalf of the event organisers, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council. 

Visitors stepped back to the elegant Regency era at the beginning of the C19th and enjoyed living history, music and song, dancing displays (and a chance to learn the steps if wished), a fashion talk, equestrian displays by a dashing redcoat officer and ladies, redcoats and green-coated riflemen recruiting for King George, musket firing, duellists and a Punch & Judy show (complete with Napoleon as the villain!). There were Regency-themed crafts and exhibition stands to enjoy, and refreshments.

Like last year, visitors in period costume were particularly welcome and  admitted free of charge, many taking the opportunity to dress in their finery!

Participants and displays

Elegant living history by members of the Regency Club

Equestrian displays by Andy Smerden (on Mack, plus Megan the mule), Karen Wright and Jackie Lake

Music and song performed by Hautbois and The Madding Crowd (the latter also arranging games and performing a country wedding)

Dancing arranged by Ursula Adam

Fashion displays by Hands on History

Duelling displays by the Duelling Association

Redcoats of the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Light Infantry. 

Riflemen of the 1st Battalion, 95th Rifles, plus ladies

Campaign life depicted by Baggage and Bayonets

Regency Punch & Judy show by Ancient Wisdom

Jane Austen readings by Jessie Binns

Readings from The Lady Soldier by Jennifer Lindsay

Plus numerous crafts and stalls - please see below

Additional groups and performers who would like to take part in future events are invited to contact us for more details and click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation.   

Timetable of displays

 All displays and activities were at each group’s area unless otherwise stated.

 Ongoing activities:  

• Finely dressed officers and ladies of The Regency Club
• Lliving history displays by the soldiers in their encampment
• Regency fashion and everyday life with Hands on History

Free posters and postcards promoting the feature film Pride and Prejudice were available, whilst stocks lasted.

 Trading and exhibiting

Pitches for appropriate regency-themed traders and exhibitors were free of charge, with 6 foot trestle table and chair provided. Please contact Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council (see below) for details. Those booked included:

Farmer Gosden’s Luxury Ice cream

Made using fresh milk and cream from a herd of Jersey cows on Goddards Farm in Sherfield On Loddon.  The ice cream comes in 16 delicious flavours including Just Jersey with Ginger, Apple and Oat Cookie Crumble, and Banoffee. Hampshire Life Finalist – Winner of Best Newcomer of the Year 2004! 

La Creperie    

A family run business offering quality freshly cooked sweet and savoury crepes to order served from an authentic wooden hand cart.                                                                             

Wessex Cancer Trust   

Tea, coffee and Regency themed refreshments, using recipes from ‘Jane Austen’s Cookbook’, All proceeds to the Wessex Cancer Trust.  The Wessex Cancer Trust was launched in 1981 as an independent charity to help tackle the problems of cancer in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.  The Trust aims to help people understand more about cancer and its effects by promoting prevention wherever possible and through facilities for early detection and screening.                                                                                                                       

Jane Austen Society and Hampshire Records Office

The UK Jane Austen Society was founded in the 1940’s, when there was a concern for the conservation of Chawton Cottage.  The Society has continued to grow and currently boasts over 2000 members, who promote enjoyment and understanding of Jane Austen’s life and work.  Hampshire Records Office collects records relating to Hampshire and its families, as well as holding many documents relating to Jane Austen herself. 

Jane Austen’s House

Jane Austens literary home in Chawton is where she wrote and revised her famous novels including Pride & Prejudice.  The museum is managed by the Jane Austen Memorial Trust and houses a large collection of Jane Austen items, including the table where she used to write her novels. 

Austen Effusions

Books and greeting cards, inspired by Jane Austens’s life and work. Effusions of Fancy by Jane Odiwe is a new Jane Austen book with a difference. It is a light hearted portrayal of a youthful Jane Austen as seen through the eyes of her sister Cassandra. Watercolour sketches and paintings depicting events and scenes from the novelist's life are annotated with facts and accompanied by illustrated letters. 

The Lady Soldier by Jennifer Lindsay

The Lady Soldier by Jennifer Lindsay, is set during the Regency. It is a properly researched, authentic historical novel about a lady who runs away and joins the British army, set in 1812.  Readings in costume and book signings. 

Oakley Hall – Austen’s Restaurant

Built in 1795, Oakley Hall has a distinguished past.  Formerly owned by the Bramston Family, close friends of Jane Austen.  It is also mentioned fondly in Jane's letters to her sister Cassandra.  The Austen’s garden view restaurant is an attractive venue for private dining, business lunches, high tea or for a special romantic dinner.  Promotion, raffles, competitions and prizes.    

Kitty Hats

Period hats and wool-crafts. Whether you want a hat for historical re-enactment, museum display or play / film production or just because you like hats!  For those particularly interested in the Regency period, there are soldier's shako, top hats, bowlers, and ladies bonnets and tiaras. 

Southern Counties Costume Society

The society brings together people interested in all aspects of dress and accessories across the centuries. Events are held throughout Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex and Surry.  The exchange of ideas and knowledge is always an enjoyable part of the events. New members are welcomed at any time throughout the year! 

The Jewellery Room.

The Jewellery Room supplies a range of jewellery and accessories.  Many of the designs are unique in the type of metals, beads and colour used, to ensure individuality. There is also a supply of vibrant and colourful evening bags, shawls and belts with detailed embroidery.                                                                                               

Meadow View Nursery

Situated in Addlestone, Surrey Meadow View Nursery is a small one acre nursery specialising in interesting and unusual herbaceous perennial plants.  Typically plants are sold directly to the public at Farmers markets, summer fetes and fairs; however Chris Glazier welcomes private parties to view.  Chris is always looking for new venues to sell at and welcomes any invitations to sell his competitively priced and high quality plants. 

Court Lane Vineyard

Court Lane Vineyard at Ropley is about 12 miles south of Basingstoke. It was established in 1978 and is a member of the Wessex Vineyards Association.  Since 1993 the wines have been estate bottled.  Although production is quite small at about 2000 bottles a year, many awards have been won both in the Wessex region and at the UK Wine of the Year Competition.  The vineyard has become a popular venue for small group visits; Stephen Flook welcomes visitors and is happy to give guided tours and wine tastings. 

Denize Taylor                                     

Homemade traditional preserves and confectionary.     

Basingstoke Embroiders Guild

The Embroiderers' Guild is the UK's leading craft organisation, a self-funding educational charity and registered museum which promotes embroidery and provides access to its resources and skills for the benefit of the whole community. The Guild promotes embroidery as being all work stitched or derived from stitch.  

Oakley Lace Circle

Demonstrations and lace pieces on sale. 

Glass Gifts

Stained glass gifts, home decoration features and lead-light windows using original designs.  Maria holds a stock of unusual and hand-made presents and also carries out commissions for pieces, such as windows, lamp shades and cupboard doors.   

Lady Angelica Warburton – Beadwork

Angela Gibson and Pamela Flaherty demonstrating beadwork in costume.  

You2Toys

A creative and non-profit making group who encourage the development of skills in teamwork through toy designing and making.  The toys are handmade for everyone to enjoy and make.  They are designed to be user friendly and socially orientated to include able-bodied and disabled children in play.

Basildon Park

A splendid National Trust property featured in the recent feature film Pride and Prejudice.

Admission 2005

£3.50 adult, £2.50 child under 16, visitors in Regency costume free. Free parking.

Directions to the Walled Garden

The Walled Garden is a very pleasant spot and well worth a visit. Admission is normally free.

Enquiries

Displays and performers: E-mail us or call 01509 815645

All other enquiries: Please contact Helen Trebble,  Parks and open Spaces, Basingstoke and Deane borough Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4AH. Tel: 01256 845649. E-mail:  h.trebble@basingstoke.gov.uk

Other events 2005

Click here for details of many other historical events organised by EventPlan this summer.

Links to        Events 2005      EventPlan Home Page        EventPlan News

Updated 3 February 2006