Have a lovely weekend. Here is a selection of events taking place across the Borough
SATURDAY 19TH AUGUST
GIN FESTIVAL
Absolutely Fabulous Gin Festival, which has proved popular among gin lovers after a number of successful events across Merseyside, will make its debut appearance at St Helens Town Hall on 18th and 19th August. With 50 gins to choose from, guests can gain entry from just £10 which includes a welcome drink, an Absolutely Fabulous gin copa glass worth £5 which can be taken home, a bag and gin guide – and live entertainment. Limited VIP tickets are also available to purchase for £50 which entities guests to five gin and tonics served with fever tree tonic and garnish, a dedicated seat, balcony access to view the entertainment – and Indian food served by Indian restaurant, Mayur.
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/StHelens/St.-Helens-Metropolitan-Borough-Council/Absolutely-Fabulous-Gin-Festival-Comes-to-Saint-Helens-Town-Hall/12974446/
ST HELENS OPEN ART EXHIBITION
Returning to The World of Glass for the sixth year since 2012, this year’s exhibition is set to be bigger and better than ever. The Open Art competition aims to encourage and support local artists of all abilities, as well as promoting excellence, talent and creativity within the borough. The end result and is a showcase of artworks of all mediums from fine art, photography, video, sculpture and much more! This exhibition is not to be missed. All galleries at The World Of Glass. Saturday 1st July – Friday 1st September
SUMMER BEACH
Complete with a large beach area for youngsters to tackle with their buckets and spades – and a fantastic children’s funfair – Summer Beach will run from Saturday 22 July until Saturday 2 September in Church Square, 10:00am – 4:00pm
FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday 19 August – 11:30am to 2:30pm
St Mary’s Market
01744 677156
RAINHILL ROCKS MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Mamor Farm Rainhill
ST HELENS PARK RUN.
Meet at 9am, Bandstand, Victoria Park.
TANK – A celebration for the Love of GIN, with over 50 Gins to choose from, a range of fever tree tonics and an array of garnishes. Live music from the BathTub Gin Band. 7.30pm
Red Lion – Salander 10pm
Sefton – Superfly
SUNDAY 20th AUGUST
JUNIOR PARK RUN
9:00am. Colliers Moss North, 133 Broad Lane, Saint Helens, WA5 4AD.
More info and how to register => https://www.facebook.com/StHelensUnlimited/posts/1518451238175418
SUNDAY MARKET
Haydock Park Racecourse 9am to 4pm.
RALPH’S INDIE MUSIC RADIO SHOW.
25 tracks of the best unsigned UK indie music plus Ralph’s Top 10. Radio KC 5-7pm. http://rkc.noip.me/
ACOUSTIC JAM NIGHT
Acoustic Jam Session Late afternoon/Early evening drift in from 6.00 onwards for a gathering of assorted artists for practice and bonding – in the best musical sense of the word. The junction, Rainford.
WOODEN HORSE FOLK CLUB
The Junction, Rainford, 8.30pm Every Sunday Excl. Bank. Hols. Upstairs -small charge.
RAINHILL ROCKS MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Mamor Farm Rainhill
COMMUNITY ROUNDERS.
Do you remember playing Rounders at school? Come and re-live your youth with these FREE community Rounders sessions. They take place from 2pm – 3.30pm every Sunday until the beginning of September. No experience necessary. Men, women, boys and girls are all welcome to join in. No equipment is necessary and just suitable clothing to be worn. under 10s must be accompanied by an adult.Location: Ruskin Drive Sports Ground, St Helens, WA10 6RP. Contact Frederica Crawford on 01744 753798 or 07718 770710 or email fred.crawford2@gmail.com
EVENTS FURTHER AFIELD AND IDEAS FOR FUN TIMES
All creatures, mainly small
The Wildlife Trust has an excellent searchable database of outdoor events around the country throughout 2016. It is passionate about involving children with the outdoors, and offers family-friendly walks, pre-school wildlife clubs and special family events.
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/
Treasure hunts with GPS
There’s a lot of fun to be had on modern-day treasure hunts using GPS. Beginners’ guides to geocaching are available online with GPS unit recommendations. A simple web search will reveal caches in your area, and it’s a brilliant way of getting even the most reluctant tweenies out of the house.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/blog/what-is-geocaching-2/#more-3890
Sights for dinosaur eyes
The Ordnance Survey website has a great beginners’ guide to fossil hunting, which includes suggestions for where and when to go and what to take with you, such as books of tide times and old newspapers for wrapping any delicate finds in. Go find yourself a dinosaur!
https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getoutside/guides/beginners-guide-to-fossil-hunting/
Walking and Cycling
The National Trust has a number of cycle routes for families too as well as some great walks including walks for little legs so that the young’uns don’t get too tired.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cycling
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/walks-for-little-legs
Visit a FREE National Trust event
Explore Britain’s great outdoors as a family and enjoy one of the many free trails, storytelling or bulb planting activities organised across the country.
Become a nature detective
Free Woodland Trust activities from a choice of about 100 from its website for outdoor and indoor fun with nature. Activities include downloadable guides for outdoor fun making squirrel-proof bird feeders and more and for bad weather there are craft activities such as colouring sheets. See Woodland Trust for the full info.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/activities/search/
Visit the park
Here’s a handy page where you can search for award-winning parks near you – and they are free! http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/
English Heritage kids go free
If you’re already an English Heritage member, you can get free entry for up to six children (up to 18 years and within the family group) accompanied by an adult. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/
Over 500 ideas for free activities
http://www.netmums.com/activities/free-family-fun
Activities for a rainy day (Because we live in England and you just never know….)
https://www.netmums.com/activities/35-activities-for-a-rainy-day
