American doubles tennis competition
Calling all tennis players! As part of the Larkhall Festival we’re running a fun, social American doubles tennis competition at Alice Park. This will take place on Monday 6th May from 2-4pm. You don’t need a doubles partner as your partner will change after each round. All abilities welcome. To sign up, go to https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/AlicePark/Events
Party in the Park - Alice Park
To end Larkhall Festival's festivities at Alice Park Café we have our largest event of the year:
PARTY IN THE PARK
Come on down on Monday the 6th of May for live music, DJs, and entertainment!
With Albert Rogers Fun Fair
Band Set List:
Josh Blake - 12:00
Revised - 1:00
Prospect Style - 2:00
The Strays - 3:00
Maria J and supporting band - 4:00
With DJ's:
Tony StClair
Mike Ashley
Martin Kimble
Competitions:
Forever Hounds Dog Show - 12:00-03:00
Boules Tournament - 12:00-05:00
Tennis Tournament - TBC
Joined by Sally Kids Fun, Jimmy Mc and Face painting!
Vote for your favourite trees - the festival favourites will be included in a Bath Urban Treescape trail to be published in the summer.
Pick up your voting stickers at the Alice Park Community Garden shelter between 10 & 2
Don't miss out on the biggest event of the year!
Follow to stay up to date on all Larkhall Festival events that are hosted right here, at Alice Park Cafe
Larkhall Open Gardens
Local people in Larkhall open their gardens, as part of Larkhall Festival 2024 to share their beautiful and very personal garden spaces with members of the community to enjoy and inspire them on Monday 6th May from 11.00am
Mini-Mart
Childrens mini-market - Village Green Car Park
Children and young sellers only, for totally free!
Just bring along a table and start selling!
All welcome, come along and buy from local sellers!
Nigel's History Walk
Meet at the Larkhall Inn in the square to discover the history of Larkhall
Queen Bladud's Coronation
This year Larkhall gets a Queen. Join the throng to greet Queen Bladud who will be joining the King for the first time.
The Queen is one plucky Larkhall resident who has accepted the honour. Come and watch her be crowned on the village green (car park).
Come dressed as a loyal piggy to making Bladud or your favourite Hero or Villain Party after to Dr Mantis and DJ Marion And dance along to Holding out for a Hero at 3pm Super pirates will be around in the Square from 2 to 5pm. Plus a selection of food and refreshments.
Treasure Hunt around Larkhall
A Treasure hunt is all around Larkhall - Super heros and Villains theme.
Entry forms from the New Oriel Hall or download below.
King Bladuds Procession
The Larkhall Festival invites you to join King Bladud on his right royal procession to Larkhall Square for the Coronation of Queen Bladud. HEROES & VILLAINS THEMED - DRESS FOR THE OCCASION. Royal robes and Crowns or tiaras are welcome, as are posh hats and of course piggy masks.
When: Sunday 5th May
Where: The right royal procession departs from the Bladuds Head
When: Gather from Midday.
Eat brunch, listen to The City of Bath Training Band Procession leaves at 1pm There will be a ceremony on the Village Green (car park) at approx 1.40pm. Celebrations will continue until 5pm Dress code: King Bladud would like to see you dressed to reflect the occasion. There will be prizes for the best children’s piggy outfit and for best royal outfit.
Picnic in the Park - Alice Park
Continuing with Alice Parks Larkhall Festival celebrations:
PICNIC IN THE PARK
Spend a relaxing day in our tranquil park. Either bring a picnic or grab some food from us and enjoy the bright sunny day.
Maker's Market
15 inside stalls for craftspeople at New Oriel Hall and 1 outside stall. Products include jewellery, plants, art, fabrics, wooden pens, cushions, candles, clothes and lots of other interesting things to buy!
Larkhall Stand Up and Dance Sketch
A night of laughter and grooving at the New Oriel Hall. An evening of hilarious comedy sketches followed by a dance party with DJ Duncan. Come and see your funny Larkhall Neighbours showing off their talents. It promises to be a night to remember.
DJ Dunk and Friends on at 9:15!
Cake Off - New Oriel Hall
Bring your cakes to the New Oriel Hall by 2pm
Judging 2.30pm
Awards 3pm
Nigel's History Walk
Meet at the Larkhall Inn in the square to discover the history of Larkhall
Drum Fun
Free drumming workshops for children ages 5-12. Kids will have a chance to make their own drums and learn some rhythms ahead of the parade.
Larkhall Open Studios
Larkhall artists and craftspeople look forward to welcoming you to their studios over the Larkhall Festival weekend (Sat/Sun/Monday - 11am - 5pm). This year the New Oriel Hall Group Exhibition is back on Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th May.
Please note that while most exhibitors work is for sale not all have card machines.
Physical maps will be available over the Festival weekend from New Oriel Hall and Bath Artist Printmakers Studio… alternately download the map or print off your own copy.
Click on any artist’s tile below to see their profile page, or download the map and have a wonderful wander around Larkhall!
King Bladud's Cup
Come down to St Mark’s School on Saturday the 4th of May for a 5-a-side Football Tournament!
BBQ and a licenced bar
Come and cheer on your favourite teams:
FC Beaufort Bookshop
VS
DAD FC
Larkhall Inn United
VS
Fairfield Hotspur
Join us at 10.30am for first game kick off at 11am.
St Marks School Art Exhibition
View the art of the talented students heading towards their GCSEs. On display in the reception area of St Mark’s School.
Paint the Park - Alice Park
The Larkhall Festival is kicking off at Alice Park Cafe with:
PAINT THE PARK
Take over the pathways of the park on Saturday the 4th of May and let your imagination run wild! Draw to your hearts content!
Mask Making (Super Heroes or Piggies)
Get ready for King Bladuds Procession. Two workshops giving children and their adults the chance to make piggy masks crowns or tiaras to meet the dress code required for Sundays big parade. 10 to 12 masks crowns and tiaras
Speakeasy Spoken Word Spectacular
Stephanie Hill; After many years of travelling and living out of a backpack she returned to the UK after popping to Bermuda for a two week holiday and staying for 16 years. Whilst watching a game of rugby in Bath, she decided to buy a local Bed and Breakfast.
‘Come Sleep With Me’ is an insight into some of the shenanigans that happen behind the scenes in Bed and Breakfast land. It’s about a laundry mountain, Roman Centurions, Chintz, geraniums and an Orangutan rehabilitation centre in Bukit Lawang. Stories of Thai police with brandy snifters, green fairy dresses and ghosts that complain about the toilets.
Now, Stephanie works with coaching clients all over the world using Laughter as one of the powerful tools for change. She is a renowned Author, Broadcaster and Coach, and the heart and soul behind The Laughter Works. You can tune into her show on Bath Radio twice a week and join her in the laughter revolution.
https://www.stephaniehill.co.uk/
https://thelaughterworks.com/
Kathryn O'Driscoll is a queer, disabled poet, mentor and editor from Bath. She was the 2021 U.K. Poetry Slam Champion and a World Slam Finalist. She was longlisted for the Disabled Poets Prize and the Outspoken Prize for Performance Poetry in 2023, and the Saboteur Award for Best Spoken Word Artist in 2022. In 2021 she was one of the featured poets on the (BAFTA winning) Sky Arts spoken word TV show Life and Rhymes. Her debut collection ‘Cliff Notes’ is now available from Verve Poetry Press.
instagram: @kathrynodriscoll
facebook: @poetryod
website: kathrynodriscoll.com
Open mic slots are available so arrive early to have a turn in the spotlight
Larkhall's Got Young Talent
Join us at the New Oriel Hall for a night of amazing performances by talented young people. Come and cheer on these rising stars as they take the stage and share their talents with their community. Join us for a night full of excitement and unforgettable moments. Tickets on sale soon £2 per person at Larkhall Deli Cafe (cash only) or on Eventbrite.co.uk
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/larkhalls-got-young-talent-tickets-882475597267
Drum Fun
Free drumming workshops for children ages 5-12. Kids will have a chance to make their own drums and learn some rhythms ahead of the parade.
Tennis Competition
Adult competition - Courts 1 – 4, 3pm to 6pm
Two free kids taster tennis sessions, Courts 5 & 6 from 3pm to 4.30pm
Join us on Bank Holiday Monday for a fun and sociable American Double Tournament. This event is open to everybody. The format of American Doubles means that you play with a doubles partner who is selected for you on the day. You play for a set period of time until the hooter goes.
For the next round you are paired with somebody else. The winner is the individual with the most points at the end of the day. The tournament is free of charge to enter but we are asking participants to make a voluntary donation to the Happy Lane fund if they wish. A suggested donation amount is £5 - £10
There are limited spaces on both sessions (24 for doubles and 24 for kids sessions split across 2 x 45-minutes sessions with space for 12 kids in each), so people who want to play need to book asap to secure their spot.
Party in the Park
Mon 1st May: Party in the Park
Music, boules competition, kids entertainers. Licensed cafe open as usual!
Dog Show
So... by popular demand Larkhall‘s very own best ever dog show is here again.
Categories are:
Prettiest Princess (open to all girl dogs)
Most Handsome Prince (open to all boy dogs)
Best Old Timer (open to all dogs 7 year plus)
Royal Rescue (open to all rescue dogs)
Rosettes, Treat Bags & Dog Biscuits!
No need to register dogs for the show - just turn up at 12pm and pay £2 entry
Garden Trail
Enjoy a gentle stroll around Larkhall celebrating gardening in all its glory.
This is a great way to get to know Larkhall and visit some wonderful gardens. There will be seeds and plants for sale in several gardens, cash only please.
DETAILS OF PARTICIPATING GARDENS
The Ferns and Garden Cottage, Deadmill Lane
Several garden ‘rooms’ containing tulips, aquilegia, apple blossom. Delightful hidden gardens – you may forget you’re in Larkhall! Refreshments and plants available.
Larkhall Allotments, Valley View Road
Large allotments with numerous plots. Cute sheds and Wendy houses. Plenty of sowings e.g. spring cabbage.
Please enjoy the allotments from the public right of way that runs through them.
Community Garden, Alice Park
Winner of RHS South West in Bloom Community Awards 2021. Plants, seeds and produce available on the day
12 Hillview Road
An artist’s small garden of ‘rooms’, created with structural planting, shrubs, perennials and grasses between 2 studios. Seating available. Access via house and steps.
3 Elm Croft, St Saviour’s Road
An attractive town garden with lots of shrubs which opens out onto a small orchard. Teas and cakes provided. Access by steep steps. Cream teas and cakes available.
Gardenalia, London Road Richard Asbury’s delightfully eccentric shop on London Road is not just a business but a passion. A haven of green thinking, encouraging re-use and recycling, working with nature, Gardenalia has an eclectic mix of antique and contemporary garden ornaments, furniture, accessories and unusual gifts, all in a beautiful setting. Specializing in organic garden products including seeds, plants and compost.
39 Uphill Drive
The small garden is designed to celebrate 3 countries, the UK, Italy and Japan and to be eco-friendly. There are a variety of insect friendly plants. No fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides have been used. It consists of 2 areas for roses and a strawberry patch to define the UK. A Zen garden with a Tenshi stone and bridge over a pond defines Japan. A gravel area made from upcycled broken roof tiles and a patio define Italy.
10 Larkhall Place Along established, large productive garden with fruit and veg, raised beds, apple and pear cordons and wildlife ponds. A continuous work in progress. Come and chat about compost or green manure snails etc or just sit by the pond.
Download the map using the button above. Paper maps also available on the Festival weekend at New Oriel Hall.
Boules Competition
Larkhall Festival Boules Tournament 2023
Competing For The Rose and Crown Trophies
Monday 8th May in Alice Park – open to everyone
It’s a triples tournament with teams of 3 players per match, each throwing 2 boules.
(playing squad numbers unlimited for the tournament duration).
To take part: at least one team representative registers to play at the organiser’s table in the park between 10.50 and 11.30 for a 12 noon start. (the whole playing area will be available for practice at anytime before the start of play, and of course the permanent terrain is available to the general public at all times)
Estimated finish time about 5.30 - 6 pm.
Entry Fee: £1 per player (under 16s, 50pence, to be supervised on and around the playing area by an adult at all times). Cash payment on the day at registration please.
The format/method of organising the tournament will be determined on the day according to number of entries, weather etc.
There will be prizes for winners and losers.
Dress: In French Style, of course. (at least something red, white and blue, although be prepared for English style weather!) Flat sole shoes are best. Best dressed players rewarded.
Bring own boules if possible. 2 boules per player needed, but spares will be available.
Player substitutions may be made during matches but only between ends and after informing opponents.
Beginners, don’t worry, rules of play will be explained but you’ll very quickly get the hang of it all. Help and advice will be readily available.
Come along, have some French style fun.
The café will be open for refreshments etc all day, but you may bring own picnic of course.
Organised by The Bath Grand Cru Petanque Club on behalf of The Larkhall Festival and supported by our local Rose & Crown pub.
Contact Chris Garratt for more info: 0778947057 garrattc@hotmail.co.uk
Intention to play would be useful before the day if possible.
The Well - Open Day
Come along to our Open Day in 1st of May, from 10am to 4pm.
The day will comprise of tasters of the various classes we run, treatments, personal training, group exercise and delicious food. We’d love for you to come and see what we’re all about, and get to know more people from the local community.
Well Bath is Yoga and wellness studio that offers a variety of classes, holistic therapies and monthly workshops. Designed to get you moving, help relieve the body from any discomfort and elevate your sense of well being.
Well is situated in the stunning location of Charlcombe, just above Larkhall. We have a wonderful view over the Bath countryside, an oasis where you can find some space and stillness for yourself.
We hope to welcome you soon.
You can reserve your free place using the booking link
Pub Sing-a-long
Do you know your True Blue from your Mellow Yellow? Come along and sing your heart out to a selection of popular tunes with a definite theme of Kings and Queens. Always a riotous, fun evening. Remember, it’s a bank holiday weekend. There’s no work the next day!
Get Involved
Larkhall Festival is planned and delivered by local volunteers, if you’d like to join the organising committee or wish to offer help in any other way please fill out the form below or get in touch.