Events programme 2010
Chilterns Gateway Centre and Dunstable Downs
Dunstable Road, Whipsnade, Bedfordshire, LU6 2GY
Telephone 01582 500920 Email: dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk
To avoid disappointment, please book events in advance on 01582 500920 unless otherwise stated. Normal admission unless otherwise stated.
February
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 7 February, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Archaeology Event
Spring Half Term tbc
History Walk
Sunday 21 February, 10am – 12am
Enjoy a 2 hour stroll to find out how Dunstable Downs has been used by people for thousands of years. Includes soup and roll afterwards. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and suitable shoes.
Admission: £5.
Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925.
20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
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March
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 7 March, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
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April
Sunrise Service
Easter Sunday 4 April, 7am
Performed by the Salvation Army
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 4 April, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
History Walk
Sunday 11 April, 10am – 12pm
Enjoy a 2 hour stroll to find out how Dunstable Downs has been used by people for thousands of years. Includes soup and roll afterwards. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and suitable shoes.
Admission: £5. Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925.
20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
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May
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 2 May 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Dunstable Carnival
Monday 3 May
Nature Walk
Sunday 23 May, 11am – 3pm
Enjoy a 2 hour walk to look for the creatures that call Dunstable Downs home. We might be lucky enough to see the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly. Soup and a roll will be provided in the visitor centre after the walk.
Admission: £6. Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925.
20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
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June
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 6 June, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral Service
Sunday 13 June
A short informal service for all the family. Booking not needed.
Orchid Hunt and Nature Walk
Monday 14 June, 11am – 1pm
Enjoy a 2 hour walk to look for the creatures that call Dunstable Downs home. Hopefully the orchids will be in full bloom. Soup and a roll will be provided in the visitor centre after the walk.
Admission: £6. Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925.
20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
Orchid Hunt and Nature Walk
Sunday 20 June, 11am – 1pm
Enjoy a 2 hour walk to look for the creatures that call Dunstable Downs home. Hopefully the orchids will be in full bloom. Soup and a roll will be provided in the visitor centre after the walk.
Admission: £6. Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925. 20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
Evening Ramble
Wednesday 23 June, 6pm – 8pm
Enjoy a 2 hour ramble over Dunstable Downs.
Admission: £4. Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925.
20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
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July
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 4 July, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Alice Through The Looking Glass
Saturday 10 July, 6pm
A Quantum Theatre outdoor production of Alice Through The Looking Glass. See Alice’s fantastical adventures in the strange world she enters through the mirror above her drawing-room fireplace. The story follows her travels in a world laid out like a chess board, where she encounters characters such as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Walrus and the Carpenter, The Lion and the Unicorn and the Jabberwocky.
Admission Adult: £10. Children: £7 and Concessions: £8. Family: £28. Booking essential.
Purchase through the Quantum Theatre Booking Office 0845 4505157 or purchase at Chilterns Gateway Centre shop.
Kite Festival
Sunday 18 July, 11am – 5pm
Come and enjoy the annual Kite Festival on Dunstable Downs, a great opportunity to see unique and beautiful kites, flown by expert flyers demonstrating their skills throughout the day. Visitors are encouraged to bring your own kites or join the Kite Making Workshop and there will be a variety of stalls and other activities on offer. Normal admission applies, booking not needed.
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August
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 1 August, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Nature Walk
Sunday 15 August, 11am – 1pm
Enjoy a 2 hour walk to look for the creatures that call Dunstable Downs home. We might be lucky enough to see the Chalkhill Blue butterfly. Soup and a roll will be provided in the visitor centre after the walk.
Admission: £6. Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925.
20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
Great Expectations
Saturday 28 August, 6pm
A Quantum Theatre outdoor production of Great Expectations. A brand new adaptation of Dickens most enduringly popular and atmospheric novel which promises high comedy and dark drama. From the misty Kent marshes to the dusty, dirty streets of London, we follow orphaned Pip’s journey through adversity to discover the true nature of his ‘great expectations’.
Admission Adult: £10. Children: £7 and Concessions: £8. Family: £28. Booking essential.
Purchase through the Quantum Theatre Booking Office 0845 4505157 or purchase at Chilterns Gateway Centre shop.
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September
Dunstable Downs Festival
Thursday 2 – 5 September
Thursday Am: children’s event, Pm: Oap event/tea dance.
Friday: BBC introducing.
Saturday: Multicultural food day.
Sunday: Festival/history/farmers market day.
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 5 September, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Eid Festival at Dunstable Downs
Saturday 18 September, 11am – 4.30pm
A fun filled day for people of all ages with a host of activities: a congregational outside prayer; halal food and drink; a stone carving workshop; Muslim story telling; nature trails; treasure quest and much more. Normal admission applies, booking not needed.
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October
History Walk
Sunday 3 October, 10am – 12pm
Enjoy a 2 hour stroll to find out how Dunstable Downs has been used by people for thousands of years. Includes soup and roll afterwards. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and suitable shoes.
Admission: £5. Booking essential. Ask in the shop or telephone 01582 500925.
20% discount in shop on day of the walk.
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 3 October, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Girl Guides evening event/activities
Wednesday 20 October, 8pm
All local Girl Guides as part of national centenary celebrations. Some form of lighting up ceremony.
Details to be confirmed. Valerie Cousins, secretary, Dunstable Downs Girl Guiding 01582 661769. valeriecousins@yahoo.co.uk
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November
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 7 November, 10am – 3pmTastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
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December
Farmers’ Market
Sunday 5 December, 10am – 3pm
Tastes of Bedfordshire farmers and local producers bring you a selection of stalls and products at this regular monthly market. Normal admission applies. Booking not needed.
Christmas Fair
TBC