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Trot along to Chatsworth

7/ 5/2008

USE motorised horse power to travel to the Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire’s Peak District.

The beautiful home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire makes the perfect day out, and on Saturday and Sunday it will be a spectacular setting for the Nissan International Horse Trials.

There’s a cross-country course which winds around the beautiful park on the banks of the River Derwent, and a main arena where Pony Club games, Cyril the Squirrel and the breathtaking Chariots of Fire with its fire-jumping ponies are set to entertain.

There will also be a Punch and Judy show, bouncy castle, face-painting, dogs, hawks and ferrets, great food and 80 shop stands.

The lovely old house, rolling gardens, farmyard and adventure playground, shops and restaurants will all be open to visitors for what promises to be a memorable weekend – just a short journey away.

Find out more by visiting www.chatsworth.org or ringing 01246 565 300.

GO ALONG to Manchester Art Gallery for a new exhibition that showcases artwork by children and teachers from east Manchester schools. The exhibition features the creative results of a number of trial artists’ residencies in local primary schools and is shown alongside work by practising artists. These residencies were arranged by the art gallery in a pilot project, and the sessions gave teachers and pupils the rare opportunity to work closely with professional artists Susie MacMurray and Jim Medway. The results of these workshops will both surprise and delight. Now, after schools including Openshaw’s Varna Street Primary and St Clement’s C of E Primary have benefited, the scheme is set to be offered to schools across the city. The exhibition is on until July 20 at the Mosley Street gallery and entry is free.

GET out and about on Tameside with a series of guided walks which allow everyone to enjoy the rural beauty on offer. On Sunday, you can walk the canals and parks, spring and hills of Stalybridge on a three-hour trip from 1pm; meet at Staley Way car park. Then, on Wednesday, witness the countryside on your doorstep with a gentle two-hour stroll which starts at the bottom car park at the bottom of Apethorn Lane in Hyde at 1pm. On Thursday, there’s the chance to see the sun setting on Ridge Hill on a moderate but gently-paced guided evening walk which takes about two hours and starts at 7.30pm. Meet at Staley Way car park. For more details ring 0161 304 0055.

HELP youngsters discover green fingered talents at an enjoyable series of events at Urbis. The Cathedral Gardens venue is currently hosting The Urban Gardening Exhibition, which shows busy city dwellers how they can grow their own vegetables and flowers. The gallery space has been transformed into a green oasis and there is a reconstructed home as key exhibit. On Saturday and Sunday this week and next, children can go along and learn all about plants and gardening while using their artistic skills. They can decorate their own porcelain plant pot, plant a seed, then take it away to grow. The sessions run from 12noon to 3pm and cost £3. For more information ring 0161 605 8200 or log on to www.urbis.org.uk.

LEARN about Asia’s diverse cultures through the UK’s first Asian Art Triennial. The programme features contemporary visual culture from Asia at six galleries including the Chinese Arts Centre, Cornerhouse and the Castlefield Gallery. It includes exhibitions specially created for the Triennial, with new commissions by artists from across Asia including China, India, Korea and Pakistan. Visit www.shisha.net for details of the project, which takes place until June 1.

FANS of textile artwork can visit Tatton Park in Knutsford where the beauty of the outdoors has been brought inside. Members of Marple-based craft group Silk ‘n’ Threads are exhibiting in the Mansion until June 1. Their exquisite works have been created through the use of silk painting, embroidery, felt-making, printing, fabric dyeing, batik, silk papermaking and other techniques. All their work is inspired by nature, including the park itself. For details ring 01625 374 400 or visit www.tattonpark.org.uk.