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.

https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/AlicePark/Events

Mon 1st May: Party in the Park
Music, boules competition, kids entertainers. Licensed cafe open as usual!

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

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.

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.

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

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!

The Larkhall Festival invites you to the Coronation of King Bladud.

The Royal procession departs from outside the Bladuds Head on Sunday 30th April 2023 at 1.00pm

The coronation will take place on the Village Green (car park) at approx 1.45pm. Celebrations will continue until 5pm.

Dress code: King Bladud would like to see you dressed to reflect the occasion. Royal robes and Crowns or tiaras are welcome, as are posh hats and of course piggy masks.

There will be prizes for the best children’s piggy outfit and for best royal outfit.

You bring a picnic, we bring soul tunes and a lovely chilled vibe

Founded in October 2018, the Bath Tub Orchestra is a mixed ability community orchestra that plays all kinds of music from pop, jazz, blues, film soundtracks to classical favourites.

Since 2018 the orchestra has grown into a vibrant, friendly community of musicians who come together each week to learn new music and be part of creating a much bigger sound.

BathTub Orchestra

Cars will be banished from the centre of Larkhall all day Sunday.  Instead, they’ll be replaced by a wonderful array of events and entertainment to keep you busy all afternoon!  Just a taste of the delights on offer include:

• Balloon modelling with Jimmy Mac

• Food and drinks, including pizza and ice cream

• Children’s Game Van – Ultimate Gamerz. The van operates a total of 10 consoles, with an additional 2 virtual reality headsets that can be used outside! Comfortable seating and a fantastic selection of games, what more is there to enjoy?

• Face Painting with Maggie

• Kidzone with Sally starting at 2:45 pm. Kidzfun circus skills will include having a go at Balancing, Spinning plates, Hula hoops, Juggling, Plus bubble fun and general circus mayhem.

• Scout & Sage Gin will serve up classic g&t’s and a few dangerously good gin cocktails in their horsebox gin bar Margo.

• DJ Dr. Mantis & DJ Auntie Marion mixing some tunes.

• Anything can happen!!! (3pm)

• Walcot State Choir starting 3:45pm. Not to be missed Festival firm favourite.

Breakfast BBQ before the parade.

CASH ONLY please

Doors open at 6:30 pm for 7 pm start

Come and see some of our best local comedians followed at around 9:15 by DJ Dunks & Guests on Decks, playing Disco, Funk and House until doors close at 11pm.

If you have a ticket and can’t come, you may go to Alice Park Cafe for a refund.

By popular demand, our kiddies’ karaoke is back! Let your little stars shine! (Let it Go by frozen is banned, only joking), come and join the rising stars.  Let them tickle their tonsils for their friends and family.  Bar is open for the parents.

12.45pm   - Stuart Burrows, Museum of Bath at Work - Filthy and Verminous: Public Health in Victorian Larkhall

If you think you've a healthy lifestyle (avocado smoothies, etc) spare a thought for the inhabitants of benighted Larkhall in 1866 who at best were drinking diluted sewage and at worst dropping dead of Cholera or Typhoid. Come along and find out how our ancestors survived urban living without disinfectant. Filthy and Verminous: Public Health in Victorian Larkhall.

1.30pm – David Pearce – Larkhall History Society – The Great Turnpike Robbery of 1850

The old Swainswick turnpike house on the Gloucester Road looks rather peaceful now but in May 1850 was the scene of a violent robbery.  Two local lads and a local barmaid were charged with the theft of the day’s takings which ended with one of them getting a one way ticket to Australia. This story involves three of our pubs only one of which is still serving alcohol, some very suspect evidence and one of the miscreants turning Queen’s evidence. The event warranted very few column inches in the Bath Chronicle of the time.  I wonder how much it would get today?

 2:15pm – Roger Holly and Bryn Jones - Lark-Hall the House that Was Never a Hall

‘Larkhall’ has no official existence. Originally just Lambridge parish, the area we now call Larkhall grew up around what is now the Larkhall Inn. Folklore says it was a manor house, or a coaching inn. Sadly neither of these descriptions is correct. However, its chequered history from 1775 onwards involved innovative builders and some exotic tenants – even before it became an inn. In this talk we describe these and speculate on the origins of the name that defines our community.

Ready, Steady, Bake!  Bring out your inner Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood.  Bring your masterpiece to the New Oriel Hall between 12noon and 2pm.  Winners announced at 3pm.

Adult & Children Divisions

 Categories are:-

• Large cakes

• Smaller bakes (cupcakes, muffins and biscuits)

• Pies & Tarts

In keeping with this year’s theme of Kings and Queens, the bakes should be as colourful as you can make them!   There are separate divisions for kids and grown ups. W'e’ll have fantastic prizes!

This year we are crowning King Bladud so your headgear should be more regal. Saturday, 29th April, 12 to 4pm in the Main Hall.

Come and make your fabulous headgear to wear in the Parade of King Bladud and his Coronation on ‘The Village Green’, usually called the car park!

Cathy Kelly, our local textile wizard, will be on hand to help, we will supply lots of materials, but feel free to bring your own.

Nadia Cachia will be on hand to help children with piggy masks. King Bladud didn’t go anywhere without his piggy helpers.

Let’s make this procession and afternoon to remember. Come along suitably adorned to help celebrate King Bladud’s big day!

No need to book.

Story Telling – Kerry Bartlett - Cedar Studio – Saturday 29th April, various times

Something for the young ones, or not so young, open to everyone. Come and hear the story of

Prince Bladud, as written and illustrated by a local resident Jane Samson. Also, you chance to buy a copy of this lovely storybook.

Look out for signs in the Hall on Saturday giving details of times.

Sat 29 April - Paint the Park
Time to get creative. We supply loads of chalks for everyone to colour in all the pathways with!

This year’s Speakeasy Spoken Word Festival Spectacular returns to The Bladud’s Head on Friday 28th April and features two brilliant guests - Graeme Puckett and Bambi. Bambi is relatively new to the poetry scene but is whipping up a storm and even won a WOMAD spot at the Hip Yak Poetry Shack last year. (Deservedly beating me to this prize, I may add!) 

Bambi - “The passive aggressive political pirate. Weaving her woes into words and morbid merriments Bambi draws on themes from poverty to parenthood, satirically subjecting the systems and suffering that surrounds her.” 

@brittany_louis on Instagram.

Followed by local author Graeme Puckett introducing and reading from his new novel, a very black comedy ‘Which Would You Rather?’. (I’ve read it. It makes you snort laughter through your nose.)

For 25 years Graeme worked as an illustrator and during that period, he and his partner Ann started swing dancing. They soon realised they had an aptitude for it, achieving national success and becoming twice U.K. Lindy Hop Champions. Their many broadcast credits include a comedy dance routine with the late Rod Hull and Emu as well as choreographing for an animated jitterbug sequence in Aardman Animation's "CHICKEN RUN”. 

During the lockdown periods Graeme missed the creativity that swing dancing provides and started painting again, producing 5 canvases. Running out of storage space Graeme looked for another creative outlet. 

At the time, his neighbours were being particularly irritating. He fairly quickly realised - almost immediately, in fact - that it wouldn’t be wise to kill them. However...he could write about killing them…

You can buy the book directly from Graeme’s website

http://www.hoppinmad.co.uk/sales.htm 

or email him at hm.sendonly@gmail.com

or call 01225 332942 to arrange delivery/collection of a signed copy

Come and try swing dancing with Graeme and Ann

Every week in Bath on a Tuesday in Weston, beginners from 7:15, just turn up! 

http://www.hoppinmad.co.uk/weekly.htm 

Come armed with offerings for the open mic; anecdotes, poems, tall tales, short stories, book excerpts, and we’ve even had a limerick or two! Spaces available on the night, arrive for open doors to avoid disappointment. (Or just come and enjoy the evening!) 

Shhhpeakeasy Hidden Word returns - we hide poems in books from Larkhall’s fabulous bookshop Beaufort Books - bring your poems on a postcard to the Speakeasy on Friday and they will be hidden in books from the Saturday for the duration of the festival and beyond. Visit the bookshop to hunt out a treat when you delve into the delights on offer! (Your own work or your favourite by others - clean only please, it’s a family bookshop!) Have you found one in a book? Let us know! 

Book swap for World Book Night - some books will be available, bring a swapsie. 

And all for free.

Doors 7:30 for an 8:00 start. 

The Bladud’s Head, 1-3 Catsley Place, St. Saviour’s Road, Larkhall, Bath BA1 6TA

Facebook.com/SpeakeasySpokenWord 

The Alice Park Café is offering up their legendary pizzas to be enjoyed with family and friends in the lovely spring evening air at the park.

Children and young people, your king needs you!

The Larkhall Festival needs you to give the King a royal escort to his coronation. Walk behind this king, help lead the procession.

Want some fun at the festival? Want to be part of it? Come to the Larkhall Social Club FKA The Liberal Club on Saturday, 22nd April at 10 am.

Work with the famous Kilter Theatre group to develop some moves and some chants fit for a King’s royal procession. Bring a parent/carer.

For more information contact trish_od@yahoo.com. The parade and coronation take place on Sunday, 30th April at 1 pm from Bladuds Head processing to the Village Green (Larkhall car park) where there’ll be a coronation and a celebration.