For the Children

Adventure games, magical stories, funny things to make, write, cook and eat kept the little ones occupied and inspired throughout the weekend.

NonSENSE LAND

NOnSENSE LAND - The Children’s Area created especially by Mischief La-Bas next to the magical and exotic Spring Gardens offers loads for kids to do and enjoy. Adventure games, promenades, oddball characters, funny things to make, do and wear will keep them occupied and inspired throughout the weekend. Watch out for the Aliens, the Laird of Callybrew, Harbuck & Futtock, and the occasional Teddy Bear dashing about?

The age range is 2 – 11 years old

For more information have a look at their website www.mischieflabas.co.uk

Elsewhere on site...

Cooking: Fun Food Academy

Fun Food Academy will be running a Children's Cookery School on Saturday and Sunday on the picnic lawn . Over two one-hour long cooking sessions they will teach your kids the fun of cooking using plenty of home-grown, local produce to design and make their very own pizza to serve with a delicious fresh, crispy salad - all to take away with you to eat and enjoy FOR FREE!!!

The age range is 5-11years old

Mountain Boarding

On first inspection mountain boarding (also known as all terrain boarding or land boarding) can seem rather unnerving. For a start you’re riding on what looks like a cross between and snow board and a skate board with some seriously beefed up tyres. Secondly you’re expected to negotiate your strange looking board down a significantly-sized hill. Sounds interesting to say the least!

With safety gear on and an instructor in tow you would be forgiven for wondering what you have let you and your family in for as you head to collect your mountain board and begin your session!

Mountain boarding is a wonderful, exhilarating and unique extreme sport for everyone, have a go with your family soon and find out!

The Mountain Boarding at the West Dean Festival is being run by Haredown Mountain Boarding Centre, which normally operate in nearby East Dean. There, they offer excellent facilities for complete beginners through to hosting International Mountain Boarding Events.

For more information check out their website www.haredown.com

Creative music (acoustic) and / or rock band workshops

Young festival goers can participate in introductory ‘rock band’ workshops aimed at 10 to 14 year olds. 90 minute sessions on the Saturday and Sunday morning will offer children a fun introduction to singing and playing in a band, and will include some improvisation and performance technique. There are places on each day for 2 singers, 4 guitarists, 1 drummer and 1 keyboardist, with all equipment provided. Some previous knowledge is required for those who wish to play the guitar or drums.

www.schoolrockband.co.uk/west-dean-festival-workshops.html

Ferret Racing

STA Ferret Racing are a small group of experienced ferret enthusiasts who will be coming to the festival to introduce you to the wonders of ferrets and ferret racing The rules of ferret racing are simple. The course is run through a series of see-through heat resistant pipes. Choose your ferret, place your bet and cheer it on as it makes its way down the pipes. The winner will be the first ferret to emerge with all four feet on the floor.

The organisers are all volunteers and it’s a lot of fun. All funds raised go to STARescue, a registered charity which works to rescue and re-home small animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, rats, ferrets, birds and any other animal in need of their care.

For more information about ferret racing or the rescue visit their website www.starescue.org.uk

Storytelling: Paul Jackson - Falling into Stories

‘Ancient stories carry rhythms and dreams and powerful memories of a world where we were in tune with all that surrounded us’

A world of heros and demons, fools and tricksters. A place of beautiful women more colourful than the daughters of the Sun. Of old hags with iron teeth who live in the middle of the darkest of forests.

Paul Jackson will delight children with his tales of the lands of Elsewhere. Visit Paul's website www.pauljacksonstory.com/

Horse and Cart

Weald and Downland will be at the Festival with their Shire Horse and Cart, taking families from the main Festival site up into the Arboretum.

Please note: For weekend visitors workshops can be booked on arrival, a percentage of spaces will be held back for day visitors.