Weird and Wonderful Wood returns to Stowmarket in May

Weird and Wonderful Wood returns to Haughley Park on May 11 and 12 - after being voted Best Festival in Suffolk for the second year in a row.

It scooped the Suffolk Festival of the Year accolade earlier this year at the East Anglian Festivals Network's (EAFN) annual awards, which are voted for by the public based on last year's festivals.

Organisers said they were planning another great event and have been flooded with messages of encouragement and requests to participate from people across East Anglia and beyond.

The wood-themed weekend draws some of the UK's most skilled artists and craftsmen in the medium - including instrument makers, designers, sculptors, furniture makers and many other wooden crafts. 

They sell their works, and there are also live demonstrations of skills including chainsaw carving, pole lathe, wood turning, willow weaving and sawdust raku firings.

Visitors can try their hand with free workshops including woodcarving, drumming, papermaking, spoke shave, hula hoop, aerial silks and circus skills. 

The fun and entertainment on offer is aimed at families and people of all ages, said organisers.

Entertainment from some of the best street performers in the UK and Europe includes stilt walkers, jugglers and acrobats.

There will be a giant tortoise, a mechanical dragon and a giant Viking.

Organisers are working with The Bureau of Silly Ideas to ensure a laugh around every corner - and visitors are asked to look out for a rare appearance from Madame D’Orificio.

Talented musicians will be adding to the all-round entertainment, including Baghdaddies, Mark Chadwick from the Levellers, the Wilswood Bouys and Swervy World.

Sarah Barker and Sue Taylor co-organise the event along with Taliesin Woolsey who organises the site. 

Sarah's mum, Tarby Davenport - who received an MBE in 2022 for her services to the arts in the local area - founded the event in 1994 and ran it until 2022 when Sarah and Sue took over.

The event attracts around 5,000 people a day  and is becoming known not just throughout East Anglia but much further afield, they said.

"We are preparing another amazing Weird and Wonderful Wood that sees people return year after year - with some old favourites and new surprises around every corner," said Sue.

"This year we have had people from all over the country getting in touch with us, and have a new international performer on Sunday called Sara Twister, who puts a whole new twist on archery."

Sarah said it was always a highly-anticipated event. "There are families all over East Anglia very much looking forward to the weekend.

"I'm told it's the highlight of many families' year and the children get very excited in the weeks running up to it."

Gates open at 10.30am and close at pm on Saturday and 5pm Sunday. Admission costs £15 for adults, £12 concessions, children over five £7 and under fives free. Family tickets are £40 for two adults and two children over five.

Visit www.weirdandwonderfulwood.co.uk for details.