Charleston prepares for a busy summer with a Designer and Makers’ Fair and a garden festival

Quite apart from a range of workshops and talks, and many more weeks in which to explore the fabulous twin exhibitions in the new gallery, there is a return of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the UK’s premier all-male theatre company. They will be presenting an open-air performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 12, in full Elizabethan costume, music and dance. Bring a chair, a blanket and a picnic. Tickets are £18 to £20.

The programme in the Hay Barn continues with a summer Designer and Makers’ Fair on June 22 and 23. Tickets are £5 each and anyone who attended the Frost Fair last autumn will know what a spectacular event this promises to be. Some 30 carefully chosen exhibitors will be selling beautifully crafted goods including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, basketry, bags, woodenware, stationery, prints and papers, homewares, clothing, kidswear and artisan produce. From 11am to 5pm both days. Book your ticket early.