Events by East of England Agricultural Society

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is one of the United Kingdom's most iconic heritage attractions, offering visitors the opportunity to explore over 500 years of British naval history. Home to legendary attractions including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose Museum, and the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Dockyard welcomes thousands of visitors each year. This summer, visitors can enjoy Create Your Own Cowdray, an engaging workshop hosted by the Mary Rose Museum. Running from 29 July 2026 until 28 August 2026, the activity celebrates Portsmouth's maritime heritage through creative, family-focused experiences inspired by the famous Cowdray Engraving depicting the Battle of the Solent. Event Create Your Own Cowdray invites visitors to explore Tudor history through hands-on arts and crafts. Participants will learn about the Battle of the Solent of 1545—the historic battle during which the Mary Rose sank—before creating their own artwork inspired by the renowned Cowdray Engraving. Professional museum educators provide guidance throughout the activity, making it suitable for visitors of all ages. Children can express their creativity while adults discover fascinating historical stories behind one of England's most famous naval battles. What Visitors Can Expect The workshop combines education with creativity. Guests begin by learning about Tudor Portsmouth, King Henry VIII's navy, and the significance of the Mary Rose before participating in practical craft sessions. Visitors will: Discover the history behind the Cowdray Engraving. Learn about Tudor ships and naval warfare. Create personalized artwork inspired by historical scenes. Explore authentic Mary Rose artifacts. Enjoy interactive family learning experiences. The workshop is designed for beginners, so no artistic experience is required. Why Attend Portsmouth Historic Dockyard provides a unique environment where history comes alive. Rather than simply viewing exhibits, participants actively engage with Tudor culture through creative activities. Reasons to attend include: Educational family entertainment. Hands-on historical learning. Expert museum facilitators. Access to world-famous maritime collections. Opportunity to combine the workshop with a full Dockyard visit. The Mary Rose Museum Experience The Mary Rose Museum houses thousands of remarkable Tudor artifacts recovered from Henry VIII's flagship. Visitors can view personal belongings, weapons, tools, clothing, and preserved remains that reveal everyday life aboard a Tudor warship. Attending the workshop provides an excellent opportunity to spend additional time exploring the museum's galleries and exhibitions. Family-Friendly Activities The workshop has been specifically designed to engage younger visitors while remaining enjoyable for adults. Families can work together to create artwork inspired by Tudor history and continue exploring other Dockyard attractions throughout the day. Additional attractions include: HMS Victory HMS Warrior 1860 National Museum of the Royal Navy Harbour views Historic buildings and exhibitions Educational Benefits Students and educators benefit from an immersive learning environment where history is presented through practical activities. The workshop encourages creativity while reinforcing historical knowledge about Tudor England and naval history. Participants gain insights into: Tudor art Maritime history Historical illustration Naval warfare Museum collections Visitor Information The event takes place inside the Mary Rose Museum within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Visitors should arrive before the session begins to allow sufficient time for entry and museum access. Comfortable clothing is recommended for craft activities. Advance ticket booking is advisable during the summer holiday period. Why Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is internationally recognized for preserving Britain's naval heritage. It combines interactive museums, historic ships, educational programming, and family attractions within one remarkable destination. Its summer events programme provides visitors with opportunities to experience history beyond traditional museum exhibitions through workshops, demonstrations, storytelling sessions, and interactive learning. Final Thoughts Create Your Own Cowdray offers an enjoyable blend of creativity, education, and history. Whether you are a family seeking summer activities, a history enthusiast, or a visitor exploring Portsmouth, this workshop provides an engaging introduction to the fascinating story of the Mary Rose and Tudor naval history. Combined with everything else Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has to offer, the event promises a memorable day filled with discovery, learning, and creativity for visitors of every age.

The Events and Conferences Management training program by BMC Training is an intensive, professional development initiative designed to equip participants with end-to-end expertise in planning, organizing, executing, and evaluating high-impact corporate events. In today’s competitive global marketplace, successful events and conferences serve as pivotal platforms for brand exposure, networking, stakeholder engagement, and business development. Managing these occasions requires a seamless blend of strategic vision, financial acumen, meticulous operational coordination, risk mitigation, and creative execution. Throughout this course, participants will explore the fundamental frameworks of modern event management. Delegates will gain insights into structuring event concepts from inception to post-event evaluation, ensuring every corporate gathering aligns perfectly with organizational objectives and yields a measurable return on investment (ROI). Key Learning Outcomes Participants enrolled in this masterclass will develop critical skills across multiple operational domains. By the conclusion of the program, attendees will be able to: Formulate comprehensive strategic event plans, establishing clear performance metrics and project timelines. Draft, negotiate, and manage detailed event budgets, maximizing cost efficiency without sacrificing quality. Oversee site selection, venue negotiations, and supplier relationships to ensure optimal service delivery. Design robust risk management and emergency response plans tailored to large-scale public and private events. Harness digital tools, event management software, and modern media channels for impactful promotion and participant engagement. Manage multi-disciplinary teams, volunteers, third-party vendors, and key stakeholders with enhanced leadership skills. Event Methodology and Structure This training course relies on a dynamic, highly practical, and interactive learning framework. BMC Training utilizes a blend of expert-led presentations, real-world case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises to reinforce learning. Participants will analyze actual event scenarios, identifying common pitfalls and applying best practice solutions. Interactive group activities allow delegates to collaborate on simulated event planning challenges, from venue layout design to crisis communication exercises. Experiential learning ensures that participants can immediately implement these strategies upon returning to their organizations. Strategic Value and Impact Attending this specialized course empowers organizations to elevate their event strategies, transform corporate conferences into powerful value drivers, and protect brand reputation during complex operations. Individual professionals gain a recognized skill set that enhances their executive leadership profile, opens advanced career opportunities, and builds confidence in managing high-pressure, high-stakes public gatherings.

The Festival of Hounds is a hallmark event in the British rural calendar, meticulously curated and hosted by the East of England Agricultural Society. Set against the expansive backdrop of the East of England Showground in Peterborough, this prestigious gathering serves as a definitive celebration of hound breeding, countryside heritage, and the enduring spirit of the agricultural community. Following its continued success as a premier standalone event, the 2026 edition promises to be the most comprehensive yet, bridging the gap between traditional rural practices and modern agricultural appreciation. At the heart of the festival is the 138th Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, a competition steeped in history that attracts the finest packs from across the United Kingdom. This specific showcase is widely regarded as the pinnacle of hound showing, where breeders and enthusiasts gather to observe the highest standards of the craft. The event provides a unique professional platform for breeders to exchange knowledge and for the public to witness the dedication involved in maintaining these historic bloodlines. Beyond the formal showing rings, the festival explodes into a vibrant display of countryside life. The Inter-Hunt Relay remains a crowd favorite, offering high-octane excitement as teams compete in a test of speed and agility. This is complemented by the National Terrier Show, adding a diverse range of canine excellence to the day's proceedings. For those with an interest in the wider rural economy, the event features an extensive trade stand area. Here, visitors can explore everything from bespoke rural crafts and high-end country apparel to the latest innovations in agricultural equipment and land management services. The East of England Agricultural Society has designed this event to be a multi-faceted experience. While the focus remains firmly on the hounds and the hunt staff, the festival also champions local food and drink producers. A dedicated food zone allows regional vendors to showcase the best of East Anglian produce, emphasizing the "farm to fork" ethos that the Society has promoted for over two centuries.