SEPTEMBER NEWS
Oh for an Indian summer, we have weddings back to back until October. Autumn projects include more work in the Priory garden, new compost bins (thrilling), tackling the meadow between the Priory and Butley Abbey Farmhouse. We are planting trees, oaks, beeches and cherries, amongst the spring wild flowers, restoring ivy clad old walls and the ancient arch where the Abbey once stood. We are delighted that Kimmy our house keeper and Nigel our gardener/handy man and their two small boys our moving into a cottage on site.
Events on around Butley this autumn
Aldeburgh Literary festival 10th- 12th September
This year the 20th Aldeburgh Literary Festival has been moved from March to September 10th- 12th at the Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh. Tickets are snapped up fast, so book on line or turn up to an event and join the queue for returns. Names this year include Alex Younger, Terence Blacker, Craig Brown, Amber Rudd, William Sieghart, Ester Freud, John Mullan and Charles Saumarez Smith. www.aldeburghliteraryfestival.co.uk
Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival 25th -26th September
Not to be missed for food lovers is a gourmet weekend at Snape Maltings. A magnificent celebration of Suffolk’s finest food and drink… as a county we certainly have a vast variety of local and distinctive food and drink to offer. From Adnams brewery to Maples Farm’s own milled flour, Fen Dairy cheeses and raw butter from their herd of Montbeliarde girls, to gin from Fishers distillery in Aldeburgh, to whet your appetite. The event includes wild cooking for children (guessing stuff from the hedgerows), interactive family area with stage, food photography, and master classes from our best chefs, street food and live music. Book tickets www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk/the-festival/tickets/
Snape Maltings Concert Hall
Britten Pears Arts at Snape is bursting with autumn events. Some of Suffolk’s best young musician will appear in a Gala concert with the Suffolk Youth orchestra, Suffolk Wind Orchestra and Suffolk Young Strings on 5th September, 5pm. Festival of New 2021, 10th/11th September is a weekend of innovative music and sound developed at Snape and Aldeburgh residencies this year are being showcased.
Hot tickets for October include: October 3rd pianist Mitsuko Uchida, October 16th; a residency open session, a new operatic work with the Romania gymnast Nadia Comanceci; October 17th is an evening with the country music duo The Shires, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes. Book tickets ASAP. www.brittenpearsarts.org/whats-on
HighTide
Further afield but worth the hike is East England’s theatre forum for new writers and productions touring the UK and festivals. The emphasis is cutting edge, contemporary and exploring the political landscape. For podcasts, current news and programmes look www.hightide.org.uk
Suffolk Academy of dance and performing arts
Aldeburgh Cinema
Check the website for the ever-changing programme. We love this small art house cinema where you can take in a glass of wine and watch the latest movies, foreign films, nostalgic golden oldies and children’s matinees in the holidays. Become a friend of this much loved and admired charitable institution.
Riverside Cinema/Theatre/Restaurant, Woodbridge
Another cool art house cinema just twenty minutes away from Butley in Woodbridge. Suffolk based Hollywood director Paul Greengrass is the new patron. Over a hundred years old, the cinema offers a varied programme from foreign films to NT Romeo & Juliet live. www.theriverside.co.uk/cinema/
Private chefs for house lets
We can highly recommend two local chefs for private parties at Butley Priory and Butley Abbey Farmhouse.
Chloe Glazier runs Doorstep Dining, www.doorstepdining.com, which will cook beautifully for guests up to 40 with a great team of waiting staff. Contact hello@doorstepdining.com; 07807 832763
Hay Hay are based close by in Orford. Nina cooks wonderful food and caters for private parties, buffets, and afternoon tea. Middle Eastern a speciality. www.hayhaysuffolk.co.uk; 07947313156