CELEBRITY spotting and a day of sport could make a great present for Dad on Father’s Day.
Former Zimbabwe test cricketer Henry Olonga will play alongside first class English cricketers at a celebrity cricket match being held at Blundell’s School, Tiverton, on June 15.
The fundraising event is in aid of the Royal National Children’s Foundation (RNCF) and will include a barbecue, music, a singing cricketer and a raffle.
Olonga will join Somerset cricketers Rob Turner, Nick Folland and Steffan Jones to take on a team of Blundell’s pupils, Old Blundellians and staff at the 40 over match, with music from Silver Steel adding to the atmosphere.
Henry Olonga made his international cricket debut in 1995 becoming the first black test cricketer, and the youngest person ever, to represent Zimbabwe.
He achieved international recognition in 2003 when he wore a black armband at the Cricket World Cup in protest at the policies of the Mugabe government.
The resultant warrant for his arrest on the charge of treason, which carries the death sentence, forced him into exile.
Since retiring from international cricket, Olonga is now pursuing a career as a singer releasing pop album Aureliaover. Spectators will have the chance to meet the star, along with the rest of the celebrity team at the match, over a barbeque lunch or traditional cricket tea.
Cricket bats signed by the England team and shirts signed by the New Zealand team will be raffled at the event to raise money for RNCF.
The celebrity cricket match begins at 11.30am. Entry and tea is free with donations to RNCF invited. Barbeque lunch costs £10 per person.
CHILDREN can take dads for a day of machinery mayhem on Father’s Day with free entry for dads at Diggerland this weekend.
Dads go free with a paying child at the adventure park in Willand, where visitors can ride and drive full-size construction machinery. Visit www.diggerland.com to download a voucher.
THE sixth Crediton Food and Drink Festival takes place this weekend offering wacky Father’s Day fun on June 15.
Games and food will be joined to provide Festival Food Frolics with Wacky Nation on Sunday, and will be a great way to amuse dad with rubber band firing, veg catch, a tea bag challenge, banana thrust and apple tower games taking place.
The Big Sunday Lunch, being held at the Town Square, will be the perfect place to treat dad to a meal and a drink with an array of ready-to-eat foods and local ales available. For more information visit www.creditonfoodfestival.co.uk.
GET up close and personal with an array of classic cars at a classic day out being held at The Big Sheep, on Father’s Day.
The Bideford based family attraction is offering free entry for dads with a full-paying child at the annual classic car day running from 10am to 5pm.
Vote for your favourite car among the classic collection on display including an Alpine Renault A110, a 1956 TR3 and a 1998 MG RV8.
A procession of the classic motors will take place through Bideford before arriving at the Big Sheep on June 15.
TWELVE examples of outdoor havens will make up the popular Brampford Speke Open Gardens event being held on Father’s Day.
The garden gates will open to the public from 1pm to 6pm on June 15, with the opening of an historic cave which forms part of the garden at Barnhill – a property recently featured on the BBC programme Restoration Home – one of the highlights.
Cream teas and a plant and garden accessory sale will be available, with a display of historic photos at St Peter’s Church, and a garden quiz and children’s treasure hunt taking place.
Tickets cost £3 and are available at St Peter’s Church, Brampford Speke.