September brings a brilliant mix of events to East Cambridgeshire, from steam-powered nostalgia and harvest fun to hands-on creative workshops.
Whether you’re getting crafty or heading to a country fair, there’s something for everyone this month.
Haddenham Steam Rally
Date: Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September
Location: Haddenham
Step back in time at the Haddenham Steam Rally, a celebration of vintage vehicles and engineering marvels.
With over 800 exhibits from steam engines, Vintage Cars, stationary engines, vintage tractors and Lorries there’s plenty to explore and enjoy. With a funfair, market stalls, food and drink, and a crafts marquee, it’s an excellent weekend for all ages.
This Heavy Horse Show celebrates its 36th year, with competitors coming from all over the country to compete.
Explore Haddenham Steam Rally
Soham Pumpkin Fair
Date: Saturday 27th September
Location: Soham Recreation Ground
The Soham Pumpkin Fair is a family favourite, packed with entertainment, stalls, competitions, and of course, plenty of pumpkins. Expect live music, local produce, games, and a warm community atmosphere.
The fair has been running since 1975 and according to a newspaper report of the time, the first event was intended as a contest between allotment holders and Village College pupils, but it attracted many entrants from outside Soham with more than 80 Pumpkins being entered altogether!
This year’s pumpkin theme is”Michaelmas” with the fancy dress costume theme being Scarecrows.
Creative Workshops Around East Cambs
Looking to try something new this autumn?
East Cambs has a whole host of creative workshops running throughout September, perfect for learning a new skill or enjoying a mindful day out.
Cocktails & Pottery Workshop
4th September
The Yard
Mix clay and cocktails at this fun and relaxed evening session, celebrating a year of workshops at the Yard. Make your own unique drinking vessel – be it tankard, chalice or goblet – using pinch potting, while enjoying a cocktail. If you would like to fire and glaze your piece to keep forever there is an additional £5 charge, which is payable at the end of the workshop either by cash or card.
This workshop has 22 places.
Pottery Masterclass: Decorative Tiles
5th September
Haddenham Arts Centre
Learn how to design and decorate your own clay tiles. Bring your own ideas, or take inspiration from the decorating techniques demonstrated by the team. All abilities are welcome, from complete beginners to experienced potters.
Schedule for the day:
10:30am-1pm: Designing and initial build stage
1pm-2pm: Lunch and clay drying time
2pm-5pm: Refining and finishing your tiles
Tea and Biscuits will be provided. Lunch can be purchased as part of your ticket, and ordered from the cafe on arrival.
This masterclass has 15 places.
Thursday Afternoon Pottery Class (10 weeks)
The Lighthouse Ely
Join Ely Clay Collective for 10 weeks of adult afternoon classes at The Lighthouse in the centre of Ely.
Explore a variety of hand-building techniques to make pieces of your own design. Each week will demonstrate a building technique or decorating skill, you can then use these techniques to make whatever kind of ceramic object you wish. A range of beginner techniques will be demonstrated as well as some more advanced ones.
Two of the lessons will be focused on glaze application, and you will be able to fire your pieces to keep.
Thursday afternoons 15:00-17.15
Class Dates:
- 11th September
- 18th September
- 2nd October
- 9th October
- 16th October
- 23rd October
- 6th November
- 13th November
- 20th November
- 27th November
All abilities welcome. The price for the term is £250. The class has a maximum of 10 places.
Crochet for Beginners
16th September
The Yard
A crochet workshop for complete beginners. A fun and relaxed workshop for adults wanting to learn crochet.
Learn the basics from how to hold the yarn and hook, to completing your first crochet project!
Each workshop is limited to 6 people.
Tickets include a free copy of “Beginners guide to crochet” and a free drink
Print Your Own Lampshade
20th September
Ely Museum
Create a unique piece of functional art for your home and learn skills that will last a lifetime.
In this full day workshop you will begin by using lino printing to design and print your own fabric with Printmaker Lizzie Ault.
After a refreshing lunch courtesy of Mandy from Sneaky Veg Kitchen you will then learn the art of lampshade making with Katherine Scantlebury.
No experience necessary, all materials included. Tickets £120
Sketchbook Diaries Craft Workshop
27th September
Ely Museum
Learn ways to document your life visually, using collage, hand lettering illustration, maps and so much more.
We all know journalling is good for our souls and peace of mind but not everyone can sit and write, some of us want to include drawings and some of us speak in images rather than with words.
All levels welcome, everyone will learn something and take away a sketchbook and a head full of ideas!
Workshop includes tea and cake.
Whether you fancy getting messy with clay or learning a calming new craft, there’s something to inspire every creative spark this September.
Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure or looking for a quiet creative escape, East Cambs is full of things to do this September.
Got an event to share? Get in touch and we’ll add it to our next guide!