Exhibitions
October 24-November 8 Paul Rafferty, Portland Gallery, 8, Bennet Street, London SW1.
Oils painted en plein air (020-7493 1888; www.portlandgallery.com)
Until October 31 ‘The Art of Plaster', Lawrence House Museum, Launceston, Cornwall. Works by architectural sculptor Geoffrey Preston (01566 773277; www.lawrencehousemuseum.org.uk)
Lecture
October 24 Blenheim Lecture 2013, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Dr William Whyte on architectural conservation. Tickets £25, including wine and refreshments. Cheques payable to the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust should be sent to Mrs Julia Twynam MBE, Merestones House, Woolstone, Faringdon, SN7 7QL
Tasting
October 24 ‘Awardwinning English food and wine', The Pantry, Harrogate, North Yorkshire. 7pm, tickets £60, including a five-course dinner and wines (01423 224290; www.thepantryharrogate.co.uk)
Festival
October 26-November 3 Wild Boar Week, various venues, Rye, East Sussex. Woodland tours, food safari, plus special menus in local restaurants (www.wildboar.org.uk)
Masterclass
October 25, Biscuiteers Icing Pop-up, Selfridges, Oxford Street, London W1. Learn to create eye-catching treats. 1pm, £10. Booking essential (www.indytute.com)
Day out
October 27 Apple Day, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Taste rare varieties, cakes and ciders, get pruning tips from East of England Apples and Orchards Project experts and order heritage rootstocks. £3 plus admission price (01223 336265; www.botanic.cam.ac.uk)
Book now October 31 ‘The Irish Country House: A Chronicle of Change', Lettsom House, 11, Chandos Street, London W1. The Irish Georgian Society's autumn lecture-David Hicks charts the histories of several well-known houses. Tickets £15, booking essential. Send cheques payable to the IGS London Chapter to Colm Owens, Kilner House, Clayton Street, London SE11 5SE
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A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
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The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
