Congraturaltions to the lucky ‘Walcha Spring Garden Luncheon’ winner of the Banalasta raffle voucher. We look forward to welcoming you soon to the Visitor Centre.

The ladies of Walcha Town & Country Club organsied this fundraising luncheon and was held on Saturday 18th October, to raise money for Angel Flight and Riverview Day Respite. A marvellous attendance of 125 ladies who enjoyed a stunning spring day.

If you are looking to supplement your trip to Banalasta with other interesting events in the local area, please note the listed upcoming events and visit the Tamworth or Armidale Tourism websites.

Events:

Tamworth West Primary School, School Fete
Friday October 24
West Tamworth Primary School
Ph: 02 67658316

Coming Soon:

2009 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Presented by Telstra Tickets Go On Sale: Online, over the phone and over the counter
Monday November 3
Tourism Tamworth Cnr Peel and Murray Streets
Ph: 02 67675300

CAPERS 2008
Friday November 7th and Saturday November 8th
TRECC, Greg Norman Drive Tamworth
Ph: 02 67675300

Inspired Business Lecture
Thursday November 13
Tamworth Town Hall
Ph: 02 67675300

For further information on any What’s On events, please call the numbers listed with the event, or call Tourism Tamworth on 02 67675300.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, the Visitor Centre hosts FREE live music…….. Buddy Knox will be playing solo at Banalasta on Sunday 4th January, 12-3pm. 

Buddy Knox is a Tamworth local and his passion is playing the guitar. He has spent a good portion of his time on globe trotting touring adventures around Australia, Canada, London and Nashville. As a result of the amazing tours he was a part of, he has enjoyed enviable traveling and playing experiences, which very few musicians get to have!! This was in his famous father’s band, Roger Knox, “Euraba”.

He also played for the “Warumpi Band” at Festivals and at the Capital City ‘Big Day Out’ tours, as well as backing many other talented artists. For the past 12 months, Buddy has headed up his own rhythm and blues band, which he is really enjoying. This is a very seasoned array of musos.

He has a 14 track CD which is extremely attractive musically, and also in its’ layout. His CD gained worldwide exposure through Extreme Sports as some of his music was used to back a documentary of crazy sporting endeavous, produced by a Melbourne based company. The CD is very popular with his audiences when he plays and he is looking forward to performing at the ‘2008 Dreaming Festival’s at Woodford.

What a great way to see in the New Year! Come along for a relaxing day out on the green, sitting back with a glass of Blickling Estate wine and a BBQ lunch. We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.

2008 Awards:
Blickling Estate recently won another award at the 2008 Cowra Wine Show, taking out a Bronze Medal for our 2005 Shiraz (Class 88, Dry Red – Shiraz). The show involved 461 exhibitors, 2596 exhibits and 21 judges, led by Chief Judge Andrew Spinaze of Tyrrell’s Wines. Simon Nunns from Coopers Creek Wines, New Zealand, was also amongst the judging panel.

While at the 2008 NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show in Forbes, Blickling Estate also collected Bronze Medals for the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 Riesling.

Local Support:
Blickling Estate participated in a showcase of local produce at the Quality Hotel Powerhouse in Tamworth on Friday evening, 26 September. Guests were treated to an impressive menu created by international Michelin chef Ben Davies. Blickling Estate wines were chosen to compliment each course, with the main focus on Inglegreen pork and ham ingredients (produced in Narrabri, NSW). The night was a resounding success.

Vineyard News:
We have recently finished the pruning of the Blickling Estate vines - which is about 5 weeks later than the Hunter Valley region - this delay ensures that Blickling Estate wines benefit from all the good nutrients and minerals from the soil, resulting in grapes that have a longer growing period, thus creating fuller and fruiter wines.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, the Visitor Centre hosts FREE live music……..

John Mitchell grew up listening to much of the folk and pop classics of the 1960’s-70’s. In his opinion, that era of music is by far the best era for great songs this century. John began playing guitar at the age of eight, however it wasn’t until 2002 that he began playing to the public.

He was encouraged to play and sing by local musicians Marius Reynolds and Mark Patterson. John is currently performing in solo and duo shows.

Paul (Jasper) Craswell has been a musician since the mid-sixties, playing in various bands around London, touring the UK, Germany and France. He arrived in Sydney in 1982, played with Treacle Line and also a member of the Craz Band in the 80s and 90s. Since then he has played with many other fine musicians and bands, releasing 10 albums and CD’s.

We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.