Bourne Hall will attempt to joust away those winter blues when it hosts the popular Herald of Spring festival next weekend.

The much-loved annual event, which has attracted crowds in the thousands over the years, will once again offer up a cocktail of demonstrations, arts and crafts and live entertainment.

And this year the Ewell venue has elected to go all medieval on us, focusing on the area’s historic past.

For organiser Russell Blackmur, the choice of theme was a fairly simple one.

He explains: “The thing with medieval times is it grabs the imagination of children - and fathers as well if I am being honest!

“Everything seems so much larger than life and good fun, and it was an idea we have not touched on in recent years.

“We will be recreating the period in a number of ways - we will have re-enactments, the Epsom Light Opera will be on hand to provide music and there will be plenty of craft stalls.

“It really is all about giving people a great day’s entertainment.”

The event, which originally began as a flower and craft show, has blossomed in recent times and up to 4,000 people are expected to flock to the venue over the weekend.

And Blackmur admits that has necessitated a major undertaking to ensure everything passes without a hitch.

He adds: “It has been a lot of hard work.

“We have had to beg, borrow and steal to get everything together but things seem to be falling into place.

“I am confident that it will be a great day for everybody and I am looking forward to enjoying it with everyone else.”

Bourne Hall, Mar 6/7, 11am, £2/£3, 01372 732000