Now in its 28th year, Art in Action has, year on year, drawn large numbers to this four-day event. Many come a long way and one can see why. Waterperry House and gardens provide a beautiful setting, and visitors can enjoy the gardens and magnificent herbaceous border as well as taking part in the festival itself. Being part of Art in Action is special. The event is unique, as it brings together work by artists and craftspeople from a wide range of disciplines and from across the world, to both display and demonstrate their work. So, as a member of the public, one can see at first hand how pieces are made or put together, ask questions of the artists and craftspeople, and also take part in practical classes.

For example, in the Chinese Tent, artist Shuhua Jin had on show, among others, two delightful pictures of three little sparrows perching on slender branches, was explaining her particular technique with rice paper to onlookers, while at the same time teaching a dozen of so older people, many of whom were clearly using a Chinese brush and rice paper for the first time.

New this year was the Drawing Tent, in which ten artists were drawing, each for a different purpose and each open to questions from the public. One was developing sculptural projects, another providing the early stages of vehicle design and David Simonds, illustrator and cartoonist, showed how he translated ideas from sketches in his note book to an actual illustration for the Business section of The Observer.

Put Art in Action in your 2007 diary now. It is at Waterperry from July 19 to 22.