What’s hot this weekend in Newbury
Pop-up painters
A POP-UP art exhibition opens among the Crane garden buildings at Hilliers garden centre in Prior’s Court Road, Hermitage, on Saturday. The show runs to September 1 and features the work of two local artists, Julie Pearson and Kevin Scully, who are well-known to the area through Open Studios. Their work will be on display daily from 10am to 4pm.
Summer Sculpture Park
TWENTY-three sculptors are showing more than 70 works in Altered States, in the summer sculpture park in the grounds of Newbury’s historic Elizabethan mansion Shaw House. The show is open from 11am-4pm every day until Sunday, September 29. Free entry and car parking. Dogs and children welcome.
Rolling up for Barnum!
BARNUM’S going down a storm at The Watermill. Step right up and enter the dazzling world of PT Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. The Bagnor theatre’s summer spectacular continues until September 8. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights. However, the irresistible pull of an ever-bigger humbug comes at a cost, and the people paying are usually those on whom Barnum tramples on the way to the top. www.watermill.org.uk
Art on the Park is back this weekend.
Enjoy a stroll in Victoria Park, Newbury, on Sunday from 10am and view an exhibition of works by local artists and craftspeople on the railings of Victoria Park Nursery School. A great opportunity to talk to the creators and buy their art and craft.
Chieveley music festival
YE Olde Red Lion in Chieveley is to hold a one-day music festival this weekend. The pub will host four bands and an open mic session for the fun day out, and says it is the village’s answer to Glastonbury. Headlining will be Berkshire-based The Extra Covers, a group who play favourite hits from across the decades. Also headlining will be Sion Whiley, a regular on Newbury’s music scene. Joining the line-up is well-known local acoustic harmony duo Scampy, singing covers and original material, and the Peasemore Ukulele Band. Those who want to take part in the open mic can sign up at the bar. Children will be able to get their face painted by artist Gail Davis.A barbecue will run from noon to 5pm, with smashed patties, hot dogs, and lamb kebabs on the menu. Between 6pm and 9pm, street food including pizza and chilli, will be available, with churros for dessert. The event will run at the Green Lane pub from noon to midnight on Saturday.
Made in the Hood at Westridge
Hampshire Open Studios is an annual art trail where the visiting public can meet artists in their studios and galleries free of charge. Taking place leading up to and including the bank holiday weekend, it offers a treasure trove of art and crafts to enjoy. Hampshire is a large county, and this year the event is bigger than ever, with 290 artists taking part, so the directory is colour coded – the purple section shows Newbury to Andover, and the pink includes those towards Basingstoke. The catalogue can be found in some local venues, or you can view on line, or via an app. Members of the local arts collective Made in the Hood come together every year for the event, and Westridge Studio in Highclere will be full of an exciting mix of crafts old and new; with basketry, bobbin wire lace, ceramics, jewellery, paintings, silks and and textiles by 10 local artists. Westridge Studio is situated in Andover Road, Highclere, RG20 9QS. Entry is free. Access and parking off Star Lane, just look for the pink banners. Made in the Hood’s exhibition is open from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. www.madeinthehood.co.uk https://hampshireopenstudios.org.uk/
Meet Anton Du Beke in Hungerford
Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke has chosen the Hungerford Bookshop to sign copies of his debut book for children, Code Name Foxtrot on Monday at 2pm. Anton is as charming off-screen as on, and would love to meet you and your children. This fun adventure is ideal for readers aged 7-9 years.
About the book: London, 1940: the world is at war and 10-year-old twins Harry and Rosie are evacuated to live with their mysterious great uncle on the stormy Lancashire coast. Missing home, they throw themselves into the local dance show – determined to do their bit and maybe even dance at the famous Blackpool Winter Gardens. But when Harry sees strange lights out on the rocks one night, he and Rosie realize their new home is hiding some huge secrets. Racing to uncover the truth, the twins learn that bravery comes in many forms and even in the worst of times, the show must go on.
Illusion exhibition
STEP inside the wonderful monochrome world of OTTOPIA at The Base Greenham – a family-friendly immersive exhibition of illusions that will enchant and inspire curious minds. Wander through the black and white garden of giant flowers, trees, mushrooms and cacti. Packed with black and white stripes, side-quests and interactive games. You’ll learn interesting, fun facts about otters and other British wildlife and you can complete the ‘Champion spOTTER Quest’ which will take you on a tour of The Base, hunting down black and white striped wildlife who have escaped OTTOPIA! Open daily, 10am to 5pm. Details of ticket prices at https://thebasegreenham.co.uk/
OTTOPIA may not be suitable for individuals with photosensitive epilepsy.
