What's on this week
Newburytoday.co.uk's news and events from West Berkshire and beyond
Thursday, February 17:
Edwina Hayes. Acoustic singer/songwriter. New Greenham Arts, 8pm. Newbury Soroptomists coffee morning. St Nicolas' Church Hall, West Mills, Newbury, 10am to noon. Proceeds to Alzheimer's Society West Berkshire. Janet Wycherley, (01635) 580115.
Tea dance. Woolhampton Village Hall, Bath Road RG7 5RE, 2pm to 4.15pm. Ballroom, Latin American and sequence dancing. £2.50 including raffle and refreshments, proceeds to local charities. Ronnie Parkin, (01635) 821505.
Fun Latin American dance fitness class. Thatcham Parish Hall, Chapel Street, Thatcham, 8pm to 9pm. Small, friendly ongoing beginners' class of mixed ages. £4.50. Karen Goodall, 07952 313768.
Wayne Sleep presents ‘Precious Little Sleep'. Celebrates life and career of the dancer and choreographer. The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 7.30pm.
Vocalist Barbara Dickson. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 8pm. Thatcham & District Philatelic Society evening meeting. Philatelic Quarters (four members' presentation) at Memorial Hall, Bath Road, Thatcham, 7pm. 'Relatively Speaking'. Ayckbourne's original break-out hit. The Watermill theatre. Until Saturday, March 26.
Film: ‘Black Swan' (15). Natalie Portman competes as New York ballerina. Corn Exchange Newbury, 1pm, 6pm and 8.30pm. Friday, February 18
‘The Great American Soulbook'. Iconic musicians perform some of greatest soul songs. The Anvil, Basingstoke.
Newbury Caledonian Society. Scottish country dancing at Highclere Village Hall 8pm to 10pm. (01635) 861249.
Tea dance. Northcroft Leisure Centre, 2pm to 4pm. £1.85 per person, including tea and biscuits and raffle. Go along for a waltz, foxtrot or rumba – no partner required. Alan Sheppard, (01635) 873100.
Ace Space presents Howlin' Lord and Case Hardin. St Nicholas Road, Newbury, doors open 7.30 for 8pm. Live music offering a mix of country and rock ‘n' roll from Howlin' Lord, and an acoustic performance from Case Hardin. Tickets £7 (£5 concessions) in advance from Jacqui's Shop, Hogan Music or from Alex Hall, 07905 590214, or £8 (£6) on the door.
Jongleurs. Comedy club. Corn Exchange Newbury, 7.45pm.
Newbury and District Transport Group. West Somerset Railway talk by Keith Smith, Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, Newbury, 7.30pm.
Film: ‘Burlesqu' (12A). Cher challenged as owner of once-popular LA club. Corn Exchange Newbury, 2.30pm and 8.15pm.
Film: ‘Monsters' (12A). Naturalistic shoot of tentacles abominations. Corn Exchange Newbury, 6pm.
Hungerford film club: ‘Sin Nombre' (15). The Croft Hall, Hungerford, doors open 6.45pm for showing at 7.30pm. Epic dramatic thriller following a Honduran teenager who attempts to emigrate to the US and joins up with a boy running from Mexican street gangs.
Saturday, February 19:
Big Wooden Horse presents ‘The Way Back Home'. The Corn Exchange, Newbury, 11am and 1pm. Suitable for age three and over.
Rugbytots. Jubilee Leisure Centre, Kintbury. Fun, energetic sports class for girls and boys aged two to seven. Various classes and times, for details and to book visit www.rugbytots.co.uk or telephone Barbra on 08453 133240.
Snowdrop Saturday. Foxgrove Plants, Skinners Green, Enborne, Newbury RG14 6RE, 10am to 4pm. View snowdrops and many unusual varieties in the garden and nursery. Snowdrops, hellebores and other plants for sale. Refreshments available. Event is raising money for St Michael & All Angels Church, Enborne. Louise Peters, (01635) 40554.
Aldworth Saturday Market. Produce and variety of stalls. Aldworth Village Hall, 10am to noon. Details (01635) 578177.
Make a wildlife badge with the RSPB. Thatcham Library, Bath Road, Thatcham 10.30 to noon. Free drop in event for children – making the badge takes about five minutes. Parent or carer needs to stay with the child. (01635) 866049.
Learn about Donnington Castle. In Shaw House 1581 family activity room, find out who built the castle, when and why, what happened in the Civil War, and why it was destroyed. Make your own castle to take home. Half-term opening times 11am to 4pm. Adults £3.75, children aged five to 16 £1.90, concessions £3, family ticket (up to three children) £9.90.
Jumble sale. St Catherine's Church Hall, Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst (opposite Birch Copse School) 2pm, proceeds to church. Refreshments and car park. 20p. Basildon Park National Trust event. Explore the parkland, by following an orienteering trail, to discover treasure at Basildon Park. For all ages to test their map reading skills. Other activities throughout the week, 10am to 5pm. Trail £1. Booking not required.
Whacky Scrap Races – Robots. Denefield School, Long Lane, Tilehurst, 10.30am to noon. Saturday morning family fun sessions for age five upwards. Free. Teams of two to six people construct a model robot and other items. No experience necessary, all materials provided, free creche available. Funded via the Big Lottery Fund. Booking required. Visit www.whackyscrapraces.org.uk
Stephen K. Amos. Stand-up comedy. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 8pm.
Robert Mitchell's Panacea. Jazz composer/pianist in quartet. The Forge at The Anvil, Basingstoke, 8.15pm.
On Your Toes dance school. The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 2pm. Also Saturday, 7.30pm.
Film: ‘Megamind 2D' (PG). Tom McGrath superhero comedy. Corn Exchange Newbury, autism-friendly screening 10.30am, regular screenings 1.30pm and 3.45pm.
Film: ‘Monsters' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 6pm.
Film: ‘Burlesque' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 8.15pm.
Sunday, February 20:
Main event wrestling. Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury. Doors open 6.45pm, first bell 7.15pm. Twelve wrestling stars battle it out during an evening of non-stop family entertainment, back in Newbury following a successful debut event at the venue in October. Suitable for all the family. Tickets £10 adults (£8 conc) on the door or for best seats in the house order in advance from Newbury Tourist Information Centre in person or on (01635) 30267. www.csfwrestling.co.uk
Concordia Vesperi. Westridge Open Centre, Star Lane, Highclere, 3pm. Admission £5 members, £6 others. Booking essential seven days in advance, (01635) 253322.
Tadley car boot sale and market. Silchester Road, 8am to 1pm. Free parking, entry 20p. Traders pay up to £12.50. Details and bookings (0118) 945 1799 or helen@hughmark.co.uk
Elizabeth Harrison electronic organ concert. Aldermaston Concert Centre, William Penney Theatre, AWE, 3pm to 5.30pm. Tea, raffle, bar. Details from Sylvia (0118) 971 2220 or Gerry (0118) 983 5010.
Thatcham Walkers. Upton Grey, 11 mile walk. Start from Thatcham Memorial car park at 9.30am, share cars where possible. pphillips@westberks.gov.uk
North Hants Orchid Society orchid show and craft fair. East Oakley Village Hall, Hill Road, East Oakley, Basingstoke. RG23 7JJ, 2pm to 5pm. Displays of orchids from Wessex, Thames Valley and North Hampshire societies, plants and sundries for sale from Laurence Hobbs Orchids Ltd. Crafts include ornamental glass, handmade greetings cards, botanical paintings, silversmith and soaps and lotions. Admission 50p, children free with adult. www.north-hampshire-orchid-society.org.uk
Film: ‘Megamind' 2D (PG). Corn Exchange Newbury, 1pm.
Film: ‘Monsters' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 3.15pm.
Film: ‘Burlesque' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 5.30pm
Monday, February 21:
Newbury & District Gardeners Association. History of Newbury Pubs talk by Philip Wood, St Nicolas School, Link Road, 7.15pm.
Newbury Wargames Club. Fir Tree Primary School, Fir Tree Lane, Newbury, from 7pm. Graham Hyland, (01635) 46627.
Purley Scottish Country Dance Club. Victory Hall, Beenham, 7.45pm. (01635) 46205. Newbury Poets' Workshop. Friends' Meeting House, Highfield Avenue (behind the bus station), 7.45pm. Barrie Singleton, (01635) 569097.
Musical theatre and dance day. John O'Gaunt Community Technology College, Hungerford, 10am to 4pm. Organised by the WOW Partnership for children aged eight to 14 years. Cost £17 per child. Details 07546 572669, email ndavies3@westberks.org or visitwww.actionforall.org.uk
Half-term sports camp. For five to 12-year olds at Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury, 9am to 1pm. Until Friday. Camp 1– street dance, gym skills and trampolining. Camp 2 – football. Quality coaching by qualified staff. £13 a day. Jodie, 07840 928968
'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. Corn Exchange Newbury, check with theatre for times. Suitable for age three and above. Also on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Silver screen film: ‘Burlesque' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 2.30pm.
Tuesday, February 22:
Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys Countryside Projects (FWAG). Ride widening at Paices Wood Country Parkland, 10am. (0118) 930 5336 or www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk or email pang.kennet@fwag.org.uk
Careers Springboard West Berkshire. Self-help group for unemployed managers and professionals, offers workshops and advice sessions every Tuesday at Newbury Town Hall, 1pm to 4pm. Details 07747 024810 or www.careerswestberks.org.uk
Early 20th century domestic needlework on show. National Needlework Archive exhibition, The Old Chapel, Main Street, New Greenham Park looks back at techniques, styles and fashions which influenced needleworka century ago, 10am to 4pm. Entrance charge applies. For more information tel (01635) 38740 or visit www.nationalneedleworkarchive.org.uk
The Big Chris Barber Band. New Orleans jazz to blues. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. Vin Garbutt. The Forge at The Anvil, Basingstoke, 8pm (returns only).
Film: ‘Megamind' 2D (PG). Corn Exchange Newbury, 2.30pm, 6pm.
Film: ‘Burlesque' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 8.15pm
Wednesday, February 23:
Newbury District Ornithological Club. ‘Chairman's Choice' evening with talks on Poland by Renton Righelato of Berks Ornithological Club and Jim Burnett of NDOC. Greenham Church Hall, New Road, Greenham, 7.30pm. (01488) 668482.
The WOW Partnership, cheerleading for children. Kintbury St Mary's Primary School, for ages eight to 14, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Cost £5 a child for each workshop. Details 07546 572669, email ndavies3@westberks.org or visi twww.actionforall.org.uk
Thatcham Country Market. Home baking, produce and crafts at Thatcham United Reformed Church Hall, Church Lane, off High Street, 10am to 11.30am. (01635) 866653. Country music disco.
Burghfield Community and Sports Association, James Lane, Burghfield, 8.15pm. Details 07786 083827.
Special Auction Services (SAS). Free valuation day, New Greenham Park. www.specialauctionservices.com
RSPB badge making. Drop in to Lambourn Library and make a free wildlife badge with the RSPB, it only takes five minutes, from 10.30am to noon. Children must be accompanied. (01488) 71350. Also Hungerford Library, 2pm to 3.30pm.
'Ugly Duckling'. Major Mustard is on tour with his musical ‘Box of Delights' when he meets a sad and grumpy little duckling. This unusual and delightful version of Hans Christian Andersen's tale will ask the audience to call on their skills of song, music and story to cure the duckling's sadness. Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, 11am and 2pm. Booking essential. £5 per person. (01635) 874381.
Recycled arts workshop. Buttons and beads, bracelets and keyrings, Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre 11am to 4pm. Got odd buttons and random beads sitting in a drawer and home and don't know what to do with them? Join Jill Nicolas, ingenious recycler, to find out how to turn old buttons into a beautiful bracelet or keyring to take home. Free drop-in event.
Living Landscape Volunteer Team. Working on practical habitat management and some surveying on Greenham and Crookham Commons, also Thatcham Reedbeds and Bowdown Woods. No previous experience necessary. Meet at the ranger's office by the control tower car park on Greenham Common, 9.30am until 4pm. Roger Stace, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), rogerstace@bbowt.org.uk or telephone 07889 116353; or West Berkshire Council ranger Adrian Wallington, awallington@westberks.gov.uk or telephone 07785 592916.
Kennet Valley Probus luncheon club. Chequers Hotel, includes ‘Local Crime Community Sentence' talk by Clare Hooper. For details or to join telephone (01635) 31679, rosemary@bhhc.me.uk or visit www.kennetvalleyprobusclub.co.uk
'Magic of Motown'. The looks, the moves, the harmonies in concert show. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm.
Shlomo ‘Mouthronica'. High-energy beatboxer. The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 7.30pm. The Great Bell of Kintbury pantomime. St Mary's Drama Group presentation in aid of the Bruce Trust, at Coronation Hall, Kintbury. Doors open 7pm, refreshments from 7.10pm, curtain up at 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50 including a glass of wine or soft drink. Tickets (01264) 356451 or email rebecca.bruce@brucetrust.org.uk
'The Likes of Us'. Community of Hungerford Theatre Company present the very first musical written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, at John O'Gaunt Community Technical College, 7.15pm. The show is set in Victorian England and tells the story of Thomas Barnardo, a philanthropist who founded homes for destitute children. (01488) 684011. Until Saturday.
Film: ‘Burlesque' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, bawl screening 11am, regular screening 8.15pm.
Film documentary: ‘Enemies of the People'. Corn Exchange Newbury, 8.15pm.
Singing for the Brain. East Garston, Friends Meeting House, Back Street, 1.45pm to 4.15pm. Free, all welcome including volunteers. Jaki 07788 602593. Alzheimer's Society West Berkshire.
