What's on this week
Newburytoday.co.uk's news and events from West Berkshire and beyond
Thursday, February 24:
Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys Countryside Projects (FWAG). Half-term Help the Birds event at Hosehill Lake local nature reserve, 11am to 1pm. Details (0118) 930 5336 or visit www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk or email pang.kennet@fwag.org.uk
West Berks Ramblers. Meet in the public car park behind the shops at Goring (grid ref SU 599 806), free parking also available in side roads, at 9.30am. Walk 12.5 miles along the Thames Path to South Stoke, Swan's Way, Bottom Farm, Woodcote, Crays Pond and Great Chalk Wood. Pub stop. Leader Joan C, (01235) 835618).
Shaw House, Discover Donnington Castle. What happened in the Civil War and why the castle was destroyed. Make your own castle to take home. Shaw House, Church Road, Shaw, 11am to 4pm. Family ticket £9.90. (01635) 279279 or visit www.shawhouse.org.uk
Learn to play steel pans. For children aged eight to 14, Lambourn Primary School RG17 7LJ, two sessions, 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm, £8 a session. ndavies@westberks.org or 07546 572669 or visit www.actionforall.org.uk/wow
'Mighty Morphin' Animals'. The story of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, 11.30am to 12.45pm, also 2pm to 3.15pm, at Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Thatcham. Puppets, props and drama tell the story of life cycles with special guest Readit the Frog.
Hants & Berks Motor Club. ‘The History of Alvis Cars' illustrated talk by Rob Rowe, 8pm in The Jolly Miller, North Warnborough near Odiham, 8pm. Bill Bonney, (0118) 969 7591.
'Relatively Speaking'. Alan Ayckbourne romantic comedy of hilarious misunderstandings. The Watermill, Bagnor, 7.30pm with matinees at 2.30 on Thursday and Saturday. Until Saturday, March 26. (01635) 45834 or www.watermill.org.uk
KATS production of ‘Trouble in Pantoland'. Kennet School, Thatcham, 7.30pm. Tickets £8 (£7 concessions) from The Family Bookshop, Thatcham or www.kats.org.uk. Also on Friday and Saturday with matinee performances at 2.30pm.
Community of Hungerford Theatre Company present ‘The Likes of Us'. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's original musical performed 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. Details, (01488) 684011. Runs until Saturday, with additional Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.
'Andy Parsons Live 2011'. Satirical stand-up comedian's third UK tour. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 8pm. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk
Film: ‘Megamind 2D' (PG). Corn Exchange Newbury, 11am and 2.30pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Film: ‘Burlesque' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 8.15pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Film documentary: ‘Enemies of the People'. Corn Exchange Newbury, 6pm and 8.30pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Friday, February 25:
Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys Countryside Projects (FWAG), Hedgelaying training workshop at New Barn Farm, Bucklebury, 10am. Booking essential, (0118) 930 5336 or www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk or email pang.kennet@fwag.org.uk. Also on Saturday.
RSPB badgemaking. Theale Library, 2.30pm to 4pm. Pop in and make a badge in a few minutes. Children must be accompanied.
RSPB badgemaking. Pangbourne Library, 10.30am to noon. Pop in and make a badge in a few minutes. Children must be accompanied.
Southern Sinfonia. Concert of 20th century music by Tavener, Britten and Schoenberg. Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton RG7 5TQ. info@douaiabbey.org.uk or for tickets, Corn Exchange Newbury (01635) 522733.
Science Museum Live on Tour. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7pm. 'The Way Back Home'. Inter-galactic tale for ages three and over. Co-production with Theatre Royal Winchester. The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 12.30pm and 3pm. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk Eve Selis.
‘Lemonade and whiskey' voiced singer blends many styles of US music. The Forge at The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.30pm. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk
Film: ‘Rabbit Hole' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 2.30pm and 8.30pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Film: ‘Blue Valentine' (15). Corn Exchange Newbury, 6pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Saturday, February 26:
Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys Countryside Projects (FWAG), Hedgelaying training workshop at New Barn Farm, Bucklebury, 10am. Booking essential, (0118) 930 5336 or www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk or email pang.kennet@fwag.org.uk
Newbury Charter Market. Market Place, Newbury. Fruit and veg, herbs, spices and exotic fresh produce, olives, fresh bread and cakes, cheese, flowers, plants and books, butchers' stalls, jams and chutneys, army surplus goods and pet supplies.
West Berks Ramblers. Meet at Lamp Acres, opposite Shaw Cemetery on the B4009 (grid ref SU 480 685) for a 12.5 mile walk to Curridge, Oare, Hermitage, Marlston House and Cold Ash. Bring food and drink for the day. Leader Graham S, (01635) 580356.
Berkshire Maestros' County Youth Orchestra St Nicolas' Church, Newbury, 7.30pm with pre-concert reception beforehand in St Nicolas' Hall opposite. Young musicians aged 12 to 19 perform Rachmaninov's ‘Symphony No.2 ‘and John Adams' work ‘The Chairman Dances', and will be joined by guitar soloist and former Maestros pupil, Michael Butten, for ‘Concierto de Aranjuez' by Rodrigo. Tickets £10 for adults, £6 concessions, telephone to book on (0118) 901 2384 www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk
Aldworth Saturday Market. Produce and variety of stalls, Aldworth Village Hall, 10am to noon. Details (01635) 578177
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
Woolton Hill Village Market. Fresh produce, coffee and cakes, local art and crafted goods. St Thomas' Church Hall, Woolton Hill, 10am to 1pm. www.wooltonhillvillagemarket.co.uk
RSPB badgemaking. Burghfield Common Library, 10.30am to noon. Pop in and make a badge in a few minutes. Children must be accompanied.
Berkshire Walkers 20s to 40s. Highclere, Burghclere and hillforts, challenging 14 to 15 mile walk. Meet at Beacon Hill car park (grid ref SU 465 376) for 10.30am start. Beacon Hill, Old Burghclere, rest stop at Carpenters Arms pub, Sydmonton, Ladle Hill, returning via Great Litchfield Down. Leader Lee, 07780 683521.
Learn to make willow structures and plant supports. Make a dramatic obelisk for sweet peas or other climbing plants, or a sculpture for your garden. Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Thatcham, 11am to 3pm. Booking essential, £35 a person, includes all materials for one item, additional items £10 each. (01635) 874381.
RSPB badgemaking. Wash Common Library, Glendale Avenue, 3.30am to 5pm. Pop in and make a badge in a few minutes. Children must be accompanied.
Moishe's Bagel. Original acoustic music blending Eastern European dance and Middle Eastern rhythms. Corn Exchange Newbury, 7.45pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Will Kaufman. Dust-bowl 1930s depression years US songs of Woodie Guthrie. The Forge at The Anvil, Basingstoke, 8pm. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk
Anton and Erin. Dance couple from BBC1 Strictly Come Dancing with guest dancers and orchestra perform favourites from Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein etc. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 3pm and 7.45pm on Saturday, also 3pm Sunday. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk
The Bootleg Shadows. Tribute band brings back the unique 1960s sound with accuracy. The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 7.30pm. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk
Salsa, swing and tango ball. Three ballrooms and DJs at Winchester Guildhall, The Broadway, High Street (by King Alfred's statue), 8.30pm till 1am. Dress to impress. Tickets only, £20. Dine and dance option, limited covers 7.30pm to 8.30pm, £14 extra. www.tracieslatinclub.co.uk
'The Potted Panto' show written and performed by Dan and Jeff from CBBC. All the classic panto scenes crammed into 70 minutes of energetic fun. For ages six and over. Nominated for Best Entertainment Olivier Award. Central Studio at Queen Mary's College, Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke, 7pm. (01256) 418318 or www.centralstudio.co.uk
Film: ‘Rabbit Hole' (12A). Soul-affecting drama as happily married young couple's world changes. Corn Exchange Newbury, 1.25pm and 8.30pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Film: ‘Blue Valentine' (15). Love found, love lost – and a night to try to save it. Corn Exchange Newbury, 3.30pm and 6pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Sunday, February 27:
Thatcham Fairtrade Fortnight. Launch service in Thatcham Methodist Church, Chapel Street (A4), families of all denominations welcome, 11am. Park in Kingsland Centre opposite. Commemorative tree planting in Methodist Church garden by mayor and mayoress after the service.
Hungerford Farmers Market. Hungerford High Street, 9am to 1pm.
Thatcham Walkers. Meet at Thatcham Memorial Car Park at 9.30am, to share cars where possible, then 11.3 mile Avebury and Winterbourne Bassett walk. For details email pphillips @westberks.gov.uk
West Berks Ramblers. Meet at The Pineapple pub, Brimpton Common (grid ref SU 568 628) at 10am, for a seven mile walk through the Wasing estate to Brimpton and Ashford Hill Meadows nature reserve. Pub lunch afterwards for those that want it. Leader Tony V, (01635) 230046.
Berkshire Walkers 20s to 40s. The Magic of Mortimer, moderate walk of five miles with six mile optional addition. Meet at Mortimer railway station for 10am start. Morning walk through Wokefield Common, lunch stop, set off again from church (grid ref SU 655 645) at 12.45pm for afternoon walk heading east. leader Dan, 07761 192509.
'Call My Bluff' wine tasting. The Watermill, Bagnor, 7pm to 9.30pm. Come as a team of four (£15 each) or make up a table. Blind taste several wines, together with ‘Call My Bluff' panel of experts who will try to convince you they know what they are talking about, in an entertaining contest. Cheese and biscuits along with the wine, prize for the table with most correct answers. (01635) 45834 or www.watermill.org.uk
Film: Rabbit Hole (12A). Corn Exchange, Newbury. 1pm, 3.10pm and 5.15pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Monday, February 28:
Thatcham Historical Society. Kennet School, Thatcham, 7.30pm to 9pm. ‘Medieval Communities in West Berkshire' talk by Margaret Yates. Visitors £1.50. Details (01635) 865574
Silver screen film: ‘Rabbit Hole' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 2.30pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Tuesday, March 1:
West Berks Ramblers. Meet at Bradley-Moore Square, off Harts Hill Road, Thatcham (grid ref SU 524 680) at 10am. Park at far end of the car park. Gently undulating six mile walk based on Walk 13 in ‘Walks in the Kennet Valley and Beyond' goes via Upper Bucklebury, The Slade and The Ridge at Cold Ash. Bring a drink. Leader Richard M, (01635) 86740.
Kintbury Wildlife Group. ‘A Very Close Look at British Spiders' illustrated talk by Martin Woolner, showing high magnification photos giving insights into the world of spiders. Coronation Hall, Kintbury, 7.30pm. Details (01488) 668482.
Pang, Kennet and Lambourn Valleys Countryside Projects (FWAG), Hedgelaying at Rushall Manor Farm, 10am. Details (0118) 930 5336 or www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk or email pang.kennet@fwag.org.uk
Valley Film Society film: ‘House of Flying Daggers' (15). Tang Dynasty leaders use a blind dancer to lead them to rebel group House of Flying Daggers, but all is not as it seems – outstanding cinematography and martial arts. East Garston Village Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm screening. Guests £5, order Nippy Chippy supper (extra) by 7.20pm, delivered in interval. (01488) 7205 or email pennyandbob.brewer@tiscali.co.uk or visit www.valleyfilmsociety.org
Busybody. Comedy about garrulous cleaning woman who tells the cops how to mind their business and steps up with the right evidence at every turn. The Haymarket, Basingstoke. Also Wednesday. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk
Film: ‘Rabbit Hole' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, 2.30pm and 6pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Film: ‘Blue Valentine' (15). Corn Exchange Newbury, 8.15pm .(01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Wednesday, March 2:
Philharmonia Orchestra. The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. (01256) 844244 or www.anvilarts.org.uk
Film: ‘Rabbit Hole' (12A). Corn Exchange Newbury, bawl screening at 11am, then regular screenings 6pm and 8.15pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
