What's on this week
Newburytoday.co.uk's news and events from West Berkshire and beyond
Thursday, July 28:
SCUBA Diving Experience, Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury, 7pm to 9pm. Come along and take a FREE SCUBA diving experience with Newbury Sub Aqua Club, now celebrating its 30th anniversary. SCUBA Kit will be provided, just bring swimming costume. For more information call Alex Godfrey on (01635) 31199
Tea Dance, Woolhampton Village Hall, 2pm to 4.15pm. Ballroom, Latin American and sequence dancing. £2.50 to include raffle and refreshments. Very friendly crowd. Come and enjoy a lovely afternoon. This event is raising money for local charities. For more information call Ronnie Parkin on (01635) 821505
West Berkshire Ramblers, park opposite the church in Catmore, grid ref SU 452802, 10am. An undulating 11.9 miles walk to Peasemore, Chaddleworth and Brightwalton. Lunch will be at the Ibex PH, Chaddleworth, or bring a picnic. Leader: Roy Ba. Tel: (01635) 40720
Evolve Kids, Sulham Woods, Reading, 10am. Daytime activities with the children, introducing them to meditation, chanting, drumming, and working with their own energies and those around them in nature. Each child will be give a nature explorer journal to record all their findings, drawings and discoveries and identification sheets to learn about whats around them. Parents who attend as an extra will be able to take part in a meditation with Melanie, while the children
play nearby with Chiara. Age range four-plus and all children must be accompanied by an adult. £20. More information www.developandevolve.com
Mini Beast Walk, The Vyne, Sherborne St John, 10am to noon. A National Trust Event: Marvel at our mini beasts as our warden walks you through the miniature world at your feet. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Booking essential, contact: Jules Fuller (01256) 883858
Friday, July 29:
Hungerford Town Plan Refresh in Hungerford, Hungerford Residents across the Town. Over the next week every home in Hungerford will have a Town Plan survey form delivered to them. This is an opportunity for residents to have their say about the future of Hungerford. For more information call Denise Gaines on (01488) 644616
The Hants & Berks Motor Club, Walking Rally. Spend an interesting evening walking round Henley-on-Thames looking for ‘clues' on buildings, bridges, in parks, etc around the town. More details Malcolm Royston (01491) 681493 www.hantsandberksmc.org.uk
Living Rainforest, Hampstead Norreys. Various events taking place to celebrate ‘Cool Conservation' including Conservation's Got Talent, Learning to be a Lion and a talk on conservation volunteering in Honduras. Telephone: (01635) 202444 www.livingrainforest.org
A National Trust Event, Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, 10.30am to noon. Nature walk around magnificent parkland, led by a warden or a member of the Reading and District Natural History Society. Booking not needed. (Also Aug 5 and 12) Contact: Property Administrator (0118) 984 3040
Museum of English Rural Life Teddy bears' picnic, University of Reading, Redlands Road, noon to 2pm. Bring along your teddy and a picnic and join us in the garden for games and fun. Free event, just drop-in. www.reading.ac.uk/merl/
Saturday, July 30:
Newbury Youth Theatre: Gogol's The Portrait, Corn Exchange, 7.45pm. (01635) 522733 or www.cornexchangenew.com
Summer Time Special, The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 3pm & 7pm. Miss Helen Watson
presents a music and laughter show for all ages. Tickets £10, all proceeds to Age Concern, Hampshire in Basingstoke. Box office (01256) 819797 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Battle Proms, Highclere Castle, gates open 4.30pm, entertainments begin 6- 6.30pm event finishes by 10.30pm. For more information, or to book tickets visit www.battleproms.com or call (01432) 355 416
Inspirational Crafts Day, Sandham Memorial Chapel, Harts Lane, Burghclere, 11am to 5pm. Come and indulge your crafty streak in the enchanting setting of our wild flower orchard, and admire the beautiful selection of handicrafts on display, against the breath-taking back drop of Watership down. Learn new skills with our ‘hands on' craft demonstrations, or simply browse the diverse range of stalls offering everything from woodcrafts to jewellery, pottery to painting. Children activities, refreshment stalls, or bring a picnic. Entry is free.
to August 10, The Bubbles and Balloons Show, The Look Out Discovery Centre, Bracknell, first show 11am subject to minimum numbers. Fun, entertaining and informative 30-35 minutes family show . Are bubbles always round? Not in this show. See our cube-shaped bubble. Is it really possible to pierce a balloon without making it pop? £1.85 in addition to the entrance fee for the Hands-on Science and Nature Exhibition. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be
Silchester Parish Church, concert by Hannington Silver Band, with Chamber Music (woodwind and cello), 7.30pm. £8 (includes light refreshments) at the door. Proceeds to Organ Restoration Fund. Contact Ralph Atton (0118) 970 0825
and 31, Family Fun Weekend, The George and Pelican, Newbury, noon to 5pm. Come along and enjoy the fun and games, helping to raise money for Naomi House Children's Hospice. Facepainting, balloon modelling, soft play areas, 'beach' area and much more! For more information call Winny Collier on 07540 478874
Woolton Hill Village Market, fresh local produce, plants, cards and crafts, camping accessories, coffee and cake, activities for children, Church Hall 10am to 1pm. www.wooltonhillvillagemarket.co.uk
Sunday, July 31:
The Searchers, with all their hits at The Mill at Sonning, 8.15pm. www.millatsonning.com
Family Fun Day at Newbury Racecourse, first race 1.40pm. pony races at 12.45pm. Details: (01635) 40015 or www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
Tadley Concert Band, Victoria Park Bandstand, Newbury from 3-5pm.
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at the Wharf, Newbury, grid ref SU 473671, 10am. Ten miles walk to Shaw, Snelsmore, Bagnor, Stockcross and Benham Park. Brink a drink and a picnic lunch. Leader: Greg M. Tel: (01635) 45802
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway, Diesel Sunday. CWR has teamed up with the nearby Didcot Railway Centre to offer diesel locomotive enthusiasts the opportunity to ride behind four 08 diesel locomotives in one day. 10 per cent discount on production of a valid ticket for either
railway. Wine and locally produced Ale will be available in the Brake Coach Bar. Run round loop at Cholsey and shunt and release at Wallingford. No booking needed Find out more at www.cholseywallingford-railway.com or contact us on cwrail@yahoo.co.uk or 01491 835
Wedding Fair, The Bear, Hungerford, 10am to 4pm, hosted by Karen Watts; whether you require florists, photographers or just want some fabulous ideas and inspiration, local suppliers can cater to your every need. www.thebearhotelhungerford.co.uk
Downland Villages Sunday Market, Compton Swan, High Street, Compton, 10am to 1pm. Traditional village market in the car park on the last Sunday of every month. More than 20 stalls offering fresh food, cakes, dairy and patisserie, vegetables, meat products, pickles and preserves, cut flowers and plants, fair-trade goods, cards and wrapping paper, kitchenware, household items, crafts and attractions for the children. Further details (01635) 579400
Monday, August 1:
The FA Tesco Skills Programme, Park House School, Andover Road, Newbury, 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm. Free football coaching sessions for 5-11-yearold boys and girls, only one two hour session allowed per child. To sign up to the holiday sessions visit www.TheFA.com/TescoSkills
to 12 August, exhibition Isobel Elliott – A Retrospective, National Needlework Archive, The Old Chapel, Main Street, New Greenham Park. Exquisite and amazing variety in a lifetime of needlework. Contact (01635) 38740 www.nationalneedlworkarchive.org.uk
to 5, Creative Arts and Crafts, New Greenham Arts Studio Two, 10am to 1pm. A week of creative fun. Learn a new skill every day with Shirley Eccles, including ceramics, printing, jewellery, fabric painting and more. Materials are included and it is suitable for ages 10-16. £100 for the week. To book contact Shirley Eccles: 07817722330 or shirley.e@btopenworld.com
Tatty Bumpkin Children's Summer Holiday Yoga Classes (ages 2-7 years), Fisher Room, St Mark's Church, Cold Ash Hill, 11.35am. Classes devised by physiotherapists, musicians, yoga teachers and educationalists. They are a mixture of stories, yoga movements, music and multisensory play and provide a structured, therapeutic, but most importantly fun environment for children to learn and play. In each session, you and your child are taken on a magical journey with Tatty Bumpkin, meeting animals, helicopters, and sausage rolls along the way. Each session finishes with a relaxation and stickers. Classes last approx 45 minutes. Booking in advance essential. www.newburyandover.tattybumpkin.com
Tuesday, August 2:
Burnham Copse Trefoil Guild at Heath End Village Hall, Baughurst from 2pm to 4pm. Everyone welcome. Contact Monica Curry (0118) 981 2539 or Jean Wetenhall (0118) 970 0760
to 6, Summer Kites Week, National Needlework Archive at The Old Chapel, Main Street, New Greenham Park. Make and learn how to fly a kite, adults and children. Contact (01635) 38740
www.nationalneedlworkarchive.org.uk
to 4, Shaun's Big Show, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Tap dancing pigs and flying sheep can only mean one thing – a wonderfully surreal stage adaptation of Aardman's hit animation Shaun the Sheep. Times vary. Tickets £15. Ticket office (01793) 524481 or www.wyverntheatre.org.uk
to 7, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Theatre Royal, Windsor,times
vary. (01753) 853888 www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at Leckhampstead village hall car park, grid ref SU 439763, 10am. Six miles walk to Brightwalton Holt, Peasemore and Chapel Farm. Leader: Joan C Tel: (01235) 835618
Big Bugs with Martin Rapley, Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, five one hour sessions throughout the day. Come along to experience the amazing world of giant insects and spiders. Stroke a tarantula, look a praying mantis in the eye and watch out for as huge millipedes march towards you! £4.50 per person. Booking essential. (01635) 874381
Wednesday, August 3:
Afternoon Teas, St Mary's Church, Aldworth 2.30pm to 4.30pm. See The Aldworth Giants and soak up the history of this church and village on the edge of the Ridgeway. Details: (01635) 578177
West Berkshire Ramblers, an evening walk of four miles from the Bladebone Inn, Chapel Row, grid ref SU 571696 to Bucklebury Farm and Bushnells Green, 6pm. Park in the pub car park if you intend to eat there after the walk, otherwise, park in the lay-by at Hatch Lane. Leader: Greg M Tel: (01635) 45802
Wonderful Wool, Shaw House, 11am to 3.30pm. Shaw House and the RENEWAL Project are celebrating all things woolly with a day of fleeced filled free family activities including knitting and felt making. Help make a group felt mural of Newbury's famous rivers. Meet our special flock of real live woolly visitors. No need to book, just drop in. Activities are suitable for 4 years
plus with some adult assistance. Adult carers need to accompany children under 15 years. (01635) 279279 www.shawhouse.org.uk
Make Your Own Teddy Bear, Millets Farm Centre, Frilford, 3pm to 4.30pm. Teddy bear making is so much fun, come along and make a new furry friend with us. You will stuff your own bear and add a magical wish star inside. All bears come with their very own certificate and bag. Every child will also receive a special teddy bear balloon model to take home, along with their new and unique handmade bear. All children will receive juice and tasty teddy
bear biscuits with this activity. £7.99 per child. Places limited, booking essential. (01865) 391923 or www.milletsfarmcentre.com
