What's on this week
Newburytoday.co.uk's news and events from West Berkshire and beyond
Thursday, August 4:
To September 24 – Radio Times, Watermill, Bagnor, 7.30pm. Box office (01635) 46044. www.watermill.org.uk
Newbury Sub Aqua Club, Northcroft Leisure Centre, 7pm to 9pm. Go along for a free scuba diving experience. Kit will be provided, just bring swimming costume. For more information call
Alex Godfrey on (01635) 31199
Blood donor sessions, Catholic Church Hall, Bath Road, Thatcham, 10.15am to 12.45pm and 2.15pm to 4.45pm
The UK Wolf Conservation Trust, children's wolf keeper day, 10am to 3pm. Go dressed to get mucky and see what the wolves and their keepers get up to during the day. Take over the job of wolf keeper looking after the wolves. Don't be fooled – it's hard work but lots of fun. £30 per child, ages 10 and up. (0118) 9713 330. www.ukwct.org.uk
Friday, August 5:
Fantastic Mr Fox, Greys Court, Oxfordshire, 6.30pm. Adults £14, children £9. Contact: 0844 249 1895
Barnados Big Toddle, Victoria Park, 10am to noon. Parents and children are invited to do a Big Toddle to raise money for Barnados. Anyone is welcome to join in. For more information call Jane Doyle on 07738 969358
Blood donor sessions, Tadley Community Centre, Newchurch Road, 12.30pm to 3pm and 4.30pm to 6.45pm
To August 7 – The Knights of Royal England, Blenheim Palace. Jousting tournament on the south lawn, times vary. www.blenheimpalace.com 0800 849 6500
National Scout & Guide Symphony Orchestra, St Nicolas' Church, Newbury, 7.30pm. Following a week of intensive rehearsals, trips and other activities for the 65 young players, including three from Berkshire, all members of either The Scout Association or Girlguiding UK, their
combined talents will build into a crescendo with a public performance. The music to be played will include the Borodin Symphony No. 2, Brahms' Academic Overture, Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D min, and Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance No.1 (which includes Land of Hope and Glory). Tickets for the Concerts priced £10 (concessions £8) can be purchased at the door
Saturday, August 6:
SATA allotment open day, Southby Allotments, Greenham Road, (opposite Stroud Green), noon to 3pm. A chance to see the largest allotment in West Berkshire. On sale will be fresh
produce, home-made baked goods, local honey and free range eggs. There will also be a barbecue, tombola and raffles, face painting, plus other attractions. Half the money raised will
be donated to the Spring Charity Fundraisers, which helps disabled children in Newbury. Entrance free. For more information call Ray Powell on (01635) 46911
And Sunday – Blasts from the Past Living History Spectacular, Broadlands, Romsey, 11am to 5pm. A full day of fun including displays of historical life from the Ancient Greeks and Romans
right through to the late 20th century. Ticket prices vary. www.broadlandsestates.co.uk, www.facebook.com/blastsfromthepast, telephone (01794) 512987
Newbury District Ornithological Club, Rowbarge, Woolhampton, meet in the car park, 8am (Gr 174/ SU588667). A morning stroll around Woolhampton gravel pits looking for summer birds and dragonflies. All welcome. (01488) 668482
Hawaiian night and barbecue, Liberty Ballroom, New Greenham Park. Fancy dress optional. 7pm aloha, 7.15pm barbecue, 8.15pm fun ceroc dance class, 9pm to 10pm freestyle hula. Tickets £12 in advance or on the door, barbecue included in entry price.For more information/to book visit www.cerocnewbury.co.uk
Tree climbing at The Vyne, Basingstoke, 11am to 4pm. Experience the thrill of conquering one of three trees. Feel the sense of achievement and see The Vyne from a whole new perspective. This fun and exhilarating outdoor activity is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. (01256) 883858, events.thevyne@nationaltrust.org.uk
to August 14 – day out with Thomas, Watercress Line. Travel ticket includes freedom to travel all day on steam trains such as Henry the green engine or Daisy the diesel rail car. Also includes free Thomas the Tank Engine activity sheet, Mr Wizard shows, bouncy castle/slide, face painting and colouring. And look out for Sir Topham Hatt, the Fat Controller, as well as
other characters. Trains run approximately every 30-40 minutes from 9.35am to 4.30pm.
www.watercressline.co.uk
Five a Day Market Garden, The Street, Englefield, 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm. Outdoor ssion for all the family. Do the Vegetable Olympic Family Challenge and win a seasonal prize. £5 per adult, £4 per child (must be accompanied by an adult). Booking essential, m@fiveaday.org.uk,
www.fiveaday.org.uk, 07939676050
and Sunday – Wiltshire Game and Country Fair, Bowood, Calne, 10am to 6pm. www.craft-show.co.uk
Sunday, August 7:
Kids Bushcraft with Wild Connections, Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen, Bath Road, Hungerford, 11am to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult (not suitable for very young children), £5, booking essential. 01488 686 770, info@cobbsfarmshop.co.uk
Pangbourne and District Silver Band, Victoria Park bandstand, Newbury from 3pm to 5pm.
Aldbourne Band Proms on the Green, Aldbourne Village Green, 4pm. Bring picnic, flags and a singing voice. www.aldbourne-band.co.uk
Classic Vehicle Show, Newbury Racecourse, 10am to 4.30pm. The 19th Annual Classic Vehicle Show, in aid of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. The show is organised by the
West Berks Classic Vehicle Club. For more information, call Mike Kent on 07909 316462
National Animal Welfare Trust, Trindledown Farm, Wantage Road, Great Shefford, 10am to 1pm. A monthly sale of donated items, including hundreds of bargains, bric-a-brac, clothes, books, toys, new rolls of carpet, small items of furniture and lots more. Raising money for
National Animal Welfare Trust. Call Jackie Thorp on (01488) 638584
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Nursery Rhyme Weekend. Steam engine 7386 Birkenhead, built in 1948, will be hauling 1950s coaches. The Queen of Hearts leads the telling of
nursery rhyme stories on the train. Children dressed as a favourite character travel free. Wine and locally ale available on the train. No booking needed. Trains depart from Wallingford
starting at 11.05am and hourly until 4.05pm, trains depart Cholsey starting at 11.35am and then hourly until 4.35pm. www.cholsey-wallingfordrailway.com, cwrail@yahoo.co.uk or 01491 835 067
Monday, August 8:
International Antiques and Collector's Fair at Newbury Racecourse, early buyers 8am to 10am £10, buyers 10am to 4pm £5. www.iacf.co.uk
to August 21 – Fish and Oceans Fortnight, Living Rainforest, Hampstead Marshall. A journey of
discovery into the murky depths of modern and threatened fish stocks, and what people can do to help conserve the marine environment. Children can test their wits in the ‘Are you as intelligent as a fish?' challenge. www.livingrainforest.org/visit/events
West Berkshire Ramblers map and compass day. An introduction will be given for first-time orienteerers, if required, and the 5.3km course can be followed either individually or in pairs.
This is not in any way a competition; the intention is to help you improve your map and compass skills. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Colin
(01488) 683228
The Living Picture Group, Bar 1861, Corn Exchange, Newbury, the second Monday of every month from 10.30am to noon. The Corn Exchange has teamed up with Kingsclere-based charity Living Paintings to host a monthly get-together for blind and visually-impaired residents of West Berkshire. Transport can be arranged for those who have difficulty getting around. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Greenham WI, Conservative Club, Cheap Street, 2.15pm. Talk: Weather Law – Fact or Fiction? by Mr Currie Refreshments afterwards. Further details from Judith Walton (01635) 524238.
Tuesday, August 9:
Wildlife safari, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Mini beast hunting and river dipping in Freeman's Marsh. explore the wonderful world of insects in the meadows and the river. All equipment supplied. Numbers are limited so please contact 07932 322163 to reserve your place. All children must
be accompanied by an adult. The event is suitable for children, aged seven to 16
Cycle treasure hunt, Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, turn up any time between 10am and 2pm, collect your clues and follow the map around Thatcham to answer the questions. Reward for all finishers. Free entry. For more information call Rachael Lancaster on (01635) 519971
West Berkshire Ramblers, park at the Travellers Friend pub, Crookham Common, grid ref SU 537643, 10am. Six-mile stroll to Goose Hill and Plaistow Green. Leader Anne S, (01635) 846650
Wednesday, August 10:
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. (01635) 578177
Bats, Freeman's Marsh, Hungerford. A fascinating evening learning about bats with Dave Endacott, from Oxfordshire Bat Group, 8.30pm to 10.30pm. See some live captive bats before a stroll around the marsh to see and hear them in action with bat detectors. Numbers are limited so please contact 07932 322163 to book your place. Wear warm clothing, suitable footwear and bring a torch.
Watercolour Wednesday, Shaw House, 11am to 3.30pm. Create your own painting of the story of the Newbury Coat. All materials provided. Watch the Newbury Art Group at work when members visit Shaw House to seek inspiration from this stunning building. No need to book, just drop in. Activities are suitable for children aged four and above with some adult assistance. Adult carers need to accompany children under 15 years. www.shawhouse. org.uk, (01635)
279279
To September 2 – National Needlework Archive, The Old Chapel, Main Street, New Greenham Park. Opening Hours Tuesday to Friday and first Saturday of the month, 10am to 4pm. Afghan Inspirations, a fabulous exhibition of pieces by British embroiderers inspired by work from
women in Afghanistan, and helping to promote the work of charities working in Afghanistan. info@national needleworkarchive.org or octc@live.com, (01635) 38740
I'm a Survivor, Get Me Out of Here!, Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, times vary, each session lasts 45 minutes. Test your nerve with close encounters of the creepy crawly kind.
You may prefer to join the audience or be brave enough to take part in a session of survivor-type tasks and activities inspired by the TV show. Prizes and awards given to the bravest
of competitors. £4.50 per person, booking essential. (01635) 874381
UK Wolf Conservation Trust, children's wolf walk, 11am. £13 per person, ages six and above. No more than two adults per group. (0118) 9713 330, www.ukwct.org.uk
