What's on this week
Newburytoday.co.uk's news and events from West Berkshire and beyond
Thursday, February 9:
Chris Addison, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. wyverntheatre.org.uk (01793) 524481
The Mandolinquents, New Greenham Arts, 8pm. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
to Saturday, The Moscow State Circus, The Anvil, Basingstoke, times vary. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Your Days are Numbered, The Forge, Basingstoke, 8.15pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Bonhams Auctioneers Valuation Day, Corn Exchange, Newbury, 10am to noon. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
to March 31, Milestones Museum, Basingstoke is calling for any unwanted LEGO or DUPLO bricks to support LEGO Mania starting on February 21. Donations are being accepted until Saturday, March 31at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke Discovery Centre, and the Willis Museum in Basingstoke as well as 10 other Hampshire County Council's Community Museums. After the event the LEGO will be used as part of Hampshire County Council's Art and Museum Service in a variety of future projects. Along with LEGO play tables, at LEGO Mania, visitors will be able to watch LEGO expert Duncan Titmarsh recreate Basing House out of 150,000 individual Lego blocks. There will also be a host of LEGO themed events surrounding the build from 21 February to 15 April, including LEGO workshops, competitions and much more. For more information please visit www.milestones-museum.com or 0845 603 5635
Friday, February 10:
Dave Newton & Chris Hill Duo, Southern Sinfonia Café Concert, Corn Exchange, Newbury, 1pm. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns, The Forge, Basingstoke, 8.15pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Newbury District Field Club, Town Hall, 2.30pm. AGM followed by 19th century lantern slides of Newbury by Phil Wood. www.ndfc.org.uk
Saturday, February 11:
Winter Wildlife Walk, 1.30- 4pm, join Alison Cross from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for a lead walk around the Kingsclere area to discover our winter wildlife. Walk approx. 3.5miles. Suggested donation £2, sorry no dogs. Parking at Wolverton Village Hall. Note: the walk does contain several stiles. Booking essential, please contact Sarah Lynes on 01256 381103, or email sarahl@hwt.org.uk.
Newbury Antiques, Vintage & Collectors Market, The Congregational Hall, Cromwell Place, Northbrook St, 9.30am to 3.30pm. 20 plus stalls selling jewellery, furniture, ceramics, militaria, stamps, postcards, silver, art, objet d'art, vinyl records, books, curios. 50p entry.
National Gardens Scheme, Brandy Mount House, Arlesford, 11am to 4pm. One acre, informal plantsman's garden. National Collections of snowdrops and daphnes. two new raised beds to display early spring bulbs. New small collections of ferns in the shady part of the garden. Admission £3. Plants for sale. Teas. www.ngs.org.uk
Notelets Face the Music, Corn Exchange, Newbury, noon and 2pm. Presented by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. A wonderful experience for children who like to make a noise. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Newbury District Ornithological Club, a day looking for wintering Great Grey Shrike. Meet outside West Berkshire Museum at 9.30am for car-sharing and to decide the best place to go. More details (01488) 668482
Family Law Advice Session, Gardner Leader Offices, Newbury, 9.30am to 1pm. The New Year may have raised/highlighted relationship and family problems that a specialist solicitor may be able help you with. If so book a 30-minute session at this event. This event is raising money for Newbury Family Counselling Service. (01635) 508080
Just Shabby Chic Sale, Midgham Village Hall, noon to 4pm. Entry is free and you will also be provided with free tea, coffee and delicious homemade biscuits
Betfair Super Saturday, Newbury Racecourse, 10.45am to 4.30pm. One of the highlights of the Jump season at Newbury featuring the Betfair Denman Chase, the Betfair Super Saturday Chase and the Betfair Hurdle, Europe's richest handicap hurdle race. www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
to 19, Be My Valentine, Basildon Park, 10am to 4pm. During half-term children can explore the valentine trail around the garden and find the clues hidden around the grounds. It is self directed and can be completed at any point during the visit with no time limit applied. The trail is suitable for all ages. Don't forget to claim the reward. The trail is an additional £2. On Valentine's Day children can get stuck into making 'love bugs' in their craft activity room. Please note the main showrooms within the house are closed until 10th March. The tearoom, lower ground floor exhibition rooms and shop are open as usual. There is a 400 yard walk between the main visitor car park and the house. A buggy service is available. Booking is not needed and normal admission charges apply. Don't forget to dress for the weather. (0118) 984 3040 basildonpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
Newbury & Reading Wargames Society open day, Theale Green Community School, 10am to 5pm. For those interested in history why not try a fun day out at a wargames and military modelling (including games workshop) show. A range of wargame models (painted and unpainted), terrain, buildings, books, etc. for sale. Take part in demonstration games; come and admire a refight of various historical battles and some 'What if's' participation games. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take command? Then why not join in. There will also be Napoleonic and ancients competitions open to individuals, armies supplied. Browse the Bring and Buy stalls, both new and secondhand. Entry £2. www.colours.org.uk
Community Market, Hamstead Marshall village hall, 10am to 1pm. The market is run for community benefit, and any funds it raises go towards village events and projects. Sue Watts (01488) 658932
Half Term Activities, Living Rainforest, Hampstead Norreys, 10am to 5pm. Workshops and special tours throughout the week, including sloth mask making, recycling workshop and quizzes. (01635) 202444 www.livingrainforest.org
Jumble sale, 2pm, at St Catherine's Church Hall, Wittenham Avenue, opposite Birch Copse School. Entrance fee 25p refreshments and car park. In aid of future work at the church
Sunday, February 12:
Camerata Salzbur, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. Haydn and Mozart. Box office (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Valentine's Day Wolf Walk, The UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Butler's Farm, Beenham, 10am to 2pm. £75 for two people. Includes a special gift. to book (0118) 9713330
Volunteer's Taster Day, Snelsmore Common Country Park, 10am to 2pm. Are you passionate about wildlife, love the fresh air and relish a challenge? Then why not consider becoming a Volunteer Ranger with the West Berkshire Council Countryside team? Come along for a taster day at Snelsmore Common. www.naturediscovery.org.uk
Wildfowl Walk, Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham, 2pm to 4pm. Come and join Graeme at Thatcham to discover the birds that frequent the lake during the autumn months. £2 per person. www.naturediscovery.org.uk
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at Snelsmore Common, grid ref SU463710, 10am. A leisurely walk via Donnington Castle, Bagnor and Ashpiece copse. Bring a drink etc. 3.5 miles. Leader: Fred C (01635) 281621 or 07769816429
West Berkshire Ramblers, Meet at Newbury Wharf at 9am for car share to Newtown near Warsash. Please call the leader before leaving Newbury to confirm. Meet the walk leader where the footpath crosses the road at Explorer 119, SU494051, for the walk starting at 10.00. This is a gentle walk with few stiles and minimal height gain to Titchfield, down the Meon Valley to Hill Head and back along the Solent Way, with fine views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Pub or tea shop available for late lunch at Hill Head - otherwise bring food and drink for the day 12 miles. Leader: Richard N 07720898929
Monday, February 13:
Neighbourhood Watch Meeting, West Berkshire Council Offices, 7.30 pm. A talk by Dave Stubbs about Wash Common and the Battle of Newbury. Representatives of the Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Fire Service will be attending and both will be available to answer any questions. All welcome. (01635) 264718
Newbury National Trust, New Greenham Arts, 7.30pm. Conservation in a Changing World, illustrated talk by Sarah Stainiforth. Visitors £3. (01635) 551034
to Wednesday. National Nest Box Building Week, Beale Park, 2pm to 4pm. Beale Park will be encouraging visitors to build a bird a home, as part of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) National Nest Box Week. 0844 826 1761 www.bealepark.co.uk
Tuesday, February 14:
to 18, Mogadishu by Vivienne Franzmann, Oxford Playhouse. (01865) 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Impress the one you love with a day out at Waterperry Gardens and get free entry to the ornamental gardens. All you have to do is choose from our lovely set menu in the teashop, Miss H's and there's no charge to wander around 8 acres of inspirational gardens. The snowdrops should be looking sensational throughout February too although we recommend you check our website first for information about early or late floral appearances. Gardens open 10am to 5pm daily.
and Wednesday, Little Princess – Live on Stage, The Anvil, Basingstoke, times vary. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
and Wednesday, Make Beautiful Bunting, Shaw House, 10am to 3.30pm. Get ready for a summer of exciting events and festivities by designing and making your own bunting inspired by the new exhibition at Shaw House – Royal Revels: 125 years of West Berkshire celebrations. Usual admission charges apply. (01635) 279279 www.shawhouse.org.uk
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at the Greyhound PH, Letcombe Regis, grid ref SU381865, 10am. Park in pub car park if eating there at the end of the walk, otherwise please park near the church. Walk across "open access" land and permissive paths around Letcombe Regis and Letcombe Bassett. 5 miles. Leader: Joan C (01235) 835618
Make a Bear, Valentine's Day workshop, Eddie Catz, Newbury, 2pm to 5pm. Drop-off session suitable for 4-8 year olds; booking essential. Choose, stuff, fluff your very own cuddly and lovable teddy. £20 per child includes: a beautiful soft deluxe bear to take home, play at Eddie Catz, tea and refreshments. 0845 201 1268 or visit www.eddiecatz.com
Wednesday, February 15:
Recycled Arts Workshop, Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham, 11.30am to 3.30pm. Join Jill Nicholas, a recycling enthusiast and discover a great way to reuse your old yoghurt pots, £1 per yoghurt pot. (01635) 874381 www.naturediscovery.org.uk
Fleur Darkin Company present The Blake Diptych, Part one: Innocence, Corn Exchange, Newbury, 1.30pm. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Fleur Darkin Company present The Blake Diptych, Part two: Experience, Corn Exchange, Newbury, 7.45pm. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Bird Watching Walk, Hosehill Lake, Theale, 11am to 1pm. Hosehill Lake is a former gravel extraction site that is now a nature reserve. Join the Theale area Bird group on a bird watching walk. £3.50 per person - booking is essential. (01635) 874381 www.naturediscovery.org.uk
to Saturday, The Community of Hungerford Theatre Company present Brigadoon, John O'Gaunt Community Technology College, 7.15pm, Saturday matinee 2.15pm. A Lerner and Loewe musical set in a magical village in the highlands of Scotland. Tickets from Crown Needlework, 115 High Street, Hungerford. (01488) 684011 www.hungerfordtheatrecompany.co.uk
