Pedal to the Madness: Newbury Kart Chaos!

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Kar-azy fun is promised on the streets of Newbury this August bank holiday

Newbury Krazy Races 2025: A Wild Day of Kart Racing and Family Fun

What to Expect at Newbury Krazy Races 2025

The Newbury Krazy Races 2025 arrives on Sunday, 24th August, bringing high-speed fun, creativity, and community spirit to the heart of Newbury. Organised by Newbury Business Improvement District, this free event features homemade soapbox karts navigating wild obstacles through the streets—cheered on by thousands of spectators.

Teams will compete in categories including Best Design, Best Dressed, and Fastest Kart, with the top 10 racing head-to-head for the winner’s trophy. Expect bold costumes, big laughs, and plenty of surprises!

Supporting Local Families Through Daisy’s Dream

This year’s headline charity is Daisy’s Dream, a local organisation that provides emotional support for bereaved children and families.

Laura Lewis, CEO of Daisy’s Dream, said:

“Opportunities like this help us raise vital funds and awareness. We’re thrilled to be involved and look forward to connecting with the community.”

Ben Beardmore-Gray, Marketing Manager at Newbury BID, added:

“We’re excited to support Daisy’s Dream and highlight the important work they do.”

Join the Race-Day Action

From creative karts to cheering crowds, Newbury Krazy Races 2025 promises a day of unforgettable excitement. Whether you’re racing, volunteering, or just watching the action, there’s something for everyone.

So, bring your energy and enjoy a day that’s fast, fun, and full of heart.


For more information on how to enter or get involved, visit the official Krazy Races
website here

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I Let Go of My Old Life to Find Something Better

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Kate Hughes had her dream job until she realised it was affecting her health and she needed to make a change. Now she’s sharing what she learned with others as a meditation teacher

Mindfulness Coach for Burnout Recovery: My Journey from Law to Healing

From Legal Success to Burnout

I seemed to have it all. I was a partner in a large regional law firm and thriving in my role. My parents were proud. I lived in a dream cottage and took multiple holidays a year. But behind the success, I was heading for burnout—a path I couldn’t yet see.

Burnout Changed Everything

Working in criminal law is rarely 9–5. Late-night callouts, weekend courts, and long hours were the norm. Eventually, my body sent a message I couldn’t ignore: burnout, complete with the terrifying loss of vision in one eye.

Scans followed, alongside court appearances and team management. The diagnosis was clear—stress. The solution? Change everything.

Discovering Mindfulness and Coaching

I didn’t want to change. I wanted a pill, not a whole new identity. But life had other plans.

Two people helped me shift course: a mindfulness teacher, whose course opened the door to meditation, and a career coach, who helped me see that life doesn’t begin and end in a courtroom.

Becoming a Mindfulness Coach for Burnout Recovery

I retrained as a mindfulness coach for burnout recovery. Today, I help professionals step out of stress and into clarity.

One client, Janine, a finance director, overcame anxiety and tinnitus through mindfulness. She chose not to retire, but to reimagine her life—working abroad part-time and feeling better than ever.

Let’s Find Your Balance

My coaching space is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect. Together, we explore meditation, mindful habits, and ways to simplify life.

If you’re overwhelmed or stuck in a role that no longer serves you, I’m here to help.

Let’s create space for the life you truly want.

To find out more about Kate and how she can help visit katehughesmeditation.co.uk and contact her at email: here and 07905732737

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Witness the Magic and Majesty of Egham Royal Show 2025

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Caddey’s Field is the venue for the epitome of community fun on August 23rd & 24th with Egham Royal Show

Egham Royal Show 2025 Returns This August Bank Holiday Weekend

The Egham Royal Show 2025 returns this August bank holiday weekend, bringing an exciting mix of family fun and entertainment. This historic event celebrates British culture with a diverse blend of horticulture, agriculture, livestock, and classic cars. Visitors will enjoy a vibrant atmosphere that highlights the best of the local community and traditions.

At the Home and Garden Competition Marquee, the Egham Royal Show 2025 features a wide range of produce, culinary arts, and handmade crafts. Livestock fans can see impressive displays of pigs, sheep, and Dexter cattle. The main arena, located next to the Community Marquee, hosts thrilling acts like scurry pony racing, falconry, stunt shows, and livestock parades.

One standout attraction this year is the iconic WW2 Mark 9 Spitfire. Visitors can take photos with this historic aircraft and dress as pilots for a fun souvenir snap. A team of experts will be on hand to share fascinating stories about the Spitfire.

Aviation enthusiasts will also love the Red Arrows flight simulator experience. The event offers more family-friendly activities such as Tom’s Talking Reptiles, archery, a fun dog show, free children’s rides, and live music performances.

With over 160 years of history, the Egham Royal Show 2025 remains a beloved highlight of the community calendar, promising fun and learning for all ages.

To learn more about the show, click here.

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Windsor Dog Show 2025: A Spectacular Celebration of Top Breeds and Best in Show

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The Royal Windsor Championship Dog Show 2025 – A four-day celebration of canine elegance in paw-some pictures by photographer Madalina Ungureanu

Set against the majestic backdrop of Windsor Castle, the 2025 edition of the Royal Windsor Championship Dog Show unfolded over four vibrant days, welcoming thousands of pedigree dogs from across the UK and beyond.

Each day highlighted a specific group—from the joyful Gundogs to the elegant Toy breeds, the powerful Working group, and the rare and eye-catching Utility dogs. The event was a true celebration of diversity in the canine world, featuring beloved breeds like Golden Retrievers and Whippets, but also less common ones such as the Catalan Sheepdog, the Cesky Terrier, and the intricately coated Puli.

The show concluded with the Best in Show finale, crowning a stunning Papillon as this year’s overall winner—a moment of joy and emotion shared by breeders, owners, and the public alike.

Photography by Madalina, an Italian fine art pet photographer based in Turin. Her work blends artistic composition with heartfelt storytelling, turning every dog into a timeless portrait. In addition to private commissions, she regularly travels across Europe to cover major international dog shows, capturing the beauty, emotion, and atmosphere of each event through her distinctive lens.

See more of her work here.

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Prog rock special at Dorchester Abbey 

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The Thames Valley Festival Orchestra returns to Dorchester Abbey, Oxfordshire on 20th September for a performance of An Evening of Symphonic Prog Rock 

The 65-piece symphony orchestra with rhythm section will fill the abbey with the music of the most iconic British prog rock bands of the 70s and 80s. The concert will feature symphonic arrangements by the legendary Dee Palmer of the music of Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and Queen.  

Perennial favourites will be performed such as Follow You, Follow Me (Genesis), Owner of a Lonely Heart’ and Roundabout (Yes), Another Brick in the Wall and Wish You were Here (Pink Floyd), Elegy and ‘Aqualung’ (Jethro Tull), Tie Your Mother Down, Somebody to Love and We are the Champions (Queen) and many more. 

Tickets and more information : https://thamesvalleyfestivalorchestra.org/next-concert/ 

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Art Exhibition Honors Soldier’s Holocaust Kindness

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New community art exhibition of mediums including painting and film, inspired by a story in the museum’s collections 

From Saturday 9 to Saturday 30 August 2025, the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock will present a moving new art exhibition inspired by the true story of a Holocaust survivor and a soldier from Oxfordshire whose small act of kindness changed a life forever.

Created by local artists as part of the Lifelines community art project, the exhibition is based on events following the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945. Among the first troops to enter the camp were members of the Oxfordshire Yeomanry, a Territorial Army regiment serving as an Anti-Tank battery of the Royal Artillery.

Confronted with scenes of unimaginable suffering, starvation, and disease, the soldiers worked to relieve the survivors, arrest the Nazi guards, and control the typhus outbreak. Amid this chaos, one soldier – Arthur Tyler – responded to a desperate plea from a survivor, Naomi Warren, a Polish Jewish woman who had lost much of her family at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Naomi begged the British soldiers to contact her surviving relatives. While many said they would help, only Arthur followed through, writing letters that led to Naomi’s reunion with her uncle and sister in Houston, Texas. This simple yet powerful gesture helped her rebuild her life in the United States.

“I met very many British soldiers and I asked everybody to write about me to my family, but nobody did it – only you.” – Naomi Warren (née Kaplan), in a letter to Arthur Tyler

The exhibition features artworks and films created in response to Naomi and Arthur’s story. It explores themes of witnessing, kindness, memory, and hope, showing how even in moments of darkness, compassion can bring healing and transformation.

One of the featured artists, Suzanne Maria Hamber, drew from personal connections to the Holocaust. Her mother arrived in the UK as a Kindertransport refugee in 1939, escaping Nazi Austria. Many of her family members were also lost to the Holocaust, including in camps like Bergen-Belsen.

“The project has been moving and emotional,” says Suzanne. “A kind act by Arthur Tyler opened a world of possibilities for Naomi—and for us.”

The exhibition also aligns with the national 80 Candles for 80 Years project, which will be on display at the museum from 12 to 30 August 2025. Organised by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the initiative features 80 unique candleholders created by communities and organisations across the UK to honour victims of the Holocaust and others persecuted by the Nazi regime.

The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum extends special thanks to the Warren family and the Holocaust Museum Houston for their support. Naomi Warren spent much of her later life sharing her story to educate future generations—a legacy that this exhibition continues.

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Thrilling Dead Guilty Preview at Wokingham Theatre for Charity

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Paddy Haycocks, a trustee at Arts4Wokingham invites you to a special Gala Night at the theatre to support the arts in the area

Support Arts4Wokingham with Dead Guilty at Wokingham Theatre

Here’s a rare chance to enjoy a show at Wokingham Theatre while supporting a great cause. All your ticket money will go directly to Arts4Wokingham, a charity dedicated to promoting local arts. It’s a double win.

Watch Dead Guilty and know that, at no extra cost, you are helping Arts4Wokingham engage with arts projects across the borough. Wokingham Theatre has generously donated their entire auditorium for this special preview. The show marks the start of their autumn season on Wednesday, 3rd September.

This thriller by Richard Harris will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story explores themes of deceit and obsession. A man’s death in a car crash leads his wife to uncover a secret affair. Consequently, this discovery sets off a chain of surprising and complex events.

Don’t miss this exciting performance that supports a worthy local cause.

Do consider joining other supporters of the arts for this gala charity performance. Why not bring a group of friends, family or colleagues. The bar will open at 7pm. There will be raffle prizes and one or two special guests, too. So, simply by buying tickets for the show and enjoying the play, you will also be making a much appreciated contribution to A4W’s funds. To secure tickets, please don’t delay. You can make sure of seats by going directly here

Or go to A4W’s website here and follow the prompts. You can also find out more about Arts4Wokingham and their aims.

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Greenham Common Arts Festival: 25 Years of History, Art & Magic

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Greenham Commons has gone from military base to wildlife sanctuary. Join them as they mark a special anniversary with unique performances on September 13th & 14th

Celebrate 25 Years at the Greenham Common Arts Festival

Take a journey across Greenham Common at the Greenham Common arts festival. Here, aerial circus, dance, street theatre, and music bring the site’s rich history to life. This festival marks 25 years since the common returned to public ownership. It celebrates its transformation from a military base to a wildlife sanctuary and a peace protest site. Visitors can explore the unique stories that make Greenham Common so special.

Outdoor Performances at the Greenham Common Arts Festival

During the two-day Greenham Common arts festival, enjoy captivating performances throughout the site. Highlights include Nandita Shankardass’ Roots to Rise and the Gossamer Thread Circus with Becoming FERAL. You can also see works commissioned by 101 Outdoor Arts. Furthermore, meet characters like Adderlaide, the spirit of the common, and Heath and Heather Robinson in The Common Room. Plus, experience the magical storytelling walk Common and folk songs inspired by the resilience of peace camp protesters.

These performances offer a unique blend of history, art, and community spirit, inviting everyone to engage with Greenham Common’s past and present.

D1

Arts & Crafts Celebration at Greenham Common

The festival also features the Festival of Arts & Crafts at The Base from September 13th to 27th. It begins with a two-day arts and crafts fair showcasing over 50 local stalls. Visitors can join creative workshops and explore an exhibition of local artists’ work. This is perfect for anyone wanting to bring home original art from the Greenham Common arts festival. The atmosphere is vibrant, lively, and perfect for families and art lovers alike.

Start your festival adventure at Venture West in Greenham Business Park. Enjoy a vibrant celebration of community, history, and creativity at the Greenham Common arts festival — a must-visit event this September.


Visit their website here, click here.

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Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme: What to See

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Live arts, music icons and festive cheer are all on the bill for the new season at Newbury’s Corn Exchange

Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme: Exciting Music, Comedy, Theatre & Family Fun

The Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme is packed with world-class music tributes, laugh-out-loud comedy, family favourites, inspiring talks, and fantastic theatre. This season promises entertainment for audiences of all ages, making Newbury Theatre the place to be this autumn.

Theatre Shows in the Newbury Autumn Programme

Theatre fans can look forward to a thrilling lineup as part of the Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme. The season opens with Shamilton: The Improvised Hip Hop Musical on August 28th. Audiences choose the historical figure, and the cast improvises the plot and songs live.

On October 14th, enjoy Drum, a story by two Ghanaian creatives set in 1960s London. October 21st brings Stories from an Invisible Town, a darkly comic solo show exploring childhood myths. The programme also features Revenge, After the Levoyah on November 4th, a chaotic Jewish comedy about a kidnapping plot.

Dance Highlights in the Newbury Autumn Programme

The dance offerings in the Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme blend tradition and innovation. On September 24th, witness the Kathak performance Story of One, Story of Many. Then, on October 16th, Richard Chappell Dance presents Hot House, mixing Indian classical dance with garage beats.

Music Tributes and Live Performances This Autumn

Music lovers will find plenty to enjoy in the Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme. Tribute acts include the UK Pik Floyd Experience (Sept 13th), Bootleg Eagles (Sept 19th), Emilio Santoro as Elvis (Sept 20th), The Doly Show starring Kelly O’Brien (Sept 25th), and Some Guys Have All the Luck: The Rod Stewart Story (Oct 18th).

Additionally, the season features the soulful Northern Live: Do I Love You (Sept 18th) and festive favourite Step into Christmas (Nov 15th).

Comedy and Talks in the Newbury Autumn Programme

For comedy lovers, the Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme offers performances by The Comedy Network (Sept 5th, Oct 17th & Nov 7th), Jenny Éclair’s Jokes, Jokes, Jokes Live (Sept 26th), and Matt Richardson’s Brash (Oct 9th). November features Milton Jones (Nov 5th) and Suzi Ruffell (Nov 8th).

Special talks include Adam Kay’s A Particularly Nasty Case (Sept 6th) and gardener Adam Frost reflecting on life on October 22nd. Clare Balding appears on September 16th, supporting the Old Library fundraising.

Family Shows and Festive Fun

Families can enjoy the Newbury Theatre Autumn Programme’s children’s shows, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (Oct 10th-12th), Stick Man (Oct 28th-30th), Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians (Oct 31st), and Dinosaurs Live (Nov 9th).

The season closes with the festive panto Robin Hood and Maid Marian from November 28th to January 3rd.

For more details of all shows this autumn, please visit here.

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Club India Wokingham: Chef Awanish Roy’s New Indian Dining Experience

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New restaurant Club India serves up innovative cuisine in a stylish elegant setting fulfilling chef Awanish Roy’s dream of his own restaurant


Club India Wokingham: A Celebration of Heritage, Cuisine, and Community

Club India Wokingham, the newest addition to Berkshire’s food scene, brings together Indian culinary heritage, community spirit, and modern flair. Headed by renowned chef Awanish Roy, the restaurant promises to be more than just a place to eat—it aims to be a true cultural and culinary destination.

Awanish Roy Brings Global Expertise Home

With over 20 years of experience, Chef Awanish Roy has cooked for British Prime Ministers and global celebrities. His impressive career includes time at The Oberoi Hotels and The Cinnamon Club, where he built a reputation for excellence in fine Indian cuisine.

Now, he returns to Wokingham to fulfil a lifelong dream: opening his own restaurant focused on community, authenticity, and innovation.

The Setting: Elegance Meets Comfort

Located on the site of the former Pheasant Pub on Reading Road, Winnersh, Club India Wokingham offers much more than a traditional Indian restaurant. Guests will find:

  • A renovated interior with elegant, casual dining spaces
  • A dedicated Madhushala Bar for drinks and social evenings
  • Multiple dining zones to suit everything from date nights to group gatherings
  • A spacious garden for alfresco dining and family events

Right next door, the new Club Wokingham Hotel features 12 stylish, en-suite double rooms—perfect for visitors or weekend escapes.

Heritage-Inspired Menu with a Modern Twist

The menu at Club India Wokingham is crafted to reflect India’s regional diversity and rich culinary history. Highlights include:

  • Champaran Meat – a slow-cooked lamb dish from Bihar
  • Beef Dhunki – a 4,000-year-old tribal recipe
  • Calamari prepared using a treasured family technique
  • A variety of vegetarian dishes balancing innovation and tradition

Chef Roy also collaborates with Chef Srijith Gopinathan, a two-Michelin-starred chef celebrated for his Cal-Indian cuisine in San Francisco. Gopinathan’s global influence adds depth and creativity to the menu, while staying true to its Indian roots.

A Place for Community and Connection

Club India Wokingham is built on a “club” concept—a welcoming space where food, community, and hospitality come together. Local businesses, sports clubs, and community groups are encouraged to use the space for events, networking, and social gatherings.

A membership program will also be available, offering exclusive discounts and perks for regular diners and supporters.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Club India,” says Awanish Roy. “Every dish has a story, whether rooted in family tradition or shaped by global innovation. We want to be a culinary and community hub for Wokingham.”

To visit the Club India wedsite, click here.

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