Ramster Garden in Chiddingfold will be home to an outstanding collection of sculptures from the Surrey Sculpture Society from 2nd May to 1st June
At every twist and turn at Ramster Garden, there are hidden surprises as the winding paths lead you to modern and classical sculptures integrated with the landscape.
The sculptures, created from a mix of materials, offer richness in texture, colour and whimsical humour. With such a variety, there is something to appeal to everyone on the sculpture trail.
The trail, curated by the Surrey Sculpture Society, takes you through the woodland garden and its breathtaking collection of rhododendrons and azaleas to see an array of sculptures. This captivating event offers visitors a visual feast of artistry, flowers, plants and stunning scenery.
The event offers a unique chance to see unusual and enchanting pieces of sculpture created by professional and emerging sculptors while enjoying Ramster Garden in its seasonal glory. Visitors can also purchase their favourite sculptures from the Surrey Sculpture Society, a renowned organisation that has been promoting and exhibiting sculpture in the region for over 30 years.
Surrey Sculpture Society Exhibition Manager, Gill Lawson said: “Ramster Garden is the perfect setting to display sculpture because of its beautiful scenery and accessible woodland paths. The flowering of the azaleas and rhododendrons and the array of rare trees and shrubs add to the romance and drama of each piece. Every year, the collection seamlessly fits with its surroundings.”
“This much-anticipated event has become a highlight of our events calendar with our regular visitors and also attracts new audiences to the garden,” said Ramster’s Rosie Glaister. “The sculptures are incredibly imaginative and bring a smile to many faces; they add to the overall charm of the garden and visitor experience.”
To learn more about the Surrey Sculpture Society or purchase a sculpture, please visit surreysculpture.org.uk
Ramster Garden is open daily from 10am to 5pm throughout the exhibition. Garden entry tickets include the sculpture trail which has an accessible route. Ramster Tea House serves a delicious menu including a range of fresh sandwiches, soups and quiches as well as cakes. Seasonal garden membership is available for those who wish to visit regularly. Free parking.
For more information about Ramster Garden, Petworth Road, Chiddingfold GU8 4SN, please visit ramsterevents.com
Ramster Garden entry prices 2025 – Adults: £10, children 5-16 years: £3, under 5 years: free (an adult must accompany children). Group rate 15+ people: £9.50 (pre-booking required for group visits). Registered disabled: £5.
Support MyVision Oxfordshire help blind and partially sighted adults and children throughout the county
Are you brave enough to walk on hot coals? If you think it sounds foolhardy imagine doing it if you’re partially sighted.
That’s exactly what Martin Crouch and other intrepid fundraisers from Oxfordshire charity MyVision will be doing in Chipping Norton on March 28th.
The walkers will be braving the flames to help raise valuable funds to support blind and partially sighted adults and children across Oxfordshire to cope with sight loss. They are committed to promoting independence and opportunity and offer information, advice and support to those affected, their families and carers.
Martin says: “After suffering sudden vision loss myself, I am doing the firewalk to raise funds for MyVision Oxfordshire. It’s looming and I’m starting to get itchy feet about it – prior to burnt feet! If you can, please donate to my Firewalk.”
The firewalk organised by the Rotary Club of Witney takes place at Glyme Hall OX7 5DZ.
Firewalking, stepping over a bed of hot embers, is practised by many cultures around the world as a rite of passage, test of courage or faith and that’s certainly what MyVision fundraisers will be putting to test as they walk along the six metre fire lane, after full training.
Go along and watch the walkers, get involved yourself or support them with a donation to MyVision.
Enjoy an Easter adventure with the National Trust from April 5th to 27th. £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg. No booking needed. Check out the miniature mansion at Basildon Park and run from pillar to post. Choose colours from the colour wheel and puzzle the mansion floor plan back in order. Make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family as you explore the beautiful parkland and gardens. It’s showtime at Greys Court! Lady Brunner loved the theatre and the gardens she designed are full of dramatic touches. Step into her world and put on a show with music, games and activities on a performance theme.
Experience the heartwarming adventure of Priscilla Queen of the Desert in this dazzling musical from April 16th-21st at South Hill Park. Join Tick, Bernadette, and Adam on a journey through the Australian outback, filled with outrageous costumes and iconic disco hits like I Will Survive and It’s Raining Men. A spectacular ride of joy and glitter awaits at the party of the year, where everyone’s invited. Book tickets.
Celebrate Easter with the annual Egg Hunt at Dinton Activity Centre, April 7th-21st. Join a fun-filled adventure as you search for hidden eggs along a 2km trail. As you explore the beautiful surroundings of Dinton Pastures Country Park, keep an eye out for clues that will lead you to the ultimate prize – a delicious chocolate treat! Book here.
The Binfield Easter Egg Hunt is back for the ninth year from Monday 14th to Sunday, 20th April. Buy a map for £3 from Binfield Village Stores or Foxes Den Café during the week and enjoy a fun walk around the village. With coffee shops, playgrounds and a fantastic pub on the route, go along & have a great day.
Dive into a Ball Pool Fun Zone for all the family to enjoy at The Lexicon this Easter. Running from 4th to 21st April, the fun zone features 175,000 colourful balls split into two sections – one for children under fives and another for children aged five and older. Adding to the excitement is a Giant Deckchair alongside games like Giant Jenga, Connect 4, and arcade favourites from High Score Arcade. Book to join in the fun.
Enjoy a new musical adventure live on stage on April 11th with The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rock Show at Theatre Royal Windsor. When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan. Will the band perform? Will Danny rock out? Or will Dino’s rumbling tummy save the day? Adapted from the number one best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter with new songs by Tom and Dougie. Tickets here.
This Easter, mystery and magic fill the air at Stonor Park and Tumblestone Hollow. Follow the Easter Trail, solving woodland riddles, April 5th-21st. Can you crack the riddles, find the hidden eggs, and complete the adventure? There’s also the chance to win a giant chocolate egg courtesy of local award-winning chocolatier Tutu Delicious! Book tickets.
Over the Easter school holiday, join a trip along the Thames for the Riverboat Easter Egg Trail. Setting off from Caversham Pier, there are six 45-minute trips, April 7th-11th & 14th-18th. Look for hidden eggs, each displaying a letter. Spot them all to spell a special word and earn a certificate to commemorate your adventure. Times and bookings here.
Take the exciting Easter trail around the Royal Mews at Windsor Castle, follow the clues and win a chocolate reward! There will also be sparkling Easter Egg crafts to enjoy for the whole family on April 7th, 10th, 11th & 12th. Details here.
Keep the little ones hopping with excitement this Easter with Squire’s Garden Centre, Create & Grow activities, at Wokingham and the new Hare Hatch centre, April 7th-17th. Plant a colourful spring basket – £6.50, (booking essential), or go on a spring flower hunt – £2.50, follow the clues and uncover the magic word for a choccie treat! No booking required.
Explore William Morris’s ‘heaven on earth’ Kelmscott Manor house the adjoining farm buildings. View the iconic collection of artwork and objects owned and designed by the Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement and discover why the Cotswold home became an inspiration for him and his family. Take a stroll around the enchanting gardens and enjoy homemade food from the licensed tearoom. Kelmscott, Lechlade GL7 3HJ opens from April 3rd to October 25th. Discover more about the inspirational Cotswold retreat.
Join Greenham and Crookham Commons this Easter holiday to stretch your legs and explore their nature reserve at one of its most picturesque times of year. The trail on April 8th will take you on a circular route where you will learn about life on Greenham Common. The trail will take 1-1.5 hours to complete depending on dwelling time at each panel. Then head back to the control tower to make a bird themed craft to take home. Click here and search for Greenham Commons
Join the Highclere Castle Easter Trail through the gardens and woodland. At the end of the Trail, each child will win a chocolate Easter Egg on Saturday, 19th April. Children are invited to take part in the Easter Bonnet parade; please do bring your creations along with you. Hopefully children will be able to enjoy the bouncy slide (this is weather dependent and may be subject to an additional charge) and meeting some of the farm animals. For full details & to book.
There are eggs everywhere at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham. Rabbit has heard all about Easter from his friends but he’s a little confused about Easter eggs; where do they come from and what do they look like? Collect your trail sheet from the visitor centre and head around the nature reserve to discover who laid the eggs. Then, head back to the centre to complete their craft and claim your small chocolate prize on April 16th. Book here.
Get creative in an Easter-themed children’s print workshop at The Base, Newbury. You will learn how to make a range of your own prints (cards and decorations) to take home with you. Please come dressed for mess (an old shirt or apron would be perfect). The workshop includes all materials, plus an Easter treat and drink from Honesty cafe. Saturday, 12th April. Book here
Kimyo is a free-to-use, advert-free website that helps children (and adults!) explore and engage with local educational attractions. Users can search by topics of interest and can collect badges by answering questions about the things they have seen. Kimyo also contains a section for educators, with lesson plans that can be used with the items and locations on the website. Find out more
Hampshire
Join a National Trust Easter trail at many of their places for just £3.50. Before you set off, you’ll receive a trail sheet to guide you on your adventure and Easter bunny ears to wear along the way. Choose from either a chocolate egg or a vegan and Free From chocolate egg as your reward. Families can enjoy Bunny Hoopla, giant chess, croquet, dominoes and more Regency-themed fun in The Vyne’s gardens in Basingstoke before collecting their trail prize at the end, March 29th – April 21st and at Hinton Ampner and Mottisfont from April 5th – 21st.
The Shed in Bordon has lots of fabulous free events for families this Easter. Daisy’s Craft Room will be popping up again this Easter for an afternoon of crafty fun on April 9th. Items priced individually from only £2. Punch and Judy, those mischievous puppets, always manage to stir up some chaos and laughs when they come back for Easter on 10th. If you love magic you are in for a real treat, with rabbit and Easter egg tricks throughout the two shows on 11th. Free but booking essential. Join Junk Jodie on 16th to bring recycled materials to life. Click here for more details and to book.
Easter is a great time to visit Gilbert White’s House & Gardens, with spring flowers popping up all over it’s 25 acres of grounds. You can take the family on an Easter Egg hunt with a difference with their Birds in Folklore Egg Hunt, which includes stories and folklore about some of our best loved British birds! Hunt for ten eggs hidden in the garden and match the birds pictured on the eggs with the stories about them. Match all 10 and claim a chocolate egg! The Easter holidays also see the launch of Wild Wednesdays. An hour of hands-on activities for children and their parents to experience local wildlife. Focusing on the joy that experiencing nature brings, with a little bit of learning along the way. More here.
There’s so much more to ‘eggs-plore’ this Easter at Winchester Science Centre with egg hunts, storytime and live shows. Children can hunt for a nest containing models of eggs laid by animals that hatch and then celebrate funding them all with a tasty treat. The science Inspirers will host an Easter storytime bringing to life an original tale exploring what happens when an animal hatches and takes its first steps into the world. Discover all this and more from April 4th -22nd.
Wander into Wonderland this Easter for a free weekend of whimsical games, tea parties, egg hunts, hands-on crafts and more in Princes Gardens, Aldershot (April 12th) and by Farnborough Library (April 13th). Meet Alice, The Queen of Hearts, Hatter and the White Rabbit for an interactive event full of twists and turns. Join Rhubarb Theatre for a wonderland experience as you shrink into the gardens of the Queen of Hearts to find yourself amongst her large lawn games. More details here.
Hop into Sir Harold Hillier Gardens’ gorgeous spring surroundings where the whole family can enjoy the self-guided Easter trail filled with fun games and activities amongst the blossoming flowers from March 29th – April 27th.
Pick up a Marwell Passport and join the adventure trail at Marwell Zoo, April 5th – 21st, going ‘around the zoo in 80 species’. Discover animals from across the continents and collect stamps along the way. On Easter Sunday (20th) meet the Easter Bunny and find the hidden eggs around the zoo to win prizes as part of the Big Easter Egg Hunt.
Pick up a bag and sheet – or bring your Easter basket – and hunt high and low to gather 15 chocolates from different spots in the grounds at Whitchurch Silk Mill on April 16th.
Hop aboard the Watercress Line, April 17th – 21st, and join the East Bunny Train where you’ll enjoy a sing along and jokes with the Easter Bunny’s helpers, a free activity sheet and choccy egg as well as crafts, an Easter egg spotter trail, colouring and themed selfie spots.
Oxfordshire
Enjoy an Easter adventure with the National Trust from April 5th-27th. £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg. No booking needed. It’s showtime at Greys Court! Lady Brunner loved the theatre and the gardens she designed are full of dramatic touches. Step into her world and put on a show with music, games and activities on a performance theme.
Hop along to Waterperry Gardens this Easter holiday, March 29th-April 21st, dressed as a bunny (optional) to find the missing carrots the bunny has dropped and take in the beautiful spring gardens. Hop around the gardens and every time you find a carrot mark it on the map provided to show its location. Find the letters on each carrot to reveal a word. Collect your prize from the Garden Shop. Children must be accompanied by an adult (garden entrance fee applies). Gardens open 10am to 5.30pm daily. No need to pre-book, all eager bunnies welcome. More here.
Explore William Morris’s ‘heaven on earth’ Kelmscott Manor house the adjoining farm buildings. View the iconic collection of artwork and objects owned and designed by the Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement and discover why the Cotswold home became an inspiration for him and his family. Take a stroll around the enchanting gardens and enjoy homemade food from the licensed tearoom. Kelmscott, Lechlade GL7 3HJ opens from April 3rd to October 25th. Discover more about the inspirational Cotswold retreat.
Visit Cogges over the spring holidays, April 5th-21st, spot the knitted bunnies around the Manor House, and see the rooms decorated for Easter. Get hands-on with children’s crafty activities (small cost applies), plus an egg hunt in the stable, Easter trail and baking on the range and say hello to the animals. Create your own adventure with 17 acres of open space, adventure play fort, zip wire and trail around the old moat. Find out more.
Enjoy a free heritage bus ride at Oxford Bus Museum at Long Hanborough on Sunday 6th April, 12.15pm & 2.15pm and on Easter Sunday and Monday join the Easter chick hunt too. Click for more.
Join the expert dragon masters and adopt a dragon at Oxford Castle and Museum, April 7th-18th. Decorate a dragon egg, make a fun dragon mask, build a cosy nest for your egg – and take home your very own dragon. Each dragon is house trained and guaranteed not to get any bigger or eat the family pet. Ages 3-7. Book here.
Flutter by and find a rainbow of butterflies – and a chocolate treat – on the Easter trail at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre on April 9th, 10th, 12th & 15th. Book online here and search for Sutton Courtenay.
Join Little Acorns for a springtime adventure at Earth Trust! Take part in Spring Senses, April 7th & 8th and Eastertime, April 14th & 15th. Explore the natural world on Family Nature Day, 16th and step back in time on an Ancient Adventure, 17th. Don’t miss the Spring Festival at the Earth Trust, May 3rd-5th. Details of all these & more
This Easter, mystery and magic fill the air at Stonor Park and Tumblestone Hollow. Follow the Easter Trail, solving woodland riddles, April 5th-21st. Crack the riddles, find the hidden eggs, and complete the adventure. There’s also the chance to win a giant chocolate egg courtesy of local award-winning chocolatier Tutu Delicious! Book here.
A Golden Egg is hidden within the parks and gardens at Blenheim Palace (5th-17th), and if you find it, big prizes are to be won! It could be in or near the Walled Garden. An egg-citing Easter weekend will fill the Walled Garden with fun from 18th-21st. Hop along for a range of egg-citing activities! For full details about the golden egg hunt & tickets click here.
Oxford Swim School are holding an Easter Intensive Course from Monday 7th to Friday 11th April. The five-day intensive swimming course (lessons are 30 minutes a day) uses the private 25 metre pool at Oxford High School in Summertown. It is for children aged 4-13 years old. Whether it is helping non-swimmers gain confidence and learning the basics of swimming, or assisting more advanced swimmers with stroke refinement. For more call 01865 864537 or click here.
Listen to stories and hunt for history while you explore the galleries at the Ashmolean Museum on a volunteer-led family gallery tour exploring ancient Egypt, Greece and Modern Art galleries. Play games and quizzes, enjoy sounds and stories, try out your design and drawing skills – each activity is different. More here.
Kimyo is a free-to-use, advert-free website that helps children (and adults!) explore and engage with local educational attractions. Users can search by topics of interest and can collect badges by answering questions about the things they have seen. Kimyo also contains a section for educators, with lesson plans that can be used with the items and locations on the website. Find out more.
Surrey
Spring into action with an Easter adventure at a National Trust place near you. Roll-up for nature-inspired games and activities at Hatchlands Park and Hindhead Commons, get crafty at Dapdune Wharf and take part in the ever-popular egg rolling at Box Hill on the Easter weekend. Each trail costs £3.50 which includes a pair of bunny ears, and a chocolate egg or a vegan ‘Free-From’* chocolate egg. (Usual property admission applies).
Hunt down the colourful eggs and collect the clues to solve the mystery and claim your chocolate at RHS Wisley – just make sure you grab a code-breaker pack on arrival for £2.50.
Looking for family friendly fun this Easter? Join three friends on a joyful jungle adventure at the Yvonne Arnaud, in Tall Stories’ magical, adaptation of the much-loved Elmer books by David McKee. The enchanting and colourful world of Elmer is brought to life through songs, storytelling and puppetry from April 9th -13th. There’s also a host of exciting Easter workshops at the Theatre, including their free Easter Family Fun Day, Drama Camp, Video Game Design and more. Book your space before they sell out.
Browse and purchase exceptional handmade pieces from some of the UK’s finest professional designer makers and artists at Craft in Focus at RHS Garden Wisley. The Spring Contemporary Fair, May 1st-5th, showcases a carefully curated selection of fine art, furniture, interior accessories, textiles, fashion, jewellery, ceramics, glassware, sculpture, and garden art. Beyond shopping, visitors can enjoy live demonstrations by some of the talented exhibitors, offering an insight into their creative processes. The event also features food stands and live music, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere. For more & to book.
Hop into spring at Painshill in Cobham this Easter! Join the Giant Easter Bunnies Trail, where you’ll explore the beautiful, historic gardens while hunting for giant bunny characters hidden throughout the landscape. Fun for all ages and perfect for a memorable day out surrounded by nature. Tickets are cheaper ifbooked online here.
Learn how to write ghost stories at Sensing Spirits on April 4th at West Horsley Place, the setting for BBC comedy Ghosts and on 8th there’s the chance to explore ‘Button House’ with fun activities for families. Enjoy a day of guided walks and talks across the beautiful estate. Explore hidden bluebell woodlands, hear from West Surrey Badger Club, and take a spring birdwatching tour on 13th. Get creative as you explore the Manor House with a different workshop in every room on 15th and join in tots tales on 23rd with sensory play sessions. Join Lord Hopton’s Regiment and the English Civil War Society as they put on an all-day living history display to transport visitors back to the 17th Century in an open day on April 27th. More details.
The Shed in Bordon has lots of fabulous free events for families this Easter. Daisy’s Craft Room will be popping up again this Easter for an afternoon of crafty fun on April 9th. Items priced individually from only £2. Punch and Judy, those mischievous puppets, always manage to stir up some chaos and laughs when they come back for Easter on 10th. If you love magic you are in for a real treat, with rabbit and Easter egg tricks throughout the two shows on11th. Free but booking essential. Join Junk Jodie on 16th to bring recycled materials to life. For more details and to book.
Easter is a great time to visit Gilbert White’s House & Gardens, with spring flowers popping up all over it’s 25 acres of grounds. You can take the family on an Easter Egg hunt with a difference with their Birds in Folklore Egg Hunt, which includes stories and folklore about some of our best loved British birds! Hunt for ten eggs hidden in the garden and match the birds pictured on the eggs with the stories about them. Match all 10 and claim a chocolate egg! The Easter holidays also see the launch of Wild Wednesdays. An hour of hands-on activities for children and their parents to experience local wildlife. Focusing on the joy that experiencing nature brings, with a little bit of learning along the way. More here.
Celebrate spring with cute fluffy themed activities at the Museum of Farnham, meet some lambs and get hands on with all sorts of woolly activities – handling, carding, spinning and weaving. Take part in the egg-cellent scavenger hunt and get messy with Easter themed crafts on April 19th.
There’s an Easter classic gathering at Brooklands on April 19th with hundreds of classic vehicles, supercars, live music, food stalls and a BBQ to enjoy alongside the planes, buses, cars, simulators and all other Brooklands Museum exhibits.
Be like the Easter bunny and hop aboard the Denbies Easter Bunny Train Ride around the vineyard in search of the golden eggs ticking them off on your Easter Train Passport. Find all three golden eggs to win a prize, April 7th-18th.
Look for the Easter themed clues in the displays at Guildford Museum. Will the Easter bunny be hiding there and what about the eggs? Join the fun trail April 5th-19th.
Celebrate spring with cute fluffy themed activities at the Museum of Farnham, meet some lambs and get hands on with all sorts of woolly activities – handling, carding, spinning and weaving. Take part in the egg-cellent scavenger hunt and get messy with Easter themed crafts on April 19th.
Discover the magic of Cicely Mary Barker and her magical world of the Flower Fairies with Family Days at Watts Gallery. Try your hand at ceramics with Clay Club and make sure to play across the whole site, April 5th-21st.
Wander into Wonderland this Easter for a free weekend of whimsical games, tea parties, egg hunts, hands-on crafts and more in Princes Gardens, Aldershot (April 12th) and by Farnborough Library (April 13th). Meet Alice, The Queen of Hearts, Hatter and the White Rabbit for an interactive event full of twists and turns. Join Rhubarb Theatre for a wonderland experience as you shrink into the gardens of the Queen of Hearts to find yourself amongst her large lawn games. More details at rushmoor.gov.uk/easter
Live action, puppetry and animation all feature in A Big Egg at Camberley Theatre on April 12th. Siblings Jack and Molly want to dive into their chocolate eggs but their mum insists they eat something healthy for breakfast first. Can they find an egg big enough and what creature might have laid it? Tickets here.
Join Egham Orbit on 19th April from 11am for their Easter Fun Fest! A day of Easter egg hunts, sports activities and games, food markets from local businesses and much more! They’ll also have special offers, prizes to be won and a visit from Rocky the Rabbit! Click here.
Wiltshire
Enjoy an Easter adventure with the National Trust from April 5th to 27th. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. *Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies. No booking needed. Join an Easter adventure at Avebury between March 29th and April 21st. Make your way along the trail while taking part in 10 fun, creative, and playful activities for the whole family. Explore the garden and take part in lots of Easter games and challenges to claim your chocolate egg. Check out the miniature mansion at Basildon Park and run from pillar to post. Choose colours from the colour wheel and puzzle the mansion floor plan back in order. Make your way along the trail and find activities for the whole family as you explore the beautiful parkland and gardens.
Collect your trail sheet from the Easter Gazebo in the Courtyard at Lacock to help you discover 10 playful, creative and nature inspired activities dotted around the grounds. Find your bunny ears and get hopping around the beautiful gardens of Lacock in spring bloom from April 5th-21st.
Explore William Morris’s ‘heaven on earth’ Kelmscott Manor house the adjoining farm buildings. View the iconic collection of artwork and objects owned and designed by the Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement and discover why the Cotswold home became an inspiration for him and his family. Take a stroll around the enchanting gardens and enjoy homemade food from the licensed tearoom. Kelmscott, Lechlade GL7 3HJ opens from April 3rd to October 25th. Discover more about the inspirational Cotswold retreat.
Join the Crofton Beam Engines Great Easter Steam Up on April 20th & 21st. See the world’s oldest fully operational pumping station in steam, the 1812 Boulton & Watt and 1846 Harvey Beam Engines will be doing their original job back pumping the Kennet & Avon Canal. Take part in the Easter Egg Trail, Duck Race and make your own or bring an Easter Bonnet. Prizes for completing the trail, the fastest and slowest duck in the race and best bonnet for both children and adults. Details & booking here.
Reading homeless charity is selling its iconic colourful stable doors
Launchpad, Reading’s leading homelessness charity, has announced the sale of its six colourful and iconic stable doors, which have been a local landmark for years.
As the charity’s building undergoes renovations to improve its visitor facilities, the much-loved doors are available to a new home for a donation, offering supporters a large and unique opportunity to own a piece of our community’s history.
The vibrant stable doors, which feature in the Launchpad logo, have served as a symbol of Launchpad’s long-standing commitment to be here for anyone in the community who needs support. Reflecting the charity’s open-door policy and dedication to helping those facing homelessness, the doors have welcomed countless individuals and families seeking guidance, shelter, and hope.
“These stable doors have welcomed thousands of people over the years and hold a special place in our hearts, said Su Hamblyn, CEO at Launchpad. “While it’s sad to say goodbye, we’re excited to give our supporters a chance to own a piece of our charity’s history while helping us fund our future. These doors are more than just wood and paint – they represent our commitment to being here for anyone in need.”
The proceeds from donations to own the doors will go directly towards Launchpad’s ongoing mission to prevent homelessness and support vulnerable individuals and families in the community. As part of its commitment to offering essential services, including housing and assistance programs, the funds will help ensure the charity can continue to provide life-changing support to those who need it most.
Anyone interested in purchasing one of the iconic doors needs to act quickly and be able to collect. Please call Kirsti Wilson on 07593 437 309 if you are interested and she can then organise your donation and advise on when the doors can be collected.
Please note: The doors are very big and very heavy – you’ll need a large van!
Guildford Shakespeare Company to make US debut in New York
The award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) are set to make their United States debut with a 5-week run in New York this Summer.
Playing at 59E59 Theaters in their prestigious annual Brits Off Broadway programme, the Guildford-based theatre company will be presenting their acclaimed adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, currently running in Guildford.
Founded by Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches in 2006, who still lead the company, GSC began with a simple mission to create exceptional theatre in extraordinary places.
Hailed as “uproariously funny” (The Stage), “feel-good theatre” (Londontheatre1), the production premiered in Guildford in Feb 2024 and subsequently enjoyed a 5-star run at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre in August. It is currently running again in Guildford (ends 1st March) before visiting Wilton’s Music Hall and the Caribbean aboard Cunard’s Queen Victoria, before transferring to New York.
This adaptation sees three actors conjure 18 unforgettable characters to life in a breathless 120 minutes. The original “brilliant cast” (Daily Mail) of April Hughes (“delightful” Muddy Stilettos), Sarah Gobran (“masterful” British Theatre Guide) and Luke Barton (“an especially nuanced performance” The Stage), will take it 59E59 Theaters. The production is adapted and directed by Abigail Pickard Price. Replete with Regency dances, dresses and desires, it is intricately choreographed by Amy Lawrence and elegantly designed by Neil Irish.
Matt Pinches (GSC Co-Founder & Producer): “We are incredibly honoured to have been selected to be part of 59E59 Theaters’ acclaimed Brits Off Broadway season. It’s a testament to the brilliance and talent of the artistic team and cast of this special show. We’re equally proud to be taking the name of Guildford to the United States and to see the company name outside the theatre between Madison and Park Avenues, a few steps from Central Park, will be a very special moment.”
Launched in 2004, the BRITS OFFBROADWAY programme reflects the diversity and innovation within the UK’s vibrant theatre community and demonstrates 59E59’s role as a hub for new, independent work. Past seasons of the festival have seen unforgettable productions, such as Richard Bean’s Toast, Mike Bartlett’s Bull, and multiple premieres of works by Alan Ayckbourn.
Brian Beirne (Managing Director of 59E59 Theaters): “Since 2004, 59E59 Theaters has annually hosted nine top notch British shows that audiences would not otherwise experience in NYC. Our generous presenting model sets visiting producers up for success by giving them the luxury to fully focus on bringing their stories to life.”
Easter holiday fun with The Wizard of Oz at Dorking Halls
Start the Easter school holidays with a dose of fun-filled panto magic this year, as The Wizard of Oz comes to Dorking Halls on Saturday 5th April.
The glittering production will feature a star-studded cast, including comedy legend and former Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Steve Royle, as Scarecrow, The X-Factor and Celebrity Big Brother favourite, Stevi Ritchie, as Tin Man, and social media sensation Karen The Mam’s Lewis Denny as Lion.
Presented by Enchanted Entertainment, the same company behind other popular Dorking pantomimes such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty & The Beast and last Christmas’ Sleeping Beauty, this spectacular Easter pantomime promises brilliant dance routines, well-known pop songs, plenty of audience participation and lots of laughter for all ages.
Colourful and hilarious, the show will also feature local children playing the loveable ‘Munchkins’, alongside a popular returning cast of Ellena Bacon as Dorothy, Hollie Swain as Glinda the Good and Chris Casserly as The Wizard.
Director of The Wizard of Oz, Guy Pascall of Enchanted Entertainment, said: “It’s going to be great fun for all the family, everyone remembers such characters as ‘The Cowardly Lion’ and ‘The Tin Man’ who needs a heart. This show will take the original story written by L. Frank Baum and give it a hilarious panto twist. The Wizard of Oz will be a wonderful family production, bringing together a top cast, amazing costumes, high-octane dance routines and plenty of popular songs to please all ages!”
The Wizard of Oz is on at Dorking Halls on Saturday 5 April at 2pm and 6pm.
Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via the Dorking Halls Box Office. Call 01306 881717 or visit www.dorkinghalls.co.uk
Fawlty Towers dining experience to take over Hawkwell House for a night of comedy mayhem on March 29th
Fans of the legendary BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers are in for a treat this spring as Basil, Sybil and Manuel descend on Mercure Hawkwell House Hotel for a night of culinary mayhem and laughs galore.
The Faulty Towers’ immersive fine dining experience is a loving tribute to the much-loved Seventies’ series, which sees dinner and theatre collide to bring the comedy hit to life. And in an added twist the event includes a post-dinner DJ set to keep the party going into the night.
Take your seats in the pop-up Fawlty Towers restaurant and brace yourself for a mad-cap service delivered by Basil, Sybil and Manuel that will evoke all your favourite moments from the classic sitcom.
Based in Iffley, Oxford Hawkwell House, first ran the dining experience last year and had such success with it that it is returning by popular demand. The immersive evening includes a three-course dinner, drinks and unrivalled entertainment, including a live DJ for the first time.
The TV programme ran throughout the latter half of the 1970s and followed the adventures of Basil Fawlty, memorably portrayed by John Cleese. The sitcom followed a cast of unforgettable characters as they navigated life at a highly chaotic and dysfunctional hotel.
The dining experience will be hosted by Hawkwell House on Saturday 29th March, and guests will be able to live out the Faulty Towers experience.
Isabela Dumbrava, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hawkwell House Hotel, said: “Fawlty Towers the Dining Experience and Disco Extravaganza will be a brilliant evening of fine dining, laughs and dancing.
“Everyone who has experienced our sell-out Fawlty Towers events to date has absolutely loved it and we can’t wait to welcome our guests for this one.
“This event will run for one night only and tickets are selling fast, so we recommend booking now to avoid disappointment.”
As well as having travelled the length and breadth of the UK, over the past 28 years the immersive experience has circumnavigated the globe, with residents in over 40 countries having had the opportunity to spend an evening with Basil and the gang. Each show is largely improvised, making every evening a unique experience for Fawlty Towers fans.
Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel is a four-star 77-bed boutique hotel in Iffley Village. It welcomes visitors to the city and locals for all-day dining, drinks and afternoon tea every day of the week. It features three versatile event spaces that are ideal for meetings, conferences, weddings and parties.
Support BBOWT’s Hedgehog Walk and get out walking for wildlife with Timmy and Apricot from Timmy Time
Families, schools and clubs across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are encouraged to take on a 3km walking challenge to fundraise for wildlife.
The challenge, in partnership with Timmy Time of the multi-award-winning studio Aardman, will see families walking, wheeling or rolling the same distance a hedgehog wanders in a single night.
The challenge from March 31st to April 13th is the same time hedgehogs start to come out of hibernation and can be done in any way you and your hoglets want! After signing up online you’ll receive lots of downloadable activities, including spotter sheets, a Hedgehog Walk poster and litter picking guides. Top fundraisers who raise over £30 for wildlife will also receive a special prize, such as an exclusive sew-on patch!
With 1 in 6 species threatened with extinction, it has never been more important to help wildlife, so get out exploring with Apricot, and walking with Timmy, to make a difference! The little legs walking 3km this spring will grow up to be the next generation of eco leaders, wildlife champions, and environmental changemakers, and this challenge could help them take those first steps.
BBOWT’s Community Engagement Director, Liz Shearer, says: “Walking for wildlife is a fantastic way for families to connect with nature while helping protect it. The Hedgehog Walk is not just about raising funds -it’s about sparking a love for the environment and empowering the next generation to take action for nature. With hedgehogs and so many other species facing challenges, collective movements like these really count. We hope this fun, interactive challenge will give children the confidence to advocate for nature, and the knowledge that even small acts can make a big difference for wildlife and their habitats.”
Rachael Peacock, Senior Brand Manager at Aardman, the creators of Timmy Time, adds: “Timmy and Apricot are the perfect companions to explore the great outdoors with, and we really believe that this partnership will encourage families to get their welly boots on and raise money for a great cause!”
Maddie Moate, children’s TV presenter and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, says: “When I was little, I remember watching my mum nurse hedgehogs back to health after finding them poorly, so this challenge feels particularly close to home. All of nature is so important, and getting everyone involved, no matter how young, is completely necessary – little feet can make a big change so let’s make every step count!”
With clocks going forward and evenings getting lighter it’s a great time for all ages to enjoy the great outdoors. Sign-up at www.wildlifetrusts.org/hedgehog-walk
Artist Becky Borthwick presents her latest exhibition: Alchemy of Layers at MADE in the Pewsey Vale
Becky Borthwick, a well-known local artist, with an international client base including collectors and private commissions, is due to have her latest exhibition, Alchemy of Layers at MADE in the Pewsey Vale.
The exhibition will take place from Friday 21st – Saturday 29th March, with a Private Viewing, taking place on Thursday 20th, the eve of her exhibition. The Private View will include a guest appearance from local songwriter Andrew Rumsey, who has recently released his new album Collodion.
The exhibition is a combination of over 50 pieces, which include textile stitched collaged artwork and sculptures that are inspired by Borthwick’s love and affinity with the outdoors, nature, animals and the change in seasons throughout the year. All the original artwork on show is for sale.
Becky said: “I am thrilled to exhibit Alchemy, the collection is a celebration of our wonderful countryside. During the summer I prepare linen and muslin with pigments bound by soya milk, a wonderful technique that has to then cure for four weeks which then allows me to focus on which direction I take each piece forward. Working as an equine therapist traveling around the countryside, I am experiencing the different seasons in the land and the horses’ shapes and movement which I then translate into creating layers using fabrics and paper. I am delighted to be exhibiting in MADE in the Pewsey Vale, it is a wonderful gallery, and I love how they champion the amazing creatives in our area.”
The exhibition is open every day from Friday 21st March – Sunday 29th March 10am-4pm.
Taryn Connor tells us about the work of Reading-based Cianna’s Smile which raises awareness of and support for all affected by Sickle Cell
At Cianna’s Smile, our mission is to improve the lives of children, young people and families impacted by Sickle Cell.
Last year our work was recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service and featured on BBC Children in Need.
To help spread the word we are holding a key fundraising event on May 17th with Cianna’s Smile Soirée Sickle Cell Awareness Gala at the Hilton Reading. The gala will bring together community leaders, healthcare professionals and supporters from various sectors to celebrate the charity’s achievements and help raise funds of £30,000 to expand our services and outreach efforts.
Through education, empowerment, and community engagement, we strive to reduce the stigma associated with Sickle Cell and ensure that those living with the condition have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
The charity was established by Hayley King, Cianna’s mother in May 2017. Cianna was admitted to hospital at the age of just four with her first Sickle Cell crisis. After many tests and hospital visits to see the Paediatric consultant and Haematology nurse, Hayley knew she wanted to make a difference. Cianna’s Smile charity was born with the aim to decrease isolation for those living with Sickle Cell, support families impacted and raise awareness of Sickle Cell in the UK.
Hayley says: “It is vital to shine a light on the health condition and raise awareness about Sickle Cell. Sickle Cell is a spontaneous medical condition and what surprises me most is how few people really know what it’s all about. We need to break the myths and stigmas. Cianna’s Smile charity will continue sharing stories and facts to engage with our existing and new supporters on social media to get people talking about Sickle Cell.”
Our initiatives focus on health education, mental well-being, and creative expression, offering a safe and inclusive space for individuals impacted by Sickle Cell to share their experiences and connect with others.
It is estimated that between 12,500 and 15,000 people live with the lifelong and debilitating condition in the UK. It is a largely unknown condition that causes severe pain episodes, (aka a crisis) leading to immediate hospital admission and treatment.
Sickle Cell Anaemia affects haemoglobin, causing the red blood cells to take on a rigid “C” or sickle shape. Sickle cells can get stuck and block blood flow to specific organs causing complications, pain and decrease oxygen levels. Extreme cases can include stroke, acute chest syndrome, organ damage and blindness.
