Poetry, prose & birdsong at Petersfield

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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A world of discovery awaits at the Edward Thomas Literary Festival 2024 focussing on the themes of nature and birdsong

Petersfield Museum is celebrating the life and work of Edward Thomas at the Edward Thomas Literary Festival 2024 from October 3rd to 12th.

This year’s festival promises to immerse participants in the beauty and power of poetry, with a special focus on the themes of nature and birdsong. Whether a long-term lover of poetry and Edward Thomas, or new to the wonderful world of words, there is something for everyone.

Attracted by the landscape and the South Downs, Thomas and his family lived in Steep, near Petersfield for 10 years, from 1906.

Known during his lifetime as a critic, essayist and writer of books about the countryside, Thomas moved towards writing his own poetry in late 1914, initially publishing under the name Edward Eastaway. Before he saw his poetry in print under his own name, he was killed at the Battle of Arras on Easter Monday 1917. Since then, Thomas’s reputation as a poet has increased greatly and his posthumous influence on the development of English verse has been widely recognised.

Edward Thomas Literary Festival Highlights:

Family Creative Workshops: Fun and engaging activities designed to inspire young poets and their families including on Saturday 5th when you can create your own artwork ‘inspired by the word’.

Poetry Readings and Performances: Enjoy live readings and performances by renowned poets.

Open Mic Night: Share your own poetry or simply enjoy the creative atmosphere.

Adult Workshops: Deepen your understanding and craft with expert-led sessions. Join poet Isobel Dixon and artist Douglas Robertson for a lively poetry-art workshop inspired by nature and nature-loving creators over the centuries on Friday 4th.

Talks and Discussions: Engage in thought-provoking conversations about poetry, nature, and Edward Thomas’s influence. Enjoy The Spirit of the Song, a talk by Sean Street on 4th, The Notes that Did So Haunt Me – Birdsong, Song and Sound in Edward Thomas’s Poetry with Edna Longley on 5th and Andrew Motion and Alice Oswald in conversation on 12th.

You can also join a walk on 6th of around five miles through the landscape of Edward Thomas, culminating at his memorial The Poets Stone.

For tickets please see the full list of events to book, visit Edward Thomas Literary Festival 2024: Poetry, Prose and Birdsong | Petersfield Museum

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Early bird rates for Santa run

Karen Neville

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Image by: Paul Fitchett Images

Karen Neville

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Join the Santa Fun Run in Farnborough on Sunday, 1st December and raise vital funds for Phyllis Tuckwell

Sign up now at the Early Bird rate for Phyllis Tuckwell’s Santa Fun Run and get sponsored to walk, run, jog, hop, skip and support local hospice care.

This festive fun run will take place at 11am, at The Wavell School, Farnborough. It’s a great way to get the whole family or a group of friends together over the festive season, and you can even bring along your four-legged friend – dogs are welcome on a lead. If you sign up now, you’ll take advantage of the Early Bird registration fees (until October 31st) of £12 for adults and £5 for children (age 14 and under). Registration includes a Santa suit for adults or reindeer antlers for children.

All the money you raise in sponsorship will go towards helping local charity Phyllis Tuckwell provides its vital care for patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer – so please do try to raise as much as you can!

The route covers two laps of Queen’s Avenue playing fields, a total of approx 5k, but you can do just one – everyone who takes part will receive a medal and you can complete it at your own pace – running, jogging, walking or even hop, skip and jumping your way round!

“Our Santa Fun Run is always a really enjoyable event, and it raises such important funds to help support our case,” said Fiona Chapman, events fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We would like to say a big thank you to The Wavell School for hosting it once again and to Vale Furnishers for kindly sponsoring the event.”

Sign up now at Santa Fun Run | Phyllis Tuckwell (pth.org.uk) and pop this fun festive date in your diary!

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All-round support

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Join The Big Oxford Hike of Menopause and Cancer this month

Dig out your hiking boots and get outdoors this September, all for a good cause. Menopause and Cancer’s Big Oxford Hike is back!

Join the Move with Menopause and Cancer Challenge for a two-day marathon hike through the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, raising money and making friends along the way.

The hike will start at Aynho Wharf and finish in Oxford – everyone is welcome and you can join for both days or just one on 28th and 29th September.

The hike will raise money to support the thousands of UK women each year who experience cancer-induced menopause. Many women experience debilitating mental and physical symptoms and many say they have had no help in managing this.

One in two women get a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives. For 90% of women over 40 and 40% of those under 40, cancer treatment will push them into menopause.

Menopause and Cancer helps to ensure no one goes through this alone and works to help improve cancer survivors’ quality of life and health outcomes.

The patient-support organisation helps to support the thousands of UK women each year who experience cancer-induced menopause. It was founded in 2022 by Dani Binnington after she was pushed into a surgically-induced menopause at 39 as a result of her cancer treatment. She quickly realised that there was little or no support available.

They partner with Macmillan, Maggie’s, Breast Cancer Now, Trekstock, FutureDreams and Peaches.

Find out more and book your tickets on Menopause and Cancer’s website: Menopause and Cancer with Dani Binnington

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Young talent at South Hill Park

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Alistar Jones tells us about a beautiful space to enjoy beautiful music at South Hill Park with the Conservatoire International Concerts Series

Have you ever visited South Hill Park, our local centre for performing and creative arts? It is a wonderful, thriving centre offering so much to Bracknell’s community – shows, plays, comedy, an annual panto, Bracknell Jazz, a cinema and music of all kinds.

In the midst of all these activities, in the house’s Old Library, now called The Recital Room, there is a Steinway concert grand piano. This is the home of the Conservatoire International Concerts Series. It sounds very grand, but it is simply a beautiful performance space for the centre’s classical concerts.

About to enter its 12th season, these concerts were set up 11 years ago to offer a venue, audience and concert opportunity to the talented young musicians graduating from the UK’s international conservatories.

“Talented” hardly describes the young musicians who have, over the years, entertained audiences with their music and skills. Eleven years ago, the first audience was tiny to hear Ji Liu, a Chinese pianist from the Royal Academy, give the first recital. Since that first concert, audiences have grown, and we have heard almost 100 stunning young performers.

The musicians come recommended by their professors as the leading pianists in their class at the conservatoire. The professors send me a name and I can hear them on YouTube, by way of audition. I have never turned down anyone down. I offer them a concert date and ask for a publicity photo and a programme that should last 2 x 40 minutes. The choice of music is entirely up to them and as a result, we get seriously thrilling concerts that show off music by the great composers, played by enthusiastic and technically brilliant young pianists. In addition to pianists, we have had duos with violin, cello, clarinet and singers. Never a dull moment.

Our 12th season begins on September 27th with an internationally renowned violin and piano duo playing Beethoven, Sir Malcolm Arnold and Elgar. Book tickets at Conservatoire: Foyle-Stsura – South Hill Park Arts Centre. This is the first in a list of 15 concerts that includes annual visits from the UK’s leading music school, The Purcell School, and for the second time, young musicians from Wellington College in Crowthorne.

In the middle of all this is, and most exciting, an orchestral concert in the Wilde Theatre on Sunday, 13th October. The programme includes Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto with pianist Amit Yahav, some orchestral songs by Alistair Jones and Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony. You should definitely not miss this one! Tickets at Orchestral Chamber Concert – South Hill Park Arts Centre

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Half-term horrors

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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There are plenty of Halloween activities and ideas to entertain your little monsters this holiday

From glorious autumn colour to Halloween fun, there’s lots for everyone to enjoy at a National Trust place near you this autumn. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours at Winkworth Arboretum. soak up the far-reaching views at Leith Hill and Hindhead Commons and bring the little ones for spooky fun at Hatchlands Park and Claremont Landscape Garden.

There’s spine tingling spooky fun to be had at Hatchlands Park with a pumpkin hunt in the garden for younger ones and spooky fun in the house. You can also follow a Halloween themed trail at Hindhead Common.

Join a spooktacular fun run at Dapdune Wharf on Saturday 26th and test your fitness as darkness falls in a 2k run around the haunted wharf and island. Dressing up encouraged. £5 per runner. Booking essential. Visit River Wey & Godalming Navigations │ Surrey | National Trust. You can also explore the stars and space at the wharf, make a mini rocket and create your own constellation.

Help Sarah the Spider find her boots the mischievous mice have hidden at Winkworth Arboretum, Oct 19th-Nov 3rd. Based on the Sarah the Spider children’s books by Hilary Robinson. Find eight activity stations themed around friendship and a very friendly spider who loves to dance.

Conjure up some spooks and spells and get those cauldrons bubbling at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Tuesday 29th at a Halloween themed workshop for 5-7 year olds. Book at Spooks and Spells 5-7yrs | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (yvonne-arnaud.co.uk)

Celebrate pumpkin week at Secretts Farm, Milford, October 19th & 20th and 25th to 30th. Dress to impress in the Halloween costume competition and try the pumpkin-themed menu.

Discover beautiful, handcrafted designs from over 75 talented makers at the festival of crafts, now in its 28th year. Well-established in the craft calendar and part of Farnham’s October Craft Month, the event, October 12th & 13th, champions great design, craftsmanship and skill. With hand-picked exhibitors, browse stalls showcasing a variety of media from textiles and print to homewares and jewellery. Expert-led talks, drop-in craft activities and bookable workshops. More at festival of crafts | Farnham Maltings

October is a wonderful time to visit Gilbert White’s House & Gardens; perfect for autumnal walks, fascinating exhibitions and the café is open to all, with a great array of hot drinks and gorgeous cakes. Plus this October Gilbert White’s House has a packed half term schedule with a pumpkin trail around the garden, owl themed twilight tales for the little ones, craft and story telling. To see everything that is on offer visit Gilbert Whites House – Journeys of Discovery in the Natural World

Take your ghouls and goblins to The Otter Nursery, Murray Road, Ottershaw from October 21st to November 1st and join the thrilling word hunt. It’s free and everyone gets to take home a prize. There’ll also be pumpkins available!

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Half term horrors

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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There are plenty of Halloween activities and ideas to entertain your little monsters this holiday

October is a wonderful time to visit Gilbert White’s House & Garden; perfect for autumnal walks, fascinating exhibitions and the cafe is open to all, with a great array of hot drinks and gorgeous cakes. Plus this October Gilbert White’s House has a packed half term schedule with a pumpkin trail around the garden, owl themed twilight tales for the little ones, craft and story telling. To see every there is on offer visit Gilbert Whites House – Journeys of Discovery in the Natural World

Follow the Halloween pumpkin trail at The Vyne, October 26th – November 3rd. Explore the ground floor of the house, find 10 suncatchers featuring mysterious and magical pumpkins. With a jack-o’-lantern theme, in the gardens enjoy family games. £2 per trail sheet and prize.

Join Hinton Ampner’s Halloween Potions Trail with Wilma the Witch, October 19th- November 4th. Double, double toil and trouble…. Stir the cauldron and watch it bubble! Hidden in the spookiest corners of Hinton Ampner’s gardens are the ingredients Wilma needs for her magic potion. You’ll need to race on your broomstick, toss a ring onto the witch’s hat, move your pet spider through the maze and more to complete the challenge and make the potion! Trails are £2, normal admission fee applies.

Discover beautiful, handcrafted designs from over 75 talented makers at the festival of crafts, now in its 28th year. Well-established in the craft calendar and part of Farnham’s October Craft Month, the event, October 12th & 13th, champions great design, craftsmanship and skill. With exhibitors hand-picked from across the UK, browse stalls showcasing a variety of media from textiles and print to homewares and jewellery. Enjoy meeting the makers and learn about the processes used in both traditional and modern techniques with expert-led talks, drop-in craft activities and a programme of bookable workshops. More at festival of crafts | Farnham Maltings

Swap spooky scares for frightful fun on the trick or treat trail at Winchester Science Centre from October 12th to November 4th where Skully the skeleton needs help to find their lost bones. There’ll be a new free live show, Potions Science Lab, mixing up fun with chemistry and bringing to life some famous bewitching brews. And little werewolves, withces and ghouls can show off their best moves on the dancefloor at the mini monster disco.

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Surrey Artist of the Year

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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The New Ashgate Gallery is celebrating the rich tapestry of Surrey’s artistic talent at the Surrey Artist of the Year 2024 – vote and be part of the journey to crowning the winner

Surrey Artist of the Year is a celebration of the wealth of talent and creativity that exists in the county and you can have your say in bestowing the titular honour.

Presented in collaboration between the New Ashgate Gallery and Surrey Artists Open Studios, this annual event has been showcasing the exceptional talent of local artists since 2009. From intricate designs to bold expressions, discover a rich array of artwork spanning mediums such as painting, drawing, textiles, ceramics, glass, and paper art.

The exhibition at the New Ashgate Gallery runs until November 9th but you have the chance to get involved, see the artwork firsthand and cast your vote in person at the gallery until October 25th when Surrey Artist of the Year 2024 will be revealed.

The 17 artists competing for this year’s prize of a bursary of £1,000 and a solo exhibition at the New Ashgate Gallery are:

v             Simran Ahira, Woking: Day and Night, mixed media painting
v             Tracey Jane Cooper, Reigate: Ocean Jewels, mixed media painting
v             Sarah Cox, Guildford: Swoop and Swirl, painting
v             Diana Croft, Dorking: Monet’s Garden, printmaking
v             Liz Hauck, Horley: Blue Velvet, painting
v             Alison Hunt, Hindhead: Copper Mist, painting
v             Richard Jack, Farnham: Mixed Emotions, sculpture
v             Jennifer Jokhoo, Redhill: Midsummer, printmaking
v             Rosalinda Kightley, Guildford: Orange Nasturtium, painting/printmaking
v             Claire Kent, Dorking: Precipice View, textiles
v             Colette Moscati, Farnham: The Flashes, painting
v             Peg Morris, Gomshall: Sassuolo Enfilade, printmaking
v             Julie Patton, Horley: In Coming Tide, enamel/ceramics
v             Philip Ryland, Farnham: Glitterball, painting
v             Sarah Rawlins, East Horsley: Positive Energy Scarf, textiles/painting
v             Julia Stockwell-Hamid, Ockley: Silver Rain I, painting/jewellery/sculpture
v             Chantelle Watson, Shamley Green: The Journey – Pitch Hill, Surrey, painting

As part of the commitment to fostering creativity within the community, they’re offering free family workshops during the October half-term on the 29th and 30th. Join the paper crafts and cardmaking led by Lucy Dorothy Nichols, the 2023 winner, alongside artist Kate Kennington Steer from the DAiSY network.

This year’s exhibition coincides with October Craft Month in Farnham, a celebration of craft and making that brings together artists, makers, and enthusiasts from all over the region. October Craft Month will feature a series of events, workshops, and exhibitions designed to inspire and engage the community in the joy of handmade crafts.

Lucy Dorothy Nichols, Surrey’s Artist of the Year 2023, returns for a simultaneous One Year On exhibition in the New Ashgate Gallery. The collection of works by the paper artist celebrates the joy of storytelling. But it isn’t a collection celebrating your average story… This is a world where stories that seem impossible to believe are perfectly plausible, a world where dreams and reality are delicately intertwined.

Taking titles from the Observer Pocket Book series as her starting point, Lucy has disregarded the wealth of interesting facts and figures contained within the pages of those well-loved, little reference books and instead conjured up a series of intricate paper sculptures which turn those facts and figures upside down. Stories, created from treasured papers, old envelopes, discarded wrapping paper and even the odd chocolate bar wrapper, now spill out from between the pages of these colourful little books. There are tales of shops selling musical notes by the jar, of marvellously magical rainbow-making machines, and if you look up, you’ll be able to wonder at skies full of birds laden down with bags, all flying off on their latest adventure. Pictured top right is Mozart and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

New Ashgate Gallery director, Dr Outi Remes says: “The Surrey Artist of the Year competition is a testament to the incredible talent and creativity that thrives within our community. We are proud to support and showcase these artists, providing them with a platform to share their work and inspire others.”

Sadly Richard Jack, shortlisted for the Surrey Artist of the Year 2024, has recently passed away. At the request of his family, his artwork, Mixed Emotions, will still be part of the exhibition as a tribute to his talent and contribution to the arts community. The New Ashgate Gallery extends its condolences to his family and honours his enduring legacy.

More at What’s On – New Ashgate Gallery and Shop

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Tasty treats at Thame Food Festival

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Karen Neville

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A real foodie destination returns on September 28th & 29th with a wonderful mix of more than 120 stalls in the Artisan Market

Thame Food Festival promises a delicious mix of sweet, savoury, vegan, vegetarian and flavours from around the world offering something delicious to suit every taste!

This will be alongside the Street Food market with an extensive range of carefully selected, passionate producers. All guaranteed to enjoy then and there or to take away and savour in another moment in this fabulous feast of an event sponsored by Lightfoots Solicitors.

Headlining the celebrated Big Cookery Stage this year will be Matty Edgell – winner of last year’s Great British Bake Off. He will be joined by fellow finalist Dan Hunter. Several familiar faces will be alongside them including Steven Carter-Bailey, Alex Hollywood, Eva Humphries, Dave Mooney, Val Stones, Tristan Welch, and for the first time DJ Supper Club. This includes Daniel Adams, an ex-three Michelin star-trained chef, who honed his skills under Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck. Joel Mignott, known for his cooking, fashion, entertainment as a DJ and model, and as a star on ITV’s Made in Chelsea, joins him as a dynamic culinary duo.

In addition, LumberjAxe Food Company will be really increasing the heat; with BBQ demonstration showing how to take your BBQ to the next level. Join them as they fire up the festival and offer delicious tastings too.

More than just food

The core of Thame Food Festival is always about the food and drink. However, no festival is complete without live music which will again feature alongside the ever-popular Pop-Up pub. Then for the shopaholics, step into the marquee of eclectic home and kitchenware which will be returning with Humble Country.

The dedicated children’s activity area will return with local charity Thomley entertaining the children with lots of art and fun things to do. And once again, there will be dog show and demonstrations by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People with all money raised going directly to the charities. Circus skills workshops will encourage younger visitors to try juggling, spinning plates and more.

Fast Track Priority Tickets are available to purchase online now, at £12 for adults (17+ yrs), £5 for children aged 12-16, all under 12s free. Family tickets for two adults and two children are available prior online for £29 (only available online until 20th September and not available on the day). Gates open at 10am each day and once within the festival site all the music, demonstrations, interviews, circus workshops and masterclasses are free.

Come eat, drink and do! Join for a fun, fabulous, feasting family day out!

Full details at Thame Food Festival | 28 & 29 Sept 2024

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Arts & minds

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Art-lovers! Check out Wokingham Arts Trail, 10.30am-5pm over the weekend of 21st & 22nd September, with free entry & work by 29 artists to enjoy

Nine local venues will take part in this highlight. This, the 13th annual trail, will feature ceramicists, jewellers, textile artists and more.

Watercolour, acryllic and oil paintings, jewellery, handmade books, ceramics, glassware and textiles will be on display in studios and including groups at WADE Centre in Reading Road, and the Bradbury Centre in Rose Street. Regular participants and 10 new faces will be involved, offering the opportunity for visitors to meet the artists, view and buy unique outstanding and varied works.

Peter Izod says: “I’ve been a participant in Wokingham Arts Trail since 2010 under the inspiring chairmanship of Christine Morgan, until I took over from her in 2020. I have been fortunate to have my own venue in the town centre and the Arts Trail has attracted over 200 people each year, many regular visitors.

“It’s a great opportunity to show your art, ceramics and jewellery, meet visitors and discuss the displays. We all learn something from it every year and the broad involvement of the public – many of whom get round to every venue – show Wokingham’s thriving interest in art. This year, with 29 participants, I think we have one of the most varied and high quality trails to enjoy.”

Artist Christine Morgan (Brandywine Art) adds: “I have made a few changes in my studio since the last Arts Trail so I can use the space for mixed media work and clay. I’m really looking forward to welcoming visitors as I work. I love to encourage all ages to experiment and enjoy making art in whatever form. Opening my studios gives me the opportunity to share simple ways to allow them to ‘have a go’.”

The 2024 brochure is out now in local shops and you can visit wokinghamartstrail.co.uk

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Skill and artistry at September Ceramics

Karen Neville

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Katherine Kingdon invites us to marvel at the creativity and talent on show at September Ceramics 2024 in Newbury, September 13th to 22nd

A handmade object has something special about it. The maker’s experience is made visible, in the design, in the construction, in the quality of the surface. There’s something else too, something less concrete, more personal.

It’s something about where it was made and who it was made by. It wasn’t mass-produced in a factory far, far away. It was made somewhere closer to home, perhaps in a garden shed, perhaps with the sound of pigeons cooing in the background and certainly by someone who was thoroughly engaged in the act of making, using their skill to navigate its joys and frustrations.

Clay is a material with many joys and frustrations. It’s amazingly adaptable. You can squidge it, you can pour it, you can carve it and until you apply heat to it, you can recycle it ad infinitum. With few tools and little experience, it’s easy to create a simple form, with practice, practice, practice and as many or as few tools as you wish, you can make magic happen. But as even the most experienced ceramicists know, it also has a mind of its own. It loves to wrap and crack, even melt. Those who stick with it get used to this. They learn from it and develop a resilience which pushes them to explore furhter.

Join us at September Ceramics 2024 at City Arts Newbury, Hampton Road RG14 6DB, to see work by a group of local makers who’ve spent many years honing their craft. During the first weekend you can meet these makers and enjoy a rolling programme of demonstrations.

This year’s makers are Lizzy McCracken, thrown and tin glazed earthenware; Anne Dalton, thrown-ware with sea creatures and glazed and unglazed surfaces; Pots of Hope Susie who is also offering have-a-go sessions on the potter’s wheel (sign up for these on CITY ARTS NEWBURY); Ali Keeling, hand-built vessels explore the relationship between surface and form; Helen Long, working with coloured porcelain to celebrate the power of the sea; Rebecca Maynard’s distinctive animals and busts; Leah Blake’s wonderfully constructed animal sculptures and Katherine Kingdon’s playful piece, guaranteed to make you look twice.

There’s also a ceramics raffle, the ‘Up and Coming Makers’ competition delicious tea and cake at The Art Hub Café and voting for your favourite work.

This year’s sponsors are Scarva Pottery Supplies, Bluematchbox Potters Supplies, Ugly Duckling Pottery Painting and City Arts Newbury. For more details, visit CITY ARTS NEWBURY.

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