Gold fever for Wargrave Festival

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50 years on and Wargrave Festival is still serving up family favourites with more than 40 events making up 19 days of entertainment from June 12th to 30th as Ally Holloway tells us

Fifty years ago in 1974, many villagers thought he was crazy. The idea of uniting the village from the High Street to Highfield Park. They said it wouldn’t work.

The then Vicar, the late Reverend John Ratings, mused in 1974 that a village festival “would be a useful exercise to do something for village unity…” And from that, the first Wargrave Festival was held in 1975. Now it has grown into one of the biggest village festivals in the country. The festival is not-for-profit event, where proceeds go to local community organisations to improve the quality of life in the village through education, sport and culture.

This year’s 50th celebration Gold Fever, starting on Wednesday, 12th June, will feature a host of fun-filled family delights, dazzling formal events, spirited theatre and musical performances, roving culinary delights, a sporting extravaganza, a wonderfully riotous talent show, as well as the traditional Wargrave Festival Parade through the historic village down to the Village Fete opened by Wargrave resident Debbie McGee, celebrating all that makes up this splendid community. The festival will draw to a close on Sunday, 30th June with the popular family BBQ on Mill Green.

For families looking for a variety of entertainment this summer, there is a lot to look forward to. On Saturday 22nd, the Wargrave Bike Fest and Family Sports Day is more than just a bike ride. The 20km family ride will see parents and children cycling through Wargrave and neighbouring villages in search of checkpoints. Back on Mill Green, kids can pick up their Olympic Passport to collect stamps as they complete the 10 Olympic challenges including rock climbing, golf, cricket, rugby, martial arts, wrestling, tennis, rowing and more. There will be soft play for under 5s, an art & craft area to make your own gold medal and a BBQ and bar. The family sports day is free for adults and only £5 for the Olympic Passport for children 13 and under.

In the evening, there will be an enchanting night of dance, fun and family entertainment at Saturday Night Dance Fever. Witness inspiring demonstrations from talented local dancers including salsa, contemporary, ballroom, jazz, Latin and more – join in the fun group classes to learn some moves of your own and show off your fancy footwork. Tickets from £6.

It doesn’t stop there with a kids comedy event, Morris Dancing, a tennis day, the family BBQ and the Wargrave Village Parade and Fete and much more. The big finale is the Wargrave’s Got Talent night that promises to serve up some quality free entertainment, delicious food and a DJ to dance into the evening.

Find out more and book tickets online at Wargrave Festival 2024 Gold Fever

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Trinity Concert Band’s Olympics tribute

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Join Trinity Concert Band at All Saints Church and herald the start of the sporting celebration

Get ready to witness the ultimate celebrations of the Paris Olympic Games with Trinity Concert Band on Saturday, 8th June.

The performance will breathe life into the Olympic spirit like never before, creating an atmosphere of unmatched energy and enthusiasm. From the timeless rhythms of Gershwin to the magnificent sounds of Vangelis, the night promises to be a real winner.

Let your senses be captivated by the beautifully renovated All Saints Church in Wokingham as you enjoy an enchanting evening of sensational music celebrating France and the world of sports. Highlights include: Olympic Fanfare & Theme – John Williams, An American in Paris – Gershwin, Chariots of Fire – Vangelis, Les Miserables – Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Olympic Spirit – John Williams and many more.

Be part of the celebration and experience the excitement of the Olympic Games through the prism of the most powerful language: music.

A portion of concert proceeds will go to the band’s chosen charity for 2024, Stepping Stones DS, supporting children and young people with Down Syndrome to fulfil their potential, #TCBMoreThanMusic

Tickets can be purchased online or from the box office by calling 0118 4492099 or at [email protected] 

The Paris Olympics run from July 26th to August 11th.

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Frighteningly funny Young Frankenstein

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You’d be mad to miss FAOS Musical Theatre Group’s latest show at Farnham Maltings

Join FAOS for a terrific time in old Transylvania, where the wolves are howling, the scientists are mad, the monster has escaped and everyone is Puttin’ On the Ritz!

Young Frederick Frankenstein (that’s Fronken-steen), returns to his grandfather’s Transylvanian castle with his trusty sidekick Igor (that’s Eye-gore) and with the help of beautiful blonde Inga (that’s buxom) and the slightly sinister Frau Blücher (that’s… enough!) creates a magnificent monster.

However, the brain used isn’t quite to the standard Frankenstein expected, and with the local police inspector and villagers breaking down the door with pitchforks – for a friendly welcome – and a surprise visit from Frankenstein’s fiancée Elizabeth, just as you would expect hilarious chaos ensues.

Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment, a frighteningly funny show that will leave you in stitches. You’d have to be mad as Frankenstein to miss it.

Performances: 12th-15th June, 7.30pm, 2.30pm on Saturday.

To book tickets, adults £18, under 16s £13, call the box office on 01252 745444 or visit farnhammaltings.com/events/faos-young-frankenstein

Farnham Maltings also offers a pre-show dining option.

FOAS has been part of life in Farnham for almost 100 years. They are always looking for new performers and behind the scenes for help with costumes and make up, props, set-building, lighting, sound engineering, front of house, backstage crew during show week and marketing and publicity.

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Campaigning for carers

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Theatre maker and unpaid carer Georgie Steele from West Oxfordshire is bringing her award-winning show to Cholsey with a free local performance for the county’s unpaid carers

And I’ll Blow Your House Down by Georgie Steele, a theatre maker and unpaid carer, is a playful, interactive storytelling and clowning show campaigning for change for unpaid carers and families with disabilities.

“Our lives changed completely when our two sons were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative muscle-wasting condition” says Georgie.

“It was like the big bad wolf had blown our house down. Suddenly everything was an absurd mess of endless appointments, health and safety, and offers of help that didn’t help; and I was an unpaid carer.”

Her one-woman show won the Brighton Fringe Award for Inclusion 2023 and she will be performing at four Fringe Festivals this summer (Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, Barnstaple and Camden). And for Carers Week 2024, June 10th to 16th, Georgie is performing a free local show for unpaid carers in Oxfordshire at Cholsey Great Hall on Saturday, 8th June, 6.30pm. Share a cuppa and a chat with other carers about your shared experience.

The performance (sponsored by Wallingford and Didcot Rotary) will begin at 8pm. Visit And I’ll Blow Your House Down for more information and to book.

Through her shows and workshops, Georgie is calling for action to provide better support for the million unpaid carers in the UK by creating a new National Carers Strategy.

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Honouring D-Day at The Shed

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Commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day at The Shed and in Bordon town centre

The Shed will be a central part of Whitehill & Bordon’s events commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Saturday, 8th June when visitors will go on a trip back in time with a series of military-themed nostalgic entertainment with music and food from the era.

From 2pm The Shed will be marking the town’s military heritage and hosting its own themed tribute to the Normandy landings with stalls and displays at the Town Park. There will be music and food from the era and an atmosphere of commemoration and celebration throughout the day and into the evening:

• 2-3pm: Performances by Jack Trinder and the Forest Players
• 3-4pm: Performance by Liss Brass Brand
• 4-5pm: Stephanie Belle our WW2 themed singer
• 6pm onwards: Vic Cracknell’s Jazz Band

The Phoenix Theatre will also be providing a ‘silent disco’ for an immersive D-Day experience, stalls will be selling home-made craft of militaria from the era, and Shed vendors are set to get into the spirit with spam fritters, Spitfire beer and dressing up throughout.

Free parking will be available in all areas, including Hogmoor Inclosure for the weekend of 8-9th June.

The Shed is just one part of the town’s 80th anniversary commemoration. Check out all the planned events in Whitehill & Bordon’s D-Day 80 at D-Day 80 – Whitehill Town Council.

Throughout 2024 The Shed is the place for a treat, to eat, create and meet. Details of future events at @theshedwb.com/shed-events.

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Scents of summer

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Artist Helen Grimbleby shares her love of nature in her monthly Nature Sketchbook

“Spring flew swiftly by, and summer came; and if the village had been beautiful at first, it was now in the full grow and luxuriance of its richness.” Charles Dickens

Summer is the season when our senses may easily delight in the natural world and the fairer weather means the opportunities to engage directly with nature are greater.

The wind of blustery seaside cliff tops is kinder and more inviting when it is warmer and drier. Its gentler brush on bare arms may even be welcome on hot summer days. Pink sea thrift flowers break up the wild expanses of rocky coastal scenes dominated at other times by blues, greens and greys. Such rocky coastal locations can also be home to puffin colonies who at this time of year are kept busy feeding their single chick broods.

Puffins can be found on the mainland in the very North of Scotland and also at Bempton in Yorkshire. Most are found on small islands such as Skomer (Wales) and the Farne Islands (Northumberland).

Badger cubs are actively playful now and I am so very hopeful to see some this year. I plan a few night-time hikes for this purpose. This brings excitement and a hint of trepidation in equal measure as the familiarity of darkness and shadows was left behind in the long-ago winter months.

After re-reading Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows in late spring, I was longing to see a badger in the wild, something I had never seen before. A short while later, I was slightly lost making my way back to a campsite in Wales after a friend’s birthday party. Having gone off track, driving up a high-hedged narrow single track, steep mountain road in the Black Mountains, I was focused on fretting about meeting a vehicle coming the other way. Then, turning a corner, I found myself face to face with a badger. Only momentarily perturbed by the road blockage cause by my car, it set off making its way through the embankment hedge, its slightly brownish, warm black coloured body perfectly camouflaged, wearing an intelligent expression set on a moon river face. What a joy!

I am assured of the scents of summer on my night-time walks with honeysuckle, wild rose, elderflower and pyramid orchids all in June bloom and my jaunts may be accompanied by an orchestra of grasshopper making their reedy music as I go. Will you walk with me grasshopper?

Helen Grimbleby is a West Berks/North Hants based artist who is inspired by the natural world’s changing seasons. After exploring outside, she enjoys writing, illustrating and painting larger landscapes at her home studio (@helengrimblebyart).

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Join Greener Henley and help environment

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Join Greener Henley and friends for Great Big Green Week and find out how together we can tackle climate change and bring nature and wildlife back to its full glory

The UK’s biggest celebration of community action to protect the planet is back, showing that people everywhere are wanting to help create a better tomorrow.

Greener Henley have organised a week of events for local residents to enjoy, bringing people together to celebrate, and get involved in, what’s happening in and around Henley for climate and nature.

From 8th to 16th June, we’ll have walks, talks, film, art sessions, gallery exhibitions, poetry, and a sustainability workshop for local businesses. Our Nature Discovery Day, down by the River at Mill Meadows, kicks off the week and includes something for everyone, with nature-focused activities for all ages. We’ll have conservation groups and local experts on hand to explore and discuss everything from butterflies and birds to fungi and river water quality, plus a wildlife photography session. Collect your free native wildflower seeds and take part in our Nature Squared campaign, helping Henley get closer to our total of 500m2 of plants for pollinators.

Why not bring a picnic, join the wildflower walk, butterfly sweep, or bug hunt and make a day of it. Pop into the River and Rowing Museum’s Kirkham Gallery to see work from our local students for our Schools Environment Science Challenge on the theme of ‘Pollution’, alongside artworks from the wonderful waterside arts & ecology project that is The Beautiful Blue. In the afternoon you can, let your creativity and love of nature entwine at The Gardening Drawing Club, a family friendly art and gardening session at Henley Library.

Our guest speaker, Professor Chris Merchant talks ‘climate’ on the evening of 10th June at the Town Hall Council Chamber, at ‘In Our Hands: Our Climate Future’. Find out about the key science that makes climate change a formidable challenge, and how ingenuity and determination can meet the Net-Zero target.

Kate Oldridge, Greener Henley’s Chair said: “GBGW is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to stand up for nature and fight climate change. There are a whole host of activities in Henley for everyone across the community to get involved in. We can all do something to help, whether that means taking part in our Nature Squared campaign by planting seeds for pollinators, continuing the conversation about something you discover at GBGW, or asking our local decision makers to support action on climate and nature. Let’s make this the biggest and boldest GBGW so far – come out, get involved, take action.”

Events currently planned to take place during Henley’s Great Big Green Week include:

Saturday 8th: Nature Discovery Day, 10am-2pm, Mill Meadows – participants include Henley Toad Patrol, Upper Thames Butterfly Conservation Group, BBOWT, Henley Car Club, chalk stream volunteers and many more.

Saturday 8th: Plant vs beef taste test: Which burger’s best? 12-2pm, outside Pavilion Foods.

Sunday 9th: Green screen: Elephant Mother, plus panel discussion, 2-5pm, Regal Picturehouse. Ticketed.

Monday 10th: ‘In Our Hands: Our Climate Future’ talk on climate change with Q&A, 7-9pm, Town Hall Council Chamber.

Tuesday 11th: Poetry Readings from ‘Tread Gently on the Earth’ poetry competition, 6-7:30pm, Henley Library.

Wednesday 12: Wilding, a special preview screening, plus expert panel, 8-10.15pm, Regal Picturehouse. Ticketed.

Thursday 13th: Greening Your Business seminar & networking event with speakers, 5.30pm-7.30pm, Thames Room, River & Rowing Museum.

Week-long events:

Fun scavenger hunt: Find the letters hidden in crafted flowers in 10 shop windows around town and work out the mystery word.

Henley’s Big Green Road: Choose from eight books that make for interesting reads and start the conversation!

Exhibitions in the Kirkham Gallery, River & Rowing Museum: running alongside each other from 23rd May to 17th June: Pollution: an exhibition of work by local students in response to Greener Henley’s Environmental Science Challenge and The Beautiful Blue: exploring water and our human relationship with it.

More information on individual events and how to book at GBGW 2024 – Greener Henley

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Having a blast in Godalming

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June 8th is set to be a super singing Saturday when vocalists of all ages come together for a mass charity event in Godlaming

Let the music you when ChoirBlast explodes into Godalming on June 8th for an exciting day-to-evening event for music lovers, featuring 50 nationwide choirs in a fusion of singing and community.

The family-friendly event features seven simultaneous stages at The Burys Field, the Bandstand and Cloisters and is a not-for-profit festival, with craft stalls, children’s activities, food and lots of fabulous singing from 11am.

ChoirBlast is a celebration of contemporary choirs from around the country and the festival presents a unique opportunity to experience the joy and power of harmony music. Among the local choirs taking part this year are Music by Motivation Contemporary Gospel Choirs comprising members from Guildford Rock Choir; Farncombe Jazz Choir know for their acapella arrangements; the Halow Project who are one of the charities to benefit from this year’s event as are The Meath Backstage Choir; Guildford Jazz Choir bring together the old and new with jazz classics and contemporary hits; Godalming Jazz Choir is a friendly place for people to sing together that has been running for 10 years; born out of friendship and love Little Town Choir from Petersfield provide a ‘musical sanctuary’; Godalming-based Music Kids for five to teens; Guildford Vox Community Choir have a repertoire consisting of contemporary and traditional songs from the British Isles; Godalming Community Gospel Choir; ladies a capella group In Accord from Guildford; Wholenotes Community Choirs for those with social anxiety and / or learning disabilities based in Guildford and Camberley and many more from around the country.

ChoirBlast supports the local halow project and Meath charities, for adults with epilepsy and complex needs. In the spirit of the festival, admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Make a day of it enjoying the sweet sounds on offer alongside the food and drink from the Serious Rum Bar, street food from Cara Gorda Cantina, seasonal flavours from Dylan’s Ice Cream, South African flame grilled steaks and burgers from Bring & Braai, wood fired pizza from Belle Buono, Sri Lankan street food from Kothu Truck, Daisy’s Sandwiches, ice coffee and cake from The Journalist and serving up much-needed coffee will be Bean & Gone.

Visit choirblast.com for details of all the choirs taking part. 

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Visit hillside heaven in Missenden

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Overstroud Cottage will open its gates again this month as part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS) local fundraisers

Overstroud Cottage, HP16 9Q, sits halfway up Frith Hill above Great Missenden. In the 17th century this cottage was used as Missenden Abbey’s fever house.

Thanks to The National Open Gardens Scheme, you can visit the gardens of this local treasure, owned by Mr & Mrs Jonathan Brooke on Sunday, 9th June, 2-5pm. Entry is £4 for adults (children free) and cream teas will be served at the nearby parish church.

The chalky soil has been tended on two levels to showcase a collection of 17th & 18th century plants including auriculas, hellebores, bulbs, pulmonarias, peonies, germaniums, dahlias, herbs and succulents. With its blue and white ribbon border, this garden, reminiscent of the late Margery Fish’s garden at East Lambrook Manor, is carved out of an old chalk quarry so the soil is alkaline.

The potager, edged with ‘step-over’ apples is featured is Joy Larkcom’s book, Creative Vegetable Gardening. Traffic noise has been lessened by a layered hedge, row of hornbeams and an ivy ‘fedge’ which forms the backdrop to a mini wildflower meadow. Visit National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) for more info & open gardens.

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Cultural discovery at Cornerstone Arts Centre

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Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, unveils a summer of self-discovery and cultural revelations with its latest exhibitions

Don’t want to read the full article? Scroll to our FAQs here.

All summer long there’s the chance to immerse yourself in a tapestry of artistic expressions, delving into themes of self-discovery, social commentary, and community heritage.

You may be lucky enough to catch the closing few days of Eden Silver-Myer’s Befriending My Brain. A vibrant display of colours and textures, Eden invites viewers to delve into the depths of neurodiversity and personal acceptance. “Befriending my Brain is,” Eden says, “about feeling like I finally have started to understand my mind after 33 years of feeling like a square peg in round hole after round hole.”

Among the exhibitions not to be missed is Shouting Quietly by Clive Wright, featuring over 500 captivating paintings. From 5th June to 27th July, Wright presents a curated selection that delves into the complexities of human existence, exploring everyday encounters and global phenomena. Each canvas resonates with layers of meaning, inviting viewers to decipher the hidden narratives beneath the surface.

 

He often paints up to half a dozen pictures on a common theme. Here, single pictures have been selected to represent groups of related canvases.

The ordinary events that he sees often become the subject of Clives’ work, such as people that he has observed in a coffee shop, or someone receiving a covid jab.

Didcot Dairy Story, curated by Dr Leah Hewerdine and Ruby Livesey, is at Cornerstone from 31st July to 31st August and is a must-see for anyone interested in Didcot’s history. This exhibition showcases the legacy of the iconic Didcot Dairy through an engaging display of artefacts, photographs, and cherished memories.

Visitors can soak up the nostalgia while supporting Sobell House Hospice and other local causes as part of this exhibition. If you have a Didcot Dairy Story to share, or would like to support the project, don’t bottle it up! Please do get in touch with the team via email at: [email protected]

from intimate reflections to thought-provoking narratives, each exhibition promises to inspire, enlighten, and enrich the summer season at Cornerstone.

The gallery area is free for all visitors to view at the centre during its opening hours.

Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “I love that we can display these exhibitions for free to the public and they can experience such a wide range of art and artists at Cornerstone.

“I’d encourage anyone coming along to Cornerstone whether it’s to see a show or to enjoy some refreshments at Café Nourish to pop into the gallery and view the art on display this summer.”

 

Learn more about the topics discussed in this article. Read on…

 

Neurodiversity and Personal Acceptance

Eden Silver-Myer’s “Befriending My Brain”

Neurodiversity refers to the concept that neurological differences are to be recognised and respected as any other human variation. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences.

Art Therapy is a therapeutic technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. This exhibition aligns with such therapeutic practices, using art to explore and understand personal cognitive experiences.

Personal Acceptance in the context of neurodiversity emphasises the journey towards self-understanding and embracing one’s unique neurological makeup. This is crucial for mental health and well-being, often discussed in psychological and social frameworks.

Human Existence and Everyday Encounters

Clive Wright’s “Shouting Quietly”

Social Realism in Art is a genre that focuses on depicting everyday activities and experiences, often with a focus on the working class and the ordinary events of daily life. Wright’s work resonates with this genre by capturing mundane yet significant moments.

Global Phenomena through Art involve artists interpreting and reflecting on global issues such as pandemics, climate change, and social justice movements. Wright’s inclusion of themes like COVID-19 vaccinations ties local experiences to broader global contexts.

Narrative Art involves artworks that tell a story, inviting viewers to delve into the narrative layers. Each of Wright’s paintings, as described, has hidden stories that viewers are encouraged to uncover, making the viewing experience interactive and reflective.

Community Heritage and Local History

Didcot Dairy Story

Community Curated Exhibitions involve members of the community in the curation process, ensuring that local stories and histories are accurately represented. This can enhance community engagement and ownership of cultural heritage.

Local History Projects like the Didcot Dairy Story preserve and celebrate the unique histories of specific locales. These projects often involve collecting oral histories, photographs, and artifacts from community members.

Nostalgia in Heritage Projects taps into the emotional connection people have with their past, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity. The Didcot Dairy Story aims to evoke such nostalgia, linking past and present through shared memories.

Public Art Accessibility

Free Public Art Spaces democratise access to art, allowing individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds to experience and engage with artistic expressions. This aligns with broader cultural policies aimed at inclusivity and community well-being.

Community Well-being through Arts emphasises the role of cultural activities in enhancing the overall quality of life. Engaging with art can provide emotional and mental health benefits, foster social connections, and create a vibrant community atmosphere.

Get in the know..

1. When does Eden Silver-Myer’s “Befriending My Brain” exhibition end?
– The exhibition is available for viewing until the end of its run in the summer. Specific dates are not provided, so it’s recommended to visit soon to catch the closing days.

2. What are the dates for Clive Wright’s “Shouting Quietly” exhibition?
– Clive Wright’s exhibition runs from June 5th to July 27th.

3. How can I contribute to the Didcot Dairy Story exhibition?
– You can share your Didcot Dairy story by emailing the team at [email protected].

4. Is there a cost to view the exhibitions at Cornerstone Arts Centre?
– No, the gallery exhibitions are free for all visitors during opening hours.

5. What is the duration of the Didcot Dairy Story exhibition?
– The Didcot Dairy Story exhibition runs from July 31st to August 31st.

6. What themes are explored in Eden Silver-Myer’s “Befriending My Brain”?
– The exhibition explores themes of neurodiversity and personal acceptance, highlighting the artist’s journey towards understanding her mind.

7. What subjects does Clive Wright focus on in his paintings?
– Clive Wright’s paintings often depict ordinary events such as people in coffee shops and individuals receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as broader global phenomena.

8. How many paintings are featured in Clive Wright’s “Shouting Quietly”?
– The exhibition features over 500 captivating paintings by Clive Wright.

9. What can visitors expect from the Didcot Dairy Story exhibition?
– Visitors can expect to see a collection of artifacts, photographs, and cherished memories showcasing the legacy of the iconic Didcot Dairy.

10. How does Cornerstone Arts Centre support community well-being?
– By offering free public access to a wide range of art and exhibitions, Cornerstone Arts Centre promotes cultural engagement and supports community well-being.

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