Swan Lake at the Hexagon

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Karen Neville

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Daniela Dimova, artistic director of Varna International Ballet, shares her thoughts ahead of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker at the Hexagon in February

Founded in 1947 and renowned for their award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, the Varna International Ballet team have been delighting audiences for decades at home in Bulgaria and aboard with quality performances.

Led by artistic director Daniela Dimova, with music director and chief conductor Peter Tuleshkov, Varna International Ballet presents much-loved classics to charm audiences who are new to ballet and balletomanes alike.

“Ballet is a universe where roles constantly change,” Daniela tells us. “Without an audience, a ballet performance cannot take place. The audience with their applause feed the artists with positive energy, which gives strength for new achievements.

“Varna International Ballet is a troupe that is young, energetic and have lots of performing experience, with a long history. Sixty years ago, the world’s first international ballet competition was held in Varna, which immediately made this city one of the ballet capitals of the world.

“The National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Varna has been trying to keep the ballet bar high. Thanks to Bulgaria now being within the European Union, it is possible to invite talented dancers from all over the world more actively, and nowadays the company includes dancers from 10 counties.

“Today Varna International Ballet is one of the most active and creative European companies, with seven ballet premieres in the last year. All three productions the company is bringing to the UK (Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet and The Nutcracker) are audience favourites and all three of them have a special place in my heart.”

Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy Romeo and Juliet is set to Prokofiev’s soaring score, with emotionally charged choreography by Sergey Bobrov and Bakhytzhan Smagulov that befits the world’s greatest love story. From the grandeur of the masked ball to the intimacy of the lovers’ balcony, this story of duels, bitter family feuds and love that cannot be is unmissable.

“Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet has a powerful music score and original choreography,” adds Daniela. “We follow activity and new productions of ballet companies worldwide with great interest. We are thrilled to be bringing our highly talented company of dancers and musicians back to the UK. We can’t wait to perform for the British audiences again and to bring these magical ballets to life on stage.”

The Nutcracker is on at 2.30pm & 5pm on 2nd February, and Swan Lake 7.30pm on the 3rd. Book your tickets for this & more at What’s On at The Hexagon | What’s On Reading

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One to watch: musician Baby Maker

Liz Nicholls

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Berkshire

Liz Nicholls

, , ,

Millie Deere interviews Oxford alt-indie musician Baby Maker who will star at Common Ground on 14th March

“Moody” alt-indie musician Baby Maker released his first album last year: From the Desk Of. Dry-wit lyrics toying with evocative rhymes make him one to watch on Oxford’s up-and-coming music scene.

Q. Your SoundCloud profile tells us you “cherry pick and prod at the carcass of influence”. Where do you look to find your influence in your music?
“I think I had a few jobs doing gardening and stuff, where I was just mowing lawns; I could just have albums on all day. And there’s that book: One Thousand and One Albums Before you Die. There’s a website version of it; it auto-generates a new one each day if you just listen some randomly. Also, I was just a big history music buff growing up I suppose, reading a lot of Wikipedia articles.”

Q. Do you have a favourite line of lyrics that you’ve written?
“Full Metal Jacket; I quite like that song. It’s story-esque, rather than just verse-chorus-versus. The lyric in that I like is: An old flame burned eternal entwined within his tribal sleeve.”

Q. Watching you perform, I really enjoyed those tinges of that dead-pan British delivery. In your music, how important are lyrics and their meaning?
“It’s definitely not an afterthought; I like good lyricists. It’s a good way that you can conjure up a world or a different take on stuff. And I get a bit of a kick out of trying to come up a cool stuff. It’s just nice hearing people mess around with words and come out a bit off the wall, essentially.”

Q. Tell me a bit about your writing process.
“It varies. I’ve had a baseline going around for a while that I like, and I want to try and finish it. I do all of it recorded at home, make it myself. My brother and I did a lot of the drums on the first album that’s out. He’ll come down and just record a bunch of stuff randomly and then I’ll sample it in a sense. Sometimes I like writing to like drum grooves, rather than sitting down with an acoustic guitar, ‘four chords and the truth’.”

Q. Has Oxford influenced your music at all?
“Wherever you live I think it’s gonna be an influence. There’s a couple that I’ve done about stuff that has happened to me in Oxford. But yeah, one hundred percent, I’ve been there a whole Olympic cycle now.”

Q. How has your relationship with your past work changed?
“I mean it is what it is, I suppose. I think it’s nice to have even if you’re not mad on it. It’s a nice snapshot of where you were… if you have stuff to look back on. And it’s nicer to have something to look back on than nothing at all. I listened to The Blindboy Podcast with Johnny Mar from The Smiths. He was saying that a lot of people’s musical identities are forged when they’re fourteen. And what you liked then will echo throughout the rest of your life.”

Q. What are you listening to right now?
“I took this straight off The Guardian’s top albums of the year list, but Cindy Lee. The album’s called Diamond Jubilee. They’re a bit of an outsider artist. I think it’s like the drag persona of this person. If you hear me crying is really good. It sounds like girl groupy stuff from Motown. It’s thirty-two tracks, so it’s a bit of an opus.”

Baby Maker will be in Common Ground on 14th March.

Spotify: Baby Maker | Spotify
SoundCloud: Stream Baby Maker music

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Go wassailing at Jealott’s Hill

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Karen Neville

, ,

Claire Wallen, a director of Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare, explains a very ‘south of England tradition’ of blessing apple trees to ensure a good harvest with just a touch of ‘weirdness’ thrown in. Join the wassailers in Warfield

Have you heard of traditions that include hanging toast in a tree and shooting a robin? They are just one part of the traditional apple wassail ceremony that dates back to the 16th century. It traditionally occurs on twelfth night, the 5th or 6th of January.

The word wassail is descended from the Anglo Saxon ‘waes hail’ meaning ‘be well’. The ceremony is very much a south of England ritual and was designed to ensure a good apple harvest for the cider makes.

So what does it involve? It’s a bit bonkers, actually. There is singing, a ceremony and cider drinking. The idea is to bless the apple trees and drive away evil spirits in the hope of a bountiful autumn apple harvest.

The ceremony usually starts with singing of traditional songs. Then a holly king and oak king are nominated. A wren, which symbolises the Holly King (who rules to mid-winter), is then hunted down and shot (metaphorically of course) as part of the handover to the Oak King (who rules from mid-winter to mid-summer). The ceremony continues by choosing a Queen of the Bean.

Now comes the really weird part! The robin, which represents the Oak King is the guardian of the trees. The Queen of the Bean buries the poor little robin under a chosen apple tree. Then a piece of toast is placed in the tree and cider poured over the tree roots.

More singing ensues. Then in order to scare away evil spirits everyone starts banging trays and pots, blowing instruments and shouting loudly. Off go the evil spirits. And then it’s time for apple juice and cider drinking.

There has been a bit of a revival in wassailing in recent years and you can find events around Berkshire in January to enjoy this unusual tradition. One of the best ones is held at Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare in Warfield (North Bracknell) which has an apple orchard of over 300 trees, quite rare these days.

Maidenhead Morris group Ellington Morris (Ellington Morris) have carried out the ceremony at Jealott’s Hill for quite a few years. This year the event is on Sunday, 19th January from 1pm. More details via the website, Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare – Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare.

Please do come along and join us for the ceremony – we will have pumpkin soup made with our site grown pumpkins, hot apple cup, home-made cakes and children’s activities – it’s a great thing to do in the depths of winter. And it will help us reap a good harvest.

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Chattertots children’s charity

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Karen Neville

, ,

Thanks to an amazing local charity, children with Down’s Syndrome can enjoy therapy sessions here in Woodley

Chattertots is the wonderful Berkshire-based charity whose team support children with Down’s Syndrome.

The charity has recently relocated its weekly pre-school speech and language therapy sessions in Woodley, making these essential services more accessible to local families.

Chattertots, which supports about 30 families across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, provides specialist speech and language therapy through weekly sessions delivered by experts from Symbol UK, recognised leaders in supporting children with Down’s Syndrome.

“We’re excited to bring our services to Woodley,” says Clare McIntosh, chairman of Chattertots. “This move allows us to reach more families in the area while continuing to provide the high-quality, specialist support that’s so crucial for early development in children with Down’s Syndrome.”

The weekly sessions, which take place during term time, focus on developing essential communication skills through speech sounds, Makaton signing, vocabulary building, and oral motor skills. For many families, these sessions provide vital early intervention that isn’t readily available through standard NHS services.

One parent, whose child has been attending Chattertots sessions since September 2022, said: “Our son has made incredible progress, learning over 50 Makaton signs and mastering 31 speech sounds. These sessions have been transformative for our whole family.”

Chattertots, established in 2015 and registered as a charity in 2022 (charity number 1198362), has seen significant growth in demand for its services. The move to Woodley represents an important step in the charity’s development, allowing it to better serve families in the local community.

The charity also provides educational consultancy, school starter boxes, summer camps, and social activities, all designed to support children with Down’s Syndrome in reaching their full potential.

Families interested in Chattertots’ services or local groups who might want to help with fundraising can contact Clare by emailing [email protected]. You can also visit Chattertots for more info.

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Historic but modern Castle Hotel Windsor

Round & About

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Berkshire

Round & About

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The Castle Hotel Windsor, which dates back to 1528, welcomes tourists from all over the world, including the Leaf restaurant’s afternoon teas

Once upon a time (in 1528 to be exact), The Castle Hotel opened its doors, albeit as The Mermaid Inn – humbly brewing beer and cider for the people of Windsor which, at the time, was a small town of just 1,000 people.

During the 1700s, innkeeper Richard Martin was awarded the first of the hotel’s eight Royal Warrants – to provide horses and carriages for the royal household. By the 19th century, The Castle Hotel had solidified its reputation as the connoisseur’s choice of accommodation.

And today the four-star hotel, occupying one of Windsor’s most opulent buildings, still offers the same fairytale feel, with an array of fabulous rooms, many overlooking the walls and turrets of Windsor Castle, which is a honeypot for tourists from all over the world. Even if you’re more of a republican at heart it’s hard not to feel childlike glee when the changing of the guard soldiers march right past the hotel’s windows, accompanied by rousing drums, overlooking the Prince Harry pub.

With eight Royal Warrants, The Castle Hotel, which has 108 rooms, is a dream destination. The historic hotel offers quiet luxury and all mod cons including tea & coffee making facilities, hair dryers, free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, 100 Acres toiletries and more. What’s more, it’s studded with details that bring its royal links to life, including busts of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert that hark back to the tale of a birthday gift from the Queen to her consort. All of this makes for a right royal treat for visitors… and their consorts!

The vibey downstairs Leaf restaurant and bar offer superb breakfast all week as well as brunch, afternoon tea and all-day dining, 12-9pm. The menus showcase the finest locally sourced produce from trusted suppliers, promising visitors a tantalising tour of the globe. A popular choice is the Royal Afternoon Tea, served in the quintessentially English lounge, and rightly considered one of the best afternoon teas in Windsor (£40pp adults, children’s afternoon tea £22pp).

The Castle team, whose smiling service is second to none, also pride themselves on the Sunday roast (until 5pm) when diners can choose from beef topside, half roast chicken, seared Scottish salmon and vegetarian wellington on offer; two courses for £27pp, and three courses at £32pp.

A classic room starts at £209 per night including breakfast. To book a stay or a table to eat at the Leaf restaurant, please call 01753 252800 or visit The Castle Hotel Windsor | Boutique Hotel in Windsor, Berkshire

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Pangbourne Art Therapy Group

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Karen Neville

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Chrissie from Pangbourne Art Therapy Group invites you to join them in 2025 – whatever your artistic skills may be and brush up your wellbeing

In 2021 a group of about 10 women and men began meeting at Pangbourne village hall every Tuesday. All of us were dealing with challenges in our lives.

Some had experienced serious illness and were finding it hard to get back into the swing of life. Others suffered from anxiety or other mental health issues, lack of self-confidence, loneliness, isolation etc etc. We learned to use informal art and the group itself to help us get through life. Who knew how calming paint and a paintbrush (or a pair of scissors) could be?!

Three years later we are a really happy group and a laugh a lot! But we also support each other in those moments where it all gets too much. And we now have space for a couple more people to join us.

The level of our artistic ability ranges from nil or slight to medium! None of us are, nor aspire to be, real artists. However we do have a lovely professional artist who facilitates the group and guides us through a variety of mixed media techniques – as well as supporting our wellbeing.

Occasionally we have attempted some traditional art but more often we try more unusual abstract techniques such as bubble art, spray inks, painting on coasters, stained glass effect painting on acetate, galaxies and planets, basic pottery, marbling, birthday cards etc. All in a supportive and relaxed environment. It’s more like going back to a happy childhood than “proper art”!

We would love you to join us. The charge is £10 per person per week (payable as £40 per 4 weeks in advance). Alternatively, if space is available, a one-off attendance would cost £15 per session. That money pays for the hall and the artist. We are completely non-profit making so if there is any surplus it goes back into the group.

We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1.30-3.30pm in Pangbourne Village Hall. The hall is wheelchair accessible.

If you would like to learn more or consider joining us then drop us an email at [email protected] or call Caroline on 07882 340058

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Tom’s greatest hits at The Coach

Liz Nicholls

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Berkshire

Liz Nicholls

, , , , ,

Tom Kerridge & Sarah Hayward have brought some of their best-loved dishes back to menus to celebrate 10 happy years at The Coach

Behind every great team is (at least one) great woman, to mangle the phrase! And Sarah Hayward, who has worked alongside Tom Kerridge for 10 years, is at the heart of The Coach’s success.  

“The Coach has been my home for so many years and celebrating its 10th anniversary is incredibly special,” says Sarah.  

A selection of the pub’s most loved dishes from the past decade will be incorporated into the main menu throughout the birthday year and will change periodically to bring back a variety of cherished favourites from The Coach’s history. Each dish is embossed with a bespoke 10th anniversary logo. Dishes include potted Cornish crab with smoked paprika butter and cucumber chutney (£16.50), The Coach Chicken Kiev with Cauliflower Cheese (£29) and The Coach profiteroles with soured vanilla cream and dark chocolate sauce (£12.50). 

“This menu is a tribute to our loyal guests and the amazing team who make The Coach what it is,” adds Sarah. “I’m excited to revisit some of our best dishes and share them with everyone.” 

Tom Kerridge has also teamed up with the team at local brewery Rebellion Beer to create an IPA for the occasion called Decade. A local institution since 1993, Rebellion is renowned for its high-quality ales crafted using the Chiltern Hills’ natural resources and have collaborated with The Coach since the opening 10 years ago. A portion of proceeds will be donated to local charity, Meals from Marlow. 

In 2015, Sarah joined The Hand & Flowers, Tom Kerridge’s two-Michelin starred pub and after just three months was promoted to chef de partie. Just two years later in 2017, Sarah joined The Coach as junior sous chef, before promotion to her first head chef role at The Bull & Bear in Manchester’s The Stock Exchange Hotel in 2019. In 2021 Sarah returned to The Coach as head chef where she knows the kitchen inside out. She has led the team, and herself, to achieve prestigious accolades, including being named Michelin Young Chef of the Year 2023, retaining a Michelin Star since 2018, Number 21 in Top 50 Gastro Pubs 2024, and 3 AA Rosettes 2024. 

Tom Kerridge adds: “The Coach has always been about serving high-quality food in a relaxed and welcoming environment, and Sarah embodies that vision perfectly. I’m so proud of what the team has achieved and can’t wait to see how we continue to evolve in the years ahead.” 

For more info, the menu or to book please visit The Coach Marlow

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Join Newbury’s Festival of Light

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Karen Neville

, ,

The illuminated parade takes to the streets of the town on Sunday, 15th December from 4pm in Market Place

The Corn Exchange Newbury is set to light up the streets of the town on Sunday 15th December, as their annual Festival of Light returns for another year to unite local people in an incredible illuminated procession.

From the terrific lantern making workshops, to opportunities to lead this phenomenal parade as part of their community Samba band, everyone is welcome to come together to celebrate the festive season.

The Festival of Light has seen over 30,000 people engage in the festival over the past 12 years, with 9,600 people having participated in the parade during that time. The parade will travel along Northbrook Street before arriving in the Market Place where locals can expect catchy live music.

The Corn Exchange have been running lantern making workshops at 101 Outdoor Arts and in local schools so pupils can ignite their creativity for the festive celebration.

Workshops have also been held for the community Samba band inviting as many people as possible to take part. Led by Reading based Music Charity Readipop featuring experienced drummers from Beatroots Bateria, they have guided participants through the process of learning the samba instruments, rehearsing the patterns and routines and forming a marching drumming troupe to perform at the magical winter parade.

Based on a former US nuclear airbase outside Newbury, 101 Outdoor Arts has grown to be a unique powerhouse for creativity, supporting the creation of hundreds of performances and installations destined to be showcased at festivals, major arts events and cultural programmes both across the UK and internationally. Whilst the Corn Exchange Newbury have been presenting outdoor events in Newbury for over 12 years, this year marks ten year since they opened the 101 National Centre for Arts in Public Space. With the support of Arts Council England and Greenham Trust, they host hundreds of artists every year in the centre’s unique facility, which includes residential accommodation and scenic fabrication facilities, and where the lanterns and festival programme will be created ready for the procession on the 15th December.

101 Outdoor Arts produces a year-round, free programme of national and international outdoor arts performances with the Corn Exchange Newbury, engaging thousands of audiences annually, and striving to involve thousands of local participants, volunteers and community groups across Newbury to widen the scope for creative engagement in the arts.

Corn Exchange Newbury’s Director, Jessica Jhundoo-Evans comments, The Festival of Light is always a highlight of the year for us; bringing together local people and volunteers to create beautiful lanterns and bringing our community together in an illuminated procession. It is a joy to see families and friends gather to enjoy this magical event and to know that people love it enough to keep it fixed in their calendars.

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Twelve wild days of Christmas

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Fox © Jon Hawkins

Karen Neville

, , , ,

12 Days Wild is the festive challenge by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife (BBOWT), from 25th December to 5th January.

Are you up for the challenge of doing one wild thing every day or night…?

Sign up at 12 Days Wild (2024) | Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust and you’ll receive daily inspirational emails packed with fun ideas to help you embrace winter walks in nature or the magic of night-time star gazing – to lift your mood and much more!

Illustration © Corinne Welch

You could:

• Track animals by looking for footprints in the mud or snow
• Go star gazing on a clear night
• Go winter wildlife watching on a walk at a nature reserve
• Or even volunteer at a nature reserve – nature will appreciate it
• Make a New Year’s resolution to help nature. What will you do in 2025?

BBC TV presenter and Wildlife Trust Vice President Iolo Williams, says: “From dawn to dusk, winter wildlife is busy all around us. Otters are always up early and if you see a trail of bubbles in the water, you’ll know they’ve spotted you first. Night-hunting barn owls venture out on cold winter days to find extra food and will woosh past you in the winter sun. Then, at dusk, starlings gather in the sky forming ever-shifting shapes and patterns known as murmurations. There are so many wildlife adventures to be had during 12 Days Wild – I hope you enjoy them.”

Liz Shearer, Community Engagement Director at BBOWT says: “To mark 12 Day Wild this year I’ll be pledging to connect with nature for at least 10 minutes every day. Whether it be a walk amongst the winter trees, watching birds in a tree across a cold and frosty park, or noticing the clouds on a bright day, I often find that stepping outside and taking a moment to connect with wildlife is a powerful way to recharge my batteries. 12 Days Wild is a great opportunity to create some space for yourself, which at this time of year can feel like a real gift.

“Committing to something manageable will make it even more enjoyable. Observe how weather changes the landscapes and check in with yourself – how do you feel within them? Noticing our own relationship with the natural world is the first step to taking action to safeguard it. So, I encourage you to stop for a moment, listen, and see what wild means to you.”

Spending time in nature – night or day – is proven to help people feel happier and healthier. A Wildlife Trusts’ survey found that participants of the 30 Days Wild summer challenge felt 56% more connected to nature after taking part, and that it boosted the health of participants by an average of 30%.*

There’s more information on the challenge at: 12 Days Wild | The Wildlife Trusts

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Taste nostalgia at Six by Nico

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Karen Neville

, , ,

Running for six weeks, December 16th to January 26th, this latest cast of courses brings a delicious return to the past

Get ready to taste your way down memory lane. Six By Nico, Oxford, is serving up deja food with its latest six-course tasting menu, Nostalgia.

Perfectly timed for the festive season, this menu captures the nostalgic magic of Christmas and New Year. Diners will have the chance to relive the joy of their childhood through flavours that feel like home, while younger guests can ride the wave of a golden era and experience delicious retro moments for the first time. 

It’s a menu that brings the taste of yesteryear to life, with each dish crafted to capture those classic flavours and playful twists from the past – think the comforting bite of a fish finger sarnie, the warm, smoky flavours of a campfire feast and the unmistakable nostalgia of a VHS-era movie snack.

Known for reinventing its menu every six weeks, Six by Nico transports diners to new worlds with each visit. With Nostalgia, its inviting guests to enjoy a taste of the past, where familiar favourites get a fresh, modern twist. Each plate offers a delicious reminder of childhood memories, reimagined with inventive flair, one playful bite at a time.

Chef Nico Simeone, the creative mind behind Six by Nico, reflects on the inspiration for the menu: “Our final menu of 2024 and the first of 2025 pays homage to nostalgia, inviting guests on a journey through flavours that evoke personal memories. Inspired by reflections on my childhood, it draws on moments spent watching films, playing games, or enjoying time outdoors with friends.

“While New Year often focuses on resolutions, this menu celebrates traditions and revisits the timeless magic of Christmas through familiar and comforting tastes.”

Priced at £50 per person, bookings are now open for a taste of Nostalgia at Six by Nico, Oxford. Guests can also enjoy their meal with either optional wine or cocktail pairings. Each course is crafted to bring back fond memories of childhood favourites, reimagined with a modern twist, while letting the festivities linger just a little longer.

Here’s a throwback to the childhood favourites diners can look forward to:

Snack – ‘Space Raiders’

Crushed Baby Potato, Pickled Onion, Garlic Emulsion & Fermented Melon Hot Sauce

Course 1 – ‘Blockbuster’

Aged Comté, Hazelnut & Serrano Ham in a “Taco”

Course 2 – ‘Super Mario’

Roasted Maitake, Smoked Celeriac, Cep Gnocchi, Lovage, Truffle & Sherry Cappuccino

Course 3 – ‘Let’s Go Camping!’

Smoked Pork Sausage, Aged Belly, Red Pepper Romesco, Nasturtium & Almond

Course 4 – ‘Fish Fingers’

Barbecue Coley, Miso Carrot, Lobster Emulsion

Served with a Crispy Fish Finger, Shellfish Bisque & Salted Kumquat

Course 5 – ‘Guess Who’

A classic game inspires our dish, but can you Guess Who?

Course 6 –  ‘SNOWBALL FIIIIGHT’

Coconut Parfait, Lime Gel, 55% chocolate & Yoghurt “Snow”

Book at Nostalgia – Oxford – Six By Nico

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