Newbury Contemporary Art Fair

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Newbury

Find work with the wow factor to suit all tastes at the Contemporary Art Fair at Newbury Racecourse

A rich array of contemporary art and artists are showcasing their work at Newbury Racecourse with something for every taste and budget.

More than 160 emerging and established artists are coming together at the Contemporary Art Fair in Newbury with many original pieces available at affordable prices.

Whatever you’re looking for you’re sure to be able to find that wow factor from the more than 5,000 curated artworks on display and if you just want to browse that’s fine too. You can enjoy work in various media from paintings, to fine arts and photography, print, ceramic, glass, sculpture and assemblage.

Seen something you like and want to know more about it or the artist who created it – there’s the chance to chat with them and find out about their inspiration.

The fair on Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th May, also offers interactive fun with free valuations, a children’s art activity trail and an outdoor sculpture trail.

Contemporary Art Fairs include every exhibitor creating an original collectible eight-inch square canvas in their own style, which are displayed and then sold for just £45 each with all money raised going to The Prince’s Trust, the total raised to date is £65,000.

The fairs, which also run in Surrey, Windsor and Berkshire, were set up to bring a variety of artists together to give art lovers the opportunity to enjoy everything from limited edition prints to more expensive original pieces.

There’s also a café and wine tasting to enjoy.

 For more information and to book tickets go to www.contemporaryartfairs.co.uk

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Henley Arts Trail

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Newbury

How many of the 300 exhibitors will you see and enjoy around Henley?

This year’s Henley Arts Trail is the biggest to date with almost 300 artists and makers at 33 venues covering an area of 50 square miles of countryside.

Taking place over the May bank holiday weekend, 4th to 6th, the trail showcases the vibrant visual arts and crafts scene around Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

The trail attracts around 10,000 visitors across the region taking in Bix, Twyford, Shiplake, Sonning, Hurst and Waltham St Lawrence with work displayed in studios, garden sheds, garages and village halls.

Such is the variety of work in the trail that life-size sculptures sit alongside delicate jewellery and abstract paintings nestle next to detailed nature art.

Many of the venues are dotted in villages along the Thames, offering a great opportunity to enjoy some splendid countryside at the same time. However many venues you are visiting it couldn’t be easier with the help of a map you can download from the website or pick up a leaflet from libraries or in village newsletters.

Organiser, Jo Keiller, says: “The standard of work on show is exceptional. Where else can you see the work of an artist who exhibits internationally, alongside emerging talent taking part in their first show? Talent is often hidden in spare rooms and garages, so the trail gives artists the chance to connect with the public and the public to discover new and exciting makers.”

Many venues offer refreshments and some boast demonstrations or workshops for visitors to get fully immersed in the art trail experience.

Find out more and see the map on the Henley Arts Trail site

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Green Day’s American Idiot

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Newbury

Here’s why you should catch this powerful musical at Reading’s Hexagon between now and Saturday, 4th May, writes Peter Anderson

Three childhood friends in post 9/11 America are each seeking for a meaning. That was the inspiration for Green Day’s Grammy winning album, fifteen years ago “American Idiot”. Ten years ago, came the musical with lyrics Green Day’s Billy Joe Armstrong and a book by Billy Joe and Mike Mayer. The musical won two Tony awards and another Grammy award for best show album. Now the musical is touring the UK and comes to Reading and Wimbledon as part of the tenth anniversary tour. The show stars singer-songwriter Luke Friend (X-Factor), Tom Milner (The Voice and Waterloo Road) and introducing Sam Lavery (X-Factor and Capital FM) as Whatsername.

Peter Anderson caught up with the lovely Sam and asked how she discovered her love and talent for singing. I had often sung around the home as a child, then we had a school trip out to Holy Island that included a talent competition. A lot of the lads did football tricks, some of the girls did dancing and for some unknown reason I had a go at singing. From that moment on that was the way I wanted to go, when I came back from the holiday, I started singing lessons and entered competitions.

Whereas unlike Tom she did not have the chance to sing for Tom Jones, one of her relatives and her inspiration has. “I only have one inspiration, my grandfather. When he was younger, he was a backing singer for a while for Tom Jones and could have made a career of it. But that career would have been in London and he had a young family in the North-East. He decided to forgo the possible career and go down the mines to look after his family. I am so glad that he can now enjoy my success and see what I am doing, and he has been very supportive to me.”

So, what can audiences look forward to in the explosive rock musical that is “Green Day’s American Idiot”? “Very like a gig combined with an emotional roller-coaster ride, we have a live backing band between the three of us. I think it is the kind of show where you leave it humming the tunes and then slowly the issues that the musical also raises dawn on you.”

The three of you are more known as singers than for acting, how did you work on the characterisations? “All three of us major characters have been given a lot of help about the research to do with the complex issues the songs raise. The other idea that I really found helpful was that we were made to read the lyrics time and time again without the music. This gave us the time to really grasp the meaning of the words and who we were singing them to.”

For your chance to see this powerful musical that has introduced a new generation of theatregoers to Green Day’s music the show comes to Reading this week and Wimbledon later in May. It is at the Hexagon from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May, and the New Theatre Wimbledon between 14th and 18th May.

  For full information on performances and tickets visit www.readingarts.com or www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbedon-theatre.

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Reading beer & cider festival

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Newbury

We’re here for the beer and much, much more at Reading Beer & Cider Festival

It’s summer – well the sun’s out at least or trying its best – and one of the best ways to celebrate is at the ever-popular Reading Beer & Cider Festival.

Located in Christchurch Meadows, its fully accessible and home to one of the largest beer festivals in the country from 2nd to 5th May.

Visitors can enjoy more than 450 real ales as well as a large range of ciders, perries, foreign beers, UK wines and mead, many from local breweries – a full list can be found online and during the festival a live beer list will offer an up-to-the-minute update on what’s available.

In addition to the great range of drinks there are a variety of food vendors – some newcomers and some returning favourites with everything from Cornish pasties, curry and kebabs and a hog roast to German bratwurst and olives and chocolates and truffles for the sweeter toothed.

It’s not all about the beer though – ok, it is mainly all about the beer – but starting on Thursday and throughout the festival there’ll be a range of traditional pub games to enjoy. Long alley skittles, shuttleboard, table skittles and toad in the hole are on offer for £1 a go or enjoy six for £5.

The outdoor games area will be back with great prizes to be won and if you’re feeling lucky have a go at the tombola for the chance to win beer and pub-oriented prizes.

Ticket prices vary depending on day and session required. Sunday is the family day and you can buy a season ticket for access to all festival sessions over the four days.

https://www.facebook.com/readingbeer/videos/1383619391777875/

For more details, the list of beers and to buy tickets visit the Reading Beer Festival website

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Craft beer & music festival

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Newbury

Craft beer makers are brewing up a treat at Reading’s South Street Arts Centre

Beer, music and food – exactly what you need to make the perfect festival!

So with all the right ingredients, the Craft Beer & Music Festival at South Street Arts Centre, Reading, is sure to be popular.

Back for its third year after enjoying success previously, it takes place today (19th April) and tomorrow (20th) featuring a fantastic selection of beer from local, national and international breweries.

Among the local breweries whose beers you can enjoy over the two days are Elusive Brewing who produce beer at a small site in Finchampstead; Wild Weather in Silchester who draw inspiration from new world hops; Double-Barrelled, based in Stadium Way, Reading, who brew a variety from dark stouts to tangy sours with ‘cheeky’ pales in between and West Berkshire Brewery in Yattendon who brew with a combination of “passion for beer, a respect for the local community and a disregard for convention”. Finchampstead also lays claim to Siren Craft Brew which aims to introduce exciting, full-flavoured and forward-thinking beers.

Breweries  from further across the country you can sample are Beatnikz Republic, a microbrewery based in Manchester; Magic Rock Brewing from Huddersfield and Little Earth Project in Sudbury, Suffolk.

You’ll also get the chance to meet the brewers as you enjoy fab music from quality DJs while munching on some delicious street food.
And this year, there’s an extra fourth session for you to enjoy too: Friday 12pm-5pm (child friendly) and 6pm-11pm and Saturday 12pm-5pm and 7pm-12am.

Tickets are on sale now for £15 including a branded glass, 50p goes towards Reading Soup charity, a grassroots funding project which supports community projects, charities and ideas in the Reading area.

To buy tickets, go to www.readingarts.com 

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Street parties

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Newbury

Don’t miss out on your chance to party in Reading

If you want to get your friends and neighbours together this summer for a street party you only have a week left to get your application in to Reading Borough Council. 

Communities are being invited to hold a get together without paying the usual road closure fees but must complete and return a form by Monday, 22nd April.

There are three weekends in June and July when residents are being invited to hold street parties for the Big Lunch on the weekend of Saturday 1st/Sunday 2nd June, The Great Get Together on Saturday 22nd/Sunday 23rd June and  Reading Summer Street Party Weekend on Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th July.

The Great Get Together is a chance for communities up and down the country to get together to celebrate kindness, respect and all we have in common, and was inspired by MP Jo Cox who was killed in June 2016.

The  Reading  Summer Street Party Weekend is an extra opportunity for local communities and neighbours to spend some time together.
Councillor Tony Page,  Reading’s lead  councillor for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: “It is important to recognise the many things we all have in common and to come together to celebrate our communities.

“We often only catch a glimpse of our neighbours as we go about our every-day business so this is an opportunity to stop and get to know the people living in our street.

“As in previous years, the  council  is keen to help enable these street parties by waiving the usual road closure fees and I would encourage residents to get their applications in as soon as possible.”

Anyone who wishes to apply to hold a street party on any of the specified weekends should complete the form available at www.reading.gov.uk/streetparties  and send it to: Street Parties, Communications Department,  Reading  Borough  Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street,  Reading, RG1 2LU.

Permission will normally be given, without the usual road-closure fees, subject to it not affecting a main through-route or public transport route.

The deadline for applications is 22nd April 2019. 

  Helpful tips, advice and support for organising a successful event can be found on the Street Party website  and The Big Lunch website 

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Doctor Who at Escape Hunt

Cherry Butler

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Newbury

Worlds Collide, the new Doctor Who escape room in Reading, proves challenging for Cherry Butler.

Worlds Collide, the first escape game officially based on the BBC series, gives players an hour to solve various puzzles and stop the Doctor’s arch-enemies, the Cybermen, breaking though a tear in the fabric of space and time and “upgrading” the human race.

You don’t have to be a true Whovian to play, but you do need your thinking cap on to make sense of the numerous puzzles.

There are some fun pieces referencing the TV show, but they seem to be window dressing rather than knowledge about them being integral to the game. This adds to the entertainment for fans but means you can play even if you haven’t watched Doctor Who since Tom Baker was in it.

Some of the scene setting was a clever surprise, while some was a tad lengthy without really helping us get to grips with the clues.

Not all the puzzles are Doctor Who or sci-fi related. There are so many that we found it a bit tricky to focus and follow the thread; one thing distracted us for ages, but only worked later. With few of the standard letter/number codes, combination locks or hidden keys, they make for a genuine challenge.

Escape Hunt’s rooms are high tech in comparison with more home-grown games. This slickness works well for the sci-fi theme; the sleek-looking setting lives up to the screen version with plenty of light-up gizmos. On the flipside, automation can occasionally cause frustration when items break down or don’t quite connect.

The minimum age to play is 10, accompanied by an adult. Having young Doctor Who fans with sharp brains and curious minds on your team might be handy! As long as they are prepared for a taxing – but not too tense – time.

A game costs £30-£33 per person depending on the number of players (up to six in a team), so Worlds Collide is priced higher than the other rooms at Escape Hunt Reading. Alice in Puzzleland, Wild West, Viking and pirate themed games cost £20-25 per person, with concessions for students and over 60s.

Reading’s games are upstairs in Kings Walk shopping arcade. Escape Hunt also has rooms in Oxford, Bristol and other cities around the UK and worldwide.

You can find out more and book at escapehunt.com

Image courtesy of Escape Hunt

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Mums in business

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Newbury

Being a mum and running a business at the same time are tough but help is at hand from a business networking group. 

Mums in Business Association (MIBA) started as an online community in 2017 after sisters and mums Leona and Estelle felt there was a lack of support for mums in business. 

MIBA currently has 38,000 members and the same year the group launched local child-friendly networking events including in Berkshire and this week they are proud to hold their first in Newbury. 

The inaugural event tomorrow – Thursday, 4th April – is in the private room at the Slug & Lettuce, Wharf Street, Newbury, from 10.30am-12.30pm. 

Mums in business (MIB) attending can expect not just support and the benefit of networking as well as a warm friendly welcome but inspiring guest speakers who cover all manner of business topics, the opportunity to promote your business and a free goody bag and all without wondering how you’ll be able to attend such a meeting with your child. 

MIBA is keen to point out that their events are not restricted to mums only – all women are welcome, mums, soon-to-be mums, business owners, those thinking about starting a business and even those just in need of a positive female environment. 

The group’s main aim is to create “welcoming inspiring events where women feel comfortable to bring along their children”. 

Oh and there’s plenty of space to park buggies and the doors to be the private room can be shut to keep the little ones inside. 

For more information visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mibaberkshire 

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The Rose of Hungerford

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Newbury

Hop aboard The Rose of Hungerford and enjoy a trip along the canal

There can be few more enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon than on a canal boat along the Kennet & Avon and there’s the chance to find out more about how you can get involved in just that at an open day this month.

The Rose of Hungerford is a purpose-built 55ft long wide-beamed passenger trip boat owned by the canal trust. The boat is now preparing to operate public trips for the 2019 season as well as being available for private charter.

Trips run every Saturday and Sunday from April through to October and from May, additionally on Wednesdays and there’s a special treat for Mother’s Day on 31st March when the popular cream tea cruise will be operated.

In 2017, The Rose of Hungerford undertook more than 200 trips, carrying around 6,000 passengers. It travelled about 660 miles and through 772 locks as it toured the canal.

If the idea of this appeals to you as more than just a ‘passenger’, they are always on the look out for more volunteers to help with all aspects of the running of the boat.

The Rose of Hungerford is owned by the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and crewed entirely by trained volunteers but keeping the service in operation is about much more than just crewing the boat with help needed with a multitude of behind the scenes tasks too. They’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in getting involved.

Pop along to the open morning on Saturday, 23rd March at Hungerford Wharf from 9.30am to 12.30pm to find out more about the trips, meet the crew and volunteering aboard The Rose of Hungerford.

visit their website for more information and to book a trip!

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Newbury Civic Awards

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Picture credit: Colin Lewis.  From left, last year’s winners Sandra Goodyear, Ellouise Greenall and Wendy Berkeley with last year’s Mayor David Fenn and town crier Brian Sylvester

It’s time to nominate who you think deserves to win a Newbury Town Council Civic Award 2019.

If you think someone deserves to be praised for their good work and contribution to the local community in Newbury now is the time to speak up about it. 

The town council has launched its annual civic awards and wants to hear from you with your nominations – but you’ll need to be quick, nominations must be submitted by Friday, 8th March. 

The categories are: 

Newbury Town Civic Award – now in its 22nd year 

Young Person’s Civic Award – now in its 11th year 

Newbury Town Business Civic Award – the second year 

Mayor of Newbury, councillor Margo Payne says: “Nominating someone for the civic awards is a wonderful way to thank them for the work they do. 

“We probably all know someone who volunteers or goes the extra mile for a neighbour, and while they don’t expect recognition it is an opportunity to let them know they are appreciated.” 

Leader of the council, cllr Adrian Edwards is particularly hoping to garner entries for the business category, now in its second year. 

He says: “After the successful launch of the Newbury Town Business Civic Award last year, we are hoping for even more applications in this category this year. 

“We now need you to tell us who deserves to be recognised for making a significant contribution to our community.” 

Last year’s winners, pictured, were Sandra Goodyear, Ellouise Greenall and Wendy Berkeley from Empire Café. 

Sandra was honoured for her service to the girlguides, the pre-schools learning alliance and CRUSE.  

Ellouise received her award for being a good neighbour – helping a sick neighbour and looking after the young children of a neighbour and helping with shopping and other chores for elderly neighbours. 

Wendy who runs Empire Café in Cheap Street, was given her award for the assistance, care and concern shown to members of the community. 

But you’ll need to be quick – nominations must be submitted by Friday, 8th March and winners will be presented with their awards on Monday, 18th March.

  Nomination forms are available from the website at www.newbury.gov.uk or paper copies can be collected from the Town Hall or call the council on 01635 35486. 

Neighbouring Thatcham Town Council will be presenting its civic awards on Monday, 11th March. Each year a maximum of three gold awards are given to individuals or groups in recognition of the work they do for the benefit of the community. Nominations are now closed but we’ll tell you about the winners later in March. 

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