Join Greener Henley and help environment

Round & About

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Berkshire

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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Mad about blooms

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Summer is on the horizon bringing with it warmer days, hopefully plenty of sun and the glorious sight and scent of roses blossoming and spreading their joy

Our most popular flower is rich in symbolism and history featuring in literature, music, heritage, as our national flower, in skin care products and as the emblem for many sports teams.

Classic and instantly recognisable, they are ideal for almost every style of garden, flowering abundantly from early summer in pastel shades of pink, peach, cream or snowy-white; vibrant yellow and gold; orange, crimson and red.

And as any gardener will tell you, there a few essential rose rules to ensure ‘everything comes up roses’.

Round & About gardening expert Cathie Welch will tell you “It’s all in the pruning!” and advises “before you prune, know your rose type and sharpen your secateurs to avoid damage”.

She adds: “Make sure you cut correctly in the right place. Dead heading throughout the summer and winter pruning should all be cut to ideally pencil thickness growth to encourage more flowers. Cut out dead and weak growths as well as congested growth and don’t forget the suckers which come from the wild rootstock.”

Ramblers are in full bloom at this time of year and to ensure an attractive abundance in future, she says: “After flowering has finished prune out some of the flowered shoots and tie in the annoying long ones that you have wanted to cut off because these will produce next year’ flowers.”

And remember to dead head throughout the summer.

If you prefer to admire the beauty of roses and take in the rich fragrance from someone else’s handiwork there are plenty of gorgeous English gardens full of stately blooms.

The gardens at Basildon Park near Pangbourne, have been lovingly restored over the decades and now feature many types of roses. Look out for the classic old Rosamundi rose, a beautiful light crimson semi-double bloom striped with white and the large, rich warm pink Compte de Chambord, both rice in fragrance. Added to the pleasure grounds in the 1960s, Lady Iliffe’s rose garden is a riot of roses, peonies and spring bulbs which really come to life in spring and summer.

Roses combine with fruit and vegetables at Buscot Park, Faringdon where the fine collection of old French roses mix with modern cultivars. Between the climbing roses, fruit are trained to the wall, and, later in the season, the spent shrub roses act as a frame to support ornamental marrows, courgettes, gourds and runner beans.

The fabulous three-day Blenheim Palace Flower Show between Friday 21st and Sunday 23rd showcases the best of British gardening with roses set to be one of the star attractions in the magnificent Grand Floral Pavilion.

In June, roses can be seen in different areas of the gardens on the Englefield Estate in West Berkshire, in the beds around the car park as well as in the box border along the lower terrace. Wilder roses are also in bloom in the woodland.

The Mary Rose Garden at Waterperry Gardens just outside Oxford city centre is home to hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers and ground cover roses. The latter may vary in size, ‘Pheasant’ covering a large area, whilst the pink ‘Surrey’ is much smaller, and free-flowering. The roses are grown both by themselves and as companions to other plants such as Irises, which provide early interest before the roses are in full bloom.

Take in the scent of the contemporary Rose Garden with its viewing platform overlooking the roses as well as the garden beyond at Savill Garden and immerse yourself in the old fashioned scented French musk roses inter-planted with a wide range of shrubs and perennials.

Greys Court near Henley is full of wonderful sights and scents as the roses come into bloom throughout June. The rose garden traces the history of the rose from the early damask varieties to the modern hybrid perennials.

There are around 2,000 roses throughout the gardens at Abbey House Manor Gardens, Malmesbury, with climbers wandering their way through foxgloves and other flowers. Once part of a Benedictine Monastery, the gardens only open on selected dates during the summer months.

The rose arbor provides seating in avenue of white and mauve alliums and white camtasisa at Rookwood Garden, Newbury where you can enjoy a tour with tea lead by the owners.

Set in the beautiful historic grounds of Windsor Great Park, the Royal Windsor Flower Show is a fabulous one-day event on Saturday, 8th June celebrating gardening, nature, cookery, traditional crafts and old fashioned fun. No doubt roses will be one of the main attractions.

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A Night at the Musicals 2

Round & About

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Berkshire

After the success of last year’s fundraising event, Fiona Cox and friends are again taking you on a musical journey

Expect a spectacular evening of musical entertainment at The Croft Hall in Hungerford on Saturday, 29th June.

Get ready to be transported into the magical world of musicals as talented performers take the stage to bring your favourite songs to life.

Following last year’s sell-out smash-hit show, singers and musicians from MTW Gold and friends will delight with songs from the West End and Broadway.

From show-stopping numbers to heartwarming ballads, this event promises to be a night to remember. So grab your friends, family, and musical-loving buddies and come along for a night filled with laughter, joy, and toe-tapping tunes.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the magic of musical theatre up close and personal! There’s also a raffle to buy tickets for with some great prizes up for grabs.

Bring a picnic and enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment from 7.30pm. Doors open 7.15pm.

Tickets £15 plus booking fee. Book at tinyrul.com/mtwgold2

Profits go to SAYes Mentoring, a charity which trains mentors to support youth in transition. Find out more about their work at SAYes Mentoring

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Newbury Spring Festival piano competition winner

Round & About

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Berkshire

The Sheepdrove Piano Competition is one of the highlights of the glorious fortnight of world class in Newbury and the surrounding villages

Now in its 15th year, the annual Sheepdrove Piano Competition – held during Newbury Spring Festival – has been won by Misha Kaploukhii, a student from the Royal College of Music.

Born in 2002, Misha is an alumnus of the Moscow Gnessin College of Music. He is currently studying at the Royal College of Music and is an ABRSM award holder generously supported by the Eileen Rowe Trust, Keyboard Trust, Drake Calleja Trust and The Robert Turnbull Foundation, studying for a Bachelor of Music with Professor Ian Jones. He was thrilled to receive a full scholarship from the Royal College of Music for two years of postgraduate studies.

Image: Milly March

Misha has gained inspiration from lessons and masterclasses with musicians such as Claudio Martínez Mehner,  Dmitri Bashkirov, Jerome Lowenthal, Konstantin Lifschitz and Dame Imogen Cooper. His performances with orchestras around the world include debuts in Cadogan Hall playing Rachmaninov’s First Concerto with YMSO and James Blair, Liszt’s Second Concerto with RCM Symphony Orchestra with Adrian Partington, and a very recent performance of Rachmaninov’s Fourth Concerto performed with the Albion Orchestra.

As a soloist he often performs across London in venues like St Mary’s Perivale, St James Piccadilly and Razumovsky Academy with a wide range of solo and chamber repertoire.

Misha’s recent prizes include RCM Concerto Competition, International Ettlingen Piano Competition, Sheepdrove Piano Competition and the Hopkinson Gold Medal at the Chappel Medal Competition.

The competition, which is open to current students at the UK’s eight major music colleges, does not charge an entry fee to participants and this year celebrated Chopin’s 150th anniversary. After a private first round with just the panel in attendance, the final happened before an audience on Sunday 19th May in the beautiful setting of Sheepdrove Eco Centre, in the rolling Lambourn hills.

Alongside the £3,000 prize money from the Kindersley Prize, Misha Kaploukhii also gave a recital at Newbury Corn Exchange, part of Newbury’s Spring Festival’s popular Young Artist Recital series. Misha also won the audience prize, of £250 (donated by an anonymous donor).

The second prize, of £1,500 (donated by the Greenham Trust), was won by Kasparas Mikuzis a student at the Royal Academy of Music.

The third prize, of £750 (donated by the Friends of Newbury Spring Festival), was won by Yuxuan Zhao, a student at the Royal Northern College of Music.

The fourth prize, of £500 (donated by an anonymous donor), was won by Max Artemenko a student a Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

The Robert Turnbull Piano Foundation winners are Angeliki Giannopoulou from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Xizong Chen from the Royal Northern College of Music.

Mark Eynon, Festival Director, said: “It has been an honour to host some of the best students from the UK’s conservatoires in such a beautiful space. As ever, we witnessed piano playing of incredible standard, and the judges felt that Misha’s performance was particularly impressive this year.

“We are proud to continue to policy of always providing travel, subsistence and accommodation expenses for all competitors, and all four finalists have left with a financial prize. I am forever grateful to the Sheepdrove Trust for their continued generous support for the competition as we celebrate its 15th year.””

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Go wild this June for BBOWT

Round & About

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Berkshire

Do one wild thing every day for a month this summer, as the UK’s biggest free nature challenge returns for its 10th anniversary from June 1st to 30th.

Could you do one thing to connect with nature every day for a month and feel happier and healthier as a result? That is the 30 Days Wild challenge being laid down by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

This June promises to be a bumper 30 Days Wild – people of all ages and abilities are urged to participate and BBOWT are offering free herb seeds and an inspirational guide to everyone who signs up to do one wild thing every day during the month. There are also special packs for schools, businesses and care homes.

Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of BBOWT, said: “With wildlife in crisis across the UK, it seems fair to ask – are we still a nation of nature lovers? I believe the answer is a resounding yes. This year is the 10th anniversary of both 30 Days Wild and my own time with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. Over those 10 years I’ve had the privilege of seeing our communities’ commitment to restoring nature where they live and enjoying all it has to offer. While our first year of running 30 Days Wild saw just over five hundred people sign up across our three countries, last year more than four thousand took on the challenge, which is brilliant.

“This momentum comes as no great surprise – connecting with nature is so important for our sanity and general wellbeing. My top tips to enjoy 30 Days Wild: Sit, walk, run, lay on the grass, look up, look down, fix on something, don’t be afraid to touch or smell it. Smile at the sun, throw your arms out in the rain, get wet, walk barefoot on grass and bare earth, have a cuddle with a tree – be in the moment.”

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, 30 Days Wild encourages individuals, families, schools, and businesses to connect with nature on a daily basis during what many argue is the best month for wildlife spotting. It could be going on a snail safari, eating your breakfast outdoors or closing your eyes to listen for bird song, to more adventurous endeavours such as outdoor yoga or forest bathing. This year’s participants will receive a special 10th anniversary park, designed to make their 30 days even more fun.

The 10th anniversary marks a real milestone for The Wildlife Trusts’ flagship 30 Days Wild initiative. The nature challenge has grown from 12,000 participants nationally in its first year to over half a million last year alone. 30 Days Wild has helped people to get outside, enjoy and connect with nature as part of their everyday lives.

Research has consistently highlighted the positive impact of nature on well-being. A study found a significant increase in people’s health, happiness, and connection to nature through participating in 30 Days Wild. People reported feeling more relaxed, reduced stress levels, and a greater motivation to protect wildlife which lasted long after the campaign ended.

So why not get in touch with your wild side this summer? Sign up today and receive a free pack in the post, plus lots of inspiration for activities: bbowt.org.uk/30-days-wild

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Iconic film flies as magical

Round & About

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Berkshire

An Officer and A Gentlemen will soar into New Theatre Oxford from Monday 27th May until Saturday 1st June. Director Nikolai Foster shares his thoughts.

An Officier and A Gentlemen: The Musical follows the hot-headed and determined naval candidate Zack Mayo (played by Richard Gere in the movie) who has a fiery, passionate relationship with factory worker Paula Pokrifki (Debra Winger on screen) before sweeping her off her feet in the soaringly romantic finale.

The film’s writer Douglas Day Stewart co-wrote the book with Sharleen Cooper Cohen for a musical which had a short run in Sydney in 2012, with original songs by Ken Hirsch and Robin Lerner. Now, Oxford audiences can look forward to a brand new, perhaps surprising, outing, directed by Nikolai Foster.

“I think a lot of people associate it with being cheesy ’80s romcom,” says Nikolai when asked about the stage version of the film… “There’s nothing wrong with a cheesy 80s romcom – and we offer some tasteful cheesy choices in our production – but audiences will be surprised by the depth of this story and how moving the show is. It is genuinely uplifting because we invest in the lives of these characters and care about them.

“Audiences will be surprised by the depth of this story”

“It delicately charts the lives and experiences of working class people in Pensacola, Florida. In some ways these appear to be ordinary and unremarkable lives but the characters created by writer Douglas Day Stewart (based on his own experiences) have remarkable stories to tell. When you throw a load of ’80s pop hits into this world, it truly is uplifting and sings in the way only a musical can. The songs in our show don’t propel the narrative forward but express something of the characters’ inner lives and emotions that they are unable to speak in their everyday lives. The music heightens the emotions.

“All of these characters are seeking some kind of escape, including from a factory which doesn’t allow women to move up the hierarchy. In our play Casey Seeger is the first woman in history to ‘get jets’ and Lynette believes her only escape from an abusive, alcohol-soaked home life is literally on the wings of a naval aviator.

“This is a completely new production, created by our incredible team at Curve. Alongside original screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart we have worked with his writing partner Sharleen Cooper Cohen and the team at Jamie Wilson Productions to take the film from screen to stage. It’s been an exhilarating ride for all of us – almost as exciting in taking off in a fighter jet!”

To book your tickets visit atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

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All Angels

Round & About

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Berkshire

What better way to celebrate English Wine Week, June 15th to 23rd, than be raising a glass from one of our finest local vineyards.

All Angels vineyard sits in 31 acres of rolling Berkshire countryside around the small village of Enborne. Just five minutes from the centre of Newbury. A breath-taking world away from the hustle and bustle of the town. All Angels not only sells premium quality English Sparkling Wines! They also offer guided Tours & Tastings at the vineyard and Private & Corporate event experiences.

Boasting views over the site of the First Battle of Newbury, Beacon Hill, Watership Down, Highclere Castle and Coombe Hill, the vineyards and surrounding land hold an incredible history dating back to the 12th century. This includes several eras of civil and world wars and playing home to some of history’s most influential figures, such as Colonel Joyce, William Marshal and the 101st US Airborne.

The Darley family bought Church Farm in 2009. Inspired by friends with a successful vineyard much further north, and a confident analysis by one of the country’s leading viticultural consultancy firms – “Perfectly aligned, south-facing slopes of four to six degrees providing optimal sunlight exposure; free draining sandy loam over green sand with warming gravel and flint; ideal growing conditions for optimal grape ripening” – they began the business of growing grapes and producing wine.

Since then, Mark Darley has retired from his City job. Now focusing all his attention on refining the brand All Angels. Including by:
• An uncompromising dedication to outstanding quality in the vineyard, winery and bottle. From how the vines, and hand-selected grape varieties are nurtured and concentrated throughout the year. Using some of Britain’s best winemakers and facilities, to the elite Traditional Method of secondary fermentation in bottle.
• A firm belief in Single Vintage, Single Estate wines as the truest reflection of the year’s growing season and the vineyard’s land and ecology. Only grapes grown in their vineyards are used in All Angels wines.
• A deep-rooted ethos for sustainability and ensuring that the land and the ecosystem is improved year on year. This includes the creation of multiple wildlife ponds. A 5 acre wildflower meadow and a 250 tree orchard, amongst many other modern and traditional sustainability projects.
The tireless work ethic, dedication to detail and passion for stunning, premium quality, fine sparkling wine is now starting to pay off. The industry is finding out just how good the wines of All Angels are…
• In April, esteemed wine critic Matthew Jukes, published his thoughts in a recent article in Vineyard Magazine. “The wines are exemplary…The rare quality at All Angels is patience… All Angels deserves to be a household name…”
• Speaking of household names, Oz Clarke included All Angels Classic Cuvée 2014 Long Aged in his top three for the London Wine Fair in 2022 and in 2023 the most recent Classic Cuvée, the 2015 vintage won 3 prestigious industry awards: Gold at both the WineGB Awards 2023 and at the Drinks Business Global Sparkling Masters Awards 2023 and Best Wine for the Thames & Chilterns Region.
• The areas top Chefs’ are also supporting the growth of this local flavour sensation. Bringing All Angels into their listings and dishes to complement the outstanding cuisine they’re crafting. These include Tom Scade of The Vineyard Hotel Group, Henry Ireson of Damson Restaurant and MasterChef 2020 winner Thomas Frake, who has recently moved to the area.

You can find more information on All Angels at www.allangels.com, including information on buying their wines, how to join a Tour & Tasting or how to host a private event at the vineyards.

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Biodiversity Fun

Round & About

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Berkshire

This May half term, The Lexicon has teamed up with garden and nature specialists Little Muddy Boots, to demystify the meaning of biodiversity for children, in a fun and engaging way.

From Friday, May 24 to Sunday, June 2, 2024, visitors to Bracknell town centre can embark on the Little Things Count trail, where they will discover fascinating facts about bugs, bees, blooms, birds, and butterflies.

In addition to the educational experience, participants have the opportunity to win two fabulous hampers from The Lexicon. On Tuesday, May 28, Berkshire Birds of Prey will grace The Lexicon with their majestic presence, offering visitors an unforgettable close encounter with these magnificent birds. Furthermore, CBBC’s Blue Peter Gardener, Skinny Jean Gardener, will lead a day filled with wildflower seed sowing, education, music, and fun on both Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Little Muddy Boots will host a series of engaging workshops from May 28 to June 1, 2024, providing children with the chance to discover how small actions can make a significant impact on local wildlife. These workshops offer various activities, including exploring, planting, and crafting items such as bug hotels, wildflower seed bombs, and bird snacks to take home.

Sue Boor, head of marketing at The Lexicon, expresses hope that this fun and educational initiative will help children comprehend the crucial roles played by different forms of life in maintaining environmental health. Additionally, a dedicated web page featuring short educational videos and downloadable activity sheets has been created to further children’s learning about bugs, bees, blooms, birds, and butterflies.

For more information about Little Things Count and details on how to book for the different workshops please visit https://www.thelexiconbracknell.com/

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St George’s School Windsor Castle honoured

Round & About

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Berkshire

Two nominations for the ‘Oscars of education’

St George’s School Windsor Castle is delighted to have been shortlisted for two national Tes Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of education’.

The school has been nominated in both the Independent School of the Year and Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year categories.

The Tes Schools Awards recognises the very best teachers and schools from both the state and independent sectors, across early years settings, primary and secondary.

St George’s School Windsor Castle is delighted to have been shortlisted for two national Tes Awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of education’.

“In a truly exceptional few years, the school has become the first standalone prep school in the UK authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, in addition to becoming a Full Member of Round Square, achieving World Class School status in High Performance Learning and a Distinction in the Green Flag Award. The introduction of our Peer Listening programme has also paid significant dividends as part of an overarching strategy to ensure that while delivering our pioneering curriculum, we are also prioritising the positive mental health of our students.”

The shortlist was compiled by a panel of expert judges, including school leaders and experts. The schools and teachers they chose showcase the best of education across the sector within 21 award categories, covering all areas of school education.

Winners will be announced on 21st June at a gala awards night in London. To find the shortlist online, please visit www.tes.com/en-gb/schools-awards.

Further information about St George’s School Windsor Castle can be found at www.stgwindsor.org

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South Hill Park shows in June

Round & About

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Berkshire

Whether you’re looking for a show to see with your family or a side-splitting night of stand up, South Hill Park has you covered

The official start to summer at South Hill Park will be host to outdoor adventures, evenings of all kinds of music and newly invigorated theatre.

Join us for MJ The Legacy on Sat 1 June starring CJ, one of the world’s greatest Michael Jackson tribute artists, with his incredible live band and dancers. The look, the voice, the moves and all the hits.

On Sun 2 June, The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle is taking place on South Hill Park’s grounds. This funny, exciting family musical is performed with flair and wit by Illyria in the great outdoors.

From the quote attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Ed Byrne tests that formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs on Wed 5 June in the Wilde Theatre.

Conservatoire International Concert Series welcomes back Yasmin Rowe on Fri 7 June. She will be offering a lovely programme of Debussy, Gershwin, Ravel and Henselt.

Apples in Winter – a powerful, challenging and compassionate play about justice, forgiveness and unconditional love. Set to mesmerise audiences of the Studio Theatre on Fri 7 June.

Prepare yourself for an evening of laughter with The Comedy Cellar every Friday at 8pm – the UK’s longest-running Comedy Club outside of London. This month’s stand-up will take place on Fri 7, Fri 14, Fri 21 & Fri 28 June. Make sure to book your tickets in advance, grab a refreshment from the bar and enjoy a hilarious show in the atmospheric Cellar Bar.

Festival of Food and Music 2024! Food, tribute acts and live music. Attractions include craft stalls, food market, outside bar, children’s activities and face-painting. This event is FREE to attend but our vendors will charge for their products and services.

Celebrating Céline, the ultimate Céline Dion tribute concert with an incredible full live band and starring the highly acclaimed vocalist, January Butler. Taking the stage in the Wilde Theatre on Wed 12 June.

On Wed 12 June in the Cellar Bar, we welcome Man Made Soul; an experienced six-piece band specialising in soul, Northern Soul and R’n’B from the 60s and 70s.

Bracknell Jazz this month is placing the spotlight on the Adam Dyer Quartet featuring Duncan Eagles, a saxophonist described by JazzWise as “Fast becoming one of the most exciting players emerging on the UK jazz scene.”

A Celebration of 40 Years – The Wilde Theatre on Fri 14 June. Join founding director Peter Stark, former director Gavin Henderson CBE and guests for an evening of nostalgia in celebration of the Wilde’s Theatre’s 40th anniversary. Discover how it all began from its conception, design and construction, to its opening (by Princess Anne), first performance and growing success.

Join us in the Studio Theatre on Tue 18 – Sat 22 June for a neon adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night from Studio Theatre Productions. Follow the laughable adventures of an eccentric cast of characters as they navigate the complexities of love and identity in a small coastal town.

A Night of Blues ‘n’ Boogie on Thu 20 June. A wonderfully varied and entertaining night of blues. Three great acts showcasing the superb talents of Joe Mac New Orleans solo piano, the formidable acoustic American roots and blues duo Stompin’ Dave and Earl Jackson and the ever-popular contemporary electric blues of Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion.

A particularly welcome return of Ji Liu to the International Concert Series who gave our very first Conservatoire concert 11 years ago. He returns, Fri 21 June, with a varied programme of Schubert (his speciality), Rzewski’s Cotton Mill Blues and the Piano Sonata (2019) by leading American composer, Philip Glass.

This month’s Wilde Sundays present Jess Tuthill + Mayor of Dorkshire + Bryony Heart on Sun 23 June. Get ready for hilarious original songs and personal takes on powerful pop, all blended into an afternoon of acoustic tunes.

The students of Artemis College present Our House: The Madness Musical on Thu 27 – Sat 29 June. This Olivier Award-winning musical by Tim Firth is a high-energy fun love story featuring the hits of Madness.

Back by popular demand, it’s a drag queen and international cabaret legend, Fonda Cox in the Cellar Bar on Thu 27 June. With a career that has spanned three decades, Fonda Cox is a larger-than-life performer who has left a trail of glitter across the stages of Europe.

Conservatoire International Concert Series’ third session of the month brings pianist Yehuda Inbar on Fri 28 June. He performs a beautifully chosen programme that includes music by Mozart, Schumann (his Scenes from Childhood), Debussy and concludes with Schubert’s masterly Sonata in A minor.

Book a tour of South Hill Parts Art Centre and explore behind the scenes of the mansion and theatre. You will be able to visit different rooms and venue spaces whilst learning about the history of the Arts Centre and some exciting upcoming performances. This month the tours are at 12pm & 2pm on Sun 16 June.

Don’t forget to check out the South Hill Park cinema and enjoy screenings of the latest releases, family-friendly films, live/recorded performances and more. Why not make a day of it by enjoying a dinner before a show in the Atrium Bar & Restaurant?

You can book tickets to our shows, events, and screenings at South Hill Park.

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