London City Ballet at Theatre Royal

Liz Nicholls

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Berkshire

Liz Nicholls

Resurgence tour comes to Windsor for three performances, August 9th and 10th, after 30-year break

London City Ballet, the new company of celebrated dancers from around the world, will return to touring after a break of almost 30 years, arriving at the Theatre Royal Windsor.

Formerly the resident company of Sadler’s Wells, and internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading dance collectives, the prolific touring company was famously patronised by Diana, Princess of Wales. The original London City Ballet closed its doors in 1996 after 18 years of operations.

The Resurgence tour includes performances at many of the former company’s beloved venues in the UK, including the Theatre Royal Windsor. The company will also perform in Italy, Portugal, China and New York. The UK tour concludes at Sadler’s Wells in London in September.

London City Ballet is a touring company for a new generation bringing their experience and artistry to the stage, presenting engaging stories through dance. Under the direction of Artistic Director Christopher Marney (former principal dancer at New Adventures and director of the Joffrey Ballet Studio Company of Chicago), the company will present a programme of acclaimed works by British choreographers including the revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s 1972 one-act ballet Ballade, unseen in Europe for over 50 years.

The repertoire also includes Ashley Page’s Larina Waltz marking the ballet’s 30th anniversary, and Olivier award-winner Arielle Smith premieres a new creation Five Dances. A full company work by Christopher Marney called Eve, which premiered at Sadler’s Wells in 2022, will close the evening.

Christopher Marney has spent two years rebuilding London City Ballet with insights from its early pioneers. The works selected for the 2024 international tour pay homage to the company’s roots in the form of rarely seen archival footage. The Resurgence tour is shaped by the repertoire selected and to highlight the re-launch of this famous dance company.

He said: “London City Ballet informed my own career. Seeing the company perform as a child stimulated my enthusiasm for the artform.

“I am drawn to reviving past repertoire of influential choreographers alongside presenting dynamic new works from current dance talent.”

Christopher continues: “The Resurgence tour offers audiences the chance to enjoy some of the most compelling dancers from around the world perform choreography rarely seen, many of whom are former principals from leading dance companies. We’re a progressive and diverse company celebrating exceptional dancers presenting engaging work for a new generation.”

The company comprises 14 dancers, many of whom are former principals from leading dance companies. This international troupe originate from countries including Brazil, South Korea, UK, Romania, Canada, Spain and from ballet companies including the Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Ballet Black, San Francisco Ballet, Staatsballet Berlin and ENB.

Performances: Friday 9th @ 7.30pm and Saturday 10th @ 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets: £23.50-£39.50. Book at Resurgence – Theatre Royal Windsor

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Water, water everywhere…

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Artist Helen Grimbleby unveils the next ‘episode’ of her Nature Sketchbook

August. Long school summer holidays in full flow. Seaside trips. Rock pooling, crabbing, fishing, sea swims, fish and chips, ice-cream.

Dip a bucket to find treasure; maybe shrimps, anemones, limpets, snails and crabs. Perhaps hiding in the seaweed, a starfish, a magical creature, textured moon rock, always holding form and what a beautiful form it is. Gently return the sea creatures to their rock pool home to refresh when sea water comes in or travel on the next tide.

If you don’t find a crab in a pool, dangle a line from the harbour and see what bites. Take care! Their claws can nip.

Carefully swim, not too far now. Or snorkel. There’s a whole mysterious world just below the surface.

Ice-cream can be so nice and cool on a hot summer’s day, especially for cheeky herring gulls.

The ocean is hugely important to “Regulate rainfall and droughts, hold 97% of our planet’s water, and absorb CO2, help keep the carbon cycle in balance. From food to jobs, it’s a lifeline for billions of people, too” (World Economic Forum)

All is not well with our water systems. 75% of UK rivers pose a risk to human health. Only 14% of the UK’s rivers are in good ecological health, even then, they fail to meet chemical standards. Read more from The Rivers Trust or Surfers Against Sewerage. Significant polluters are often large organisations. We can care and be responsible for how we use our sewerage systems. Better to start somewhere, no?

De-stress. Walk along a river or a canal. Rest by a beautiful lake or pond.

Dragon flies, damsel flies, kingfishers are just a few streaks of bright colour you might see. According to scientific research being around water is fantastic for our emotional and psychological well being and an antidote to our often otherwise frenetic lives.

“Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.” Stewart Udall

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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Take a seat on the HelloBench

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Give a warm welcome to the HelloBench – reset a while, chat and beat loneliness with the new initiative in Woodley & Wokingham

Sit down and have a chat – that’s the simple invitation going out around Woodley and Wokingham in a bid to combat loneliness and help people to make connections.

The initiative called HelloBench will see plaques placed on benches in parks, town precincts and shopping areas inviting you to ‘sit down and have a chat’ and encourage people to ‘get us all talking to each other”.

One of those behind the project is Aliya Musa. She explains a little more about the idea: “Loneliness and depression are close bed fellow and here in Woodley and Wokingham, a grass roots initiative is growing to get us all talking to each other, maybe a little bit more.

“To scoop up those of us, who find it not so easy to start a conversation. It’s for people who for whatever reason find themselves on the margins. Maybe you spend quite a lot of time on your own at home, maybe you are a new mum, maybe someone who works from home, maybe you’re retired. No matter your age, if you’re lonely perhaps you haven’t even noticed it creep up on you.”

In 2018, the Government published a strategy to combat just this problem and many organisations, both central and local government, have been investing in and implementing programmes to reduce the stigma around loneliness. The 2023 Campaign to End Loneliness report acknowledged the effect Covid had on the issue and believes people need to be more connected.

There are already programmes to combat loneliness in the local community with over 50s clubs, ‘chatty tables’ in cafes, lunch clubs and outreach programmes, many of which were set up during the Covid lockdown and continue and others which Aliya concedes have fallen by the wayside adding there’s always room for more.

Friendship benches or buddy benches are not a new idea and many already exist in schools.

The initiative was launched on July 13th, two days after World Loneliness Day. HelloBench benches will all be labelled clearly and marked on Google maps which you’ll be able to find on the Facebook page. Aliya says: “The hope is that even if one or two people are helped each week on these benches – that’s a worthwhile hello.”

She issued a special thanks to Vicky Cooke, owner of Vammahs Print and Design who has provided the signs for the benches and a banner on T-shirts on launch day last month.

More benches are welcome and if anyone in the locality, wants one in their area, just get in touch, support is available to make that happen. Visit HelloBench – Facebook for more details.

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Eighties fun at The Lexicon

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

Enjoy an 80s style roller disco rink, follow the sticker trail and take your seat for top class sporting action this summer at The Lexicon

Embrace the retro colour and music vibes of the 80s with a fabulous roller disco at The Lexicon this summer holidays.

The roller disco will open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until September 8th, with bookable 30 minute sessions throughout the day.

Sensory-friendly sessions, featuring quieter music and dimmed lighting will also be available at 11am every day the rink is open.

The Summer Sticker Trail is open to everyone guiding you around the town centre, searching for 10 huge old-style stickers placed in shop window. Not only is it a fun, free activity but there is also the chance to win one of five £200 gift cards from The Lexicon.

The sports screen on The Avenue will remain until September 8th, showing live screenings of Wimbledon, The Olympics, and the Paralympics at a temporary sports terrace located opposite Pandora.

There’s plenty of tables and chairs, so grab your favourite snacks and drinks, perhaps a couple of friends, sit back and enjoy the sporting entertainment.

For younger visitors, The Gruffalo, Paddington™ and Bluey & Bingo will all be visiting The Lexicon this summer. Meet The Gruffalo on 5th, Bluey & Bingo activation on 12th and Paddington™ story narration, 19th.

The character visits are free, but space is limited, so booking is required.

Another free favourite is also back this summer with The Lexicon Summer Proms on Saturday, 7th September, from noon to 7pm.

Sue Boor, head of marketing at The Lexicon, says: “We hope that the range of activities that we are running throughout the school holidays will appeal not only to children but also to adult visitors to the town centre, whether rolling skating, watching sport, listening to local entertainers or following the trail.”

Susan Halliwell, chief executive of Bracknell Forest Council, added: “There’s lots going on at The Lexicon this summer to encourage people to come along, get active, be entertained and explore our wonderful town centre. I hope as many people as possible come along and enjoy the fun.”

For more information and booking details, please visit The Lexicon Shopping, Bracknell, Berkshire.

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Dench and Blumenthal support OxTrail

Karen Neville

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Berkshire

OxTrail host Sobell House Hospice has collaborated with famous names to create a very special sculpture as part of the trail

The herd of more than 130 oxen have taken over Oxfordshire on the OxTrail and one of those attracting attention is Postb-ox.

The very special calf-sized sculpture features signatures and messages from celebrities, musicians, actors and authors.

The incredible art collection, made up of 31 large oxen sculptures and 107 mini oxen, has been unveiled. Each of the large oxen is uniquely decorated and place in key locations in the city, with the smaller oxen in mini herds throughout the county.

The large oxen have been designed by international and UK artists – including children’s illustrator Korky Paul and author David Melling. One of the community-lead mini-herd is causing quite a stir.

Decorated with the doodles, scribbling and signatures, the oxen are patterned in postcards from some of Oxfordshire’s famous residents and friends including notes from Dame Judi Dench, Heston Blumenthal, Mel Geidroyc, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead and Prue Leith.

Families can explore the city and spot the oxen in and around the county, following the trail using the app or map. For those hunting for Postb-ox, it can be found in the out-patients window at Sobell House Hospice on the site of the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

Around 85 schools and community groups are taking part in OxTrail as part of the mini oxen sculptures too, which will be displayed libraries, hotels and community spaces.

And keep your eyes peeled for the ‘mini-mini oxen’ which can be found in the windows of the Oxford Story Museum, and other specially designed mini oxen including two from noted interior designer Annie Sloan CBE.

The OxTrail art will be on display until the end of August. On Friday 13th September the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for the hospice. Postb-ox will be up for auction too, along with a scrapbook containing all the original notes and drawings from the celebrities.

For more information on OxTrail head to https://oxtrail2024.co.uk/

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Urgent plea for families in need

Round & About

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Berkshire

Could you help The Link Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting children affected by domestic violence, bereavement, disability and poverty?

This amazing volunteer-powered local charity is currently experiencing an unprecedented demands for beds, cots and mattresses. The team are looking to partner with businesses and individuals who want to make a difference in our community.

Is there a challenge you have always fancied taking? Are you a business which could hold a team building fundraiser? Perhaps you fancy joining The Link Foundation as they raise awareness and funds at the Maidenhead Boundary Walk?

The team, who help families in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, are always excited to brainstorm ideas on how they could work together to provide all the beds needed to give local kids a good night’s sleep.

Please call 01628 400600 or donate at The Link Foundation – JustGiving

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Welcome Spaces project for Bracknell Forest

Liz Nicholls

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Berkshire

Your local Friendship Ambassador, Laura, has been working hard to set up the Welcome Spaces Project for Bracknell Forest.

The purpose of this project is to encourage community, connection and friendship across the borough, by offering spaces where anyone can attend for free to relax, detox and destress, try new activities, and meet new people.

Throughout summer, the team are running various events including picnics and outdoor communal living rooms.

You can find out more about these events and upcoming dates and locations at Bracknell Welcome Spaces 🌈 – Involve Community Services

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High Score opening at The Lexicon

Round & About

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Berkshire

Ready, set, go! Family-fun in abundance at Bracknell’s new free-play gaming centre

School’s out! And, as the summer holidays kick off, High Score opened its latest location at The Lexicon shopping centre in Bracknell. At the launch weekend on the 20th and 21st July eager kids (and adults) were treated to a meet and greet with Mario & Luigi and were invited to Spin the Wheel for prizes. Inside, a gaming wonderland awaited providing endless fun for all ages.

High Score is packed with over 100 games that are all set to free play which means you can have unlimited goes for the duration of your 60-minute session without the need to keep feeding the machines with more coins. All the amusements are rated under 18 so it is a safe environment for the whole family to get involved.

Games range from retro classics to modern titles with an area dedicated to under 7s that includes fairground amusements and air hockey. Legendary favourites such as Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and Candy Crush all feature, and as a child of the 80’s, I loved reminiscing with a game of Pac Man. Avoiding those pesky ghosts and filling up on flashing dots was elevated by playing it on a giant floor-to-ceiling screen.

My six-year-old son was hooked on Harpoon Lagoon which has up to four players so we could all try our luck at catching the biggest fish. He was easily able to get the hang of this game and even caught a shark for top points. As a huge Nerf fan, he also had a blast shooting targets for high scores at the Nerf Arcade machine.

Our whole family went head-to-head on the multiplayer racers with my husband thrashing me on both the superbike and supercar leader boards. However, I managed to redeem myself by pulling off some sick tricks on the Winter X Games SnoCross.

The price for a 60-minute session is £11.95 per person which is great value for unlimited play. A wealth of games and controlled sessions meant that there was no need to queue for any machines and we thoroughly enjoyed an hour of continuous action.

To book a session at High Score Bracknell visit – The Lexicon Bracknell

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Intriguing theatre in Hampstead highlight: review

Round & About

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Berkshire

Image by: Marc Brenner

Jonathan Lovett reviews Visit from an Unknown Woman, which is on at Hampstead Theatre until Saturday, 27th July

A young woman in a black dress stands slightly swaying with her back to the audience as we enter. The plays begins, and without a word, she starts to investigate the elegant, minimalist flat which she’s been standing outside and which seems to have transfixed her. To the side, outside of the flat, are a great pile of wilted roses. She exits and is replaced by a slightly older woman in the same black dress who is excitedly chatting to the flat’s owner who is also to be her handsome companion for the night.

It’s an intriguing opening and for the first half of this 70-minute play we’re involved in a graceful guessing game of identity and dances in time.

Image by: Marc Brenner

Image by: Marc Brenner

Based on a Stefan Zweig short story adaptor Christopher Hampton (the author of numerous plays and screenplays including Dangerous Liaisons and Atonement) initially captivates with his imaginative take on this tale of life in Vienna in the early 1930s under the shadow of Nazism. A man and woman meet seemingly for the first time… she returns and tells him they actually met before… he can’t remember and then her story becomes more incredible… and who is the young girl who haunts the action?

The narrative of Zweig’s story is jumbled so the chronology is out of order and the satisfaction of working out the exact timeline is enjoyable. Unfortunately, however, it is too slight. The short running times does not help but I’ve seen wonderful 60-minute plays that are packed with incident and once the central revelation is apparent this feels under-nourished and under-powered. Indeed, in ambition it seems more suited to Hampstead’s smaller Downstairs space.

What I will remember is the direction by Chelsea Walker – the movement, lighting and music often has the quality of a dream – and the central performance by Natalie Simpson as the woman. Simpson effectively contrasts Walker’s direction with a wonderful naturalistic performance in which the audience is swept along by a wave of emotion as her past and reasons for being in this flat are revealed. She is compelling while, ultimately, the material is not.

Hampstead Theatre box office: 020 7722 9301.

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Bear Grylls praises Woodley 1st Scouts

Liz Nicholls

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Berkshire

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Chief Scout Bear Grylls OBE has written to praise the 1st Woodley Scout Group who, in the last 18 months, have opened a second Scout troop and a second Beaver colony. Here’s his letter to us…

I can’t believe it’s already been 18 months since 1st Woodley Scout Group opened in their second Scout troop. What an amazing team they are, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything they’ve achieved.

In that time, they’ve welcomed over 20 young people. They’ve equipped them with skills for life – helping them play their part in the local community. They’ve learnt the power of believing in themselves and others and how together they can do so much more.

They’ve camped together, cooked together, learn digital skills; discovered more about their area and helped bring the community closer together too. They’ve met new and different people outside their school and local area helping them gain new perspectives. Scouts has given them the courage to learn more, do more and be more.

I’m so proud of everything 1st Woodley has achieved – not least the incredible kindness and generosity of our adult volunteers who make it possible. These are ordinary people from local communities who make an extraordinary difference. They have also opened a new Beaver colony.

To be a volunteer in Scouts you don’t need incredible outdoor skills or know how to use a map and compass. We can teach you all that. What’s really needed is a smile, patience and willingness to share a little time to help others. I promise you’ll get back ten times what you put in – including new skills, new friends and renewed sense of the difference we can make when we work together.

The team at 1st Woodley have already done so much in just 18 months. But just think what they can do in another year! They’re unstoppable and I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way. Be part of this amazing success story and volunteer today.

Congratulations and very well done to all our Scouts and volunteers (past, present and future!)

Bear Grylls OBE
Chief Scout

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