Talent showcase

Round & About

Activities & Events

Liz Allard from Godalming Performing Arts Festival tells us what to expect as this year’s extravaganza gets under way later this month celebrating the best of young local talent

The Godalming Performing Arts Festival is held each year in February and March and provides performance opportunities for students of all ages in dance, music and speech & drama.

As usual, this year the dance element will be the first event in the festival held between 17th and 22nd February at St Catherine’s School, Bramley, in their splendid auditorium. The dance classes will be a visual feast as they include solos, duets, trios/quartets and larger groups in various different genres such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre and tap. There is something there for everybody. Music, which covers events for piano, organ, strings, and wind & brass, is scheduled at various dates and venues between 2nd and 23rd March in and around Godalming, with Speech & Drama classes held on 16th March at St Hilary’s School in Godalming.

Audiences are always welcome, with admission charges from £3 for adults (children free), with full details of the festival timetable and venues on our website: Godalming Performing Arts Festival – Godalming Performing Arts Festival

Competitive music festivals like this have an important role in education allowing performances in front of an audience and to obtain feedback from an expert adjudicator, a valuable experience which can build confidence. Early practice at performing in public is especially important for students considering a career in the performing arts , and many past participants at Godalming have entered the profession. For example, the 2025 organ adjudicator, Jonathan Hope, was a teenage competitor and is now Assistant Director of Music at Gloucester Cathedral. Some competitors in previous festivals now teach and send their own pupils to participate. Adult amateurs are also catered for, with classes for all levels of attainment.  

Not everyone enjoys a competitive setting, and with that in mind the current syllabuses for the music sections now include non-competitive classes designed to give minimum pressure and maximum encouragement to all students. There are non-competitive classes aimed at those taking the Associated Board grade exams, and also classes for small ensemble performances (2-9 players) which can be treated as practice for GCSE music syllabus.   

The Godalming Festival is run by a committee of volunteers who take on various portfolios. Chairman Mike Goodridge explains: “Our festival relies on the good services of numerous volunteers, without whom this festival could not take place.  I hope that the volunteers get enjoyment in knowing that they are supporting budding artistic young people and can listen to their music, watch their dance and listen to their speech. The young participants get so much out of it, which gives great satisfaction to our volunteers who don’t necessarily have to be musicians themselves.” 

As the scope of the festival continues to grow, we are always looking for people to join in the organization and stewards are always required to successfully run the events. If you are interested in getting involved in any way with the festival, contact details are on our website: Godalming Performing Arts Festival – Godalming Performing Arts Festival 


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Jazz & Blues Weekender’s Maff Potts

Karen Neville

Activities & Events

Maff Potts is one of the team members behind Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender Friday 14th – Sunday 16th February

Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz 14-16th February 2025

Hi Maff… what is the Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender? 

Topline –  it is a weekend of live Blues and Jazz music to brighten up the winter months. Music for every age group and hosted at over 14 venues in Wallingford.   It encourages a love of music, accessible to all and supports our local hospitality businesses. And the best news is that 80% of the events are FREE.   

Why should readers come along? 

The top billing must go to the Grandfather of UK Jazz – Art Themen. He’s the one who was gifted Ronnie Scott’s tenor saxophone! This year for Valentine’s night you don’t need to go to Ronnie Scott’s as he will be at our local Wallingford Corn Exchange, performing with local Jazz legends Fleur Stevenson and Denny Ilett. At a ticket price of only £20.  These tickets will make a very hot date – and at that price will go very quickly. Book your tickets here (https://www.cornexchange.org.uk/whats-on/my-funny-valentine/).  

This venue is not the only one featuring high-end, world-class musicians. You will find them performing gutsy raw blues and smooth jazz in your favourite pubs, clubs and restaurants, as well as theatre style in the much-loved Corn Exchange and Masonic Hall. Find the full schedule of events and venues here – https://wallywinterbluesnjazz.co.uk/. 

Who will enjoy the events? 

Simply everyone – who doesn’t love live music and especially Blues and Jazz.  The event is running over 3 days, and it aims to be all-inclusive for the broadest of audiences.  We even have gigs for the teens – including Conrad the 19 year old HipHop star playing at the George Hotel, and I’ll be leading Sousaphone Madness for kids in the Market place on Saturday morning. 

What is so special about this three day weekender of live music events? 

The music is as wide and broad as we can make it, using community spaces throughout town and even the church is offering jazz by candlelight with the renowned Vintskevich Kershaw Trio. 

Times may be hard but 80 per cent of the gigs are FREE. So where else can you see top talent like Art Themen for £20 and Rachel Caladine or Jon Amor for a tenner. It also combines supporting our wide range of local hospitality venues.  

 How did it start..and who runs it? 

This is the second year of running and it promises to be even bigger and better.  

The idea was originally initiated by a Wallingford Town Councillor who saw an opportunity to promote the town and support local businesses. The Crowmarsh Jazz Club were approached to see if it was something that they could organise and run, and from those initial conversations, the first Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender was successfully launched in February 2024.   

It is now run by a small team of hardworking music loving and performing organisers, and a team of energetic volunteers. All the ticket money generated at the paid for events is used to contribute to the musical talent at the other venues. Enabling us to offer 80% of the events for free. 

What would you say personally to encourage our readers to come along? 

During the pandemic, I realised how important music both as a listener and a player was in my life. Simply put, I can’t live without it. The pandemic took live music away for a while, and as a result I hope we all appreciate it even more.  A great local post pandemic success story was the creation of the Crowmarsh Jazz Club – where every gig has sold out from the beginning.  As a consequence, we now have this amazing Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender 14th– 16th Feb offering the opportunity of seeing top talent at very accessible prices within venues throughout our local community. A ray of positive sunshine in the winter months.  What is there not to love.  Come along – I guarantee you will keep coming back for more. 


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Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz Festival

Karen Neville

Activities & Events

Listen to incredible musicians in venues across Wallingford, February 14th-16th

Back by popular demand, Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender 2025 will be running again over February 14th, 15th & 16th.

The three days will be packed with 35 performances, across multiple locations in Wallingford and the best news is that 80% of the events are free to enjoy!

Valentine’s night on the 14th offers jazz duos playing at local venues – The George Hotel and The Coachmakers Arms, and a few minutes walk away at the Corn Exchange there will be stars from London’s Ronnie Scott’s playing My Funny Valentine and other love songs for a romantic evening. 

With a change of audience on Saturday, Sousaphone madness will offer a fun musical experience for children. Elsewhere in the town, you will find a touch of Sarah Vaughan, some heavy funk and blues and some toe tapping Gypsy jazz. There is something for every age and taste, even night owls who may opt to finish at the funk & soul disco. 

Sunday will be an opportunity for, literally, an upbeat start at 10am with the family drum circle. Alternatively, you may prefer to opt for a relaxing, soulful Sunday afternoon listening to a top vocalist, the community choir or more Blues to close the weekend. 

For further detail on the full programme of events, venues and tickets and to book where necessary, please go to: cornexchange.org.uk and Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz 14-16th February 2025

Wallingford Winter Blues & Jazz Weekender 2025 offers an entertaining affordable musical weekend with something for everyone. 


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Chorister for a day at CCCS

Round & About

Activities & Events

Youngsters sing to become part of 500 years of history

Christ Church Cathedral School has recently enjoying its annual ‘Chorister for a Day’ event, which invites young hopefuls from across the country to experience being a part of this world-famous Cathedral Choir.

In 1525, when Cardinal Wolsey founded Cardinal College (which later became Christ Church), little would he have known that half a millennium later the School would still be educating young choristers in his old house on St Aldates. And it is this prospect of joining the illustrious Cathedral Choir which drew families to the School and Cathedral at the weekend, for a fun afternoon with the current pupils and the Director of Cathedral Music, Peter Holder.

Peter joined Christ Church last year from Westminster Abbey, and before that St Paul’s Cathedral. As an Organist he is known to a global audience, having played at the Abbey for both the funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Clearly, the visiting singers were in very capable hands as Peter, along with the School’s Head of Music, Sophie Biddell, guided them through the experience of participating in an Evensong in the Cathedral.

One mother, who had brought her son from Milton Keynes for the day, said that, “he had such a wonderful time, he’d join the Choir tomorrow if he could!”

“After such an exciting day, we’re very much looking forward to welcoming the children and their families back, as they continue through the adventure of becoming our next generation of Cathedral Choristers,” said Headmaster Richard Murray.

The School welcomes enquiries throughout the year from any families interested in finding out more. Get in touch at Private Independent Prep School Oxford or call 01865 242561.


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Celebrate Greenham and Crookham Commons

Karen Neville

Activities & Events

Image: Matilda Larking

Photography competition to showcase the history and wildlife of Greenham and Crookham Commons open for entries

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Greenham and Crookham Commons reopening to the public, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is running a photography competition for all ages to showcase the site’s wildlife and history.

Image: Paul Brennan

Image: Rob Appleby

The overall winner will receive a motion-activated trail camera. These are designed to capture the hidden lives of local wildlife without disturbing their activities. They are the perfect tool for aspiring young Attenboroughs and seasoned wildlife photographers alike.

Greenham Common has a rich history for people and wildlife. Situated on a plateau formed at the end of the last ice age, it has been the home to an abundance of wildlife, as well as being common land for farmers to work on.

In the 20th century, it was repurposed as an RAF airfield and later turned over to the US Air Force. During the Cold War, Greenham Common hit the headlines when thousands of women gathered to protest about the nuclear weapons at the American military air base here. Peace camps were set up at gates around the fenced air base. The Blue Gate peace camp was finally disbanded in 1994.

In 2000, 1.2 million tonnes of concrete and gravel from the old runway were removed, fences came down, cattle and ponies returned to graze freely and the site was reopened to the public.

Today, Greenham Common forms the largest area of lowland heath in West Berkshire. This fragile and threatened habitat is full of special wildlife. Walking around you may be lucky enough to hear nightingales and skylarks, spot over thirty species of butterfly, and see the rare spectacle of hundreds of autumn lady’s-tresses orchids in late-summer, flowering into a snowy white bloom.

In honour of the 25 years since its reopening, BBOWT’s photography competition will celebrate the site’s cultural and environmental heritage.

There are four categories to enter:

• Children (ages 6-11)
• Teens (ages 12-17)
• Wildlife
• History

Photos must have been taken at Greenham and Crookham Commons and must be submitted by Friday 28th February. Winners will be notified in March, and the winning photographs will be announced on 8th April at the 25th anniversary celebrations. The competition is free of charge, and open to all. Enter at Greenham & Crookham Commons 25th Anniversary

BBOWT’s Events Manager, Serena Millen, said: “We take great pleasures in being able to celebrate the beauty of Greenham and Crookham Commons today, 25 years on from its reopening to the public. The site provides a safe home to an abundance of wildlife, as well as being an invaluable outdoor space for our community. This photography competition is an opportunity to showcase the site’s history and wildlife, people’s memories of it, and hopefully to inspire possibilities for what is yet to come!”


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Battle for Monte Natale book

Liz Nicholls

Activities & Events

Beaconsfield author John Strafford’s new book Battle for Monte Natale was inspired by the story of his father Ernest after finding his cross at the Field of Remembrance

One evening in November 2011, John was walking through the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey when he saw a section containing the crosses of his father’s infantry regiment, the York & Lancaster Regiment.

There were, of course, lots of crosses and it was dark so he couldn’t read any names. However he had his camera with him and used the flashlight and zoom. The very first cross he saw was that of his father, Ernest Strafford.

“I was so shocked that tears streamed down my face.” says John, who set himself the challenge of finding out what happened to his father who was killed in action in January 1944. John was only 16 months old at the time and his mother had remarried in 1949. “Fortunately my stepfather treated me as though I was his own son, so I was very happy. I never really felt any desire to talk about my father.”

John was born in Sheffield, but has lived in Bucks for 50 years with his wife Caroline, raising three sons who all went to Thorpe House School and then Dr Challoner’s. John attended Hunters Bar primary and then the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover, which was founded in 1803 for the sons of soldiers. He worked as an accountant for several major companies before starting his own manufacturing business which he sold in 2013.

John and Caroline have played an active part in the local community, including as members of the Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre. John served for Beaconsfield Constituency Conservative Association, of which he is still a member, and he awarded the Cleisthenes Award in 2023 for promoting democracy within the Conservative Party.

The Battle for Monte Natale was part of the bloodiest battle of the Italian Campaign. As part of his decade-long research, John made several visits to the battlefield as well as the National Army Museum, Imperial War Museum and National Archives in Kew to research military records and reports. In 2022 he took part in a television interview shown at the Roman Amphitheatre in Minturno.

“War is terrible and my greatest wish is that conflicts cease and the people of the world learn to live in peace,” adds John. As well as starring at literary festivals this year, John hopes to visit Germany to meet a man who gave him helpful information for the book.

John’s hardback book, containing more than 100 photos and maps, is out now, published by Pen & Sword. His other books include Our Fight for Democracy – A History of Democracy in the United Kingdom.


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Oakmoor School marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Karen Neville

Activities & Events

Students design a candle as part of 80 Candles for 80 Years project

Students at Oakmoor School in Bordon took part in a project to design a special candle holder to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January which remembers the 6 million Jews murdered.

Oakmoor School, part of the University of Chichester Academy Trust, was one of 80 communities across the UK to be asked by the Holocaust Memorial Trust to produce a candle holder as part of its “80 Candles for 80 years” project.

The project is a nationwide arts and education initiative which marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of imprisoned Jews, and other prisoners, from Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

The 80 bespoke candle holder designs focus on the life of an individual or a community persecuted by the Nazis and feature a range of drawings, pictures, words and objects. 

Oakmoor’s candle holder, which was designed by students in Year 8, reflects on the life of Sam Gardner, a Holocaust survivor who survived transportation between many camps.

Last year, Sam Gardner’s daughter, Maralyn Turgel, visited Oakmoor School to tell them about her father’s experiences. 

The Year 8 students’ design consisted of images reflecting the life of Sam Gardner.

The school also wanted to hold its own tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and held a commemorative event at the school, with the candle design on display. 

Nigel Wright, Headteacher at Oakmoor School, said: “Oakmoor School is honoured to have been selected to take part in the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s ‘80 Candles for 80 years’ project and we are very proud of our students’ stunning design work.

“We were also very pleased to come together as a school community to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and I would like to thank everyone who came along to support us.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment not just of reflection on the past, but also of learning for the future, and Oakmoor School is committed to continuing to educate our young people about these tragic events.”


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Plied, not Pride, and Prejudice

Karen Neville

Activities & Events

A very different adaptation of Jane Austen classic will have you reaching for a drink!

A fun night out full of madness and mayhem Plied and Prejudice is a side-splitting parody of Jane Austen’s classic novel, brought to you by a hilariously inappropriate cast of actors and musicians.

Telling the tale of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy as you have seen it before Plied and Prejudice invites you to Pemberley for Mr Darcy’s booziest ball. Equal parts performance and party, this immersive show delivers lots of audience participation complete with dance lessons, inappropriate proposals, free flowing drinks brought to you by the servants, that wet shirt scene and cameos from Keira Knightly (not the real one!).

With five actors scrambling to play 20 characters in this chaotic retelling, all notions of respectable theatre (and Regency etiquette) are thrown out the door! Direct from a sellout run in Australia, this is Pride and Prejudice as the BBC would never abide.

Whether you are an Austen die-hard, or you’d rather be watching Die Hard, you’re sure to love it – most ardently! Bring your eligible bachelors, your unmarried daughters, and the lover you will settle for if your cousin won’t have you, for an unhinged night of love, lust and libations.

Perfect for fans of Jane Austen, Bridgerton, Secret Cinema and Punch Drunk. As the blurb says: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in Regency England must be in want of a very stiff drink

Opening at The Vaults in London on 20th March, Plied and Prejudice will run until 18th May with tickets starting at £19 and available from Plied and Prejudice in London: A comedy theatre show. Using a traverse or catwalk style stage, audience members sit opposite each other on the chequered dancefloor of Pemberley’s ballroom watching the story unfold in front of them.


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The Ivy unveils Valentine’s set menu

Round & About

Activities & Events

For just £65pp guests can enjoy a beautifully curated menu, complete with a Forever Rose to take home

This Valentine’s Day, The Ivy Collection is inviting guests through its doors to celebrate their love stories and enjoy its carefully crafted, three-course Valentine’s Day set menu. Available at restaurants around the UK from 12th to 16th February, the menu includes a starter, main, sides to share and a dessert per person and provides the perfect array of dishes for celebrating the day with a loved one. What’s more, guests who enjoy the Valentine’s Day set menu will also receive a Forever Rose to take home; a beautifully preserved real red rose, presented in an elegant gift box.

To create the Valentine’s Day set menu, The Ivy’s executive chefs have carefully crafted a tempting selection of dishes for guests to enjoy while creating and celebrating their love stories with their significant other. The menu which pulls on decadent flavours and seasonal ingredients, pairs beautifully with the lush and lively palette of Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé, which will also be available for guests to enjoy.

To start, guests can choose from a creamy and indulgent Stilton and Walnut Cheese Soufflé, twice baked in a cream sauce, and The Ivy’s Classic Crispy Duck Salad, with roasted cashew nuts, sesame, watermelon, ginger and hoisin sauce. The Classic Prawn Cocktail with marinated avocado and a tangy Marie Rose sauce is also on the menu and is a perfect celebratory starter for an evening of romance.

When it comes to mains, the menu includes a velvety Foraged Wild Mushroom and Truffle Linguine; Wild mushrooms sautéed to create a sauce with plant-based cream cheese, tossed with linguine and topped with pine nuts, handpicked rocket and shaved truffle. A decadent Chicken Supreme Milanese with Truffle Sauce, consisting of a succulent, crumbed chicken breast topped with a fried hen’s egg and served with parmesan and lamb’s lettuce salad, is also joined by Blackened Cod Fillet and a classic Fillet of Beef (7oz/198g, £4 supplement) as a choice of main.

To finish, the star of the sweets is the delectable Cupid’s Love Heart; a rich and silky white chocolate and vanilla parfait adorned with rose petals, created exclusively for Valentine’s Day by The Ivy’s executive chefs. Guests can also select the iconic Ivy Chocolate Bombe or for something equally tempting, the Crème Brûlée is also part of the selection; Classic set vanilla custard is topped with a caramelised sugar crust, waiting to be cracked with the side of a spoon.

Following an evening of fabulous food and perfect company, guests will not leave empty handed. Each pair who selects the Valentine’s Day set menu will receive a Forever Rose, allowing them to take a piece of their romantic evening at The Ivy home with them. Presented in a beautiful Ivy gift box, the Forever Rose, a real, preserved rose, will last up to three years when cared for, and serves as a symbol of all the enduring love stories that have sparked at The Ivy since its debut in London’s West End over 100 years ago.

The Valentine’s Day set menu will be available at The Ivy Collection restaurants around the UK* between 12th and 16th February and will be a bookable experience on Open Table.

To book, visit https://ivycollection.com/book-a-table/.

To become a member of The Ivy Premier Rewards App, join here: https://theivycollection.app/

The full Valentine’s Day menu for our restaurants can be viewed here: https://ivycollection.com/menus/


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Behind the scenes at Thame Players

Karen Neville

Activities & Events

Visit theatre open day to discover what goes on behind the scenes

If you’ve ever wondered what’s involved in putting on a theatrical production and how it’s staged, go along to Thame Players theatre on Saturday, 1st February.

You’ll be able to see how the theatre works from front of house to backstage and meet some of the (often highly skilled) volunteers who are behind every show put on at the Players Theatre. You’ll find out how you can get involved yourself, and receive some hands-on training, whether you’re interested in treading the boards, using your tech or DIY skills, helping with costumes and props, or greeting audiences at front of house.

You’ll be able to talk to members of the friendly team about:

Acting and Directing:
If you want to have a go at performing, this is your chance to grab a mic and recite or sing on the stage! You’ll receive advice and coaching by Thame Players’ actors, and music and play texts will be provided.

Sound and Lighting:
Members of the theatre’s tech team will show you round the impressive sound and lighting equipment, and you can have a go at pressing the buttons. This is a great opportunity if you’d like to see what’s involved and improve your skills!

Backstage:
You can see for yourself what the backstage crew get up to, so that things happen on cue and shows run smoothly. Members of the backstage team will be pleased to show you what’s involved and how it all comes together.

Set Building:
Whether you’re a master at using a screwdriver, you like woodwork or DIY, or you’re a dab hand with a paintbrush, these skills are vital in the theatre. You’ll be able to talk to members of the team and try a few effects yourself.

Costumes and Make-up:
Sourcing, creating or adapting costumes is quite an art. Doing make-up is equally skilled. If you’re artistic, you like sewing, or you’re handy with a powder brush, try some of Thames Players’ costumes, experiment with make-up effects and watch hands-on demos!

Front of House:
If you’re good at socialising with people and can pour drinks behind the bar, why not spend time with members of our front of house team? They are the friendly faces audiences meet when they arrive to see a show and gather in the foyer. To see how you could use your people skills, chat to members of the team.

Wayne Gibson, Open Day coordinator at Thames Players, said: “The theatre is made up of a community of people with different skills who make the magic happen. We’re looking forward to welcoming anyone and everyone from Thame and local area on Saturday 1st February, when there’ll be opportunities to find out what’s involved in putting on a show and how the theatre ticks. You’ll see what we do and how we do it, from acting and directing to set building, sound & lighting, and much more. So please come and see us at the Players Theatre on our Open Day – you’ll learn a lot and have a fun experience too!”

Visit the theatre in Nelson Street, Thame OX9 2DP and go to Thame Players for more.


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