Step out with Guildford Walkfest

Karen Neville

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Activities & Events

Karen Neville

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Walkfest, the month-long celebration of walking, invites you to get out and explore Guildford and the surrounding area

Now in its 18th year, Walkfest is a community project run entirely by volunteers which acts as an “umbrella” to bring many groups together and promote walking, learning and enjoyment. 

Walkfest is designed to get people of all ages and abilities out and about, in and around the beautiful town and surrounding countryside. Whether you are looking for short informative walks, long rambles or anywhere in between, Walkfest has something for you. 

There are over 40 walks for you this year with a number of new locations, routes and providers. 

The festival starts on September 1st with the opportunity to discover the ancient yews of Newlands Corner and finishes on 30th with a walk up to Merrow Downs. 

The month-long event also invites you to take a stroll around Little Compton, discover the Guildford story on a guided walk, observe birds on a stroll around Ockham Common, take a circular walk along a section of the historic River Wey Navigation, explore Worplesdon & Merrist Wood, take a CAMRA countryside pub walk between Wanborough and Godalming or how about Chilworth Gunpowder Mills and beyond or you can explore Whitmoor Common. 

For the full list of walks and details, visit guildfordwalkfest.co.uk 
Walkfest couldn’t run without support from Guildford Borough Council, Guildford Dragon, C & H Marketing and Surrey Hills Society.  They say a big “thank you” to the organisations and individuals who have contributed to the programme. 

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Over The Hill music in Witney

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Love Blues & Roots music? There’s lots to enjoy at Studio 7 in Station Lane, OX28 4BQ, from 3pm on bank holiday Monday 26th August

Over the Hill will feature four of the UK’s leading blues, roots & Americana acts including:

Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project
Matt first came to prominence as a founder member of indie-folk band Noah and the Whale. His latest album Way Out West has met with critical acclaim and he’s currently working on his fifth. Expect a punchy performance with a Springsteen vibe.

Hannah White
Winner of Best Song at the 2023 Americana Music Association Awards, Hannah has been described by Uncut Magazine as ‘an expressive voice and song craft’.

Mississippi MacDonald
Having picked up two awards at this year’s British Blues Awards, Mississippi and his band have spent the year playing the major blues festivals in the UK and selling out venues all over the country.

Sean Taylor
Sean is an international touring troubadour. He was nominated for the 2023 UK blues acoustic artist of the year award. His songs are best described as roots; influenced by blues, Americana, jazz, spoken word and folk music.

£20pp, no extra booking fees; tickets from WeGotTickets and Truck Witney

Spotify Playlist Over The Hill 2024 – playlist by Ade | Spotify

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Help make Watlington skate park happen!

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Could you help the local crowdfunding campaign to give the long-abandoned halfpipe a makeover for a new generation?

The Watlington Wheels Project is a registered charity that supports the facilities within Watlington Park for skateboarding, BMX, rollerblading and scooters. The project has been set up by locals to revamp the area, writes Karen Parry.

The halfpipe in Watlington has stood for as long as people can remember and was, for many, a rite of passage. The bright blue skating bowl, which boasts a giant graffiti style octopus, is a unique addition to the skate park. It definitely has the wow factor and is a focal point in the community.

While the halfpipe served the town well over the years, it is now in dire need of refurbishment. It has become an unappealing sight and more difficult to ride.

The Watlington Wheels Project is hoping to replace the halfpipe with a new improved four feet high and 16 feet wide wooden version. They want it to be something useable by all ages and all abilities. This is more than a construction project to the locals, it’s about revitalising the community spirit, fostering inclusion, promoting physical activity and most importantly giving the youth of Watlington a safe place to express themselves.

They are looking to raise £8,500 to cover the install and maintenance for the first three years. If they can do this, they will not need to use any money earmarked by the council for the bowl renovation and resurface. If you live around Watlington and would like to see a new halfpipe replacing the old one, then please donate through their Crowdfunder link. We would very much appreciate any donation you can make.

Many thanks for your support!

Crowdfunder link: Watlington Flow Park & Halfpipe
Also see Facebook

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August bank holiday White Horse Show

Round & About

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Enjoy two days of fabulous family entertainment on August 25th and 26th.

The two-day White Horse Show is a great family country show which runs over the August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday, with something for everyone.

Professional arena displays include local sheepdog trainer Bob Hogg and Rebellion Re-enactment as well as falconry, beekeepers and craft displays. Childrens’ rides, historic cars and vehicles, stationary engines, and model boats on display. More entertainment comes from Professor Crump, Team M.A.D’s display of Pedal versus Parkour, the Icknield Way Morris Men, the Ukey Dukes and the Wantage Silver Band.

Plus there’s food, a bar, a fun dog show, petting animals, lots of retail, and you can have a go at shotting a shooting a shotgun, or even a real historic musket.

Tickets in advance online at https://whitehorseshow.seetickets.com/tour/white-horse-show

All profits from the show are used to benefit local good causes.

Gates open 10am daily at Fawler Road, Uffington, visit https://whitehorseshow.co.uk/ to find out more.

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Petersfield Summer Festival

Karen Neville

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Activities & Events

Get see for three days of fun, activities, entertainment and food in Petersfield, August 24th-26th, as the community comes together this summer

Music, attractions, food and more are all in store at the Petersfield Summer Festival over the August bank holiday weekend.

Hosted by Petersfield Community Events CIC, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing free, community-centred events to the heart of Petersfield, the fun is centred on The Square and expands to the nearby streets.

The Square will be bustling with activity with a full programme of live music from Saturday evening until Monday evening while the centre of town will of delicious caterers and locally sourced drinks.

On Sunday and Monday, the High Street will be lined with stalls. From small creative businesses to local charitable organisations, there will be something for everyone. Come out and enjoy some sweet treats, find a few presents, or buy yourself something special. Many of your favourite local businesses will also be opening their doors so come and join the fun!

There will also be activities for the whole family, including children’s rides and themed attractions.

The festival begins at 7pm on Saturday with awesome live music and drinks provided by the Hometown Festival Bar. Claim a table and dance the night away! Caterers will serve up delicious meals of all varieties. Don’t miss out!

Superhero Day returns on Sunday, so watch out for some heroes and heroines arriving to save the day. As well as stalls, caterers and, of course, the Hometown Festival Bar, Chapel Street will fill up with classic bikes from all over the area. Come and chat to their owners and find out if the biking life is for you.

Monday will be the first official Petersfield Festival Pirate Day. Watch out for Captain Jack Sparrow and the Pirate King and keep an eye open for buried treasure.

Chapel Street will also be hosting the Solent Renegades with an exciting array of classic American cars.

We also have some awesome sea shanty singers, mixed in with the rest of our incredible line up of local bands. Closing the festival weekend, Shrek Tribute Band The Ogretones are our Monday night headliners. Join us for a final boogie and end the bank holiday weekend in style.

The Petersfield Summer Festival 2024 is made possible thanks to the generous support of local sponsors and volunteers.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable weekend – join us in celebrating the spirit of summer and the vibrant community of Petersfield!

For more information, please see our website, Petersfield Fests

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School’s Out At The Shed

Round & About

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Round & About

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Great family fun to keep everyone entertained in Whitehill and Bordon

Puppet shows and princess picnics are bringing the fun with opportunities to join in and have a great time this month at The Shed.

Punch and Judy 14th August 12-2pm

The Shed welcomes back the much-loved Magician and Children’s Entertainer Ben Bamboozle to The Shed for a free show of Punch and Judy. Interactive, hilarious and entertaining, this show is guaranteed to bring the belly laughs.

Picnic with a Princess and Superhero 22nd August 12pm-2pm

Head to The Shed on August 22nd for a picnic in the Town Park with a Princess and a Superhero! Guests bring the picnic, and The Shed will provide the special guests. No need to book or pay for a ticket, just grab a blanket and a picnic from home or help yourself to some great food from one of The Shed’s many vendors, and come along and enjoy.

Don’t forget the monthly Shed Saturday Market on the 24th August offering local fare, and the Open Mic Night where anyone can showcase their talents on the 15th August from 8-10pm!

Throughout 2024 The Shed is the place for a treat, to eat, create and meet, and you can find the full listing and details of all upcoming events at The Shed and much more at https://theshedwb.com/shed-events/.

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Vote in BBOWT photo competition

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Choose your favourite in the People’s Choice Award, voting open until August 26th

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has opened public voting to select the first-ever ‘People’s Choice Award’ winner of its annual photography competition.

Nature lovers of all ages have sent in their best shots of animals, plants, people and scenery at BBOWT nature reserves and in the community.

For the first time ever, the vote has also been thrown open to the public with a new ‘People’s Choice Award’. The winner will not only enjoy pride of place as the public favourite, but also receive a Nexcam solar-powered trail camera, perfect for capturing remote shots of camera-shy creatures.

Votes for the shortlisted photographs can be cast by visit https://www.bbowt.org.uk/peoples-choice-award which will remain open until Monday 26th August.

Rachel Levis, BBOWT’s Head of Events, said: “It’s always such a treat to see so many amazing photos of wonderful wildlife taken on our patch, and this year has been no exception! We’ve been sent stunning summer scenes on our reserves, macro shots of insects with incredible detail, and precious wildlife moments captured for all to enjoy.

“We’re excited to have introduced the People’s Choice Award this year which will get our supporters involved with the very tricky judging decisions. With a superb selection, we know it’s going to be a hard choice, but we can’t wait to see which photo is crowned the winner!”

It’s also not too late to submit photos for this year’s wider competition, with entries for all nine categories remaining open until Monday 26th August.

Each year the competition attracts entries from across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, with nearly 150 people submitting almost 500 photographs for judging in 2023.

Selected by a panel of expert judges, all category winners will enjoy a workshop with wildlife photographer Steve Gozdz from GG Wildlife Experiences and receive a copy of the 2025 BBOWT wildlife calendar featuring their winning entry.

In addition, this year’s overall winner will be awarded a Technaxx bird feeder camera station, while the winners of the Children and Teen categories can claim a bundle of nature books for their school libraries (or to the schools which they nominate).

The Trust is extremely grateful to GG Wildlife Experiences for once again sponsoring this year’s competition. For full details on how to enter, visit https://www.bbowt.org.uk/photocomp24

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Foodies Festival at Stoke Park

Karen Neville

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Enjoy a fun-filled weekend at Foodies Festival in Stoke Park, August 30th to September 1st, with a celebration of food, drink and music

Top chefs, tasty food, delicious drinks and live music are coming to Guildford for the first time with Blue, Sister Sledge and Symphonic Ibiza courtesy of the Foodies Festival 2024.

Watch MasterChef champions, Michelin-starred and top local chefs cooking their signature summer recipes in the La Española Chefs Theatre. Among those taking part are Alex Payne who has worked with Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal and now has the Michelin starred The Tudor Pass at Great Fosters, Egham. Channel 4 Sunday Brunch bread expert Jack Sturgess, aka Bake with Jack and former MasterChef winner Druv Bhaker will also be showcasing their skills.

Learn how to make show-stopping cakes in The Pots & Co Cake & Dessert Theatre with expert bakers. Great British Bake Off stars will share their best baking hints and tips live on stage with easy to make recipes that are as delicious to look at as they are to eat.

Sample new wines, champagnes and cocktails in The Drinks Theatre. Eat delicious street food from around the world. Taste new flavours and meet artisan producers. Have fun all day with chilli eating competitions and food challenges! Kids can have fun at The Kids Cookery Theatre.

At the all new cook school, get hands-on in an authentic Thai Green Curry Cook School session with MasterChef star Yui Miles. £25 per person (45 min sessions).

The Flavour Town Fire Stage will host demonstrations of amazing fire-cooked recipes all day long, such as Louisiana Cajun Chicken, salmon cooked to perfection and Cowboy Butter Tomahawk Steak. Pop along anytime you want to and stay for a taste – you won’t want to leave!

Kicking off the live music on Friday night is Symphonic Ibiza taking you on a journey through the legendary sounds of the White Isle fusing iconic Ibiza dance anthems, live vocals, a sensational DJ and an amazing live orchestra. Close your eyes and you could be back partying in Ibiza. Kathy Sledge headlines on Saturday, 31st August. The singer, songwriter, author, producer, manager, and Grammy-nominated music icon is the signature voice in Sister Sledge known for anthems such as We Are Family. Blue round off the weekend on Sunday, 1st September. Formed in London in 2000, the four piece have sold a phenomenal 16 million records, scored multiple number one hits and collaborated with some of the world’s biggest stars including Elton John and Stevie Wonder, as well as winning two BRIT awards.

Guildford – Foodies Festival

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Summertime Live at Windsor Racecourse

Liz Nicholls

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Activities & Events

Liz Nicholls

Summertime Live returns to Windsor Racecourse for its sixth year, on Saturday, 17th August, starring the Classic Ibiza orchestra, Lisa Maffia, Fabio & Grooverider, Artful Dodger and more.

This summer’s Summertime Live is set to be the biggest event to date.

The event has gone from strength to strength since 2018 and now features three stages of live music and DJs. As well as the Classic Ibiza orchestra, expect performances from The Shapeshifters, Majestic (KISS FM), 24hr Garage Girls, Fabio & Grooverider, Artful Dodger and more.

As well as some of the UK’s biggest dance acts, festival goers can enjoy a variety of bars, street food, festival fashion stalls and live entertainers.

Event organiser Anthony Ellis, says: “We are so excited to head into our sixth year of Summertime Live Windsor! This event started as a small concert and has grown into an all day event with multiple stages. Myself and my business partner Jonathan were born and raised in the area, so it’s great to see an event of this nature growing in Windsor.”

Tickets, which typically sell out a long way in advance, are available for £35 for a limited time. With a premium VIP option priced at £85. Please visit https://www.summertimelive.co.uk/windsor

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Join Waterside Café for birthday event

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Waterside Cafe in Farmoor, will celebrate its first anniversary under new ownership with an exclusive evening supper club featuring Tikka and Tadka on Saturday, 31st August

The team at Waterside Cafe in Cumnor, OX2 9NS, are excited to announce their first evening supper club event, celebrating one year under new ownership!

This special occasion will be held in collaboration with loved local independent business, Tikka and Tadka, known for their authentic Indian cuisine.

Join them for an evening of delicious food and breath-taking views of the reservoir. Guests will enjoy a meticulously crafted three-course Indian meal prepared by Tikka and Tadka, with the picturesque backdrop of the reservoir and the potential for a stunning sunset to enhance the evening.

Waterside Cafe has enjoyed a fantastic first year, building strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and friends in the community. This supper club is a way to say thank you and celebrate the journey together. Only 40 tickets are available – book early to avoid dissapointment!

Owner Rachel says: “We are thrilled to celebrate our first anniversary with our incredible community. Partnering with Tikka and Tadka for our very first Evening Supper Club is the perfect way to mark this milestone. We look forward to sharing an unforgettable evening with everyone.

“Being slightly out of Oxford and new to the hospitality industry, the journey has sometimes been lonely and isolating. However, it has also been incredibly rewarding. Every day I’ve learned something new, and the support from other small businesses and our brilliant relationships with our suppliers has been a lifeline during our first year. Their encouragement and support have been invaluable, and I’m truly grateful to be part of such a supportive community.

“Making it through our first year feels like a significant achievement, and I’m excited about what’s next. We’re planning more collaborations like this supper club and have recently purchased a horsebox trailer to serve take-away coffee. We have lots of exciting ideas in the pipeline. We’ve also recently become a Chatty Cafe, supporting a charity that encourages conversations to reduce loneliness. The reservoir is a real community hub, and I’m eager to continue promoting this important initiative in the coming months.”

“Before I took over Waterside Cafe, I was baking celebration cakes, and I’m particularly proud that I still make all our cakes and traybakes for the cafe. My apple Dorset cake has become known as the ‘house special’, and on many weekends, we’ve completely sold out because people love it so much. It’s wonderful to continue doing what I love and to see the cafe now recognised for its great homemade produce.”

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

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