After months off the Thames due to fast flows, Henley Dragons are back on the water and spreading the word!
The town’s Dragon Boat and Outrigger Canoe team had their first race of the season last weekend – a 7km slog up the river and back in Wraysbury. They powered in – in first place, over 2 minutes ahead of the second fastest crew. This weekend saw their outrigger canoe crew bring back a stash of medals from the National Sprint Championships held at Eton Dorney. The mixed crew claimed gold in both the 500 and 1000m. The men earnt themselves a couple of bronzes and Henley women added two more golds and a silver.
And it wasn’t just in the UK. The dragons wander far and wide with two members of the club making it all the way to Venice to paddle in the spectacular 33km ‘Vogolonga’ river marathon.
With four newly trained coaches, the dragons are raring to go and very much welcoming new members so if you fancy giving it a go – get in touch! [email protected]
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/
Self-taught artist & pet-lover Alison Molan’s first exhibition ‘Puppy Love’ runs at the Farnham Maltings café until Thursday 23rd May
Last year, self-taught artist & pet-lover Alison Molan received a letter from Queen Camilla for her Charlie tea towel and card she sent them for the Coronation. She says: “It was amazing to be recognised by the Queen and I was thrilled to have a reply. Needless to say, I have framed it!”
Her first exhibition Puppy Love runs at the Farnham Maltings café until Thursday 23rd May. “I’m excited to be able to present prints of the first 19 pup portraits I’ve painted. I want to bring joy to people’s lives and I know that these prints will make people smile.
“I paint artworks that are original, playful, quirky and fun. They are from my collection of pup art which was inspired by our family pup, a rescued Lurcher, called Parker. He was an adorable mad hound and is much missed. I painted him in a style that is an homage to Frida Kahlo, who’s powerful and colourful art is truly inspiring. My designs are based on pups of family and friends.
“I have always been creative but, until 2022, I only created work for myself or for family and friends. I am totally self-taught and have developed my own style through trial and error! A few years after painting Parker, my daughter now owns her own pup and commissioned me to paint another portrait. From this, Pup Goes The Easel was born. Pup Goes The Easel is an homage to the pups we love.”
Alison has dabbled with a variety of creative endeavours, using various mediums, over her life. However, it wasn’t until her later years that she found the confidence to paint for friends and family. Encouraged by them, she founded her pup art business in the summer of 2022 and began trading in October 2022.
She adds: “I had my paintings professionally made into gallery quality, fine-art prints, luxury cards and a variety of other gifts including personalised pup ID tags. I sell my products on my website, at markets, through independent retailers, via Etsy and at exhibitions.
“All my pups have names and have a story to tell. They are painted with love in my sunny kitchen in the beautiful Surrey hills. I hope you can sense the unique characters of each pup and that they bring a smile to your face. They have been created to bring happiness and each pup is looking forward to being welcomed into your home.
“I use acrylic paints which have a vivid and bold quality which works well with my signature style of painting. The colours I choose are deliberately striking. The accessories and adornments I include on each pup are intended to be playful and humorous. I paint on high-quality canvas and art board.
“I think the title for this exhibition is self-explanatory. However, it is also a poignant reference to my youthful adoration of Donny Osmond! I also paint commissions for people who want to capture the distinct essence of their own pups in a painting.”
Patek Philippe to host the inaugural London edition of the Rare Handcrafts Exhibition 2024 from Friday 7th to Sunday, 16th June
The Patek Philippe event offers the public a rare insider’s perspective into the art of Rare Handcrafts within the family-owned watchmaking company.
The exhibition will take place on the first floor of Bond Street House, 14 Clifford Street in London.
Open to the public with free admission, the exhibition celebrates Patek Philippe’s dedication to preserving rare handcrafts which have been used to decorate timepieces for more than four centuries.
Visitors will be able to explore 83 exhibits over 250sqm. The themed spaces, which include artisans practising their savoir-faire, will take guests on a journey of discover; techniques including enamelling, wood marquetry, guilloche and gemsetting. This is the manufacturer’s largest showcase of rare handcraft timepieces outside of Geneva. The exhibition is open to the public via pre booked ticket reservations on Patek Philippe.
The “Rare Handcrafts 2024” collection (a total of 83 pieces, comprising dome clocks and small dome clocks, table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches) once again shines the spotlight on a vast range of artistic skills, whether centuries-old techniques (Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, miniature painting on enamel, grisaille enamel, flinqué enamel, paillonné enamel, champlevé enamel, hand engraving, hand-executed guilloché work, or gemsetting) or techniques that are innovating in horology, such as micro wood marquety and Longwy enamel on faience. And not forgetting the growing number of pieces adorned with what are known as “mixed techniques”, uniting, for example, cloisonné enamel and hand-executed guilloché, or hand-engraving and wood marquetry.
The “Rare Handcrafts 2024” collection is also extraordinarily rich in creativity, drawing on multiple sources of inspiration, with motifs ranging from traditional art forms to modern leisure activities, and with subjects inspired by the cultures and landscapes of every continent. These 82 pieces, with their ever-more original and astonishing decorations are presented to great effect in an elegant, specially devised decor divided into three areas.
The Rare Handcrafts Exhibition London 2024, Friday 7th to Sunday, 16th June.
Opening times: 10am until 6pm, Monday-Saturday. From 12pm until 5pm, Sunday.
Address: 1st floor, Bond Street House, 14 Clifford Street, London, W1S 4JU.
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.
Henley Festival and Henley Royal Regatta are delighted to announce the continuation of their partnership after signing a new five-year agreement to stage the Festival on the iconic Regatta site.
Running from 2025 to 2030, the agreement, granted by Henley Royal Regatta, will witness the UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival assuming control of the stunning riverside site during the week immediately following the conclusion of Henley Royal Regatta.
The two internationally renowned events are set to make a return at the onset of July, drawing in thousands of visitors to the breath-taking banks of the riverside in Henley-on-Thames.
Founded as a charity more than 40 years ago, Henley Festival’s mission – through its charitable programme RISE – is to champion the next generation of emerging talent. This year, Henley Festival Presented by Westcoast will be held from Wednesday 10th July to Sunday 14th July, featuring a world-class music programme spanning pop, world, classical, folk, and jazz genres, complemented by comedy, art, galleries, sculpture installations, dining, dancing, and jaw-dropping fireworks. The five enchanting summer nights will play host to headliners including Nicole Scherzinger, Dave Stewart’s Eurythmics Songbook, Trevor Nelson, Gladys Knight, Rylan, Nigel Kennedy, Sam Ryder, and more. For all ticket information, visit the festival website: Henley Festival | 10th-14th July 2024 (henley-festival.co.uk)
Sue Laing, Chair of Henley Festival, said: “We are thrilled to have a new five-year agreement with Henley Royal Regatta. It marks our commitment to the Festival’s future, as well as to the growth of our charitable programme RISE – which is at the heart of everything we do. We couldn’t be prouder of our home in Henley, and are very excited to welcome festival-goers to our stunning riverside in July – to see headline acts on our unique Floating Stage, including Nicole Scherzinger and Gladys Knight with her final ever show, and to be part of something truly amazing.”
Henley Royal Regatta, founded in 1839, is the best-known rowing Regatta in the world: celebrated for its match-racing, it is a true highlight of the Summer sporting calendar with over 400 races of an international standard, featuring Olympians and emerging stars from around the world. The 2024 Regatta will take place from Tuesday 2 July until Sunday 7 July, with tickets and further information available on Home – Henley Royal Regatta (hrr.co.uk)
Sir Steve Redgrave, said: “As Chair of Henley Royal Regatta we are so excited to have at least another five years linking the Regatta and the Festival together. We all know that the local community and further afield love both events; Henley Royal Regatta being the largest rowing event in the world, a highlight of the summer season with thousands of visitors travelling to Henley-on-Thames to see world-class racing and the Festival showcasing some amazing acts and entertainment bringing the local community together in a fantastic celebration.”
Have you got your GAP Festival tickets yet? Ten day extravaganza kicks off on June 7th
The biennial cultural GAP Festival in Goring and Streatley will welcome festival goers to its incredible programme of over 50 exciting events in June.
Some events still have a few last tickets remaining. So if you haven’t got yours yet, or you are looking for a last minute opportunity to try something new, visit The Gap Festival to book yourself in and join this cultural extravaganza! As a registered charity, every ticket purchased goes back into bringing culture to the community. How about…
World-class mandolin player and wit Simon Mayor and Friends in a relaxed evening of magical music and humorous anecdotes on Friday 7th June.
The spectacular red carpet premiere of the shortlisted Children’s Film Festival short films, alongside a screening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) on Sunday 9th June.
For crime drama and true crime lovers, An Audience with Author Helen Saxton, with actors will re-enact key events and discuss the controversial story of Amanda Knox in the murder of Meredith Kercher on Monday 10th June.
Outdoor family theatre in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Thames, with a performance of The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle on Thursday 13th June.
A one hour family show of songs about science, maths and the wonders of the world around us with Helen Arney: A Voice of an Angle – as seen on BBC2, Channel 4 and Discovery – on Friday 14th June.
Step back in time, put on some 40s/50s glamour (or not!), sit back and tap your feet to the doo-wop harmonies of the Ding Dong Daddios on Saturday 15th June.
Enjoy a Glyndebourne-style opera experience, with GAP Opera: The Marriage of Figaro. Picnics, pimms, fizz and top class opera in three performances Friday 14th – Sunday 16th June.
Alongside the amazing variety of ticketed events, there are also a host of free activities and performances taking place, no ticket required – just drop in.
On Friday 7th June, pre-schoolers can bring their parents to join a morning of games, free play and interactive story with a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.
Join the cosmic fun of Saturday 8th June and experience all that Space Day has to offer, including blasting off a water rocket, space crafting, scale-model solar system treasure hunt and the chance to track the International Space Station live with local satellite company OrbAstro.
Visit Goring’s Rectory Garden on Sunday 9th June to join the Festival’s contribution to the national Great Big Green Week – The Great Green Food Day. Head down and discover creative ways to let eating and food play a vital part in helping tackle climate change, reduce waste and protect nature. Bring a picnic and enjoy live music, ask the experts question time, stalls, children’s activities and more, or pick up lunch from the collection of food and drink stalls and enjoy all the day has to offer.
Saturday 15th June hosts the return of the popular Festival Market Day. Enjoy browsing crafts, arts and skills from the local community, alongside face painting, refreshments and live music.
Meet and Greet the Owls at Withymead Nature Reserve on Saturday 15th June and learn all about owls, how they hunt, owl conservation and have a go at pellet dissection.
For art enthusiasts, there is a celebration of community art with a weekend long Art Exhibition from Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th June.
A chance to have a go at bell ringing with the Goring and Streatley ringers, followed by a lunchtime Festival Picnic Concert with Goring and Streatley concert band on the final day of the Festival – Sunday 16th June.
Plus a host of ‘fringe’ music events, popping up in local venues where you can sit back and soak up the Festival atmosphere with a drink in hand.
Find out all you need to know to make the most of this year’s Festival during the ten-day period and book your last minute tickets by visiting https://www.thegapfestival.org/
Nik Kershaw and his full band announce June & July 2024 shows coming to Oxford – O2 Academy on Friday 28th June.
Nik Kershaw and his band are excited to announce intimate festival warm-up shows at O2 Academy, Oxford on Friday, 28th June, Epic in Norwich on Saturday, 29th June, and Roadmender in Northampton on Friday, 12th July.
The performances will be devoid of dance moves, lasers, pyrotechnics, or any other showbiz elements. Instead, attendees can anticipate a focus on exceptional music, with minimal sartorial extravagance and a close-up, high-energy experience.
The setlist will feature Kershaw’s hit songs such as ‘Wouldn’t it be Good’, ‘The Riddle’, ‘I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’, among others, along with selections from his extensive discography and possibly a few surprising cover versions. This presents a rare opportunity for fans to witness the acclaimed songwriter, once praised by Elton John as ‘the best songwriter of his generation’ (with a disclaimer acknowledging Elton’s possibly altered state when making the statement).
June & July 2024 shows include: Friday 28th June: Oxford – O2 Academy Saturday 29th June: Norwich – Epic Studios Friday 12th July: Northampton – Roadmender
All tickets are priced at £32.50 advance plus any BF’s/levy’s that may be applicable. Tickets are available from Nik Kershaw (thegigcartel.com)
An acclaimed international chamber choir will be holding a choral music evening at St Peter’s Church, Manningford, in aid of vital church roof repairs this June.
‘My Spirit Sang All Day’ will be conducted by renowned vocal coach and musician Rachel McCorry who will lead the Sharcott Chamber Group in a selection of timeless, sacred and secular choral music from across the centuries. Including works by Finzi, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Bruckner.
The event is taking place on Saturday 1st June at St Peter’s Church, Manningford, near Pewsey. Doors open at 6pm for a glass of wine and nibbles which are included in the £15 ticket price. The concert will run from 6.30pm to 8.15pm with an interval.
The choir is a tightly-knit ensemble based in Wiltshire who have shared years of musical experiences. Including tours in the US, the Netherlands, France and Belgium. They have chosen St Peter’s Church because of its excellent acoustic and are kindly donating their services in return for using the space for a recording earlier this month.
The group of nineteen singers who will sing in Manningford Church were an auditioned subset of ‘The Village Singers’. Founded by Rachel, the choir is an ensemble of around 70 musicians ranging in age from teenagers to 80 year olds from all around Wiltshire. The group began singing in the pub at Sutton Benger but quickly grew and relocated to a village school before moving to St. Andrew’s, Chippenham under the musical directorship of Rachel McCorry. The choir’s repertoire includes sacred and choral pieces, classical and opera, spirituals, folk, pop and show tunes.
In 2014 the choir sang in Ypres Cathedral and at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Bruges. In 2017, they performed in three stunning Paris venues. Eglise de la Madeleine, Eglise St Louis en L’Ile and Eglise St Germain l’Auxerrois. In January 2019 they performed the US premier of Symphonic Adiemus, in Carnegie Hall, New York, as part of an international choir with composer, Sir Karl Jenkins in residence. Earlier this year, Rachel took a small group for a return trip to Carnegie Hall and to celebrate the end of her time with The Village Singers, they have very recently completed a tour in Amsterdam.
The church has space for around 75 so people are advised to book early to be sure of a seat. There will be managed parking close to the church.
Tickets for the June concert are available in advance only from:
Manningford PCC Sort code: 30-92-63 Account number: 01724232 Reference: ‘Concert’ and your name.
Trial by media examined in Accolade starring Ayden Callaghan and Honeysuckle Weeks
Theatre Royal Windsor is delighted to be staging two plays directed by award-winning director Sean Mathias this year starting with Accolade this month.
Ayden Callaghan and Honeysuckle Weeks are to lead the cast in Emlyn Williams’ gripping drama Accolade, the first play in this year’s Sean Mathias season.
Ayden Callaghan is best known for his roles as Joe Roscoe (Hollyoaks), Miles De Souza (Emmerdale) and as Frank Farmer in last year’s UK tour of The Bodyguard The Musical.
Honeysuckle Weeks became a popular face on television playing Sam Stewart (Foyle’s War). She has just finished touring the UK in the role of Cora in Calendar Girls the Musical.
In Accolade, Ayden will play the protagonist Will Trenting, with Honeysuckle, his socially ambitious wife, Rona. Whilst William’s dark and sinister play originally stems back to 1950, the underlying tensions, couped with the fragility of one’s personal reputation, make this play as relevant today as when it was first written.
Completing the cast are Jamie Hogarth (Albert), David Phelan (Thane Lampeter), Sarah Crowe (Marian Tillyard), Louis Holand (Ian), Gavin Fowler (Harold), Sarah Twomey (Phyllis), Nardiner Samra (Daker) and Kayleigh Cooper (Parlour Maid).
Accolade opens at the Theatre Royal Windsor on Friday, 31st May and will run until Saturday, 15th June before embarking on a tour within the UK over the summer.
Accolade will be followed this autumn with Felicity Kendal in the title role of Eduardo de Filippo’s Filumena, the second play to be directed by Sean Mathias this season.
Director Sean Mathias said of staging the two plays: “These two plays are not what they first appear to be. Accolade is atypical of Emlyn Williams, examining success as approved by the establishment, it quickly deconstructs that success and then looks to smash it. The central character, Will Trenting, was written by the author for himself to play in the world premiere – a character lionized by an order he despised, Will contains shades and shadows of the Welshman himself, who refused to fit into any boxes. Williams had a deep fascination with the psychology of the criminal or alternative mind, and Accolade is a riveting theatrical reflection of his interests.”
