There’s much more than just the stunning stones to enjoy at the National Trust heritage site in Wiltshire
Visit National Trust place Avebury in Wiltshire, home to museums, a manor house and a World Heritage-listed neolithic site.
The main visitor offering includes the manor where you can step back in time to rooms furnished in a different time period, reflecting the lives of those who have lived there over the last 500 years. Why not take a guided tour around the largest stone circle in the world? Expert guides can tell you about the people who built it and find out all about the archaeology of the Avebury World Heritage Site. The small Alexander Keiller Museum is filled with fascinating artefacts that have been discovered through past excavations.
In addition to the usual delights, this summer, you can also enjoy:
Sentinels of Stone’ by Tony Galuidi
Until 11 June, normal opening hours, free An exhibition of 35 painting of standing stones, painted in acrylic on canvas, by Tony Galuidi, displayed in the atmospheric threshing barn.
In Stitches – women and needlecraft in Avebury Manor
Until 5 November, 11am-5pm, free with normal admission Explore the lives of some of Avebury Manor’s female residents through the lens of needlecraft. Find out more about the women of Avebury’s historic crafts from Tudor times to the 1920s and the role they played, at Avebury and beyond, in this new exhibition.
Avebury Trust 10
23 Jul, 9am-11am, free Enjoy a challenging 10k trail run with stunning views across the wider Avebury landscape. Registration is from 8.30am at the Coach house (on Avebury high street, next to the Red Lion pub). The Trust10 run will begin at 9am.
May Half Term Activities
Until 4 June, 10am-5pm, £2 per trail, £2 per craft pack A family adventure around the gardens of Avebury Manor, with sensory activities. Learn about the pollinators that help turn the apple blossom the garden into delicious fruit
Avebury landscape walk – Waden Hill
10 June, 1.30pm-4pm, £8 per person, booking essential Explore some of the Neolithic monuments which make up this ancient and intriguing landscape. The volunteer guide will help you to unlock the past by explaining the history of the landscape as you walk. Avebury | Wiltshire | National Trust
Relax with yoga on the lawn – Church Garden on Avebury Manor
10, 17, 24 June & 1, 8, 15 July, 9.45am-11am, £12.50 per person, booking essential Relax in the stunning setting of Avebury Manor Garden as you take part in a rejuvenating outdoor yoga session with local instructors. Suitable for beginners or experienced yoga lovers.
Looking ahead…
An exhibition of work by William Stukeley
William Stukeley was an eighteenth-century antiquarian who had wide and varied interests, one of which was the study of prehistoric monuments. He made detailed drawings of these, including many of the Avebury landscape. Images of his work will be on display in the Great Barn at Avebury from 24 June. Free to enter.
Glow worm walk at Figsbury Ring, near Salisbury
Fri 30 June & Fri 14 July 9.45pm-11pm £8 per person. Booking essential. Is a glow worm really a worm? Why do they shine? How can an insect produce light? Learn the answers to these questions and more by joining the rangers for a nocturnal promenade and talk under the moon and stars at Figsbury Ring.
The Hindhead Royal British Legion Club are hosting its incredible beer festival again and can’t wait to get everyone back to taste the amazing beers lined up
Last year’s beer festival was a wonderful success, with a record attendance over the weekend, amazing live music, wonderful beer, cider and lager from local breweries and amazing food and this year will be a bigger and even better festival!
On Friday 2nd June from 6pm, we will be open to everyone to kick off the celebrations with live music from The Barley Boys, who closed the event last year, they are an amazing band who interact with the crowd and got everyone singing and dancing last year, we cannot wait for them to open the festival this time around.
Saturday 3rd June won’t be any less exciting, we open at 1pm for an afternoon of beer, lager and cider tasting, this year we are having a family afternoon with Fun Kids entertainers, our local ice cream store, Scoop joining us and a family BBQ area, where we will be providing some amazing burgers and hot dogs from Bells Butchers in Haslemere.
We will be showing, what is sure to be a fiery FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester Utd on our big screen, with Manchester City aiming to become the first English team to win the treble for over 30 years, so we are sure to be in for an exciting game before we get right into the evening. There will be live music from the wonderful Eloise Kate after the FA Cup Final to get us up and dancing before the amazing Floored close the weekend with some wonderful live music to get everyone on the dance floor.
We have a wonderful food court this year, including Scoop providing ice cream, and our BBQ on Saturday afternoon, we will also be hosting Simply Hog roast and will have a stone-baked pizza truck too to keep everyone sustained during the weekend.
We would like to thank our wonderful sponsors, we have 30 sponsors this year and have 20 beers from 12 local breweries including Langham’s Brewery, Hog’s Back Brewery, Tillingbourne Brewery, Longdog Brewery, Windsor & Eton Brewery, Firebird, Listers and Triple FFF Brewery, plus 3 local ciders and five lagers. This year’s funds raised from the festival are being invested into our community hall, which needs extensive work on a new heating system.
Join us on Friday 2nd June from 6pm and Saturday 3rd June from 1pm for an incredible weekend in Beacon Hill. Buy your tickets online via our website or over the weekend at the door, we look forward to welcoming everyone to our amazing festival.
Families are encouraged to join 30 Days Wild, the campaign by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to connect with nature every day in June, backed by the NHS.
Wildlife trusts across the UK have run the 30 Days Wild challenge every June for nearly a decade, encouraging people to take one wild act each day. This can be anything from watching wildlife from a window to listening to birdsong or taking a meal or drink outside.
For the first time the initiative has won the backing of the UK’s National Health Service. Liz Shearer, BBOWT’s community engagement director, said: “We are over the moon that the NHS has endorsed our challenge: we have always known that spending time in green spaces can have huge health benefits for many people, helping to lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce anxiety, but now we have the official support of our fantastic health service. Try taking one tiny act to connect with nature and see what it does for you – you could change your life.”
Last year more than 500,000 people took part in 30 Days Wild, including more than 5,000 in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Across the UK, 114,245 households, 11,740 schools, 898 care homes and 1,384 businesses joined in.
Anyone taking part can order a free activity pack, with different packs for families, individuals, businesses and schools containing activities, games and packets of wildflower seeds to sow. A survey of nearly 1,000 participants last year found that people’s favourite activities were watching wildlife and listening to birdsong (85%).
The NHS has decided to back 30 Days Wild as it celebrates its 75th anniversary celebrations this year. The Greener NHS programme at NHS England will showcase NHS gardens and green spaces that support biodiversity, improve air quality, and provide health benefits for staff and patients, both physically and mentally – across the NHS estate.
Join 30 Days Wild and download a free activity pack at 30 Days Wild.
Grab your free tickets to kick-start your dream home project, with a visit to Build It Live in Bicester on 10th & 11th June
If you’re planning a self-build, renovating a property or looking to add more space to your current home, then you can’t afford to miss this! As the UK’s most practical self-build and renovation show, Build It Live has been designed to help people through each stage of the process – from finding land to hiring an architect, and sourcing materials for your build.
The exhibition, which will take place at Bicester Heritage, will provide two full days of inspiration, advice and practical tips to ensure you get the home you want – finished on time, and on budget. Within the exhibition hall, you’ll be able to meet hundreds of the UK’s leading suppliers and manufacturers, offering everything from build systems to sliding doors, so you can compare products before making those important buying decisions.
But that’s not all! The show has been designed as a one-stop shop for all your information needs. Over the two days, you’ll be able to attend free seminars and workshops, hosted by industry experts and covering topics such as how to fund your self-build project, heating options for your home and the different routes to managing your project.
Architects, planners and finance experts will also be on hand, offering free, independent advice in one-to-one sessions. You’ll be able to sit down and have a face-to-face chat, talk through your plans or concerns, and gain the insight you need to move your scheme forward!
Here are just some of the other great features you’ll be able to experience at the show:
THE LAND ZONE
Stop by the Land Zone to browse real plots for sale across the UK, gain advice about the various route to finding land, and speak to representatives from the latest serviced plot projects.
THE NAKED HOUSE
See a cut-away show home at ‘first fix’ – a fascinating insight into how things are installed in a new home, from insulation and underfloor heating, to the roof trusses and floor joists.
SELF-BUILDERS’ OWN STORIES
Gain inspiration and confidence from Build It readers who have already completed their own project. Hear their story, pick up some top tips, and learn from their mistakes.
STRIKING GLAZING OPTIONS
The show will offer a wide variety of specialists, demonstrating a huge range of glazing options, from bifold and sliding doors, to windows and rooflights.
TROUBLESHOOTING CLINICS
The show will also have four dedicated clinics, for build costs, heating, basements and extensions – where you’ll be able to chat to experts and troubleshoot your scheme.
Don’t miss out! The standard ticket price is £12 per person, but as a Round & About reader you can claim a pair of complimentary tickets to the show. For further information and to book your free tickets, visit: Book tickets to Build It Live Bicester 2023
Enjoy a fantastic family day at Windsor Racecourse this Bank Holiday Monday, with 6 races to keep you on your toes
Racing is Everyone’s Turf. From thrilling sport action to spending time with the family, racing has something for everyone and Under 18s Race Free.
From thrilling sport action and the chance to dress up or down, racing has something for everyone and Under 18s Race Free. From June to September, Britain’s 59 racecourses hold more than 40 family days throughout the summer, with the aim of engaging younger audiences and introducing them to the world of racing with exciting and fun activities.
Enjoy a fantastic family day at Windsor Racecourse this Bank Holiday Monday, with 6 races to keep you on your toes. It will be the perfect day out with plenty of entertainment for the kids, including the chance to walk the racetrack and see horses up close, inflatable fun rides, Braniac’s live science experiments and the chance to meet the mad scientists.
Students, staff, governors and guests have celebrated the official opening of St Helen and St Katharine’s new Sixth Form Centre – the Benedict Building
Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire – and former Headmistress of St Helen and St Katharine – Lady Cynthia Hall joined the celebrations to cut the ribbon and declare the Benedict Building officially open.
In her speech, Lady Hall emphasised the importance of a dedicated Sixth Form Centre that recognises the need for a more grown-up space and where Sixth Form students’ studying needs are attended to.
The new state-of-the-art building is a physical articulation of the school’s vision for Sixth Form and is all about creating spaces that respond to how students work and how they relax. It deliberately anticipates the design ethos of higher education, smoothing the transition from school to university. It features nine spacious classrooms, a range of study spaces, an HE library, a lecture and performance hall, a large common room – and, of course, the all-important café.
Headmistress Rebecca Dougall reflected on the occasion: “I am enormously proud that we have delivered on a vision to create a building that inspires the amazing students from St Helen and St Katharine – and indeed from Abingdon School – and one which anticipates the the aesthetic and utility of the best architecture to be found on university campuses. We are hugely grateful to our outstanding project partners from TSH Architects, Ridge and Partners, and Benfield and Loxley who translated our vision for Sixth Form into a wonderful space and design and delivered an environmentally considerate building.”
The Benedict Building has been warmly received by the school community and Sixth Form students have enjoyed choosing their favourite spots as they have settled into their new home. Esme (Lower Sixth) shared her experience of the new centre: “The spacious, bright, university-like workspaces make me feel so much more motivated to work. The common room is the perfect social area to relax and wind down during break times. When leaving for lessons or study periods, we feel ready to be productive, especially when being fuelled by snacks from the café.”
St Helen and St Katharine will be hosting an exciting Sixth Form Experience Open Day on Tuesday 20th June where students who are thinking of joining the school will have the opportunity to take part in taster lessons and extracurricular activities. Parents will join at the end of the day for a tour of the school and to hear from the Headmistress and current students about life in St Helen’s Sixth Form.
James Ewing tells us all about a great day out for all the family at Lion Green on Sunday 28th May
The very popular Haslemere Classic Car Show sees Lion Green full to bursting with an array of nearly 250 interesting pre-1980 vehicles and several thousand visitors enjoying themselves on the Green.
The show has become a ‘must’ on the classic car calendar – we were fully booked with entrants within a couple of weeks of launch and have an extensive waiting list for places. The day also appeals to the vintage, food and craft markets.
Some of our entrants go on a morning drive through the beautiful local countryside and then return to take part in the afternoon show. The display on the Green has everything from exotic sports cars, elegant pre-war tourers, everyday family classics to Americana and hot-rods, with entries from most of the major marques.
Many of the cars taking part will be ‘affordable’ classics but we always have a good selection of unique and special vehicles. There is limited space on Lion Green, so only vehicles that have pre-booked and are displaying a numbered pass will be able to park at the show ground.
We hold two great competitions on the day – car owners are encouraged to dress in period outfits to match their cars and enter the ‘Best Dressed Car and Crew’ award and we have a ‘People’s Choice’ where the public gets a chance to vote for the car they would most like to take home.
The show has something for everyone, even if you are not ‘in to’ cars. The Green will be edged with stalls selling quality produce, crafts, vintage, art and classic car related merchandise as part of a traditional Vintage Fete with jazz, teas, a bar and entertainment for all the family.
Public entrance to the show is free, we just ask visitors to support the event by buying a copy of our lucky programme. The day has become one of the best loved events in the local calendar and it’s great that we are able to provide free entertainment for the people of Haslemere and the surrounds while still raising money for the Haslemere Festival and helping to fund other events in the local community.
The show is organised by James Ewing, a Haslemere based classic car restorer and broker and is supported by many local business’ and individuals.
Please look at our new 2023 website HCCS Home (jamesewing.co.uk) for more information and to see pictures of previous years events.
Ian Botham, cricket legend, member of the House of Lords, dad and grandad, 67, chats to us about sport & more.
Q. Hello there – should I call you Lord Botham? Ian…?
“You’re quite welcome to call me Ian, Beefy, whatever you want. The world calls me Beefy.”
Q. Who was your sporting hero growing up?
“Jack Nicklaus. I love golf, I love fishing – those are my main pastimes. I was lucky enough to meet Jack on more than one occasion and I caddied a round of golf where they opened a new golf course that Jackie had signed on the Welsh borders, and I caddied with Ian Woosnam and spent a lot of the evening in the locker room with the great man. I’ve always been a great fan of what he did for golf – he took it to a new level. He’s still right up there, and no one’s caught him yet. Perfect gentlemen, lovely man.”
Q. Did you enjoy school?
“School was a great vehicle to play sport. That’s pretty much all I did. From a very young age sport was ingrained, football as well. I got my obligatory exams at the end – you’d have to be a pretty big numpty not to get some of those right. But sport was the driving force all along. Mr Hibbert at Milford Junior School in Yeovil – that’s where my prowess in sport came to the front. Played football professionally, cricket, obviously, AFL in Australia, I love it. I spent about four to five months of the year in Australia – it’s part of life in Australia. I love rugby union, rugby league… there’s pretty much no sport I don’t like. Not quite sure about equestrian but we’ll move on, horses are a debate.
Q. Can you tells us a bit about your Sliding Doors moment in 1977 and how it led to your involvement with Bloodwise?
“I broke a bone in my foot playing against the Australians at Headingley in ’77. I went to see the club doctor who took me to the physio department through the children’s ward. I remember seeing children who were ill, whether tubes sticking out of them or legs raised in plaster. There were four lads round a table playing Monopoly and I asked the doc are these guys visitors? He said no they’re seriously ill; they’ve got leukaemia. I said what’s that?! I didn’t have a clue in 1977. And he said it’s cancer of the blood and there’s every chance these four won’t be around by the time you’ve finished your eight weeks of treatment for a broken bone. That’s how it started,; it grew into a family charity, my wife Kath & daughter Sarah kept it going.
We raised millions upon millions. We’re always doing golf days and whatever. I’ve heard numbers from 30 to 100 million. What drove us what when we first did the walk in 1985/6 there was a 20% chance of survival for children with the most common form of leukaemia. Before Covid it was announced that figure was 95%. So in a short period of time we’ve gone from 20 to 95 which is a miracle in many ways, and we built this lab outside Glasgow that’s expanded, and they’re the ones who should have the pats on the back because they work in the labs and come up with the remedies. At the end of the day I’ve paid for it – I had to have my spine redone, I had both of my hips removed and fully replaced, and seven months ago I had an open knee replacement… Bionic!”
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Cycling is environmentally friendly, good exercise, offers the chance to enjoy the countryside and doesn’t have to be expensive – so what are you waiting for – get on your bike and pedal!
From penny farthings to electric bikes, cycling has always been a popular pastime – good for you and good for the environment – so there can be no better time to get out on your bike than during Bike Week this month.
June 5th to 11th marks the 100th annual Bike Week celebrating a century of everyday cycling for everyone. The health and green benefits are well known. This year to further peddle those, Bike Week 100 is all about workplace cycling – whether that’s organising an event or simply cycling rather than driving to work.
Guildford based Cycling UK, the organisation behind Bike Week, has set a series of challenges at Bike Week 100 Challenges | Cycling UK – burn 100 calories by bike, save £100 by bike and cover 100 miles by bike. The choice is yours, but of course having some stunning scenery in which to cycle is always a bonus, fortunately in our part of the world we are spoilt for choice!
Follow in the footsteps or tyre tracks of Olympic cyclists and take to Box Hill, the scenic route through the Surrey Hills is a mixture of A and B roads and country tracks.
Picturesque Chinthurst Hill in Guildford is perfect for family outings, hop aboard your bikes and drink in the beauty of the woodland complete with its quirky folly. Why not stop off on the way and make a day of it?
The Green Flag award-winning site of Frensham Ponds has a cycling spot which is perfect for shorter outings so provides the ideal family jaunt into the countryside. Nearby Farnham Park is another spot suitable for families to take to their bikes and enjoy a trip in nature.
In the same part of the world, Alice Holt Forest is a wonderful opportunity for natural cycling. Travel through ancient mighty oaks as well as wildflower rich open spaces during your cycle. Trails are open to enjoy with your own bikes or they can be hired here. The three-mile-long Family Cycling Trail starts with the opportunity to enjoy some fabulous freewheeling on the downhill section.
Take in a medieval castle on your route as you cycle the loop around Guildford Castle and Chantry Wood. The 6.8km trail is well kept and while popular still offers the chance for some peace and quiet.
Chobham Place Woods, Blackwater Park and Virginia Water lake should also go on your cycling ‘must do’ list. Here you’ll be able to spot ancient monuments and a stunning ornamental cascade waterfall as well as a 100 foot totem pole, with 10 mystical totem characters.
Neighbouring Hampshire invites you to try Abbotstone Down, Alresford where the route will take you through rolling chalk hills and bluebell woods or how about making tracks through Chawton Park Wood to Bentworth village on the 10-mile trail easily accessible from Alton or Four Marks. Enjoy more of a challenge from Alice Holt Forest along bridleways and roads through Bordon to Oakhanger and for hardened cyclists there’s one of the hardest trails in the county to the north of Petersfield where you can embark on some challenging climbs through rewarding scenery – not for the faint-hearted.
Serious cyclists may want to put their foot on the pedal and take on the challenge of the Surrey Tour on September 30th at Cranleigh Showground. The short route (!) is a mere 88km with longer options of 120 and 160 on the table too. Whichever you choose you’ll cycle through amazing countryside and in addition to a medal at the end there’ll be a much-needed beer and how about a slice of well-deserved pizza to refuel afterwards.
Bikes, like anything else you treasure, require some TLC from time to time and that’s where organisations such as Bike Project Surrey come in. The charity which has a workshop at Guildford College and a second at Brooklands College will teach you how to look after and service your bike and gain skills necessary for its maintenance. Paid and volunteer mechanics will help you make the most of your bike to prolong its life and help protect the environment. They will service, fix and customise your bike using recycled or new parts where necessary to help keep it on the road or track.
One of the things that makes Bike Project Surrey so great is that not only will they help get your bike shipshape they are also giving opportunities to those who may have missed out on learning in the past. Many students go to them for work experience, as can NEETs who will have the chance to gain a recognised qualification.
If you’re after a new bike, they have refurbished ones for sale and if you’ve an unwanted one or one children have outgrown then why not donate it? To find out more about their work and how you can get involved visit bikeprojectsurrey.org/wp/
Cycling is not just about two wheels, Wheels for All offers all ability cycling through its fleet of adapted bikes, trikes, quads, recumbents and side by side helping to make cycling an all-inclusive activity. It embraces disabled people and those who may not otherwise be able to enjoy the fun and freedom of cycling. Wheels for All Woking sessions are based at the athletics track at Woking Sportsbox. To find out more and to get in touch go to wheelsforall.org.uk/locations/woking-wheels-for-all
Oxfordshire
Enjoy some of the finest history Oxfordshire has to offer on a ride from the city of Oxford to Blenheim Palace. The family friendly ride follows the National Cycle Route 5 through residential neighbourhoods as it heads out towards Woodstock on its journey of around eight miles.
If mountain biking is your thing then at just under seven kilometres, the trail at Bagley Wood near Abingdon is ideal for beginners and the family, taking around two hours.
Mystery lovers should hop on their bikes and follow the Agatha Christie cycling route which takes in Wallingford, Goring and Streatley and Cholsey on the 17 mile loop. Once you’ve developed a taste for cycling in this area how about trying a ride through Goring Gap along quiet lanes and with stunning views.
Fancy seeing some art on your bike ride from Upton to Didcot? In addition to some lovely countryside there are interesting art benches (perfect for a breather) along the three to four mile route. Join the art trail from Upton and follow the signs for Didcot down towards the train station and into town for a refreshment stop.
Serious cyclists may like to take part in Bike Oxford on June 25th, choose from three routes of 75, 50 and 26 miles all winding through the best scenery Oxford has to offer. This popular event raises funds for Maggie’s Oxford Cancer Care centre. To take part visit bikeoxford.co.uk
Bikes, like anything else you treasure, require some TLC from time to time and that’s where organisations such as Broken Spoke Bike Co-op in Oxford and Windrush Bike Project in West Oxfordshire come in.
The Broken Spoke is run by people who are passionate about cycling and aim to make people more proficient in cycle maintenance and riding. They offer a range of DIY workshops, mechanics courses, cycle training, Beryl’s night – a free monthly evening session for women and all trans and non-binary people – as well as repairs and sales. It depends on its volunteers and more help is always needed, to find out more and offer your services visit bsbcoop.org
In West Oxfordshire, the staff and volunteers at the Windrush Bike Project help people to make journeys by bike and learn about the mechanics of bikes. A community workshop teaches vulnerable children and adults to fix donated bikes through courses. They also deliver Bikeability cycle training in schools across the area, campaign for safe cycling routes and provide information about riding in and around West Oxfordshire.
Berkshire
The Kennet & Avon Canal is great for more adventurous family biking expeditions and all the locks en route provide the perfect start / stop points and with the trainline running alongside too you can do some great A-B bike rides starting at a railway station and returning by train if it all becomes too much or the Great British weather intervenes! Take in the picturesque canal through Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford and Pewsey.
The Nature Discovery Centre, near Thatcham has a lovely bike ride loop around the lake, perfect for kids and with a café and two playgrounds it’s a fabulous day out.
Don’t be surprised if you suddenly encounter ponies grazing as you ride through Snelsmore Common. They’re a familiar sight around the routes to Donnington Castle if you venture far enough.
The Ridgeway is a journey through time taking in part of our heritage, experience wide open views and explore ancient treasures such as Neolithic long barrows and Bronze Age round barrows. At more than 80 miles long the Ridgeway is a route that will test your fitness levels. Mountain bikers can complete the stretch from Avebury to Goring in around two days.
For off-road cycling and 24km of trails suitable for all abilities, visit Swinley Forest which offers a choice of three trails – green, blue and red. Green is the perfect introduction to off road cycling, ideal for families and beginners. The blue trail offers a flowing loop suitable for intermediate and mountain bikers while the red advanced trail has challenges those with off-road skills will appreciate.
Dinton Pastures, near Wokingham is one of the most attractive spots locally and offers several different tracks around the lakes including the 1.8 mile Black Swan Lake loop where you can spot interesting ducks and swans along the way. The path is flat so ideal for kids but does have some bumpy sections where the path has been resurfaced with rough gravel.
Black Park Country Park has “family” written all over it with options for kids of all ages. In addition to the circular path around the lake, there’s a great route with an adventure play park halfway. It’s just under a mile so ideal for little legs. Bigger kids looking to exert themselves can take on the 10 miles of cycling and walking tracks around. Take your own bikes or hire them from Go Ape next to the car park.
The Thames Path stretch from Goring to Pangbourne is public bridleway so saddle up and ride. Enjoy some glorious country back lanes to Tilehurst Station (via Mapledurham) – it’s around nine miles and from there a train can zip you and your bikes back to Goring in about eight minutes.
Bikes, like anything else you treasure, require some TLC from time to time and that’s where organisations such as Reading Bike Kitchen come in. Got a bike that’s been sitting in the garage with spokes covered in cobwebs or just need some advice and access to tools to get your beloved bike shipshape again? This is the place for you. Take your trusty steed along and either make use of the space and tools at the Small Business Centre in Weldale Street or just ask one of the volunteers who will be more than happy to help and get you back in the saddle. Reading Bike Kitchen also welcomes donations of bikes in reasonable condition to pass on to a new owner. Visit readingbicyclekitchen.org to find out more.
Windsor Cycle Hub is a community initiative organisation set up to promote cycling for all in the community which as well as encouraging residents and visitors to get on their bikes, recycles affordable bikes, teaches mechanical skills, sharing knowledge and resources and running events and rides. Operating from The Swan in Clewer, the bike kitchen will carry out safety checks, maintenance, repairs and offer advice. Most weekends there’s a ride you can join in with too – operating on four different levels they’re a wonderful way to enjoy cycling in the company of others. Find all dates, advice and more at windsorcyclehub.org
Wiltshire
Wiltshire has some gorgeous scenery to navigate and explore so how about going slightly further afield and starting in Salisbury – worth it for the cathedral alone. Cycle via an old drover’s road up to remote Normanton Down where Stonehenge will be on the horizon. Cyclists in the know prefer the village of Avebury, whose ancient stone circle is more accessible and more fun to visit. The circular 160-mile Wiltshire Cycleway showcases the county, right up to historic Malmesbury in the Cotswolds.
Experienced cyclists will want to tackle William’s Big Wheel on Saturday, 10th June. Run by West Berkshire Spokes, it starts from West Mills, Newbury RG14 5BQ and takes you through Marlborough, Ramsbury and Lambourn. This is a limited numbers ride but if seeing them whizz past whets your appetite for ‘serious’ cycling then the group runs two rides a month, find out more at www.westberkshirespokes.org
You might still be in time to sign up for the Hydra Ride on June 25th. The sportive-style road cycle ride, starts from Wood Street, in the heart of Swindon Old Town, a choice of three routes all go south-east along rolling roads winding through stunning countryside taking in Lambourn, Ramsbury and Aldbourne on the way. The Hydra 5, 7, and 9 offer a challenge for riders of all abilities with rewarding climbs and swift descents. And if the cycling’s not for you make sure you look out for them pedalling through the towns and villages. Full routes at thehydraride.co.uk
Buckinghamshire
Follow the Phoenix Trail from Princes Risborough to Thame and enjoy the perfect family trail. Not only is it flat and safe, but there’s no traffic to contend with along the 7.5 mile path which largely follows the path of a disused railway line, dotted with 30 sculptures acknowledging railway history and the Chiltern countryside.
Wendover’s Juniper Cycle Trail takes you along six miles of well-surfaced trails with climbs and descents. Suitable for intermediate riders and mountain bikers with basic off-road skills, some parts are steep but the trail is well-surfaced.
Take in the sights of Jubilee Weir and Windsor (including Eton) on an enjoyable 11.5 mile route from Windsor Bridge Loop to Taplow that includes five+ miles of fabulous cycleways.
Explore Little Marlow, Bourne End, Cookham Bridge, Cookham Dean and the Marlow Suspension Bridge on an easy circular route of just over 10 miles, finishing back in town for a well-earned refreshment reward.
Longer routes well worth a pedal in the area include taking in the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre and Butt’s Way with a cycling round trip which takes in Princes Risborough. You can cycle in the landscape of Pavis Wood and enjoy Chesham, Amersham and Great Missenden and how about exploring the Royal Standard of England taking in Beaconsfield en route? For full details of these and more rides, please visit routeyou.com/en-gb/location/routes/47411801/buckinghamshire?route-type=1
Organised by Wheelpower, the Tour de Vale Charity Bike Ride on Sunday, 11th June, is Buckinghamshire’s largest charity cycling event which starts and finishes at Stoke Mandeville Stadium with a chance to enjoy the beautiful countryside. Cyclists can enjoy full support en route while the finish yields a massage, barbecue and bar to recover and relax. This fabulous event raises funds for the Stoke Mandeville charity which provides opportunities for disabled people to lead healthy, active lives. Full details and to enter, visit wheelpower.org.uk/tourdevale23
Book your tickets to buy second hand treasures by the kilo at a pop-up store in Leiden Square on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st May.
Westgate Oxford will welcome fast-growing sustainable fashion business ‘we are.’ on Leiden Square over Friday 19th, Saturday 20th, and Sunday 21st May.
The pop-up store will sell high-quality secondhand clothing, including womenswear and menswear from well-loved brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Nike, alongside authentic vintage items.
The clothing rails will be refreshed at regular intervals throughout each day, ensuring all visitors get a chance to find some hidden gems regardless of their time of entry. Guests will be able to purchase as much or as little as they like, with the total cost dependent on the weight of the garments. Prices will start from £5, with a full kilo costing £25.
Brendan Hattam, Westgate centre, said: “With sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds, we know that our guests are looking for more climate-conscious ways to shop. That’s why we’re partnering with ‘we are.’ to bring pre-loved fashion to Westgate Oxford in response to the growing popularity of shopping second-hand, while brining our guests a new mix of premium and vintage brands at accessible prices.”
Matthew Griffiths, founder of ‘we are.’ added: “We are thrilled to be launching our kilo sale style pop-up store at Westgate Oxford for the first time, bringing our sustainable shopping experience back to Oxford after a successful pop-up in Oxford Town Hall last year. Millions of perfectly wearable clothes are thrown out each year and we are here to prove that sustainable fashion can help you stay on-trend as well as help save the planet.”
