You’d be mad to miss FAOS Musical Theatre Group’s latest show at Farnham Maltings
Join FAOS for a terrific time in old Transylvania, where the wolves are howling, the scientists are mad, the monster has escaped and everyone is Puttin’ On the Ritz!
Young Frederick Frankenstein (that’s Fronken-steen), returns to his grandfather’s Transylvanian castle with his trusty sidekick Igor (that’s Eye-gore) and with the help of beautiful blonde Inga (that’s buxom) and the slightly sinister Frau Blücher (that’s… enough!) creates a magnificent monster.
However, the brain used isn’t quite to the standard Frankenstein expected, and with the local police inspector and villagers breaking down the door with pitchforks – for a friendly welcome – and a surprise visit from Frankenstein’s fiancée Elizabeth, just as you would expect hilarious chaos ensues.
Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment, a frighteningly funny show that will leave you in stitches. You’d have to be mad as Frankenstein to miss it.
Performances: 12th-15th June, 7.30pm, 2.30pm on Saturday.
Farnham Maltings also offers a pre-show dining option.
FOAS has been part of life in Farnham for almost 100 years. They are always looking for new performers and behind the scenes for help with costumes and make up, props, set-building, lighting, sound engineering, front of house, backstage crew during show week and marketing and publicity.
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day at The Shed and in Bordon town centre
The Shed will be a central part of Whitehill & Bordon’s events commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Saturday, 8th June when visitors will go on a trip back in time with a series of military-themed nostalgic entertainment with music and food from the era.
From 2pm The Shed will be marking the town’s military heritage and hosting its own themed tribute to the Normandy landings with stalls and displays at the Town Park. There will be music and food from the era and an atmosphere of commemoration and celebration throughout the day and into the evening:
• 2-3pm: Performances by Jack Trinder and the Forest Players • 3-4pm: Performance by Liss Brass Brand • 4-5pm: Stephanie Belle our WW2 themed singer • 6pm onwards: Vic Cracknell’s Jazz Band
The Phoenix Theatre will also be providing a ‘silent disco’ for an immersive D-Day experience, stalls will be selling home-made craft of militaria from the era, and Shed vendors are set to get into the spirit with spam fritters, Spitfire beer and dressing up throughout.
Free parking will be available in all areas, including Hogmoor Inclosure for the weekend of 8-9th June.
The Shed is just one part of the town’s 80th anniversary commemoration. Check out all the planned events in Whitehill & Bordon’s D-Day 80 at D-Day 80 – Whitehill Town Council.
Throughout 2024 The Shed is the place for a treat, to eat, create and meet. Details of future events at @theshedwb.com/shed-events.
Join Greener Henley and friends for Great Big Green Week and find out how together we can tackle climate change and bring nature and wildlife back to its full glory
The UK’s biggest celebration of community action to protect the planet is back, showing that people everywhere are wanting to help create a better tomorrow.
Greener Henley have organised a week of events for local residents to enjoy, bringing people together to celebrate, and get involved in, what’s happening in and around Henley for climate and nature.
From 8th to 16th June, we’ll have walks, talks, film, art sessions, gallery exhibitions, poetry, and a sustainability workshop for local businesses. Our Nature Discovery Day, down by the River at Mill Meadows, kicks off the week and includes something for everyone, with nature-focused activities for all ages. We’ll have conservation groups and local experts on hand to explore and discuss everything from butterflies and birds to fungi and river water quality, plus a wildlife photography session. Collect your free native wildflower seeds and take part in our Nature Squared campaign, helping Henley get closer to our total of 500m2 of plants for pollinators.
Why not bring a picnic, join the wildflower walk, butterfly sweep, or bug hunt and make a day of it. Pop into the River and Rowing Museum’s Kirkham Gallery to see work from our local students for our Schools Environment Science Challenge on the theme of ‘Pollution’, alongside artworks from the wonderful waterside arts & ecology project that is The Beautiful Blue. In the afternoon you can, let your creativity and love of nature entwine at The Gardening Drawing Club, a family friendly art and gardening session at Henley Library.
Our guest speaker, Professor Chris Merchant talks ‘climate’ on the evening of 10th June at the Town Hall Council Chamber, at ‘In Our Hands: Our Climate Future’. Find out about the key science that makes climate change a formidable challenge, and how ingenuity and determination can meet the Net-Zero target.
Kate Oldridge, Greener Henley’s Chair said: “GBGW is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to stand up for nature and fight climate change. There are a whole host of activities in Henley for everyone across the community to get involved in. We can all do something to help, whether that means taking part in our Nature Squared campaign by planting seeds for pollinators, continuing the conversation about something you discover at GBGW, or asking our local decision makers to support action on climate and nature. Let’s make this the biggest and boldest GBGW so far – come out, get involved, take action.”
Events currently planned to take place during Henley’s Great Big Green Week include:
Saturday 8th: Nature Discovery Day, 10am-2pm, Mill Meadows – participants include Henley Toad Patrol, Upper Thames Butterfly Conservation Group, BBOWT, Henley Car Club, chalk stream volunteers and many more.
Saturday 8th: Plant vs beef taste test: Which burger’s best? 12-2pm, outside Pavilion Foods.
Sunday 9th: Green screen: Elephant Mother, plus panel discussion, 2-5pm, Regal Picturehouse. Ticketed.
Monday 10th: ‘In Our Hands: Our Climate Future’ talk on climate change with Q&A, 7-9pm, Town Hall Council Chamber.
Tuesday 11th: Poetry Readings from ‘Tread Gently on the Earth’ poetry competition, 6-7:30pm, Henley Library.
Wednesday 12: Wilding, a special preview screening, plus expert panel, 8-10.15pm, Regal Picturehouse. Ticketed.
Thursday 13th: Greening Your Business seminar & networking event with speakers, 5.30pm-7.30pm, Thames Room, River & Rowing Museum.
Week-long events:
Fun scavenger hunt: Find the letters hidden in crafted flowers in 10 shop windows around town and work out the mystery word.
Henley’s Big Green Road: Choose from eight books that make for interesting reads and start the conversation!
Exhibitions in the Kirkham Gallery, River & Rowing Museum: running alongside each other from 23rd May to 17th June: Pollution: an exhibition of work by local students in response to Greener Henley’s Environmental Science Challenge and The Beautiful Blue: exploring water and our human relationship with it.
June 8th is set to be a super singing Saturday when vocalists of all ages come together for a mass charity event in Godlaming
Let the music you when ChoirBlast explodes into Godalming on June 8th for an exciting day-to-evening event for music lovers, featuring 50 nationwide choirs in a fusion of singing and community.
The family-friendly event features seven simultaneous stages at The Burys Field, the Bandstand and Cloisters and is a not-for-profit festival, with craft stalls, children’s activities, food and lots of fabulous singing from 11am.
ChoirBlast is a celebration of contemporary choirs from around the country and the festival presents a unique opportunity to experience the joy and power of harmony music. Among the local choirs taking part this year are Music by Motivation Contemporary Gospel Choirs comprising members from Guildford Rock Choir; Farncombe Jazz Choir know for their acapella arrangements; the Halow Project who are one of the charities to benefit from this year’s event as are The Meath Backstage Choir; Guildford Jazz Choir bring together the old and new with jazz classics and contemporary hits; Godalming Jazz Choir is a friendly place for people to sing together that has been running for 10 years; born out of friendship and love Little Town Choir from Petersfield provide a ‘musical sanctuary’; Godalming-based Music Kids for five to teens; Guildford Vox Community Choir have a repertoire consisting of contemporary and traditional songs from the British Isles; Godalming Community Gospel Choir; ladies a capella group In Accord from Guildford; Wholenotes Community Choirs for those with social anxiety and / or learning disabilities based in Guildford and Camberley and many more from around the country.
ChoirBlast supports the local halow project and Meath charities, for adults with epilepsy and complex needs. In the spirit of the festival, admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Make a day of it enjoying the sweet sounds on offer alongside the food and drink from the Serious Rum Bar, street food from Cara Gorda Cantina, seasonal flavours from Dylan’s Ice Cream, South African flame grilled steaks and burgers from Bring & Braai, wood fired pizza from Belle Buono, Sri Lankan street food from Kothu Truck, Daisy’s Sandwiches, ice coffee and cake from The Journalist and serving up much-needed coffee will be Bean & Gone.
Visit choirblast.com for details of all the choirs taking part.
All summer long there’s the chance to immerse yourself in a tapestry of artistic expressions, delving into themes of self-discovery, social commentary, and community heritage.
You may be lucky enough to catch the closing few days of Eden Silver-Myer’s Befriending My Brain. A vibrant display of colours and textures, Eden invites viewers to delve into the depths of neurodiversity and personal acceptance. “Befriending my Brain is,” Eden says, “about feeling like I finally have started to understand my mind after 33 years of feeling like a square peg in round hole after round hole.”
Among the exhibitions not to be missed is Shouting Quietly by Clive Wright, featuring over 500 captivating paintings. From 5th June to 27th July, Wright presents a curated selection that delves into the complexities of human existence, exploring everyday encounters and global phenomena. Each canvas resonates with layers of meaning, inviting viewers to decipher the hidden narratives beneath the surface.
He often paints up to half a dozen pictures on a common theme. Here, single pictures have been selected to represent groups of related canvases.
The ordinary events that he sees often become the subject of Clives’ work, such as people that he has observed in a coffee shop, or someone receiving a covid jab.
Didcot Dairy Story, curated by Dr Leah Hewerdine and Ruby Livesey, is at Cornerstone from 31st July to 31st August and is a must-see for anyone interested in Didcot’s history. This exhibition showcases the legacy of the iconic Didcot Dairy through an engaging display of artefacts, photographs, and cherished memories.
Visitors can soak up the nostalgia while supporting Sobell House Hospice and other local causes as part of this exhibition. If you have a Didcot Dairy Story to share, or would like to support the project, don’t bottle it up! Please do get in touch with the team via email at: [email protected]
from intimate reflections to thought-provoking narratives, each exhibition promises to inspire, enlighten, and enrich the summer season at Cornerstone.
The gallery area is free for all visitors to view at the centre during its opening hours.
Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “I love that we can display these exhibitions for free to the public and they can experience such a wide range of art and artists at Cornerstone.
“I’d encourage anyone coming along to Cornerstone whether it’s to see a show or to enjoy some refreshments at Café Nourish to pop into the gallery and view the art on display this summer.”
Learn more about the topics discussed in this article. Read on…
Neurodiversity and Personal Acceptance
Eden Silver-Myer’s “Befriending My Brain”
Neurodiversity refers to the concept that neurological differences are to be recognised and respected as any other human variation. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences.
Art Therapy is a therapeutic technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. This exhibition aligns with such therapeutic practices, using art to explore and understand personal cognitive experiences.
Personal Acceptance in the context of neurodiversity emphasises the journey towards self-understanding and embracing one’s unique neurological makeup. This is crucial for mental health and well-being, often discussed in psychological and social frameworks.
Human Existence and Everyday Encounters
Clive Wright’s “Shouting Quietly”
Social Realism in Art is a genre that focuses on depicting everyday activities and experiences, often with a focus on the working class and the ordinary events of daily life. Wright’s work resonates with this genre by capturing mundane yet significant moments.
Global Phenomena through Art involve artists interpreting and reflecting on global issues such as pandemics, climate change, and social justice movements. Wright’s inclusion of themes like COVID-19 vaccinations ties local experiences to broader global contexts.
Narrative Art involves artworks that tell a story, inviting viewers to delve into the narrative layers. Each of Wright’s paintings, as described, has hidden stories that viewers are encouraged to uncover, making the viewing experience interactive and reflective.
Community Heritage and Local History
Didcot Dairy Story
Community Curated Exhibitions involve members of the community in the curation process, ensuring that local stories and histories are accurately represented. This can enhance community engagement and ownership of cultural heritage.
Local History Projects like the Didcot Dairy Story preserve and celebrate the unique histories of specific locales. These projects often involve collecting oral histories, photographs, and artifacts from community members.
Nostalgia in Heritage Projects taps into the emotional connection people have with their past, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity. The Didcot Dairy Story aims to evoke such nostalgia, linking past and present through shared memories.
Public Art Accessibility
Free Public Art Spaces democratise access to art, allowing individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds to experience and engage with artistic expressions. This aligns with broader cultural policies aimed at inclusivity and community well-being.
Community Well-being through Arts emphasises the role of cultural activities in enhancing the overall quality of life. Engaging with art can provide emotional and mental health benefits, foster social connections, and create a vibrant community atmosphere.
Get in the know..
1. When does Eden Silver-Myer’s “Befriending My Brain” exhibition end? – The exhibition is available for viewing until the end of its run in the summer. Specific dates are not provided, so it’s recommended to visit soon to catch the closing days.
2. What are the dates for Clive Wright’s “Shouting Quietly” exhibition? – Clive Wright’s exhibition runs from June 5th to July 27th.
3. How can I contribute to the Didcot Dairy Story exhibition? – You can share your Didcot Dairy story by emailing the team at [email protected].
4. Is there a cost to view the exhibitions at Cornerstone Arts Centre? – No, the gallery exhibitions are free for all visitors during opening hours.
5. What is the duration of the Didcot Dairy Story exhibition? – The Didcot Dairy Story exhibition runs from July 31st to August 31st.
6. What themes are explored in Eden Silver-Myer’s “Befriending My Brain”? – The exhibition explores themes of neurodiversity and personal acceptance, highlighting the artist’s journey towards understanding her mind.
7. What subjects does Clive Wright focus on in his paintings? – Clive Wright’s paintings often depict ordinary events such as people in coffee shops and individuals receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as broader global phenomena.
8. How many paintings are featured in Clive Wright’s “Shouting Quietly”? – The exhibition features over 500 captivating paintings by Clive Wright.
9. What can visitors expect from the Didcot Dairy Story exhibition? – Visitors can expect to see a collection of artifacts, photographs, and cherished memories showcasing the legacy of the iconic Didcot Dairy.
10. How does Cornerstone Arts Centre support community well-being? – By offering free public access to a wide range of art and exhibitions, Cornerstone Arts Centre promotes cultural engagement and supports community well-being.
Drink in the view and the music at Cherry Trees fundraiser at High Clandon
Join Cherry Trees charity at High Clandon for Jazz in the Vineyard on Saturday 8th June for a sparkling celebration of cool jazz.
Bring along a picnic or tuck into one of the stone-baked pizzas as you sip a complimentary glass of Gloriana Cuvée, sit back, drink in the views and chill listening to the sweet sounds of The Sue Richardson Quintet at either the matinee, 1pm start, or evening performance which begins at 6.15pm.
Your feet will tap as you celebrate the unsung heroes of jazz, led by Sue with the quintet’s feel-good show, Bird.
Feel free to take along anything else you may need to make your evening comfortable, such as tables, chairs and cushions. Why not upgrade your experience and pre-book one of the cabaret-style seats. Chairs cost £10 per person and will be spread around shared tables. This can be added to your booking when purchasing your tickets below. Tickets are £45 per person with all proceeds supporting the children and families who rely on Cherry Trees.
Cherry Trees helps to keep families together by providing home from home care for children with complex disabilities and a meaningful break for their families. Supporting children and young people up to the age of 19 with learning, physical and sensory impairments, Cherry Trees provides care after school, for a few hours, overnight or for a longer stay.
Hindhead Art Trail takes you on a picturesque journey through both art and the artists’ lives via ceramics, landscapes, portraits and stained glass
During June’s Surrey Open Studios you will find luscious ceramics, dramatic abstract landscapes, perfect wildlife portraits, and much more from the ten artists on the Hindhead Art Trail. All works are for sale and you can even get involved in creating your own art at their workshops.
The trail is a perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon. Start in Churt with Fiona Millais’s evocative semi-abstract landscapes that respond to the local area and the coast. Across Churt village, Georgina Rey is exhibiting loose oil sketches done on site capturing the feeling of local places, alongside larger, colourful abstracts. Just up the road, see Stephanie Draper’s colourful paintings and monochrome prints inspired by maps locally and beyond. Create a small colourful block sculpture with Stephanie at her drop in sessions on 7th, 8th and 9th June.
Turning south through Whitmore Vale, find Alison Hunt’s textural, abstract landscapes in wonderful tones. They sit alongside Nicola Martin’s stoneware pottery, including signature ‘Earth Bowls’ evoking the strata between land and sea. Both artists are inspired by the colours, shapes and textures of the natural world which they interpret in their pieces.
On the road into Grayshott, visit Alison Orchard’s working studio at Applegarth Farm. Enjoy a collection of expressive sea and landscape paintings, alongside gutsy abstracts and a range of limited-edition prints. The gallery also showcases a selection of hand-thrown ceramics by respected artists. There is a lot to tempt and inspire! Alison will be running a one-day gestural seascapes workshop at Farnham Pottery on 27th June.
This might be a moment to stop for a coffee or lunch at Applegarth Farm restaurant and deli, with locally sourced and home-grown food.
Next stop Annie Child’s fused and stained glass, in her lovely oak framed garden studio on the edge of Grayshott village. Annie’s range of glass art draws on her love of colour and the beauty of the natural world around her.
In Grayshott Village, the Punchbowl Gallery hosts Angie Wallace and Nicky Chubb. Angie creates realistic artworks of wildlife, full of intricate detail in coloured pencils and pastels. Nicky paints multicoloured and textured collaged nudes from life.
Finish the trail in Beacon Hill with Emma Godden’s fantastically observed, tactile garden ornaments inspired by seed pods and flowers. Make your own at her workshop on 21st June.
Start and finish the trail where you like. Trail maps are available in each studio, details of opening times and workshops at surreyopenstudios.org.uk and Instagram (@hindheadarttrail)
Enjoy The Comedy Of Errors thanks to the Chiltern Shakespeare Company this month at Hall Barn in Beaconsfield
Chiltern Shakespeare Company was founded in 1986 by Michael and Aviva Wiseman, residents of Beaconsfield who were prominently involved in local theatrical activities.
Their mission, to the this day, is to deliver the Bard’s plays featuring some of the finest amateur local actors, and to encourage children to participate in plays, bringing the sometimes dry study of the text at school to life.
From its early productions in a Beaconsfield school hall the company graduated in 1989 to the lovely open air setting of Hall Barn, a stately home on the outskirts of Beaconsfield, by kind permission of the Burnham family.
The company celebrated their 20th summer season at Hall Barn in 2008 with their third production or A Midsummer’s Night Dream, followed in 2009 by Romeo & Juliet. In total CSC has now staged 28 productions, including the majority in the open air at Hall Barn.
A further key objective of the company was – and remains – the raising of funds for selected charities from any surplus funds generated by their productions. This is made by the efforts of the company’s members who give so much of their free time (no one is paid at all) and the generosity of Hall Barn’s owners who continue to host the events on such favourable terms. A performance at Hall Barn is made complete by booking a delicious picnic (with or without prosecco) to enjoy before the play in the glorious grounds.
The Comedy of Errors tells the story of two sets of identical twins separated at birth. Antipholus and Dromio (both from Syracuse), arrive in Ephesus, unknowingly the home of their identical twin brothers (also named Antipholus and Dromio). Hilarity ensues as mistaken identities lead to confusion, accusations, and romantic entanglements. Through a series of misunderstandings, the twins and their servants create chaos until a final reunion brings everything to a happy end.
There will be 10 performances on the evenings of Wednesday 5th, Thursday 6th, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th June plus a matinee on Saturday 8th, the Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th, Friday 14th, Saturday 15th and again a matinee on Saturday 15th. Evening performances start at 7.45pm with the matinees at 1.45pm.
There are a range of tickets from £15-£25 depending on your chosen performance and age. Concessions are available for over-65s and students in full-time education on Wednesday performances and on both matinees.
All proceeds will go to The Ducklings Trust, a charity set up to raise money for equipment and help improve the environment in the maternity units at Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe. This fundraising continues to help ensure the units are the best birth environment they can be for families and staff.
As well as organising fundraising events, contributions from the public are very welcome. To find out about The Ducklings Trust please visit The Ducklings Trust
After the success of last year’s fundraising event, Fiona Cox and friends are again taking you on a musical journey
Expect a spectacular evening of musical entertainment at The Croft Hall in Hungerford on Saturday, 29th June.
Get ready to be transported into the magical world of musicals as talented performers take the stage to bring your favourite songs to life.
Following last year’s sell-out smash-hit show, singers and musicians from MTW Gold and friends will delight with songs from the West End and Broadway.
From show-stopping numbers to heartwarming ballads, this event promises to be a night to remember. So grab your friends, family, and musical-loving buddies and come along for a night filled with laughter, joy, and toe-tapping tunes.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the magic of musical theatre up close and personal! There’s also a raffle to buy tickets for with some great prizes up for grabs.
Bring a picnic and enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment from 7.30pm. Doors open 7.15pm.
Summer is finally here, which means it’s cricket season. John Rolfe tells us about Bledlow Ridge Cricket Club and invites seniors, umpires & scorers to join the club.
Bledlow Ridge CC is a village cricket club with a big club mentality. We’re based at ‘Meadow Styles’ with two distinctive landmarks.
There are two Senior Saturday Xls playing in the Cherwell Cricket League, Sunday friendlies and a thriving Junior section for age five and up, who practise on Friday nights and play matches during term-time.
After the summer term ends, we play T20 friendlies which keeps the Friday night bar and barbecue busy until September. We’ve just invested in a ‘Frogbox’ system to enable us to show matches in real time.
The senior club is always looking for new playing members, and volunteer umpires and scorers. The ground sits in stunning countryside and has earned a reputation both for its beautiful location and for the quality of its playing surface. Visitors to ‘Meadow styles’ as it’s known, will also see two larger-than-life sized wood carvings hewn from the trunks of two fallen trees. Spectators are welcome at all matches and Martina runs The Clubhouse Café from our pavilion on Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays.
Senior net practice is on Wednesday evenings from 6pm. New players are welcome to just turn up, or you can call John Rolfe on 07873 516568 first for more info. There is plenty of information online at Bledlow Ridge Cricket Club
