Vintage vehicles at Woodcote Rally

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Heritage transport at its very best is on display at Woodcote Rally, July 13th & 14th, and as Andy Crockett tells us the event has much more to offer too

The Woodcote Rally is a festival of steam, vintage and veteran transport with entertainment for all the family.

We have a wide range of exhibits including large and miniature steam engines, stationary engines, cars, motor bikes, tractors, military, models and commercial vehicles. During both days, the exhibits will display in the main arena and there will be separate tractor working area.

We have a large craft marquee with a range of hand-crafted goods and an enticing food area. Outside the marquee is the country area where you can watch demonstrations of traditional country skills including wood turning, stick making, hedge laying and willow weaving. We also have a wonderful birds of prey display and a children’s petting farm.

There’s a range of trade stands including jewellery, metal artwork, garden furniture, tools, clothing and accessories, die cast models and food products including gluten free.

In the children’s entertainment area there’s a face painter, entertainer and circus skills workshop. The funfair is a great attraction for all ages.

During both days live bands will play on the main stage and continue long into the evening. By the stage you’ll find CAMRA’s famous Festival of Ale and, new for this year, an additional marquee selling a range of alternative drinks to real ale such as lagers, craft beers, spirits and wines. In this area you’ll find a range food stalls to satisfy all tastes. Look out for the Round & About logo on your beer cups.

All of these attractions combine to make the Rally South Oxfordshire’s premier event of its kind. Since 1964, the Rally Committee has donated a total of £532,000 to local charities and other deserving organisations.

This year’s event will be held over the weekend of 13th and 14th July. The Rally is located about 10 miles north-west of Reading on the A4074 Reading to Oxford Road. We are in a new field off Church Lane, Ipsden, OX10 6BZ. The What 3 Words location is “less.hoped.pens”. The car parks and entrances will be well sign posted from all directions.

Public transport is available to the site on the X40 Thames Travel bus service between Oxford and Reading which runs about every 30 minutes. There are bus stops (both ways) just by Church Lane with a short walk to the Rally site from there. (Check the bus website for times).

Please visit us at The Next Woodcote Rally for further details.

A Night at the Musicals 2

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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.

Tickets £15 plus booking fee. Book at tinyrul.com/mtwgold2

Profits go to SAYes Mentoring, a charity which trains mentors to support youth in transition. Find out more about their work at SAYes Mentoring

Sports Marketing In The Digital Age

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The digital age has brought about a significant change in the way sports marketing operates. Sports brands, events, and athletes have had to adapt to the new digital landscape to reach their audiences effectively. The challenges and opportunities of sports marketing in the digital age are many and varied, and the following article will explore them in detail.

Cheltenham Racing Festival

One example of the challenges and opportunities of sports marketing in the digital age is the Cheltenham Racing Festival. This annual event, held at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England, is one of the most significant events in the horse racing calendar. The festival takes place over four days, with the Cheltenham racing dates set for March 14-17. The festival attracts a wide audience, including horse racing enthusiasts, punters and causal observers.

One of the biggest challenges facing sports marketers at the Cheltenham Racing Festival is the sheer scale of the event. With tens of thousands of people in attendance and millions more watching online and on TV, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and make an impact. However, with careful planning and a strategic approach, there are many opportunities to engage with fans and create memorable experiences.

Social Media

One way that sports marketers can take advantage of the digital age is by leveraging social media to connect with fans before, during, and after the event. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide a powerful way to build buzz, share news and updates, and engage with fans in real time. By creating compelling content and leveraging influencer partnerships, sports marketers can generate excitement and drive engagement in the run-up to the event.

During the event itself, sports marketers can use a variety of tactics to create memorable experiences for fans. For example, offering free merchandise, exclusive access, or VIP experiences can help to build loyalty and create positive associations with brands. Live streaming and social media activations can also be effective in engaging fans who are unable to attend in person.

Tradition and Innovation

Another challenge facing sports marketers at the Cheltenham Racing Festival is the need to balance tradition and innovation. While horse racing has a rich history and culture, sports marketers must also embrace new technologies and trends to stay relevant and engaging. For example, using augmented reality or virtual reality experiences can help to bring the excitement of the races to live in new and innovative ways.

Finally, sports marketers must also be mindful of the importance of data and analytics in the digital age. By tracking engagement metrics, analysing audience behaviour, and monitoring sentiment, sports marketers can gain valuable insights into what is working and what is not. This can help to inform future campaigns and improve the overall effectiveness of sports marketing efforts.

Bottom Line

Sports marketing in digital age presents both challenges and opportunities for marketers looking to promote their brands and products at events like the Cheltenham Racing Festival. By leveraging social media, creating memorable experiences, embracing innovation, and using data and analytics, sports marketers can engage with fans in new and exciting ways and drive long-term brand loyalty. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the key to success will be staying flexible, adaptable, and always willing to try new things.

Chawton House virtual gardens

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Celebrate gardens of all shapes and sizes with two days of talks, Q&As, interviews and readings… all online, and all for free

‘Get out’ and enjoy Chawton House’s virtual garden festival this weekend on May 30th and 31st at this garden event like no other.

The 400-year-old manor house was owned by Jane Austen’s brother Edward who gave his mother and sisters the nearby bailiff’s cottage, which became Jane Austen’s House Museum.

The event will bring you an exciting programme inspired by the Chawton House gardens and collections. Gardening talks and tips, botanical workshops, discussions with heritage gardeners, and a chance to take part in a virtual ‘best in show’ competition on Instagram will all feature.

Find out more about what it takes to manage a country house garden, the inspirations behind them and the team managing the gardens at Chawton House.

Learn about the extraordinary botanical women such as Elizabeth Blackwell who was also the inspiration behind their herb garden.

Take a virtual walk on Chawton House’s Jane Austen Garden Trail and find out more about Jane Austen and her love for gardens. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask any questions that you might have as the Chawton House team share tips throughout the weekend to use in your own gardens.

Just register for your free weekend ticket and Chawton House will send you the full programme and line up. All content is free excluding their online creative writing workshops. There is a cost of £5 per session with festival sign ups given priority booking.

To find out more

Waddesdon Halloween

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Photo: Adam Hollier, National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Make time this half-term to follow the ghosts of Waddesdon along terrifying trails, carve a pumpkin or sink your fangs into some ghoulish treats.

Throughout October half-term (Saturday, 26th October to Sunday, 3rd November) Waddesdon will host the living and the dead with a range of spooky activities and tasty treats daily from 10am to 3pm.
Join a terrifying trail if you are brave enough to complete The Dread Book. Let the trail tell you a tale of terror on Miss Alice’s Drive, perhaps you’ll spot a ghost or two – £3 per child.

Try your hand at the traditional Halloween craft of pumpkin carving from 26th October to 1st November. Perform a post-mortem on a pumpkin and take it home to light the way – £5 per pumpkin.

Tuck into a spooky afternoon tea during the week and indulge in some terrifying treats at the Manor Restaurant with a delicious spooky snake, ghost meringue and an eyeball cupcake. Adults £22.50, children £15.50 or add some sparkle to your tea for £27 adults.

When half term is out the way, Waddesdon steps into Christmas mode from Saturday, 16th November until Sunday, 5th January. Displays in the house this year explore the connection to the world of music with a festive twist, from carols to Christmas hits. The gardens will be illuminated with sparkling lights and colour.

For information

For information and to book for any of these events