NewburyFest: let’s get it started in here

Summer is finally here! The sun is shining (in-between the torrential downpours), the sandals and shorts are on, and many of us are dreaming about heading to the sea to enjoy an ice cream with the sand between our toes. Summer is a time for celebration, and this year Newbury is doing it in style.

From Saturday 25 June to Sunday 24 July, we’re hosting our summer-long party, NewburyFest, and everyone’s invited. Join us for amazing food, great music and outstanding entertainment at over 20 events taking place across the town.

NewburyFest kicks off at The Watermill Theatre with a production of Watership Down, followed by an explosion of street entertainment in the town centre with Newbury Artisan Market, Rotary Boules and a special parade by the Royal British Legion. With so much fun in the sun, here we share some of the highlights:

Let me entertain you

If you fancy an evening out with your loved one or group of friends, why not head to one of Newbury’s amazing restaurants, and then catch a show. Amateur dramatics group, the New Era Players will perform Pride and Prejudice, while a two-hour dance and music extravaganza, Rhythm of the Dance, features a live band and 22 dancers. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something completely different, checkout The Card Ninja; more than a magician, he uses ordinary playing cards as weapons with unfathomable precision, speed and power.

Music makes the people come together

Perhaps a night of drinks, dancing and great music are more your thing. Newbury Racecourse is hosting a number of live music events throughout the summer. Join them for a day’s racing, then celebrate your win in style at Motown Live Night, a musical celebration featuring Motown and soul classics, or see Simply Red perform on stage. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy, join us for Proms at Parkway to experience the best in local classical music while you shop.

We're S-H-O-PP-I-N-G, we're shopping

It’s out with the old and in with the new; summer is a great excuse to treat yourself to a new wardrobe. Join us for Parkway's Summer Street Party, featuring live music, acrobats, Punch & Judy show and great instore discounts. Then it’s time to hit the town again for Shop Local Week, which promotes Newbury’s many independent shops alongside the larger chains, with fun competitions, prizes, and street music. Or for something a bit different try Parkway En Provence, a traditional French market complete with caricaturist, mime acts and accordion player.

'Cause it's my party, I do, do what I want

This summer there’s something for everyone in Newbury. To see a full list of events and start planning your staycation, visit NewburyFest.

Biddy has a ‘Jazzfest’ at Newbury Spring Festival

There’s still a week left of the Newbury Spring Festival 2016 and plenty of events to be enjoyed – everything from the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers to London Brass and Savitiri Grier to The Marian Consort with ‘Breaking the Rules’ – at a variety of venues in and around Newbury.

I almost overdosed on jazz at the Festival last week. Within the space of 17 hours I attended John Etheridge’s Sweet Chorus followed, fairly swiftly, by the Alexander Bone Trio. And I’m very glad I did.

Both were performing at the Corn Exchange and both were absolutely brilliant. First up was John Etheridge’s Sweet Chorus. With the legendary guitar skills of the man himself, John Etheridge’s passion for music shone through in a set that lasted way beyond the estimated finish time of 9.30pm. The audience did not want them to go home. Alongside John were the masterful Dave Kelbie and Andy Crowdy whose skills on the rhythm guitar and double bass respectively were understated and beautiful. Almost stealing the show, though, was Christian Garrick, whose violin sang to the audience and added and edge to the evening that was much applauded.

The next day I had the pleasure of seeing the Alexander Bone Trio as part of Newbury Spring Festival’s Young Artists Lunchtime Recital series. These three young men are already magnificent musicians and at such a young age their futures in the world of music must shine extremely brightly.

 Alexander Bone has a quiet confidence that belies his years; and if you love the sax you have to love how this young man handles the instrument. Joe Lee on bass guitar was perhaps the unsung hero of the hour – for indeed the lunchtime recitals last just that – one hour – and what a wonderful way it is for anyone working in Newbury to spend their lunchbreak (and an absolute bargain at £9 for an hour of live music).

Like violinist Christian Garrick the night before, the person who I found particularly entertaining was Toby Comeau on keyboards and grand piano. Not only is he a genius of the ivories but he has an almost innocent humour about him; whether his comic adjustment of the piano stool was intended or not, the audience loved it.

There were lots of schoolchildren at the lunchtime recital, taking over most of the circle. As a saxophonist himself, the husband was particularly keen to see this trio but seeing the number of small children streaming in we were prepared for there to be a fair amount of volume from the audience. But hats off to those children, who sat and listened intently to the whole show. Their schools should be very proud of them.

If you get a chance, do go and see something at the Newbury Spring Festival this week. Some events are sold out but for others you will still be in with a chance of getting a seat, so do check out what’s available either in person at the Corn Exchange (which is the booking office) or at the website: www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk.

Biddy x

 

Newbury Spring Festival

Newbury Spring Festival 

7th-21st May 

Newbury Spring Festival is one of the most popular and successful music festivals in the South of England. Over the last 38 years the Festival has grown hugely in size and quality building up a reputation of international status. With dynamic programming, Festival Director, Mark Eynon attracts the very best from the classical, jazz and world music fields to perform in and around Newbury.

Presenting young artists and developing youthful audiences has always been a key part of the Festival and this year is no exception. Activities include Benjamin Grosvenor and others going into local schools to hold workshops for around 1,300 children, and giving the best emerging young musicians concert experience through the Young Artists lunchtime recital series, to which students are offered free tickets. The Festival’s own Sheepdrove Piano competition also showcases the breadth and wealth of international young musical talent drawn from all the major UK conservatoires.

The Festival prides itself on its reputation for presenting concerts in some glorious venues both in Newbury and the surrounding countryside. Great care is taken to tailor the right performance to the venue, whether it be an intimate recital at magnificent Highclere Castle or in the Long Gallery at Englefield House, top level choral concerts in Douai Abbey and East Woodhay church or a song recital in Ramsbury church. This year a new addition to the festival will be a gala performance of Rigoletto at Combe Manor, set in the rolling Berkshire hills, and staged performances of Bach’s Coffee Cantata in St Nicolas Church Hall. In the centre of Newbury, St Nicolas’s church with its excellent acoustics is the festival’s concert hall welcoming world class orchestras and international soloists. Newbury’s resident theatre, the Corn Exchange continues to present a nightly programme of ballet, cabaret, jazz and world music as well as regular lunchtime concerts.

The Festival is also proud of its involvement with the local community: by encouraging people to come and sing in the Spring Festival Chorus, which will not only perform with the CBSO on the opening night, but also contribute to a special church service the following morning. Local choirs, individuals and families can also join them for a special ‘singalong’ event the following weekend, culminating in a concert for all the family in Newbury Corn Exchange.

FURTHER DETAILS

Programme details
www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk

Tickets
Available from 1st March 2016

Booking
www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk
T: 0845 5218 218

For more information contact
Arabella Christian
Press & PR
Newbury Spring Festival
press@newburyspringfestival.org.uk

Newbury Artisan Market: Easter Sunday 27 March

Newbury Artisan is the town’s newest Sunday market with goods from local producers, and becomes a regular monthly feature from Easter Sunday, taking place 10am– 4pm.

Running along the pedestrianised Northbrook Street, look out for delicious edible offerings including sizzling street food to feast on there and then, and farmers’ market-style wares, such as artisan breads, local cheeses, fresh veg, hand-made pies and cakes, local beers and ciders … all great for taking home to enjoy later.

Alongside the food stalls will be original handcrafted goods and gifts from designers and craftspeople who aren’t usually on the high street. In addition, there will be fun for children, including craft activities and face painting.

Newbury Artisan was piloted in November and proved a hit with locals and visitors to the town. It offers a diverse, quality shopping experience that celebrates independent producers. Equally importantly, it creates a place where you can enjoy a day out, meet friends, eat, drink, browse and chat to the craftspeople, making for a social shopping experience.

Brought to you as a joint venture by Newbury BID and Newbury Artisan Market, the market will take place on the last Sunday of every month (with the exception of May, when it happens on the 22nd of the month).

More details from www.newburyartisanmarket.co.uk.

Newbury’s Giant Easter Egg Hunt 25 March–2 April 2016

The giant Easter bunny is hopping around Newbury delivering giant Easter eggs to secret locations in the town centre, which can only mean one thing … the Giant Easter Egg Hunt is back!

Taking place from Good Friday 25 March until Saturday 2 April, this is a fabulous event for all ages.

Head for the Easter Toy Workshop in Parkway (open every day of the event 10.30am–4pm, with the exception of Easter Sunday 27 March) where there will be activities for children, including free face painting, arts and crafts, treats and toys to play with.

To participate in the Giant Easter Egg Hunt, collect an entry form from the Easter Toy Workshop in Parkway or from the main square in the Kennet Centre. Follow a trail around town – all within easy walking distance – to find 15 giant eggs and work out clues which will help you crack a secret code. Crack the code and return your form to the Easter Toy Workshop in Parkway no later than 4.30pm on 2 April.

Correctly completed forms will be entered into a fantastic prize draw: 1st prize a £150 John Lewis voucher; 2nd prize a £50 voucher for The Entertainer toyshop; 3rd prize a ‘You Crack me Up’ Easter egg from Hotel Chocolat. Prize winners will be announced on Monday 4 April.

Now in its third year, the Giant Easter Egg Hunt is fun for all the family, brought to you courtesy of Newbury BID, Parkway Shopping and Rainbows of Inches Yard, Newbury.

Wonderful West Berkshire Gardens Raise Funds For Nursing Charities

Canje Grove, Malverleys & The Old Rectory Farnborough – Wonderful West Berkshire Gardens Opening in April to Raise Funds for Nursing Charities!

Sounding like wonderful settings for novels, Canje Grove, Malverleys and The Old Rectory are in fact private gardens that are opening for charity this April. All are situated not far from Newbury, and each provides a superb opportunity to spend a relaxing afternoon out with family or friends. Enjoy walking around these stunning gardens and then round the visit off with delicious teas and cake in beautiful surroundings.

Visitors to NGS gardens will also have the benefit of knowing that their entrance fee is supporting wonderful causes. Run locally by volunteers, the National Gardens Scheme currently donates over £2.6 million annually to its beneficiary charities, which include Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospice UK, and the Carers Trust.

Canje Grove, RG20 9XQ Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April
(2 - 5pm). Admission £3.50, children free. Home-made teas.

Yvonne & Simon Sonsino will be opening Canje Grove, their artist and flower arrangers’ garden of just over 1/3 acre on 23rd and 24th April. The garden features multiple colour and plant themed rooms, ranging from cool shady impact planting, courtyard styling near the house/art studio, raised ponds, a wooden Shepherd's hut, a small orchard, rose hedges, peonies, topiary and picket fences, to a gated vegetable garden at the rear complete with hens. In addition the art studio will be open with botanical art and calligraphy.

Malverleys, East End, RG20 0AA Sunday 24th April
(2 - 5pm) Admission £10.00, children free. Tea & cake and tour with Head Gardener included.

Malverleys offers visitors 10 acres of dynamic gardens which have been developed over the last 5 years to include magnificent mixed borders and a series of contrasting yew hedged rooms, hosting flame borders, a cool garden and a pond garden. A vegetable garden with striking fruit cages sits within a walled garden, also encompassing a white garden. Meadows open out to views over the parkland. For this garden, pre-booking is essential - please visit ngs.org.uk/shop-online.aspx or phone 01483 211535 for information & tickets. Ticket availability is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

The Old Rectory, Farnborough, OX12 8NX Sunday 24th April
(2 - 5.30pm). Admission £5.00, children free. Home-made teas. Plant sale.

In a series of immaculately tended garden rooms, including herbaceous borders, arboretum, boules, roses, vegetable and new bog garden, there is an explosion of rare and interesting plants, beautifully combined for colour and texture. With stunning views across the countryside, it is the perfect setting for the 1749 rectory (not open), once home of John Betjeman, in memory of whom John Piper created a window in the local church.

Awarded Finest Parsonage in England by Country Life and The Rectory Society. Plants and home-made preserves for sale. If you can’t visit in April, The Old Rectory will also be open on Sunday 22 May and Sunday 12 June.

For more visitor information go to the NGS website www.ngs.org.uk

Biddy at The Flower Pot Café

I happened to be in Inches Yard and decided to make my first visit to the tiny café there – The Flower Pot Café.

There is just enough space for four tables and I was lucky to get the last one when I called in. There is clearly a regular clientele here, and people were coming and going collecting their lunch orders, so it was busy, buzzy and friendly.

I settled on my usual Americano, then was hard pushed to choose between chocolate cake, carrot and banana cake, brownies, croissants … but finally succumbing to a slice of yummy flapjack, packed full of nuts, chocolate and cranberries.

This is a charming little café, serving a good size cup of coffee, milk in pretty jugs and sugar in pretty basins with tongs. 

The premises may be tiny but they do a great job not only with the homemade cakes but breakfasts and lunches too.

The breakfast menu looks really good and I will make a return visit to give it a try, with options ranging from porridge with maple syrup to a full English, though what I really like the sound of is their breakfast sarnie (veggie versions available).

The lunch menu is equally tempting, with salads (such as haloumi, apple and walnut), and sandwiches, ciabattas and jacket potatoes with a good choice of fillings.

The children’s menu is very reasonable – a sandwich for £1.50 or half a jacket spud for £2.

Everything I saw being served looked really good and, as the sign says, it really does seem to be ‘Made with love’.

Do go and give The Flower Pot Café a try ... and save a slice of flapjack for me!

Biddy x