Bank Holiday what's on round-up for May 1-3, 2010

Published 29 Apr 2010 12:00 0 Comments

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Here is a selection of fun, educational and hands-on events for all the family this weekend. If you are running an event add a comment including all the details.

History comes to life at Shaw House:

ANYONE in a fighting mood can visit Shaw House over the weekend to experience first hand what it was like to be alive during the Civil War.

Interpretation experts from Hampton Court in full costume will transport visitors back to November 1644, with skirmishes still taking place even though the area had calmed down since the previous month's battle.

Humphrey Dolman, a Parliamentarian supporter is back home with wife Anne and son Thomas after their house was occupied by Royalist troops. But Thomas is an ardent Royalist, so the atmosphere is already frosty when a Royalist officer calls in to explain to Humphrey what has happened to his furniture, hangings, plate and other possessions.

Period music will fill the rooms and visitors will be able to create their own coat of arms.

Family tickets admit two adults and up to three children for £9.90 and Shaw House will be open 11am-5pm on each of the three days from Saturday until Monday.

There are eight historic rooms to look around and both a permanent exhibition, exploring the history of the house, and the 2010 special exhibition 'Tradition Says...Shaw House and the Civil War'. Refreshments are available in the café in the old kitchen.

Admission charges are £3.75, with £3 concessions and £1.90 for children aged five-16, with a discount for West Berkshire Card holders.

Details of other 2010 events, visit www.shawhouse.org.uk or call 01635 279279.

Reading Irish Centre:

THERE is a weekend of traditional music at Reading Irish Centre.

Tomorrow night (Friday) sees an informal session from 8pm with singers and musicians welcome to join in at the centre in Chatham Street. On Sunday there is a Family Céilí from 2-5pm with music from Tradác and Irish dancing for all ages.

Tickets for Sunday are £5 on the door, with children free. Email office@gael.org.uk

A SAILING club is hoping to attract new members with a free open day on Monday.[3].

The family open day at Island Sailing Club in Searles Farm Lane, Pingewood, will run from 11.30am-4pm when visitors will be able to test their sea legs before enjoying a picnic or barbecue.

The club is a Royal Yachting Association-accredited training centre and offers course for beginners. It also boasts its own racing teams. For more see www.islandsailingclub.co.uk

Cheer up with some clownselling:

CLOWNPHOBIA is no laughing matter, which is why a circus is offering people the chance to conquer their fears when it comes to town on Friday, April 30.

John Lawson's Circus, which will be in Lower Way, Thatcham, until Monday, is inviting people to visit the big top for the free 'clownselling' sessions.

Kakehole the clown and his partner Popolinos - one of Britain's few remaining whiteface clowns - have twice won the Best Comedy Act at the UK National Circus Awards.

Kakehole said: "It upsets us when audience members are scared of us so we have developed some techniques to encourage people to overcome their fears.

"We gently introduce ourselves, explain the art of clowning and perhaps even help the person to discover their own inner clown.

"There's a delicious custard pie waiting for everyone that we cure!"

Ringmaster Attila Endresz said he believes phobia of clowns - known as coulrophobia - is on the increase, and added: "It is surprising how many people seem to be frightened of clowns.

"Although you would always expect to see a clown at the circus, some people react with terror, and I'm talking about the adults.

"The situation has been made worse by movies. There are many horror films such as Stephen King's It, or even The Joker in Batman, that portray the clown in a sinister light and have subsequently heightened people's fear of the clown."

The animal-free circus features sword fighting pirates, trapeze artists, wire walkers and, of course, plenty of clowns.

Shows will take place at 4.30pm and 7.30pm tomorrow (Friday), 2pm and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday and at 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

To book tickets, which cost £7, or to arrange a clownselling session call 07860 498833.

For more visit www.johnlawsons

circus.co.uk

Open studios - meet the artists:

ARTISTS across West Berkshire will fling open their studio doors next week for a month-long festival.

Open Studios runs from Saturday (May 1) until May 30 and cross the district's Hampshire and Reading borders with its countless exhibitions and workshops.

Organiser Pat Eastop said: "Open Studios welcomes people of all ages and abilities to studios, exhibitions and events. The scheme seeks to show quality and diversity in the visual arts."

Highlights from the opening weekend include Highclere artists Kathy Kavanagh and Pearl Hailstone, who will display a range of portraiture and watercolours at Westridge Studio in Andover Road from 11am-5pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the textile work of Vikki Aust at The National Needlework Archive in New Greenham Park from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday and jewellery designed by Vivian Pare in Hampstead Norreys on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 11am-5pm.

School children will also take part, with pupils from Mary Hare School displaying their fine art, photography, three-dimensional design and textiles from 2.30-5pm on Monday to Thursday at the nearby Arlington Arts Centre in Snelsmore Common.

Among the catalogue of free workshops, art lovers will have the chance to create a forest out of clay on Wednesday, May 19, in Hungerford. For a full listing of events visit www.open-studios.org.uk

Lambing weekend - and lots more:

Come to see the lambs being born at Amners Farm, Burghfield

After the great success of last year's lambing days, Amners Farm throws open it gates yet again.

Amners Farm is a working farm but opens its gates to the public for two weekends in the year so the public can witness the lambs being born, alongside a variety of farm animals and their offspring.

It is very much a "hands on" event with orphan lamb feeding, chicks to hold and piglets to see. Sheep shearing demonstrations will be held throughout the day as well as pony rides, steam train rides with Amnersfield Miniature Railway and an informative, guided tractor and trailer ride around the farm. There will be a wide variety of stalls selling homemade gifts and crafts. Refreshments are available to enjoy and children can have a fantastic time in the Straw Play Barn in between the many events to be seen.

A great day out for the whole family to enjoy.

See www.amnersfarm.co.uk

Saturday-Monday, May 1-3. 11am-6pm. Adults £6, children £4.50.

Bradfield Mayfayre:

Bradfield's Mayfayre event is recognised as one of the best local traditional country fairs, providing very good value for money and an afternoon of excitement and entertainment.

The Mayfayre is an annual fundraising event for the needy and deserving causes in the Bradfield community.

Today people come from far and wide for an afternoon's entertainment and fun; testing their skills at the plate smashing, coconut shy or tossing the bale competition; sampling the WI teas and cakes, the excellent burgers from the barbecue or the hog roast.

This year our centre ring attractions include the highly popular and entertaining Adams Axemen and North Berks MCC trials bike riders demonstrating their skills and daring, wheel barrow racing, as well as our famous pig races!

Also has Art & craft tent, Beer tent, Tea tent, Model railway, Penalty shoot out, Plant stalls, Dog show, Birds of prey.

In our music tent we are delighted to have performing:

Englefield Primary School Choir, South Berks Concert Band, Cheam School Jazz Band

Monday, May 3, at the Village Hall Playing Fields, Bradfield Southend, RG7 6EY. Gates open at 12.30pm and events start at 1pm with the arrival of the May Queen.

We look forward to seeing you.

For more information please go to www.bradfieldmayfayre.co.uk

Katesgrove May Fair

THE annual Katesgrove May Fair will be opened on bank holiday Monday by Mayor of Reading, Fred Pugh.

The event starts at 2pm at the Katesgrove Children's Centre in Waterloo Meadows, Elgar Road, with the usual stalls, raffle, tombola, bric-a-brac, books, CDs and DVDs and plants, live music and activities for children.

Katesgrove Residents' Association treasurer, Paul Turnock, said: "Money raised enables the association to keep going and helps with projects in the ward."

Sikh celebrations:

THOUSANDS of Sikhs will gather outside the Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara temple in Cumberland Road at 10.30am on Sunday for the colourful annual Vashaki procession marking the birth of Sikhism.

Worshippers will march to the Ramgarhia Sikh Centre in London Road before returning to the temple for a feast at 4.30pm. There is a rolling system of road closures in Cumberland Road, Wokingham Road, Church Road, Whiteknights Lane, The Drive and London Road.

Bird In Hand Family Fun Day:

THE Bird In Hand at Knowl Hill is holding a family fun day on Monday to raise funds for Action For Children.

It starts at noon with the dog show, barbecue, bouncy castle and stalls. See www.birdinhand.co.uk

Kennet Island fun day:

The Kennet Island Residents Association is holding a May Day Fun Day on Monday in the South Reading development's Central Piazza. There will be a barbecue, table top sale and stalls from 10am.

Art exhibition

THE Palm Tree restaurant in Reading Road, Cane End, hosts an art exhibition on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in aid of Action For Children. The exhibition by Target-Art is from 11.30-3.30pm, with a buffet from noon.

Fashion show:

FASHIONISTAS will be able to check out the latest styles from leading High Street chains at an annual charity fashion show in Pangbourne tomorrow (Friday).

The Duchess of Kent House Ladies and Children's Fashion Show is at Pangbourne Village Hall in Station Road from 7-10.30pm.

All clothes featured on the catwalk will be available afterwards to try on and buy, with cheques or cash, at the end of the show.

There will also be card and gift stalls, a raffle and refreshments.

Tickets cost £5, or free for under-16s, and must be booked in advanced. To book tickets call Sue Day on 0118 939 4889 or visit www.dokhc.org.uk for details.

Dawn chorus walk:

EARLEY Environmental Group members can come to a dawn chorus walk on Sunday. It begins at 6.15am at Lavell's Lake car park, off Sandford Lane, and will be led by Ray Reedman. Visit www.earleyenvironmentalgroup.co.uk

Craft fair and more at Mapledurham House:

Rediscover the traditional skills of the countryside - and some new ones - with Live Crafts at Mapledurham House. The Live Crafts Show Series has now become the strongest and largest circuit of events dedicated to showing and selling work from the country's leading artists and craftmakers.

They will all be gathered together in the beautiful setting of historic Mapledurham state home and watermill near Reading on Bank Holiday weekend, May 1-3.

Visitors will be able to meet the artists and craft makers, see them at work and purchase or commission some of the finest examples of British art, craft, fashion and design.

Crafts will be brought to life with a variety of demonstrators showing traditional skills including besom broom making, raku firing, spinning and pole lathe turning.

Dick Tilley of Spirits Of Wood, pictured, will be demonstrating his amazing talent of chainsaw carving by creating wooden figurines and natural wood sculptures from owls to quirky furniture. Dick's work can be bought or commissioned at the show.

Another highlight of this year's show will be Ben Potter's falconry display.

Visitors will be able meet Kevin the Cara Cara, Arthur the White Headed Vulture, Betty the Ruppels Griffin Vulture and Oska the Eagle Owl who will be on display throughout the weekend. He will also be taking small groups to 'walk with the birds'.

To keep young visitors entertained, the children's make and take area will let them explore their creative side. Here children of all ages can let their imagination run riot.

The cookery theatre will have demonstrations running throughout each day, followed by a question and answer session.

As well as cookery demonstrations there will also be beer, wine and cognac tasting. An excellent opportunity and excuse (if you really need one) to try before you buy!

Don't forget a visit to the Country Food Fair Pavilion, for a tempting array of mouth watering food and drink, such as fine wine, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, speciality cheeses, Mediterranean olives and a range of delicious chutneys and preserves.

Polly's Parrots Roadshow will offer an entertaining, informative, educational, colourful, unpredictable and above all a fun show aimed at the whole family. As well as three 30-minute shows a day, the parrots will be on display throughout the event.

Mapledurham House, an Elizabethan mansion, and watermill is on the banks of the River Thames and is easily reached by boat from Caversham. There are reduced rate combined tickets to visit the Live Crafts Show, Mapledurham House and watermill, so this is an ideal opportunity to tour the last working watermill on the Thames.

The show will be open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday, May 1, Sunday, May 2 and Monday, May 3.

Admission charges apply. Reduced rate advance tickets can be bought from the website www.livecraftsshows.co.uk

For more details call 01494 445105.

Wokingham May Fair:

FAMILIES can enjoy live music, activities and various stalls at this year's Wokingham May Fayre.

More than 20,000 people are expected to join the celebrations in the town centre, organised by the Wokingham Lions Club, on Monday, May 3, from 10am.

Wokingham town mayor cllr UllaKarin Clark will officially open the annual event at 11am and there will be a balloon race to finish the day at 4pm.

Sue Balchin, May Fayre chairman and president of the Wokingham Lions Club, said: "It is an affordable day out for families.

"We are looking to raise between £12,000 and £14,000 on the day, which will go to charity.

"It is the biggest event of the year for Wokingham and we are all looking forward to it!"

There will be dancers round the May pole.

Denmark Street will be closed to traffic and there will be no access from Elms Road.

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