Events and things to do in Berkshire - August 2016

PUBLISHED: 10:32 02 August 2016 | UPDATED: 10:32 02 August 2016

Sky high thrills during the Red Bull Air Race (Photo Flickr.com/photos/sugarmonster)

Marc Evans

Join BBC Countryfile (just across the border)

From 4 to 7 August, BBC Countryfile Live will be staged within the spectacular grounds of Oxfordshire’s Blenheim Palace, showcasing the very best of our British countryside. This exciting new event brings Countryfile, the BBC’s flagship factual TV programme, to the live arena, allowing you to explore every aspect of our countryside over four extraordinary days.

Join the Countryfile presenters in the heart of the event, a spectacular live show in the Countryfile Live Main Arena. Throughout the day, each show will be a celebration of the very best that rural Britain has to offer, focusing on the country’s love of farming.

Adam Henson will be bringing his farm with livestock and rare breeds to the show, see the latest farming machinery displays, outdoor fun for kids, the best of British food and drink plus, over 600 exhibitors will be offering an unbeatable shopping experience: from food and craft heroes to country clothing, gardening, pet supplies and gifts.

Get stuck in with all the action from the countryside with walk & rambling, a 4x4 off road experience, angling and fly fishing, canoeing & kayaking, and the STIHL Timbersports British championships. Fantastic family fun includes the National Trust ‘50 things to do’, woodland activities, den building, face painting, picnic tree parties and even a Great British Ice Cream Parlour.

With on-site camping available, Countryfile lovers can even make a weekend out of what will be one of the biggest, and most exciting, outdoor events this year and an experience that the whole family can enjoy.

Adult tickets £24 plus booking fees. Family, concession and group rates available. Dogs welcome. Show information and tickets are available from countryfilelive.com


Sky high excitement

The Red Bull Air Race takes place at Ascot Racecourse on 13 and 14 August. Billed as the fastest motor-sport series in the world, the championship sees top pilots manoeuvre their planes down a low-aerial track made up of 25 metre high air-filled pylons.

The Saturday features the qualifying day before the elite pilots look to secure the Challenger’s Cup and qualify for a starting position at Sunday’s final.

ascot.co.uk/airrace and redbullairrace.com


See Never the Bride

The popular band will play at Wokingham Festival, Elms Field, RG40 2LD, on 28 August, www.neverthebride.com. The festival runs from Friday, 26 to Sunday, 28 August at Elms Field as is as much a feast of food and drink as it is live music. The Beer Festival Bar, run by Wokingham Lions, will include ales from Binghams Brewery, Ruscombe, Elusive Brewery from Finchampstead, Wild Weather Ales of Silchester and Windsor & Eton Brewery

wokinghamfestival.co.uk


Human League at Windsor

See this great band after the racing at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Saturday, 27 August – which also happens to be Ladies Day at the course. So plenty of favourites to enjoy!


For the grown ups

For a luxury day out, why not float down the Thames aboard a lovingly restored 100 year old wooden river boat, enjoying the delights of Cliveden’s famous Afternoon Tea or picnic lunch?

The gentle pace of lazy days on the river combined with first class cuisine and fine wines creates a quintessentially English experience that will be remembered with pleasure for years to come.

Ten guests can be comfortably accommodated on-board a private cruise. Shared cruises run every evening and Champagne cruises allow you to sail along the Cliveden Reach for 45 minutes, enjoying stunning scenery. Call 01628 668561.

Other picks:

• Until 14 August, Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours, Windsor Castle, Top of the Long Walk, SL4-1LB, tel: 07803 720084

• Until 21 August, Boat Trips on

• Narrowboat Jubilee, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14-5AS, tel: 01380 721279 or 07716 460562

• 14 August, Newbury Classic Vehicle Show, Newbury College, Monks Lane, Newbury, tel: 07909 316462

• 27 August, Chapel Row Charity Fayre, The Green, Chapel Row, tel: 07942 968887

• 28 August, Newbury Artisan Market, Newbury Town Centre, North Brook Street, RG14-1DJ, tel: 01749 939485


Summer family fun

• Until 4 September, The Maidenhead Beach at Norden Farm, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead tel: 01183 788660

• 2 August and other dates, Pirate trips on the Galleon Jubilee, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14-5AS, tel: 01380 721279 or 07716 460562

• Until 31 August, Walk on the Wild Side, Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Reading

• 1-5 August, Act Wilde in the Garden, The Watermill Theatre and Restaurant, Bagnor, Newbury, tel: 01635 46044 (ages 4-7 9am-12pm) (ages 8-11 1pm-4pm)

• 4-5 August, Family Activity Day, West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, tel: 01635 519562

• 8-12 August, Play in a Week, The Watermill Theatre and Restaurant, Bagnor, Newbury, tel: 01635 46044 (ages 4-7 9am-12pm) (ages 8-11 1pm-4pm)

• 18-19 August, Family Activity Day, West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, tel: 01635 519562

• 21 August, Dragon Boat Festival, Wokingham Waterside Centre, RG6 1PQ, www.readingdragonboatfestival.co.uk


READING

Concert Hall, Town Hall, Blagrave Street, tel: 01189 606060

20 August, Taking Care of Elvis – Daisy’s Dream

Richfield Avenue, Reading, RG1 8EQ

26 August, Reading Festival 2016


NEWBURY

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, tel: 01635 46044

Until 17 September, Crazy For You

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, tel: 0845 5218218

1 August, Marty MacDonald’s Toy Machine; 2 August, Comedy Club 4 Kids; 4 August, Make & Do – Oddly; 6 August, Newbury Music Competition; 25 August, Griff Rhys Jones: Work In Progress; 28-29 August (Market Place Newbury), Silence

Highclere Castle, Newbury, RG20 9RN

6 August, Battle Proms Concert

Across Stockcross, tel: 07784 760138

19 August, Stockfest: Pop Up 1950’s Rock n Roll Night; 24 August, Jazz & Blues; 25 August, A Night at the Opera with Kennet Opera 7 Soloists; 26 August, Stockfest Finale


WINDSOR

Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, tel: 01753 853888

2-7 August, West Side Story; 8-10 August, The Hollywood Special Effects Show; 11-13 August, Aliens Love Underpants; 23-26 August, Pirates of Penzance; 25-27 August, The Mikado; 30 August – 3 September, The Shawshank Redemption

Royal Windsor Racecourse, Windsor, SL4 5JJ

27 August, The Human League


MAIDENHEAD

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, tel: 01183 788660

1 August, Summer Theatre Week; 5 August, Never 42; 6 August, Deco Ensemble; 11 August, Viennese Connections – Summer Concert; 13 August, The Mick Ralphs Blues Band; 14 August, Family Concertini with the Blakes Heaven Big Band; 20 August, The Big Berkshire Beach Gig; 21 August, A Real Mermaid’s Tale; 25 August, Viennese Connections – Summer Concert; 26 August, Sari Schorr and The Engine Room; 28-31 August, Dave Gorman: (Work in progress); 31 August, Lisa Mills


BRACKNELL

South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, tel: 01344 484123

5-6 August, Oz Revisited – Performance; 5 August, Martine Speake – Bracknell Jazz; 7 August, Creative Control Band Night; 10-13 August, Therese Raquin; 12-14 August, The Great Gatsby; 14 August, Creative Control Band Night; 19-28 August, Peter Pan; 21 August, Creative Control Band Night; 26 August, T & The Mugs Concert; 27 August, Summer Band Performance; 28 August, Creative Control Band Night; 30 August, Josh Widdicombe: What Do I Do Now..Tour 2016