Events 2016

The Reformation of 1517 brought huge changes. Its poetry came mainly in hymns, some expressing greater freedom, others carefully controlled. Certainly there was new vision.

Refreshments and retiring collection for the Church

This event is free but you will require a ticket. Tickets will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) and by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW.
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BBC Any Questions

Friday 7 July  6:45pm      Corn Exchange

Chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby

Any Questions? is broadcast live on Radio 4 every Friday after the 8pm News, and is repeated on Saturdays after the 1pm News. It is followed at 2pm by the Any Answers? phone-in which gives listeners a chance to join in the debate.

The programme has a current audience of around 1.5 million, and travels throughout the UK at the invitation of local organisations. The audience submits questions on the day of the broadcast, ten of which are selected by the producer. The panellists only hear them at the same moment the audience in the hall and at home does.

One of Britain’s best-known journalists and broadcasters, Jonathan Dimbleby has chaired Any Questions? since 1987. He is also a writer, his most recent book being The Battle of the Atlantic: How the Allies Won the War (2015).

PLEASE NOTE: Doors open at aprox 6.30pm. Audience to be seated by 7.15pm (no late entries). Live broadcast at 8pm.

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Exhibition and Open Studio: 22 Local Artists

Saturday 8 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      Chilton Foliat

Curated by David H Jones

An exciting show comprising paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, jewellery, stained glass, millinery, pottery, drawing and sculpture.

Exhibitors: Jonathan Hall, Robyn Carter, Hilary Reem, Rosalind Hewitt, Micky Thompson, Claire Acworth, Amy Malikov, Diana Barraclough, Diccon Dadey, Arran Miles, David H Jones, Patty Medlin, , Susan Kirkman, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Sue Acworth, Elizabeth Davis, Sandra Cook, Rosemary Trigwell, Helen Colling, Shirley Cartey, Andi Mulholland, Diana Pattenden

Open: Saturday and Sunday 1/2, 8/9, 15/16 July
10am-4.30pm Free entry
Parking, wheelchair access, garden

Free entry – no ticket required
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Garden Open in aid of Noreen’s Kids

Saturday 8 July  10:00am – 5:00pm      87 High St
Relax in the lovely secret garden (two medieval burgage plots). Small art exhibition, music, plants for sale, refreshments available.

Entry £2
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Flower Festival

Saturday 8 July  10:00am – 6:00pm      St Lawrence’s Church

Theme:

‘My Favourite Poem’

Free entry – no ticket required
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Digital Photography Workshop : Part 2

Saturday 8 July  10:00am – 1:00pm      The Town Hall

Part 2

Please see Part 1 on 1st July for details and tickets.
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Beginners’ Knitting workshop

Saturday 8 July  2:00 – 5:00pm      The Library

The BizuBebe knitters and members of Hungerford Library’s Craft & Chat group will teach you the basics of knitting – casting on and off, the common stitches, and trouble-shooting. Ticket price includes a set of needles and yarn to make a child’s hat which can be finished at home.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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HadFest

Saturday 8 July  7:00pm      The Croft Hall

Returning for a third year, Hadfest is a concert organised by young people, for young people. We aim to support local, up-and-coming bands and put together a night bringing those rising names to Hungerford.

Our headline acts of both previous and upcoming years have performed with the likes of Sundara Karma, The Amazons and The Libertines. We are honoured to host these bands as they grow to undoubtedly become big names in years to come.

2017’s line up includes Dolly and the Dinosaur, Tyrant and headlining act Misfires.

Doors open 7pm. Pre-purchased tickets £5. On the door £7.

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Trio Sospiroso

Saturday 8 July  7:30pm      Our Lady of Lourdes

Clare Mellor – flute
Lucinda Wright – cello
Jenny Broome – harp

Trio Sospiroso’s programme includes familiar music from the Baroque, French favourites, a celebration of Greek folk music and two stunning pieces by the Belgian composer Joseph Jongen.

The Trio have been playing together in a flute-harp-viola configuration since 1995, since when they have performed at the inaugural Grimsby St Hugh’s Festival, at the Endellion North Cornwall Literary Festival, for Greyladyes Arts Foundation, and at Westridge Drawing Room, the Bath Festival, and venues from Penzance to Bury St Edmunds. They have recently expanded their repertoire to include a cello rather than viola, and are now exploring new music-making opportunities.

Clare Mellor studied flute at the Guildhall School of Music and in Paris. She teaches and plays chamber music, and is director of the newly-formed Breckland Wind Ensemble. Lucinda Wright gained an MA with distinction at Birmingham Conservatoire and currently teaches for Hampshire Music Service and performs chamber music regularly with the Gregynog Ensemble and the Boxbury Piano Trio. Jenny Broome studied the harp while reading Architecture at Cambridge University. She has a busy freelance career as a harpist and delights in playing chamber music, working not only with Trio Sospiroso but also with Arpatagora (strings and harp) and Arcangeli (harp duet).

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Exhibition and Open Studio: 22 Local Artists

Sunday 9 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      Chilton Foliat

Curated by David H Jones

An exciting show comprising paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, jewellery, stained glass, millinery, pottery, drawing and sculpture.

Exhibitors: Jonathan Hall, Robyn Carter, Hilary Reem, Rosalind Hewitt, Micky Thompson, Claire Acworth, Amy Malikov, Diana Barraclough, Diccon Dadey, Arran Miles, David H Jones, Patty Medlin, , Susan Kirkman, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Sue Acworth, Elizabeth Davis, Sandra Cook, Rosemary Trigwell, Helen Colling, Shirley Cartey, Andi Mulholland, Diana Pattenden

Open: Saturday and Sunday 1/2, 8/9, 15/16 July
10am-4.30pm Free entry
Parking, wheelchair access, garden

Free entry – no ticket required
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HADCAF Fish Trail

Sunday 9 July  10:00am      Hungerford High Street

Find 24 hidden fish on Hungerford High Street …. from 30 June until 9 July

Forms from St Lawrence.s Church … rewards for completed forms
Further fish trail activities from 10am on 9 July at St Lawrence’s Church
For more information 07548 678234
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Flower Festival

Sunday 9 July  12:00noon – 5:00pm      St Lawrence’s Church

Theme:

‘My Favourite Poem’

Free entry – no ticket required
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Town Band Concert

Sunday 9 July  7:00pm      Corn Exchange

Musical Director: Tim Crouter

The Band enjoys being at the heart of the community and performing at local civic events. The evening’s programme features soloists from within the Band, the Training Band, and modern as well as traditional arrangements.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Francis Pugh & the Whisky Singers

Sunday 9 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Francis Pugh and the Whisky Singers are a six-piece band from Oxford, playing a mixture of bluegrass, Americana and roots music. They blend acoustic guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, drums and cornet with five-part vocal harmonies to produce their raw, energetic sound.

Over the last three years they have built up a strong fan base through the festival circuit (including the BBC Countryfile Live Festival), and supporting Ameripolitan hero Ags Connolly, and Cerys Matthews’s favourite, the CC Smugglers.
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Watermill Theatre: Nesting

Monday 10 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

A new play by Ellen Robertson

Linda is a self-confessed ‘collector’. She has all the necessities: broken umbrellas to match any outfit, unopened Amazon parcels delivered in 2012, shoes that don’t fit but were a bargain at 75 per cent off, and trainers because, one day, she will definitely take up running. Adding to her collection there is Tony, an affectionately named rat who has taken up residence in her home.

The arrival of Jonathan – a man who can’t sleep if the sponge is in the wrong place by the kitchen sink – brings about a more life-changing situation than Linda could ever have imagined. The journey that follows is one of love, loss – and an obsession with Stevie Wonder memorabilia.

Nesting is a funny and moving look at compulsive behaviour and finding love in the most unlikely of places.

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Organ recital: Gavin Roberts

Tuesday 11 July  7:30pm      Our Lady of Lourdes

Gavin is Organist and Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church. He studied piano at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he is now a Professor of Academic Studies and a Staff Pianist. He previously read Music at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, before gaining a Master’s degree from King’s College London. He enjoys a varied career as a piano accompanist, and has partnered singers in recital at Wigmore Hall, the Barbican Hall, and the Royal Festival Hall. He is Artistic Director of the recital series Song in the City, for whom he has devised more than 100 recital programmes. He has appeared at many festivals, and works regularly with soprano Lucy Hall, with whom he was the winner of the Oxford Lieder Young Artist Platform, and actor Rosamund Shelley, with whom he performs her one-woman shows Novello & Son and War Songs.

Gavin has played for The BBC Singers, The Joyful Company of Singers, Constanza Chorus, The Hanover Band, Tiffin Boys’ Choir, and as a repetiteur for Sir Roger Norrington and the late Richard Hickox. He has appeared regularly on BBC Radio broadcasts as a soloist and accompanist, often giving premiere performances of new works, and he has played on numerous recordings for the BBC, ASV, Guild and Priory Records.

Retiring collection.

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Fizz & Fiction in the Bookshop: Rachel Malik

Tuesday 11 July  7:30pm      Hungerford Bookshop

Rachel Malik talks about her novel ‘Miss Boston and Miss Hargreaves’

A story of the land, friendship and of secret lives.

When Rene Hargreaves is billeted to Starlight Farm as a Land Girl, far from the city where she grew up, she finds farmer Elsie Boston and her country ways strange at first. Yet over the days and months Rene and Elsie come to understand and depend on each other. But a visitor from Rene’s past threatens the life they have built together. Soon they are involved in a war of their own that endangers everything and will finally expose them to the nation’s press and the full force of the law.

Based on a true story and set at the start in Lambourn and Sheepdrove, the book was partially written by the author in Hungerford.

Tickets (£6.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) and from Hungerford Bookshop from approx. mid May.
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Beautiful English Gardens: Illustrated talk by Andy McIndoe

Wednesday 12 July  7:30pm      The Croft Hall

Andy McIndoe explores some classic English gardens, from the formal and grand to the modest and naturalistic, looking at the inspiration behind them and the way plants are used in these settings.

Andy has over 40 years’ experience in horticulture, and has been responsible for 25 consecutive Gold Medal winning exhibits at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Author and regular contributor to magazines, blogs and BBC Radio, he lectures to gardening societies at home and abroad, leads garden tours and is consultant to well-known suppliers in the industry.

Retiring collection.

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Summer Wildflowers Walk

Thursday 13 July  6:00pm      St Lawrence’s Church
Hungerford and Freeman’s Marshes are home to some of the best and rarest wildflowers in the Kennet Valley.

Lois Pihlens will help identify species such as southern marsh orchids, bog bean and ragged robin. Hear also how the Town & Manor of Hungerford is conserving these areas with help from Natural England.

Meet at St Lawrence’s Church

Free entry – no ticket required
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Town Quiz and Supper

Thursday 13 July  7:00pm      The Tutti Pole

Chicken and chips supper.

Tickets from the Tutti Pole or online: £8 adult, £4 child under 8 years

Tickets (£8.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Art in the House of Commons: Illustrated talk by Richard Kelly

Thursday 13 July  8:00pm      Methodist Church

The Palace of Westminster on Fire, 1834 by unknown artist, oil on canvas, c.1834 @ Parlimentary Art Collection 1978

Richard Kelly is a researcher in the House of Commons Library. In this illustrated talk he explores the Parliamentary Art Collection and shows how paintings have depicted events and commemorated politicians and campaigners.

PLEASE NOTE that supper ordered for this event will be served at the Croft Hall – a short walk back to the Church.

Retiring collection.
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Classic Silent Film Double Bill

Thursday 13 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Safety Last!

Dir. Fred Newmeyer and Sam Taylor, 1923 (80 mins)

The silent film era’s ‘third genius’ along with Chaplin and Keaton was Harold Lloyd, who stars in Safety Last! as a country boy trying to make good in the Big City. In one of the most iconic sequences in silent cinema, Lloyd scales a 12-storey building and dangles precariously from a clock above the busy street below.

Speedy

Dir. Ted Wilde, 1928 (70 mins)

Lloyd’s final silent feature, in which he plays a young man whose obsession with baseball causes him to continually lose jobs, is a fascinating visual record of New York in the late 1920s, from its skyline to Coney Island’s Luna Park, from Columbus Circle to Wall Street. Baseball legend Babe Ruth makes an extended cameo appearance as himself.

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Life’s Merry Go Round

Friday 14 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Two Blokes and a Lady

An hilarious light-musical entertainment reflecting life’s ups and downs, including popular songs from the Thirties to the Sixties.

Roxy Boulter has enjoyed exploring a wide variety of musical styles In her singing career, from the classical repertoire to folk song. She has a particular love of musical theatre and has appeared in many productions locally both as a singer and an actress.

Grahame O’Connor has accompanied and conducted all kinds of music from choral and orchestral to musicals and opera.

Together with James Mitchell he performs a Flanders and Swann tribute in the duo Two Blokes and a Piano. James is a former member of the BBC West of England Singers and has taken leading roles in many musicals and operas. He is currently chairman of Kennet Opera.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Exhibition and Open Studio: 22 Local Artists

Saturday 15 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      Chilton Foliat

Curated by David H Jones

An exciting show comprising paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, jewellery, stained glass, millinery, pottery, drawing and sculpture.

Exhibitors: Jonathan Hall, Robyn Carter, Hilary Reem, Rosalind Hewitt, Micky Thompson, Claire Acworth, Amy Malikov, Diana Barraclough, Diccon Dadey, Arran Miles, David H Jones, Patty Medlin, , Susan Kirkman, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Sue Acworth, Elizabeth Davis, Sandra Cook, Rosemary Trigwell, Helen Colling, Shirley Cartey, Andi Mulholland, Diana Pattenden

Open: Saturday and Sunday 1/2, 8/9, 15/16 July
10am-4.30pm Free entry
Parking, wheelchair access, garden

Free entry – no ticket required
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Hungerford Park visit

Saturday 15 July  11:00am      Hungerford Park

Toby and Emma welcome you to Hungerford Park, which they took on as an unkempt piece of land and over 12 years have nurtured into an area of true beauty. They raise free range pigs, sheep, and horses, and grow most of their organic vegetables and herbs in the beautiful Victorian Walled Garden.

They view the farm holistically and rather than over-farming a single product they focus on growing the whole environment, which is harder work but reaps the benefits in quality.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Beginners’ Quilting workshop

Saturday 15 July  2:00 – 5:00pm      The Library

Sue, Elena and Jan from Kintbury Quilters will give a demonstration of quilting techniques including rotary cutting, and show examples of their work for inspiration and discussion.

A practical session follows, in which each participant will make a small quilted item such as a coaster or pin cushion. Kits of pre-cut fabric and wadding are provided, but please bring small scissors, needles and sewing thread if possible.

Age 16+

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Marsh Lane Allotments Open Day

Saturday 15 July  2:00 – 4:00pm      Marsh Lane

Meet our allotment community: What we grow and why we love it.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Tea and Mozart: Kennet Opera

Saturday 15 July  4:30pm      United Reformed Church (URC)

Kennet Opera explore the last music Mozart wrote in 1791.

Tickets include refreshments

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Ben Waters Big Band

Saturday 15 July  8:00pm      John O’Gaunt School

Ben Waters is recognised as one of Europe’s supreme boogie piano players. A career spanning 25 years working with such legends as The Rolling Stones, Jools Holland, Shakin’ Stevens, PJ Harvey, Bobby Womack, Paul Weller, Dave Gilmore, Dave Stewart – to name but a few – has enabled him to hand-pick a group of fine musicians to join him in entertaining audiences around the globe.

The influences of the early rock ‘n’ roll greats are apparent in the band’s music, as Ben has also played with Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry, as well as recording with one of the world’s finest musicians, Ray Davies, who selected Ben’s band as one of his favourites for the Meltdown Festival he curated.

Tickets (£15.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Tennis Club Open Day

Sunday 16 July  10:00am – 4:00pm      Tennis Club

Find out about the Club and play a few games – all ages and standards welcome. For more information contact @hungerford-tennis.co.uk

BBQ (£4) available at the Hungerford Club from 12.30pm.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Exhibition and Open Studio: 22 Local Artists

Sunday 16 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      Chilton Foliat

Curated by David H Jones

An exciting show comprising paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, jewellery, stained glass, millinery, pottery, drawing and sculpture.

Exhibitors: Jonathan Hall, Robyn Carter, Hilary Reem, Rosalind Hewitt, Micky Thompson, Claire Acworth, Amy Malikov, Diana Barraclough, Diccon Dadey, Arran Miles, David H Jones, Patty Medlin, , Susan Kirkman, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Sue Acworth, Elizabeth Davis, Sandra Cook, Rosemary Trigwell, Helen Colling, Shirley Cartey, Andi Mulholland, Diana Pattenden

Open: Saturday and Sunday 1/2, 8/9, 15/16 July
10am-4.30pm Free entry
Parking, wheelchair access, garden

Free entry – no ticket required
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U3A organised walk around Hungerford

Sunday 16 July  10:00am      Town Hall

Leader: Carol Shanahan Contact: carol@cottages-beer-devon.co.uk

Meet Hungerford Town Hall.

Canal towpath, Freemans Marsh and onto the best view of Hungerford (spot the Town Hall clock) returning via Eddington and the Pepperpot Cottages. Look out for the Stocks! Take a drink and a snack and binoculars if you have them!

For more walks and other activities, see the Hungerford U3A website.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Children’s Day: Messy Play

Sunday 16 July  11:00am – 1:00pm      Croft Field Centre

A children’s creative play workshop led by Rachel Barker and Claire Acworth. Come and have fun with clay and junk modelling, painting, messy play and sand tray. Dress for mess!

Rachel Barker (DBS checked) is known to many Hungerford children as a teacher at the Primary School.

Limited numbers. Ages 5-10 (younger children by arrangement, with a carer to stay and play.) n.b. Parents / guardians of older children being left at the workshop will be required to fill in a permission slip (download here to save time on the day!).

Followed by picnic (see separate item)

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Children’s day: Picnic and Games

Sunday 16 July  1:00 – 2:45pm      Croft Field
Bring your own picnic to the Croft Field and join in some ‘Rainbow Games’.

Everyone welcome for some playful fun.

NB Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Children’s Day: Rapunzel & the Tower of Doom

Sunday 16 July  3:00 – 4:00pm      The Croft Hall

Theatre of Widdershins

Tangles? Split Ends? Frizzy? Flyaway? It’s hard enough having a bad hair day but pity poor Rapunzel spending her life in a tower with a wicked old witch using her captive’s locks as a step ladder! What sort of damage is that going to do to your hair?

Theatre of Widdershins have taken this Grimm tale right back to its dark roots, teased out the tangles and styled it into a beautifully coiffured hair piece! This enchanting show promises plenty of body, volume and loads of highlights. Make an appointment to see the show today – because you’re worth it!!!

Suitable ages 4 up

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Phoenix Brass Open Air Concert

Sunday 16 July  3:00 – 5:00pm      Froxfield
with Grand Summer Draw and refreshments.

Musical Director: David Watson

The Band offers training facilities for people of all ages to learn to play a brass instrument as members of a group, and provides entertainment for charitable and community organisations. Phoenix Brass rehearses at the Memorial Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30 pm. A training band for beginners meets on Saturday mornings.

Grounds of the Memorial Hall, Froxfield (inside if wet)

Free entry – no ticket required
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La La Piano Bar

Sunday 16 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Everyone loves a party … especially this one! Come on down to the La La Piano Bar, where New York cool bar meets Berlin cabaret club in a fabulous evening hosted by David Roper from 4 Poofs and a Piano (the famous house band on BBC TV’s ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’) and the voluptuous Lady La La.

Expect a unique blend of humour, amazing singers and inclusive singalongs in a show which has been wowing audiences in the West End and at venues and festivals around the country.

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Comedy Club

Friday 29 June  8:00pm      Corn Exchange

Hungerford Comedy Club rounds off its first year with a mixture of stand-up styles including sets from Sunjai Arif and Jay Handley, and regular MC Graeme Coulam.

An engaging storyteller, Sunjai quickly wins over audiences with his warm personality. Jay is a regular at some of the UK’s very best venues and has twice been a finalist in the Birmingham New Act of the Year Awards – although he did not win, what he lost in potential accolades he has gained in a zen-like acceptance of his place in the world.

…can go toe to toe with some of the funniest stand up skits I’ve seen – EdFringeReview.com

A top class comic with a great mix of material…his gags are imaginative, polished and proper proper funny – 4GoodComedians

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Graham Harvey: In Search of Countryside Treasure

Friday 29 June  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

An evening with Graham Harvey, Ambridge’s ‘Minister of Agriculture’

With music by Alastair Collingwood

Writer of over 600 episodes of The Archers – the world’s longest-running radio soap opera – and creator of some of its most memorable storylines and characters, Graham Harvey looks back on his time with the programme and explains how it is created. Fans will enjoy the light-hearted pub quiz on the show!

With live music, songs and readings from his stage play, No Finer Life, Graham explores our relationship with the countryside. “Farming,” he says, “the state of the land, its impact on the countryside and the quality of the food it produces, and our individual health are inextricably linked. Getting it right is perhaps the most important challenge of the 21st century. Deciding what we do, even discussing it, should not be left to politicians, industry or those working the land alone. Everyone should be part of a great debate.”

A discussion and Q&A session on rural life concludes the evening.

One of the most influential campaigners on rural matters in the UK, Graham writes for The Sunday Times, New Scientist, and Country Life, and for three years he wrote the ‘Old Muckspreader’ column in Private Eye. The author of We Want Real Food and The Carbon Fields, his views have reached national prominence (the current Minister for Agriculture is a confirmed disciple!). His other plays include The Darkness of the Sun, the story of the writer Henry Williamson.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Secrets of the River – Early morning walk

Saturday 30 June  6:30am      St Lawrence’s Church

Rob Starr, River Keeper for the Town & Manor of Hungerford, leads an exploration of the Dun, a chalk stream which is a globally rare habitat abundant with wildlife. See wild brown trout and grayling and go river-dipping for bullhead and a fascinating variety of invertebrates including caddis and freshwater shrimp.

Followed by a delicious fried breakfast cooked by the 1st Hungerford Brownies in the Croft Hall at 8.00am

Please note that the walk is free and no ticket is required– the tickets you can buy are for the breakfast (which is optional!)

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Exhibition: 23 Local Artists

Saturday 30 June  10:00am – 4:30pm      The Birches, Chilton Foliat

Paintings, prints, pottery, sculpture, textile art, jewellery, photography, stained glass, ceramics, millinery.

Curated by David H Jones

Artists: Shirley Cartey, Jane Corbett, Amy Malikov, Sandra Cook, Rowan Whimster, Susan Kirkman, Sue Acworth, Micky Thompson, Patty Medlin, Theresa Hing, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Andi Mulholland, Helen Colling, David H Jones, Elizabeth Davis, Hilary Reem, Diana Barraclough, Rosemary Trigwell, Claire Acworth, Arran Miles, Diccon Dadey, Susie Whimster, Rosalind Hewitt

Free entry – no ticket required
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The Wheatsheaf Gallery

Saturday 30 June  10:00am – 4:30pm      The Wheatsheaf, Chilton Foliat

The Wheatsheaf launches their new Gallery Space with a solo exhibition by Brighton-based landscape artist Lily Rigby,

Free entry – no ticket required
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Chilton Foliat Garden Trail

Saturday 30 June  10:00am – 4:00pm      Chilton Foliat

Eleven village gardens open from 10am-4pm.

Discover the hidden gems that lie beyond the garden gate, ranging from classic cottage plots to formal borders, quirky havens to riverside vistas.

Refreshments available in the Village Hall 11am-4pm courtesy of Chilton Foliat WI.

4pm onwards, swing band ‘Ish Kabibble’ will be jazzing it up in the garden of The Wheatsheaf.

Tickets for the garden trail £5 per adult, accompanied children free. No dogs please
Tickets and map available ON THE DAY from The Birches, Chilton Foliat RG17 0TE
t. 01488 684038
Parking available at The Birches, the Wheatsheaf and the School

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KAST OFF KINKS

Saturday 30 June  7:30pm      John O’Gaunt School

The Kast Off Kinks are actual former members of the iconic rock band ‘The Kinks’, back together playing great music and reliving the good times whilst keeping the songs alive that made The Kinks a household name

This great line-up features Mick Avory (original drummer on all the classic hits from 1964-84), Ian Gibbons (keyboards/vocals Kinks 80s & 90s and still works with Sir Ray Davies), John Dalton (bass/vocals Kinks 60s & 70s), Dave Clarke (guitar/vocals, previously with the Beach Boys, Noel Redding Band and Tim Rose).

Expect all the hits including: You Really Got Me, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Sunny Afternoon, Lola, Days, Waterloo Sunset, Come Dancing, All Day and All of the Night plus many more …

A great night out, not to be missed!

Tickets (£15.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Hungerford Harey 8 Run

Sunday 1 July  10:00am      Triangle Field

The Hungerford Harey 8 has become a regular event on the West Berkshire running scene and is a part of the annual “Run West Berks” series of races, held over early summer.

The 8 mile, multi-terrain race, starts and finishes at the triangle field (rugby club). Over its short but successful history, it has been heralded as extremely friendly and very well organized.

In addition to the main race, there is a Children’s Fun Run with prizes for all participants.

Follow the website link for details and entry information.

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HADCAF Fish Trail

Sunday 1 July  10:00am      St Lawrence’s Church

Find 24 hidden fish on Hungerford High Street during the Festival (29june – 15 July).

Rewards for completed forms.

Further fish trail activities at St Lawrence’s Church at 10am Sunday 15 July
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Singing Workshop with Sarah Cope

Sunday 1 July  2:00 – 4:00pm      The Croft Hall

Come and sing! All welcome – no experience necessary.

Since 1997, Sarah has been the Director of Music at St Nicolas Parish Church, Newbury, where she has grown the church choir to over 40 members, both Juniors and Adults. The choir performs regularly for all Sunday Services as well as for special civic and Newbury Festival services.

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Ashworth & Rattenbury – Guitar Recital

Sunday 1 July  8:00pm      Our Lady of Lourdes

Ashworth & Rattenbury Guitars began playing as a duo to prepare music for a celebration of composer Milton Babbitt’s centenary in 2016. Their performance was recorded for later broadcast by BBC Radio 3’s ‘Hear & Now’ show, and they also performed Babbitt’s music at further concerts. Inspired to explore the guitar duet repertoire further, they now perform a wide range of music for two guitars. This includes arrangements of baroque keyboard music, well-known classical guitar duets, choros from Latin America, and works by the American minimalists. Both guitarists are also members of the Sussex Guitar Quartet.

Jon Rattenbury is an active guitarist and music educator. He has wide experience as a performer on electric and classical guitar and as a music tutor. Jon has worked as a music examiner for RSL and the International Baccalaureate Organisation, and has recently worked as a music consultant for ABRSM, helping to develop a new popular music syllabus. Jon completed his Masters in music at Goldsmiths, University of London, and has interests in both historical and contemporary musicology. In 2014, the Lute Society published Jon’s critical edition of 17th century baroque guitar songs from the library of Samuel Pepys at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Brian Ashworth studied classical guitar, piano, and harmony, benefiting greatly from his studies with Robert Brightmore at music college in London. Professional projects have included TV and radio work with composer Karl Jenkins, working from Olympic Studios in London. His recent focus has remained in contemporary music and education, working in Brighton as a guitar, bass, drum kit and ukulele teacher. Brian also travels internationally as a performer, presenter, and educator. He has played and recorded with many ensembles over the years, with particular interest in ‘Early’ and ‘Late’ periods of music.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Film Night – Maudie (12)

Sunday 1 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

MAUDIE, based on a true story, is an unlikely romance in which the reclusive Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke) hires a fragile yet determined woman named Maudie (Sally Hawkins) to be his housekeeper.

Maudie, bright-eyed but hunched with crippled hands, yearns to be independent, to live away from her protective family and she also yearns, passionately, to create art. Unexpectedly, Everett finds himself falling in love. MAUDIE charts Everett’s efforts to protect himself from being hurt, Maudie’s deep and abiding love for this difficult man and her surprising rise to fame as a folk painter.

“This sensitive, beautifully acted film lingers long after the final frame. And the Newfoundland locations are breathtaking.”

Trailer available here

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Roger Phillips – Wild Cooking

Monday 2 July  7:30pm      The Croft Hall

An illustrated talk based on Roger’s forthcoming book Wild Cooking, which covers mushrooms, edible flowers, newly discovered vegetables, drinks, and cooking over wood fires outdoors.

The perfect companion to a day in the countryside!

Free entry (retiring collection) – no ticket required
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Author talk – Joy Rhoades

Monday 2 July  7:30pm      The Library

Join author Joy Rhoades as she talks about her engaging novel The Woolgrower’s Companion.

Set in Australia in 1945 this the gripping story of one woman’s fight to save her home, and a passionate tribute to Australia’s landscape and its people. Bittersweet and inspired in part by her own grandmother’s experiences on a farm during WW2, this book makes a great summer read – why not bring along your book group?

“A heartbreaking tale, beautifully told. Magical” Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help

Tickets available from Hungerford Bookshop (01488 683480) & Hungerford Library (01488 682660)

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An Evening of Jazz – Rory McNeill

Tuesday 3 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Rory is a local 19-year old jazz singer-songwriter whose rich, baritone voice offers a fresh take on the great Jazz Songbook fused with his own originality as a lyricist and storyteller. He has been gaining recognition in this genre and has been likened to Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra.

Rory and his band together with a few special guests present an evening of original music intertwined with jazz classics.

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Go Batty Walk

Tuesday 3 July  8:45pm      Eddington Marsh

Dave Endacott from Oxfordshire Bat Group will introduce some live bats before leading a stroll along the river on Eddington Marsh to see and hear various species of bats with the aid of high-powered torches and bat detectors.

This is a very popular event run by the Town & Manor of Hungerford and numbers are limited.
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A Musical Tribute to David Bunney

Wednesday 4 July  3:00pm      United Reformed Church

The United Reformed Church invites you to join them in a musical tribute to the late Reverend David Bunney, former minister of the URC. Everyone who knew David will know of his deep passion and knowledge of music. He was an active committee member of the HADCAF committee where his contributions and highly tuned sense of humour were much appreciated.

Brian Sturtridge has put together an organ recital covering five centuries of the very best music to celebrate David’s life.

There will be refreshments after the recital plus an opportunity to share fond memories of David.

Free entry (retiring collection) – no ticket required
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Bell Ringing Workshop

Wednesday 4 July  8:00pm      St Lawrence’s Church

The ringers of St. Lawrence’s invite you to see bell ringing in action and try your hand at ‘learning the ropes’.

Children welcome with adult supervision.

This event is free but you will require a ticket. Tickets will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) and by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW.
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The Joni Mitchell Songbook

Wednesday 4 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Both Sides Now present The Joni Mitchell Songbook

Of all the leading lights of the West Coast singer-songwriter movement, Joni Mitchell remains its most influential figure, with a body of work spanning folk to mainstream pop to modern jazz and back again.

This comprehensive survey of Joni’s career includes landmarks such as ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ (her most covered song), ‘River’ and ‘A Case of You’ (both from the breakthrough album Blue), the radio hits of ‘Help Me’ and ‘Free Man In Paris’, and the jazz-infused stylings of ‘In France They Kiss On Main Street’ and ‘Coyote’.

Both Sides Now brings together a group of top-drawer musicians, led by singer Sarah Miller and keyboard player Aidan Goldstraw, to explore the work of a musical genius.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Eddington Marsh Walk

Thursday 5 July  7:30pm      Eddington Marsh

Landscape, History and Wildlife Walk

Join the wildlife team and the Town & Manor of Hungerford for a one-off opportunity this year to walk around the marsh, a fascinating and ancient area managed for farming and wildlife.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Hungerford Rock Choir

Thursday 5 July  7:30pm      Corn Exchange

A chance to listen to your friends and family in the recently formed Hungerford Rock Choir. In four-part harmony they will perform six recently perfected songs and will then be joined by a few key members from other local choirs.

Free entry – no ticket required
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London Suite – Newbury Dramatic Society

Thursday 5 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

A Hyde Park hotel suite provides the fashionable setting for four individual short plays, each with a different tone. As London Suite veers from thriller to farce we meet an array of different characters, including a novelist holding his accountant at gunpoint, a rich widow on a rather odd date, a talk show host being reunited with her ex, and “the man on the floor”.
Sharp, witty dialogue and sympathetic characters make London Suite an unmissable production.

Directed by Ian Martin. This amateur production of London Suite is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Swing Out Swindon – Dance Workshop

Friday 6 July  7:30pm      Corn Exchange

Add some new moves to your repertoire with dance teachers Cliff and Erica, who have created their own style – Swing Dance – out of Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Modern Jive and Jazz Live. They are the perfect team to introduce both new students and those with previous experience to this infectious style of dance to music spanning the ’20s through to the ’50s. A great opportunity to dress the part too!

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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The Hysterical Historical Show

Friday 6 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Cult theatre company and comedy duo LipService return to their stand-up roots in the Hysterical Historical Show a wacky whirlwind tour of Britain’s female national treasures.

Meet notorious gossip Mrs Gaskell and her timid friend Charlotte Bronte, learn about Marie Stopes and her little known friendship with Scott of the Antarctic, stage a protest with the ever radical Pankhursts, meet Georgian housekeeper and inventor of cuppa soup Elizabeth Raffald, Annie Horniman, creator of the modern repertory theatre, and many more. Nothing is sacred. But we hope you have been paying attention because there will be a quiz, not a very serious one, with points and points mean prizes.

Part sketch show, part pub quiz this show has all the ingredients of a fun night out.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Camera Workshop (part 1)

Saturday 7 July  10:00am      Magistrates Room in Town Hall building

Brian Price and other members of Hungerford Camera Club present a two-part workshop on how to get the most from your digital camera and turn good photos into great photos.

Both sessions will be practical, run mostly outdoors (weather permitting). There will be some classroom time to review photos and answer questions.
Bring your camera (and the manual).

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Garden Open – 87 High Street

Saturday 7 July  10:00am – 5:00pm      87 High Street, Hungerford

Relax in the lovely secret garden ( two medieval burgage plots). Small art exhibition, music, plants for sale, refreshments available

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Exhibition: 23 Local Artists

Saturday 7 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      The Birches, Chilton Foliat

Paintings, prints, pottery, sculpture, textile art, jewellery, photography, stained glass, ceramics, millinery.

Curated by David H Jones

Artists: Shirley Cartey, Jane Corbett, Amy Malikov, Sandra Cook, Rowan Whimster, Susan Kirkman, Sue Acworth, Micky Thompson, Patty Medlin, Theresa Hing, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Andi Mulholland, Helen Colling, David H Jones, Elizabeth Davis, Hilary Reem, Diana Barraclough, Rosemary Trigwell, Claire Acworth, Arran Miles, Diccon Dadey, Susie Whimster, Rosalind Hewitt

Free entry – no ticket required
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The Wheatsheaf Gallery

Saturday 7 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      The Wheatsheaf, Chilton Foliat

The Wheatsheaf launches their new Gallery Space with a solo exhibition by Brighton-based landscape artist Lily Rigby,

Free entry – no ticket required
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Flower Festival

Saturday 7 July  10:00am – 5:00pm      St Lawrence’s Church

The theme for this year’s annual Flower Festival at St Lawrence’s is “Film Titles” .

Come and see the amazing creations – cameras essential!

Free entry – no ticket required
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Beginners’ Quilting Workshop

Saturday 7 July  2:00 – 5:00pm      The Library

Make a hand-quilted needle case with members of Kintbury Quilters who will demonstrate rotary cutting and different methods of transferring designs onto fabric, ready for hand-quilting.

Maximum of twelve participants and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Garden Open – Sanham Green Cottage

Saturday 7 July  2:00 – 5:00pm      Sanham Green

Antique stone sculptures, a wildflower meadow and traditional vegetable potager make these gardens well worth a visit. Tea and coffee available.

Entry £5 ON THE DAY, all proceeds to the Air Ambulance.
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Phoenix Brass Band – Open Air Concert

Saturday 7 July  3:00pm      Froxfield Village Green

Phoenix Brass was formed in 1993 by a small but enthusiastic group of players under the leadership of Musical Director David Watson to promote the enjoyment of brass band music. It has steadily grown in popularity and size and there is a great demand for its services.

Join them for a relaxing afternoon listening to a range of all-time favourite tunes (in Village Hall if wet).

Free entry (retiring collection) – no ticket required
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Clive Collective

Saturday 7 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Back by popular demand!

Those who have experienced the roof raising sound of the Clive Collective know exactly what to expect from this highly popular local band – rock classics with a unique slant. If you’ve not yet heard them you are in for a treat.

Milly and Sally’s vocal harmonies totally complement the superb musical talents of Johnny Marter, Jimmy Johnson, Ian Mackay and Nick Beere.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Exhibition: 23 Local Artists

Sunday 8 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      The Birches, Chilton Foliat

Paintings, prints, pottery, sculpture, textile art, jewellery, photography, stained glass, ceramics, millinery.

Curated by David H Jones

Artists: Shirley Cartey, Jane Corbett, Amy Malikov, Sandra Cook, Rowan Whimster, Susan Kirkman, Sue Acworth, Micky Thompson, Patty Medlin, Theresa Hing, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Andi Mulholland, Helen Colling, David H Jones, Elizabeth Davis, Hilary Reem, Diana Barraclough, Rosemary Trigwell, Claire Acworth, Arran Miles, Diccon Dadey, Susie Whimster, Rosalind Hewitt

Free entry – no ticket required
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Cycle ride

Sunday 8 July  10:00am      Croft Hall

Cycle the quiet lanes in and around Hungerford
This cycle ride will be a sociable event, intending to bring awareness to and enjoyment from some of the quiet and peaceful country roads and lanes around Hungerford. The ride will be about twenty miles long and will be ridden at a slow to medium pace with regular stops to take in the beauty of the countryside.
As some off-road riding is inevitable, sturdier tyres and frames are advised. All ages are welcome but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
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Hungerford Allotments Open Day

Sunday 8 July  2:00 – 5:00pm      Marsh Lane

Visit Hungerford’s hidden gem that is the Marsh Lane Allotments.

Wander through the vegetable plots, enjoy the flowers and wildlife.

Visit our Open Day stalls and stop for a snack and a chat.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Methodist Church Exhibition

Sunday 8 July  2:30 – 5:00pm      Methodist Church

1868-2018 – 150 years of the Methodist Church in Bridge Street

How has Hungerford changed since 1868? The Methodist Church and Hungerford Historical Association exhibition charts changes in town and church over the years.

Cream tea available in the Church Hall.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Sleeping Trees: World Tour

Sunday 8 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Comedy trio Sleeping Trees have been travelling around the world! They’ve been scuba-diving at the Great Barrier Reef, trekking the ancient Inca trails of Peru and gone dogging in Blackpool. But what starts as an innocent journey of discovery soon leads to an intricate series of events, culminating in the secret mission to end all missions. A story of love, revenge and friendship, and by friendship, we mean revenge.

Love child of Monty Python and The League of Gentlemen(Time Out).

‘Phenomenal performers, brimming with verve and fizzing with invention’ (Chortle).

Winners of Merv’s Spirit of the Fringe 2017.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Alpines of the Western Pacific Coast – Kit Strange

Monday 9 July  7:30pm      The Croft Hall

International speaker Kit Strange is responsible for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s extensive alpine bulb collection. She has worked with colleagues in the Falklands to propagate native species and restore degraded habitats, and has recently returned from a month-long plant-hunting trip along the western Pacific Coast from Alaska to Denver.

Free entry (retiring collection) – no ticket required
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Crescendo Choir

Tuesday 10 July  6:00pm      St Lawrence’s Church

Crescendo Choir invite you to enjoy the evocative and stirring work “The Mountain”, along with other selected choral pieces.

Composed by Paul Jarman and Bonnie Nilsson, the song cycle “The Mountain” celebrates the history of Cradle Mountain National Park and the lives of Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, who were inspired to preserve this precious natural resource for future generations. The work is being performed in various venues in England and Austria, Gustav Weindorfer’s homeland.

Crescendo is a non-profit Tasmanian Education Department choir whose members range in age from 7 to 19. The choir has previously performed in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and in many Australian cities.

Free entry (retiring collection) – no ticket required
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Vintage Fashion Evening

Tuesday 10 July  7:00 – 9:00pm      Hungerford Arcade

Indulge yourself with some vintage retail therapy – you’ll find hand-picked, original pieces of clothing, jewellery and accessories dating from the 1940s to the 1980s, along with a range of gorgeous vintage-inspired clothing and accessories.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Comedy Workshop – Ian MacDonald

Tuesday 10 July  7:30 – 9:30pm      Magistrates Room in Town Hall building

The MC for Ethos Comedy in Newbury, Ian MacDonald leads this workshop for teenagers giving tips and pointers to help them get started on the comedy route.

Ian has been gigging since he made 400 vicars laugh (at the same time!). Delivering his own brand of cheerful incredulity, he has been described as warm, full of heart and very very funny.

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Chilton Estate Tour

Wednesday 11 July  6:30pm      New Hayward Farm

This traditional rural estate is based on environmentally friendly low input arable farming and livestock grazing, together with active woodland, riverine and wildlife management. It has been in Entry level stewardship since 2005 and Higher level stewardship since 2010.

Tour on tractor and trailer.

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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A British Songbook – Lucy Goddard

Wednesday 11 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

We are disappointed that we will not be able to run this event and apologise to those who had purchased tickets. If you would like to hear the remarkable Lucy Goddard, please visit her website for more information.

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Summer Wildfowers Walk

Thursday 12 July  6:00pm      St Lawrence’s Church

Hungerford and Freeman’s Marshes are protected sites and home to a wide variety of habitats supporting an abundance of plants.

Lois Pihlens will guide you around these special areas and help you identify flowers such as southern marsh orchids, ragged robin, wild angelica. Hear also how the Town & Manor of Hungerford is conserving these areas for future generations with help from Natural England.

Free entry – no ticket required
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Belshazzar’s Feast

Thursday 12 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

One of the best-loved duos in folk music, previous BBC Folk Awards Best Duo nominees Belshazzar’s Feast start with traditional folk music, add a touch of classical and jazz, throw in a bit of pop and music hall, and top it off with a wry humour that has won them fans across the world.

Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead and Faustus) and Paul Hutchinson (of Pagoda Project) have together wowed audiences with their eclectic and eccentric mix of songs and tunes, and their between-songs chat guaranteed to send audiences home with smiles on their faces.

‘Their music is breathtaking and wickedly inventive and the between-tunes interchange as intelligent and hilarious as the music.’ Mike Harding

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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You can also order your pre-show supper here (£8.50 – no fee until 1st May).
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Private Peaceful

Friday 13 July  7:30pm      The Royal British Legion

Told through the eyes of Private Thomas Peaceful, the story covers one night during the First World War. He recounts his memories of childhood and the horrors of the trenches as the hours move towards dawn and his unknown fate. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, the author of War Horse, the story is a moving celebration of life while underlining the senselessness of war.

This amateur production of Private Peaceful (ensemble version) is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD.

Tickets from Crown Needlework, phone 01488 684011 and online at hungerfordtheatre.com

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State of the Nation – Ayesha Hazarika

Friday 13 July  8:00pm      The Croft Hall

Politics, power and how we lost the plot

Ayesha Hazarika, MBE, started her career as a stand-up comedian playing clubs across the country. She then took what she thought was a natural diversion into the Labour Party as a Special Adviser working for Gordon Brown, Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband.

Since leaving front line politics she’s become a much sought-after commentator writing for the FT, Guardian, Evening Standard, New Statesman and Grazia.

Ayesha has also returned to her stand-up roots. Her one-woman show ‘Tales from the Pink Bus’ was a sell-out hit at the 2016 Edinburgh Festival and she’s been in huge demand on TV and radio.

Ayesha lifts the lid on what life’s really like behind the scenes at Westminster with brutal honesty and humour and asks what’s next for British politics.

Not only is she extremely funny, but she uses her inside knowledge of the Labour machine to deadly effect. Though always sharp and on the money, she is never cruel and manages to create a world I never thought possible. Catch her if you can.
John Crace, The Guardian

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The Wheatsheaf Gallery

Saturday 14 July  9:30am – 11:30pm      The Wheatsheaf, Chilton Foliat

The Wheatsheaf launches their new Gallery Space with a solo exhibition by Brighton-based landscape artist Lily Rigby,

Free entry – no ticket required
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Camera Workshop (part 2)

Saturday 14 July  10:00am      Town Hall

Brian Price and other members of Hungerford Camera Club present a two-part workshop on how to get the most from your digital camera and turn good photos into great photos.

Both sessions will be practical, run mostly outdoors (weather permitting). There will be some classroom time to review photos and answer questions.

Bring your camera (and the manual).

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Exhibition: 23 Local Artists

Saturday 14 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      The Birches, Chilton Foliat

Paintings, prints, pottery, sculpture, textile art, jewellery, photography, stained glass, ceramics, millinery.

Curated by David H Jones

Artists: Shirley Cartey, Jane Corbett, Amy Malikov, Sandra Cook, Rowan Whimster, Susan Kirkman, Sue Acworth, Micky Thompson, Patty Medlin, Theresa Hing, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Andi Mulholland, Helen Colling, David H Jones, Elizabeth Davis, Hilary Reem, Diana Barraclough, Rosemary Trigwell, Claire Acworth, Arran Miles, Diccon Dadey, Susie Whimster, Rosalind Hewitt

Free entry – no ticket required
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Hungerford Tennis Club Centenary Celebration

Saturday 14 July  10:00am – 4:00pm      Tennis Club

Come along to Hungerford Tennis Club as it celebrates its centenary with a series of special events over the weekend of the 14th/15th July, which coincides with the Wimbledon finals and is part of the nationwide LTA Open Weekend.

See the Hungerford Tennis Club website for further details

Free entry – no ticket required
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Chinese Brush Painting Workshop

Saturday 14 July  2:00pm      The Library

Presented by Stevie Franklin, this workshop provides an introduction to the various materials and brush strokes needed to obtain the subtle shading so typical of Chinese brush painting. We will be painting bamboo, one of the four most popular subjects for teaching beginners. If we have time we will have a go at pandas as well!

Materials and equipment provided, but if you have watercolours please bring them along.

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Kennet Opera presents Puccini Chunks

Saturday 14 July  4:00pm      Our Lady of Lourdes

A celebration of the genius of Giacomo Puccini, whose thrilling melodies have consistently topped the opera popularity charts for the last century. Be enthralled by gorgeous extracts from his greatest hits – La Bohème, Tosca and Madame Butterfly – as well as many lesser-known gems.

Scones and tea will be served in the interval – can there be a better way to spend a summer’s afternoon?

Tickets (£12.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Private Peaceful

Saturday 14 July  7:30pm      The Royal British Legion

Told through the eyes of Private Thomas Peaceful, the story covers one night during the First World War. He recounts his memories of childhood and the horrors of the trenches as the hours move towards dawn and his unknown fate. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, the author of War Horse, the story is a moving celebration of life while underlining the senselessness of war.

This amateur production of Private Peaceful (ensemble version) is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD.

Tickets from Crown Needlework, phone 01488 684011 and online at hungerfordtheatre.com

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Dance Night with Apollo Big Band

Saturday 14 July  8:00pm      Corn Exchange

Grab your dancing shoes for an evening of toe-tapping Big Band swing!

Performing a full range of music from Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Glen Miller to the ‘Rat Pack’ era and contemporary arrangements, Apollo features top-class local musicians including jazz vocalist Steph Richardson

The Band can be seen regularly at their popular ‘Apollo@Stockcross’ jazz evenings and at their annual showcase at the Newbury Corn Exchange.

Tickets (£10.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Exhibition: 23 Local Artists

Sunday 15 July  10:00am – 4:30pm      The Birches, Chilton Foliat

Paintings, prints, pottery, sculpture, textile art, jewellery, photography, stained glass, ceramics, millinery.

Curated by David H Jones

Artists: Shirley Cartey, Jane Corbett, Amy Malikov, Sandra Cook, Rowan Whimster, Susan Kirkman, Sue Acworth, Micky Thompson, Patty Medlin, Theresa Hing, Normandy Barcelo Soto, Andi Mulholland, Helen Colling, David H Jones, Elizabeth Davis, Hilary Reem, Diana Barraclough, Rosemary Trigwell, Claire Acworth, Arran Miles, Diccon Dadey, Susie Whimster, Rosalind Hewitt

Free entry – no ticket required
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Hungerford Tennis Club Centenary Celebration

Sunday 15 July  10:00am – 4:00pm      Tennis Club

Come along to Hungerford Tennis Club as it celebrates its centenary with a series of special events over the weekend of the 14th/15th July, which coincides with the Wimbledon finals and is part of the nationwide LTA Open Weekend.

See the Hungerford Tennis Club website for further details

Free entry – no ticket required
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Family games

Sunday 15 July  11:00am – 1:00pm      The Croft Field

A chance for the whole family to join in a selection of outside games and activities.

Hungerford Brownies will be organising this event but please feel free to bring your favourite outdoor games to share and add to the fun.
Wear your trainers to win!! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Why not make a day of it, bring a picnic and book tickets for the Zoolab experience in the afternoon.

Free entry – no ticket required
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The Wheatsheaf Gallery

Sunday 15 July  12:00noon – 9:30pm      The Wheatsheaf, Chilton Foliat

The Wheatsheaf launches their new Gallery Space with a solo exhibition by Brighton-based landscape artist Lily Rigby,

Free entry – no ticket required
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ZooLab

Sunday 15 July  2:00pm      The Croft Hall

Bringing animal handling experiences to people everywhere

A wonderful chance for both children and adults to meet and even handle a range of exotic animals.
These will include stick insects, a scorpion, tarantula, tree frog, corn snake, millipede, cockroaches, giant snail a rat and a bearded dragon. Georgie, your Zoolab Ranger will talk about their natural environment and behaviours during the afternoon session.

Tickets (£5.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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Town Band Concert

Sunday 15 July  7:00pm      Corn Exchange

Under the leadership of Musical Director Tim Crouter, the Band has achieved a reputation as one of the leading brass bands in the region. Their entertaining programme features both modern and traditional arrangements.

Free entry (retiring collection) – no ticket required
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Bad Fortune: A Murder Mystery Supper

Sunday 15 July  7:30pm      The Croft Hall

Presented by Mike Brook and Associates

The evening begins with a short play by a group of West Berkshire actors, revealing a murder, followed by dinner (with a veggie option) and questioning of the suspects to identify the culprit.

Come along as a team or join a team on the night. Interrogate the suspects; solve the clues; accuse the guilty!

Tickets (£15.00) will be available from the Box Office (Newbury Building Society, Hungerford) or by telephone (01488 684038) from approx. mid May.
Tickets are available online NOW with no additional booking fee. Booking fees are expected to apply from 1st June.
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