20 Questions

20

QUESTIONS

Steve Price has been a full-time magician for 16 years and regularly entertains on board fi ve-star cruise ships – so he had to accept a complete change and take his show online last year. This summer he is bringing his hilarious show Magic On The Mersey to Liverpool

1What is your full name? Stephen John Price – nothing too embarrassing there!

2What is your current job title/role? My job is to make people happy. The way I do that is through magic, comedy and sleight-of-hand. 13 If you were representing your country in the Olympics, which sport would you choose? Queueing – it’s a very British sport!

14 What is your favourite drink? Chocolate milkshake.

3Describe your home life… One wife, and two pigeons in the garden.

4What has been your highlight of the past 12 months? Taking my magic show online. It wasn’t something I’d ever considered doing before, but it became a necessity. I had to completely change the show so that it was still interactive. I’ve performed for companies, families, theatres… and I think online shows are here to stay.

5And the worst moment of the past 12 months? In the autumn we were all being encouraged to go back to work, so I created a show, the website, the tickets were on sale… and then we went into a second lockdown. I was heartbroken. 15 If you had to take part in a competitive reality TV show, which would you have the best chance of winning: Strictly Come Dancing, The Great British Bake O or I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!? That’s easy. There’s no way you would get me on Strictly or I’m a Celeb so it’s Bake O all the way! I’d better get my apron…

16 What is your guilty pleasure? OK, you have to try this! Imagine a random animal wearing a random item of clothing. Then search the internet for the results!

17 When did you last laugh uncontrollably and why? Just now when I searched for “horses wearing hats”!

6If you could come back as any animal, what would you be and why? A duck-billed platypus. They just sound cool!

7What would be your desert island disc and why? Nina Simone singing “My Baby Just Cares For Me”. At our wedding reception, I made my wife Alice appear in her wedding dress, and this was the music we had playing.

8If you could have one superpower, what would it be? What do you mean “If”? Haven’t you seen my show? It’s basically an hour of me doing impossible things!

9Who is your all-time hero and how have they inspired you? Tommy Cooper. He was a giant, he was uniquely brilliant. If you want to entertain an audience, there is no better example.

10 What is your worst fear or phobia? I don’t like sprouts.

11 What’s the fi rst thing you’d buy if you won the lottery? A pack of custard creams. Knowing my luck I’d only win £5!

12 What is your dream job – other than your current role, of course? At school I went to talk to the careers adviser. Imagine my surprise when the results came back: undertaker. I think she mixed up magician with mortician! 18 Who would you invite to a celebrity dinner party? Jools Holland (to play piano), Banksy (don’t worry, I’m very good at keeping secrets), Mary Berry (to do the dessert) and the Queen (I’m not going to miss an opportunity like that!).

19 Where is your favourite place in the world and why do you love it so much? On stage – there is nowhere else like it.

20 What is your proudest achievement so far? In August 2012, during the London Olympics, I became a Gold Star member of the Inner Magic Circle. Within the magic world, that’s the equivalent of winning a gold medal!

Magic On The Mersey is at Aloft Liverpool on 3rd and 17th July and 7th and 28th August. Visit www. magiconthe mersey.com “My careers adviser told me I should be an undertaker. I think she mixed up magician with mortician!”

Entertainment for all at the Floral Pavilion

All Singing! All Swinging!, 3rd July Featuring the greatest hits of Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and more, this concert celebrates the fabulous music of the world-famous Rat Pack, led by Ray Quinn. 7.30pm. Tickets £26.75.

Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians & Vile

Victorians, 3rd-5th August Ready to swing with a Georgian king? See eye to eye with Admiral Nelson? Be saved by Florence Nightingale? It’s the horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in! 3pm, plus 6pm on the 3rd and 4th and 11am on the 5th. Tickets from £15.75.

In The Night Garden… Live, 10th-11th August Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in this funfilled live show! See all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets and enchanting music. 10am and 1pm, plus 4pm on the 10th. Tickets from £16.75.

DID YOU KNOW? Ray Quinn has appeared in Brookside and Hollyoaks

Jason Manford: Like Me - Work In Progress, 18th

August Acclaimed comedian Jason Manford is back on tour with his trademark brand of “expert observational comedy” (The Guardian) mixed with “comic gold” (Mail On Sunday). 7.30pm. Tickets £21.75. www.floralpavilion.com

PROMOTING CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR ALL

The Wirral Chamber Music Festival returns on 16th to 18th July, bringing world-class music to the Wirral. Liverpool Brass Quintet are at St Luke’s, Hoylake, on 16th July, Schubert’s String Quintet in C is at St Peter’s, Heswall, on 17th July, and Klezmer-ish are at Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, on 18th July. www.wirralchamberfest.co.uk

Live music in West Kirby

Keith James, 17th July A concert of Leonard Cohen material. 7.45pm. Tickets £14.

The Freedom Concert, 23rd July Bands mark the lifting of restrictions. 7.30pm. Tickets £9.

Luke Jackson, 31st July Hear “one of the most distinctive voices… on the contemporary folk scene” (Folk Radio UK). 7.30pm. Tickets £12. www.

westkirbyartscentre.org.uk

Port Sunlight exhibition

honours the Last Bohemian Live theatre in The Dell Folksy Theatre returns to The Dell, Port A new exhibition celebrating the life and work Sunlight, with two great shows this summer: of Augustus John takes place at Lady Lever Art Shakespeare’s The Tempest on 7th August and Gallery in Port Sunlight until 30th August. Little Red & The Big Bad Wolf on 20th August.

The Last Bohemian showcases around 40 works Bring along your picnics, rugs and folding by one of Britain’s most controversial artists, chairs and enjoy some spectacular live theatre including 18 loans from across the north-west and in this beautiful and unique setting. Tickets the National Museum Wales. cost £15 for adults and £12 for children and are John was Britain’s leading available direct portrait painter at the turn from Folksy of the 20th century, and his Theatre’s website. portraits of poets William Visit www. Butler Yeats and Dylan Thomas folksytheatre. feature in the exhibition. www. co.uk for more liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ information.

lady-lever-art-gallery

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

1ST-16TH JULY

•1st July, Candle Making

Workshop, Chemist & Co,

Hoylake Make a scented candle in this fun workshop that allows you to choose your own scent, mix fragrance oils and hand-pour your own container candle. The course takes place in Chemist & Co’s new purposebuilt studio. 6.30pm-8.30pm. £20. www.chemistandco.com

•3rd July,

Natural Fibres Workshop, Make Hamilton Square,

Birkenhead Join Wil Goodwin for an afternoon of learning about natural fi bres. Find out how to recognise suitable plants, harvest and prepare plants by extracting the fi bres and make your own natural cordage. By the end of the session you’ll have your own bracelet or necklace. 11am-1pm. £20. www.eventbrite.co.uk

•4th July, Wirral Kayak

Challenge, New Brighton

Join hundreds of kayakers and make the 14-mile trip from New Brighton to Thurstaston to raise money for Claire House Children’s Hospice and Merseyside & Cheshire Blood Bikes. To register, contact Mike Dudley on 07791 104428. www.clairehouse.org.uk

•10th-11th July,

Woodcarving for Beginners, Ness Botanic

Gardens A two-day course led by woodcarver John White. Learn the basic techniques needed for all types of woodcarving, including pattern and design development, tool selection and sharpening and relief carving. All tools and materials supplied. £150. www. liverpool.ac.uk/ness-gardens

•16th July, Songs For All

Reasons, West Kirby Arts

Centre Hear songs from the Wirral singer/songwriter group Waxing Lyrical, in aid of Tyddyn Môn, a centre for adults with learning di culties. 7.30pm. £8. www. westkirby artscentre. org.uk

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

18TH JULY-21ST AUGUST

•18th July, Making Music

Day, The Dell, Port Sunlight

Bring the whole family along to this free, fun-fi lled outdoor festival. Meet the musicians, create your own instruments and let the whole family join in the noise! 11am-2pm. Free, but space is limited so please book your place. www.wirralchamberfest.co.uk

•24th July,

The Art of Gin Tasting, Tappers Gin Distillery, Birkenhead

Explore the fl avours, techniques and styles of production behind Tappers’ fl agship spirits, Darkside Gin and Brightside Gin. The evening starts with a brief tour of the distillery followed by a tasting led by Dr Steve Tapril. 7pm-10pm. £25. www.tappersgin.com

•30th July, Mark

Morriss Live, Heswall Hall

Hear the former frontman of indie outfi t The Bluetones as he brings his debut solo tour to Heswall. 7.30pm. £12. www.heswallhall.co.uk

•19th August,

Drink & Draw, Make Hamilton,

Birkenhead A relaxed lifedrawing session with a complimentary glass of wine and plate of cheese. The untaught session is open to everyone. 6.30-8.30pm. £12. www.eventbrite.co.uk

•21st August,

A Night At The Opera, St Mary’s Church, Eastham

Flat Pack Music returns with an operatic gala you’ll never forget. Hear four professional soloists perform arias, duets, trios and quartets from The Barber Of Seville, La Bohème, Carmen, Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, La Traviata and many more. 7.30pm. £10. www.fl atpackmusic.co.uk

•21st August, Matilda The

Musical Dance Workshop, Gladstone Theatre, Port

Sunlight Learn a dance routine from the hit musical. Suitable for children eight to 16, regardless of ability. 1pm-4pm. £10. www.gladstone theatre.org.uk

Big screen favourites under the stars

This summer, Claremont Farm in Bebington will be home to a giant outdoor screen, allowing movie lovers to watch some of their favourite films in a beautiful and memorable setting. As part of Moonlight Flicks, a range of classic films will be shown throughout July and August, including Back To The Future, Dirty Dancing, The Greatest Showman, Thelma & Louise, Jurassic Park, The Princess Bride, The Lion King and more.

Moviegoers can enjoy live acoustic music by the fire pits before the films start and hot street food will be available, as well as craft beer, wine and artisan gins. Standard tickets cost £14.50 for adults and £9 for children. Visit www.moonlightflicks.co.uk.

DID YOU KNOW? Princess Bride child star Fred Savage is now a director

And all that jazz…

Enjoy live traditional jazz at The Irby Club, Wirral, on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Hear the best Dixieland/Chicago-style jazz from The Original Panama Jazz Band, which has been playing jazz for over 60 years.

Admission is free and concerts include occasional visits from guest musicians. Upcoming dates include 7th and 21st July and 4th and 18th August. www.jazznorthwest.

co.uk/panama.htm

Musicians’ artwork goes on display

Super Cool Drawing Machine, a touring exhibition of musicians’ “other” artwork, takes place at Future Yard, Birkenhead, from 15th to 18th July.

The exhibition is a celebration of art created by a host of acclaimed musicians, including Shabaka Hutchings, Cate Le Bon and Lonnie Holley.

Viewings at noon, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. Tickets £5.50. Visit future yard.org.

Take a walk for a good cause

The Wirral Coastal Walk in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice takes place on 29th August. The walk starts at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton and follows a 12.5mile route to Thurstaston Country Park. Registration costs £5 for adults and £1 for under-10s. All walkers will be sent a fundraising pack.

www.clairehouse.org.uk

Bounce back in Birkenhead

The UK’s biggest inflatable theme park comes to Birkenhead Park from 22nd to 25th July.

Inflatable Adventure World brings a world of fun to children aged three to 14. Kids can tackle their way through the gigantic Ninja Warrior Assault Course and challenge their stamina and agility in the Toxic Meltdown. There’s also a Paw Patrol assault course, a toddler playzone, a helter-skelter, Nerf gun shooting, bumper cars, a Minions assault course, gigantic slides, water walkers and more. Tickets cost £9.99. www.

inflatableadventure world.eventbrite.co.uk

On stage at Gladstone Theatre

One Night in Dublin, 1st July Join the Wild Murphys for a glorious night of high-energy Irish music. 7.30pm. Tickets £23.50.

Mercury, 16th July One of the world’s most authentic tribute bands to Freddie Mercury and Queen. 7.30pm. Tickets £21.

Goldilocks, 6th August A big top panto. 2.30pm. Tickets £10-£12.

Forbidden Nights, 20th August

A fun, sexy and entertaining evening. 7.30pm. Tickets £22-£24.

www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

3RD-17TH JULY

•3rd July, West Midlands Zombie Escape Race, Hawkstone

Park Take part in the Blood, Sweat and Fears 5k on a Saturday night. Runners have three “lives” in the form of fl ags, which they must try to protect from the advancing zombies as they navigate the route of caves, obstacles and mud. Pre-booked tickets only. www. hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk

•4th July, Gardens with a

Belle Vue, Shrewsbury The Belle Vue Arts Festival takes place through the summer, and this is its main event. Visitors follow the trail for the chance to see some stunning gardens in this part of Shrewsbury. 10.30am-4pm. £3. www.bellevueartsfestival.co.uk

•Until 18th July, Ludlow Fringe Festival

O ering over 100 events including visual arts, music, dance, comedy, Shakespeare and creative workshops, there is something for all ages at Ludlow’s Fringe. Events take place in various locations around Ludlow, including the beautiful grounds of Stokesay Castle. Various prices including some free events. www.ludlowfringe.co.uk

•10th July, Made In Shropshire market, Shrewsbury

This market, which takes place on the second Saturday of every month in Shrewsbury Town Square, features a carefully selected and diverse range of vendors of arts, crafts, and food and drink, all produced within Shropshire. www.madeinshropshire.co.uk

•16th-17th July, Outdoor Shakespeare, Shrewsbury

Castle The Lord Chamberlain’s Men are on tour Shropshire with their brilliant production of Macbeth, which will have two outdoor performances at Shrewsbury Castle. Advance booking is required and wet weather policies are in place. www. theatre severn. co.uk

Classic coracle regatta

DID YOU KNOW? Coracles are thought to date back to Bronze Age Britain

The Ironbridge Coracle Regatta takes place on 30th August from 10am to 4pm. This historic race was first staged in 1881 and is still a fun opportunity for teams to race on the river in a distinct and traditional form of transport, as well as being a great spectator sport. The Ironbridge Coracle Trust is based at the Green Wood Centre in Coalbrookdale and is open to visitors every day from 11am to 3pm. www.ironbridgecoracles.org

Classic summer garden party

Hawkstone Hall & Gardens hosts its Summer Garden Party on 30th August, an afternoon of family fun with live music, entertainment, games and craft stalls. Local food and drink will be available, along with afternoon tea packs. Dogs on leads are welcome. Entry costs £5 for adults and is free for children. www.hawkstonehall.co.uk

Put a smile on your face

A Mile of Smiles takes place in Shrewsbury on 25th July, as entertainers of all descriptions come together to celebrate culture and bring joy to the town. The route from Shrewsbury Castle to The Quarry will feature music, poetry, circus acts, bubbles and a whole lot of fun. The free event, which takes place between 10am and 4pm, aims to encourage visitors back to Shrewsbury as well as providing a platform for local performers. www.mileofsmiles.co.uk

A meadow celebration

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms is celebrating wildflower meadows and their wildlife on 24th July. Visitors can enjoy guided meadow walks, activities, talks and demonstrations, arts and crafts, live music and a barbecue and bar. Hay Meadow Festival takes place from 11am to 6pm and tickets costs £13 for families, £5 for adults and £3 for children. www.

shropshire hillsdiscovery centre.co.uk

ROMAN VINEYARD TOURS

Wroxeter Vineyard, based at the ancient Roman site Uriconium, is welcoming back visitors with private vineyard tours. The vineyard has been going since the early 1990s, and current special offers include a tour for two with either lunch or afternoon tea. Tutored wine tasting is also included in all packages, and group tours and individual packages can be tailored according to requirements. For more information, visit www.wroxetervineyard.co.uk.

Battle of Shrewsbury Medieval Weekend

Experience the sights and sounds of medieval Shropshire at the Battle of Shrewsbury Medieval Weekend from 24th to 25th July.

With more than 200 re-enactors and living historians, as well as skills and craft demonstrations and market traders, there is plenty of interaction is guaranteed. The highlight of each day is the staged battle between the rebel army and the king. See the Battle of Shrewsbury Medieval Weekend Facebook page for more information.

Picnic with the alpacas

Mad House Farm in Broseley offers a unique opportunity to get close to their friendly alpacas at a private “paca picnic”. The picnics can take place in all weathers – guests can make use of a covered shelter. Mad House Farm prides itself on offering the highest standards of welfare for animals in its care, and additional animal experiences are available. Visit www.madhousefarm.co.uk to book your place.

Ramble and feast around the Marches countryside

The 18th Ludlow Magnalonga takes place on 8th August. This leisurely food and drink walk covers approximately eight miles of Ludlow’s beautiful scenery and takes in some of its finest culinary offerings along the way. Participants set off at staggered intervals from 10am. www.magnalonga.co.uk

FOLK FESTIVAL FUN

Shrewsbury Folk Festival runs from the 27th to 30th August at the West Mid Showground. This inclusive, friendly festival returns with a big lineup for 2021. Camping and flexible day tickets are available, allowing visitors to make the most of the music, events, entertainment and workshops. As well as some of the biggest acts from the British folk scene there is even folk ballet! Tickets can be booked at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk.

Splash into summer at Alderford Lake

Alderford Lake in Whitchurch is open every day this summer for wild swimming, and the aquapark is also open at weekends and during school holidays. Canoes and paddleboards are available for hire too. Aquapark tickets cost from £15 and include all-day access to the lake. For anyone who doesn’t fancy a dip, there are lakeside walks to enjoy, and a maize maze. www.alderford.com

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

23RD JULY-30TH AUGUST

•23rd-24th July, Killer Rhapsody: The Queen Experience, Theatre On The

Steps, Bridgnorth A superb Queen tribute show, which lasts over two hours, featuring huge hits and deep cuts. 8pm. £15. www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk

•27th-28th July, Two Of Us (Deux), KinoKulture, Oswestry

KinoKulture is showing this charming French comedydrama over two nights. Check the website for other movie listings. Times vary. £8.60. www.kinokulture.org.uk

•31st July1st August, Sweeney SummerFest, The Sweeney Country

House Hotel, Oswestry As well as gin sampling, this weekend festival o ers rum, wine, music, food and a fi reworks fi nale on Saturday night. You can hire your own private pod for up to six people. Saturday tickets £15, Sunday £12, including a gin and tonic on entry. www.thesweeneyhotel.com

•7th-8th August, Shrewsbury Flea & Antique Fair, West Mid

Showground, Shrewsbury The BBC’s Bargain Hunt returns to an event that is increasing in popularity and attracts more than 150 stall holders. From 8.30am. £3.50 adults, £2.50 over-60s, free for under-16s. www.jos-events.co.uk

•30th August, Mere Mile Charity Swim, Ellesmere

Swim one or 2.5 miles to raise funds for the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. All participants will receive a goodie bag and fi nishers memento. For details email rjah.community fundraising@nhs.net.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

JULY AND AUGUST

•Sabrina River Severn

Cruises Take a leisurely cruise along the Severn this summer. Sabrina o ers daily 45-minute cruises, departing from Shrewsbury. £8.50 adults, £4.50 children. Advance booking advised. www.sabrinaboat.co.uk

•Ellesmere Meremaid Trail

This wonderful community arts project takes place in Ellesmere throughout this summer. Collect a template from the library and design and decorate your own mereman or merewoman, which will then be displayed in the town. Search “Our Space Ellesmere” on Facebook.

•Comedy at Theatre Severn

Many wellknown names are visiting Shrewsbury this summer, including Pam Ayres (21st July), Rhod Gilbert (23rd July), Alan Carr (28th-29th August) and Jason Manford (31st August), as well as Dame Brad Fitt’s uproarious one-man/woman panto show on 2nd and 3rd July. Prices and times vary. www.theatresevern.co.uk

•Outdoor Playground, RAF

Museum Cosford The museum has introduced a new familyfriendly interactive outdoor playground to entertain younger visitors. Museum entrance free, but visitors are requested to book their arrival times. www.rafmuseum.org.uk

•Walking at Acton Scott,

Church Stretton Take a selfguided tree walk around the ancient grounds and gardens. The 1.5km circular route starts and fi nishes at Acton Scott Hall. Some of the trees highlighted are over 1,000 years old. The terrain is variable and not accessible to pushchairs or wheelchairs. Booking required. www.acton scott.com

SOAR AT OSWESTRY BALLOON CARNIVAL

Oswestry will be alive with exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy over the weekend of 21st and 22nd August. The fifth Oswestry Balloon Carnival is raising funds for Nightingale House Hospice, and more than 25 balloons will be displayed at Cae Glas Park. There will be a wide range of market stalls and food vendors in the town in support of this free event. Organisers are keen to emphasise that balloon activity is weather dependant. For more information and updates visit the Facebook page or www.oswestryballooncarnival.info.

DID YOU KNOW?

The fi rst balloon fl ight with a human aboard was in 1783

Manage wellbeing

Shropshire’s premier Living Well Festival takes place in Quarry Park on 11th July, with a wide range of exhibitors and guest speakers. There will be a number of free classes, demonstrations and workshops, while parts of the park will be designated for mindfulness walks, meditation and sound baths.

www.junemeagher.com

Comedy at the castle

Castle Jesters Comedy Club is in residence at Shrewsbury Castle on various dates throughout July and August. This outdoor event will feature a number of fringe comedians, including Freddie Quinne (pictured)and Alex Boardman. Tickets cost £15 and must be booked in advance. Bring your own chair and some drinks and nibbles for a fun evening in the castle grounds.

www.theatre severn.co.uk

Back to the 90s

Local DJ double act The 90s Revival have been entertaining people with livestreams on Facebook and YouTube throughout lockdown, and are now appearing live at the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury on 6th and 7th August for two “mahoosive” nights out! For more, visit www.the90srevival.co.uk.

Ibiza comes to Weston Park!

The sounds of Ibiza come to Weston Park on

17th July

with the return of Classic Ibiza. Gates open at 6pm, with the first set at 8pm. The euphoric vibe builds throughout the evening, which finishes at approximately 10.45pm. Tickets from £39.50.

www.classicibiza.co.uk

Church Stretton Arts Festival

The Church Stretton Arts Festival has run every year since 1967, with the exception of 2020. This year the show returns in a slightly scaled-back format, but still with plenty on offer.

Between 26th July and 7th August several outdoor performances of music and theatre will take place at Rectory Field, along with free coffee concerts and organ recitals at various locations around the town. Ticket prices for the three outdoor events are displayed at www.strettonfestival.org.uk and tickets are on sale at www.ticketsource.co.uk.

From the ballroom to Theatre Severn

Join Strictly Come Dancing stalwarts Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice, along with their stellar cast of dancers and singers, on the Him & Me tour, which arrives at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn on 11th and 19th July.

As fans will know, Giovanni is a current Guinness World Record holder for jive kicks and flicks, and also broke a world record for the most charleston swivel steps in 30 seconds!

This evening dance extravaganza is suitable for all ages and tickets cost from £27. www.theatresevern.co.uk

RUN THE RUNWAY

Running enthusiasts are being offered the unusual opportunity to run around the grounds of RAF Cosford Museum for the Spitfire 10k on 29th August. As well as the chance to run in a unique setting, all participants receive a Roll of Honour card, detailing the name of a Battle of Britain pilot. Many runners enjoy researching “their” pilot and sharing their stories. The run is offered virtually as well as on-site at RAF Cosford and all runners receive a Spitfire medal. Standard run entry is £22.50, with some concessions available. www.rafmuseum.org.uk

COUNTY SHOW IS BACK

This Shropshire County Show takes place at the West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury, on 17th July with a slightly different format from the usual. The show will consist of a display of Shropshire’s finest cattle and sheep, Shire horse-qualifying classes, vintage machinery, a funfair and wandering children’s entertainers (all subject to change).

Refreshments are available and an area will be designated for picnics. Tickets cost £5 for adults; under16s are free. Tickets must be purchased in advance. www.

shropshire county show.com

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

JULY AND AUGUST

•Table-top Strawberries, Grange Farm, nr Bridgnorth

At the farm, berry picking is accessible to all the family thanks to the “table top” method. Children can look up to fi nd fruit and grandparents don’t have to bend down! The strawberries are grown under open-ended polytunnels, so picking can be enjoyed whatever the weather. A range of summer fruits are available throughout the season. Calling ahead of your visit to check what is ripe is recommended. www.grangefarmhilton.co.uk

•Park Hall Farm Experience, Whittington

Park Hall o ers a number of themed weeks throughout the summer holidays, including dinosaurs, fairy tales and giants, science, and animal magic. Tickets must be booked in advance. www.parkhallfarm.co.uk

•Albert’s Shed, Shrewsbury/ Telford

Shropshire’s premier live music champion Albert’s Shed – with venues in Shrewsbury and Telford – has a full diary of gigs, from local grassroots groups to tribute acts. www.albertsshed.co.uk

ROCKING SHREWSBURY

The touring retro festival Let’s Rock Shrewsbury comes to the Quarry Park on 17th July. The line-up includes Adam Ant, Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw and many more, bringing you classic sounds of the 1980s. The exact running order of acts will be announced on the day, with the first performance at noon. Park and ride is available, as well as food and drink, but picnics are welcome.

www.letsrock shrewsbury. com

TALE AS OLD AS TIME

•Granary Art Gallery, Weston Park, Shifnal

The gallery is open daily and is currently exhibiting works by Keith Turley, whose pictures tend to feature local craft and industry. 11am-4pm. Free entry. www.weston-park.com

England’s oldest storytelling festival takes place at Hopton Court near Cleobury Mortimer from 16th to 18th July. As well as the best storytellers, music, comedy and related arts, there are workshops, storytelling and music sessions. The family-friendly festival also has daily children’s events. Camping is available for those who wish to make a weekend of it, and tickets must be bought in advance. Prices start from £20. www.festivalattheedge.org

•Car boot sales, Whittington

Castle, OswestryThe castle welcomes back car booters on various Sundays through the summer. Dogs are welcome, and refreshments will be available. From 8.15am. £6 per car. www. whittington castle.co.uk

TRAVEL BY TRAIN TO THE 1940S

Tickets are now available for Severn Valley Railway’s Back To The 1940s events on 3rd and 4th July. The Home Front is brought to life along the railway, with shows, dances, re-enactments and much more. Era-appropriate fancy dress is welcome and encouraged.

This is a strictly ticket-only event and, in accordance with social distancing, guests may choose to book a private compartment for a group or a socially distanced table. A private compartment for four costs £120, and a table for two costs £70. For more details, visit www.svr.co.uk.

UKULELEMANIA

On 18th July join the world’s first ukulele orchestra for a night of strumming, singing and whistling. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been playing sell-out gigs around the world since 1985. They move deftly through a variety of musical genres and promise a live music event like no other! 7pm. Tickets £27.50/under-18s £22.50.

www.theatresevern.co.uk

Summer nights at the cinema around Shropshire

You can enjoy a number of classic films on the outdoor big screen in Shropshire this summer. At Telford’s QEII Arena there’s rom-com fun with Pretty Woman on 8th July, while you’ll get to show off your musical talents at Grease Sing-along on 9th July. Both screenings start at 10pm and tickets start at £14.50 plus booking fee. See

www.adventurecinema.co.uk

for more details.

Over at Shrewsbury Open Air Film & Chill, based at London Road Campus, cinema lovers can enjoy Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron in The Greatest Showman on 15th August. The screening begins at sunset. Tickets start at £14.50 plus booking fee. Open Air Film & Chill also has venues in Liverpool, Wolverhampton and Uttoxeter. Visit www.openairfilmandchill.com.

At both venues, remember to take your own chair. Refreshments are available but bringing your own is also welcome.

An evening with Abel

Market Drayton’s Festival Drayton Centre welcomes South African cellist Abel Selaocoe on 8th August. Abel has played as a soloist with both the BBC and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestras. His programmes highlight links between Western and non-Western musical traditions, with elements of singing and improvisation. His classical repertoire includes Bach and Giovanni Sollima, also a collaborator. The performance begins at 3pm. Standard tickets are £10 with some concessions available. www.

festivaldrayton centre.com

Myths and more at The Place, Telford

Dragons and Mythical Beasts, 23rd-

25th July From the creators of Dinosaur World Live, this is an interactive show for all the family. Times vary. Tickets £14, concessions for groups of 10+. culture, featuring dancing, music, and good craic! 7.30pm. Tickets £25.

www.theplace telford.com

DID YOU KNOW? Francis Rossi was credited as “Mike” in early Quo interviews

Francis Rossi: I Talk Too Much, 28th July

The Status Quo frontman shares an evening of chat and music, supported by writer and broadcaster Mick Wall. 7.30pm. Tickets from £30.

Ireland: The Show, 12th

August A light-hearted look at a much-loved