What’s On

January/February 2022

Drop in to our live music classes, meet and sing together with other toddlers and babies in bright, well-ventilated venues. Drop-in and PAYG. www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk

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ONGOING

EVENTS AT LOCAL LIBRARIES Rhymetimes at Reading libraries: Battle library – Friday, 10am and 11:15am Caversham library – Tuesday, 10:15am Central library – Thursday, 10:15am and 11:15am Palmer Park library –Thursday, 10:30am Southcote library – Thursday, 9:30am Tilehurst library – Monday, 10:30am Whitley library –Thursday, 11am www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/librar ies/rhymetimes/ These popular, rhymetime sessions introduce babies and children to language, rhyme and taking part in a fun way. Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Free entry. Rhymetime at Sonning Common Library sonningcommonprimary.co.uk/com munity/library On the first and third Mondays of the month for under 3s at 10am.

Children’s storytime at Sonning Common Library sonningcommonprimary.co.uk/com munity/library Saturdays at 10am.

Rhymetime at Theale Library For children aged 0-2 years. Wednesdays, 11:00-11:30am (term time only) For more information please contact: 01189 303207 | thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk

Duplo play sessions at Theale Library for toddlers and preschoolers An informal session to have fun with Duplo. Younger siblings welcome. Mondays 1:30pm - 3:00pm, all year round. Wednesdays 10:45am - 12:15pm during half term and holidays. For more information, please contact the library: 01189 303207 | thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk Lego club at Burghfield Common Library Free drop-in event, all materials provided. For children over 5 years. First Friday of the month, 4:15pm – 5:30pm For more information, please contact 01189 833632 | burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk

Pop up play village January Tuesdays in Binfield, Bracknell - 3 week block booking for Tuesday 11th, 18th and Winter Wonderland on 25th January Thursdays in Earley - 3 week block booking for 13th, 20th and Winter Wonderland theme on 27th January Fridays in Harpsden, Henley - 3 week block booking for Friday 14th, 21st and Winter Wonderland theme on 28th January February Mondays in Hurst, Wokingham Tuesdays in Binfield, Bracknell Thursdays in Earley Fridays in Harpsden, Henley

3-16 Jan SKYSCAPE ESCAPE: PART I THE MOONSTONE DOOR AND SKYSCAPE ESCAPE: PART II THE ZEPHYR THRONE River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BF, rrm.co.uk Escape into a world of history and fantasy with the River & Rowing Museum’s new immersive trails this winter. The Museum has partnered with an escape room designer to create a two-part adventure. Suitable for children aged 7-11. Open from 10am – 4pm.

4-30 Jan PERCY THE PARK KEEPER TRAIL Greys Court, Henley-on-Thames RG9 4PG, nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court Join in the fun with Percy and his animal friends and give nature a helping hand on this trail. Come along and explore the beautiful parkland of Greys Court. £2 10am – 3pm

8 Jan YOUNG RANGERS Nature Discovery Visitor Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/events Wildlife and seasonal themed activities for children to explore and engage in the great outdoors! Sessions last for 2 hours and are packed full of fun games and activities to teach you all about the fantastic natural world that surrounds you. £6 2-4pm

8 Jan THATCHAM ROLLER DISCO Kennet Leisure Centre, Stoney Lane, Thatcham RG19 4LJ, ticketsource.co.uk/thatcham-youth Revolution Active will be with us again to provide skates, music and help for those who are new to skating! Admission: £5.00 per skater if booked online, £6.00 on the door, including free skate hire. First session: 5:00pm- 6:15pm, second session: 6:30pm – 7:45pm 14-16 Jan RAPUNZEL PANTOMIME Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, RG10 9JA, twyrusdrama.org.uk Rapunzel has been locked away in a tower since she was captured as a baby by an old woman. Can her magical hair help her to escape and find the Prince of her dreams? Tickets: £9/£10

14-16 Jan and 21-23 Jan SNOW WHITE & THE FOUR SWEDISH POPSTARS – PANTOMIME Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9DF, shinfieldplayers.org.uk This ever-popular pantomime has a Scandinavian flavour this season. Snow White mixes it up with Swedish popstars what could go wrong?!

17 and 12 Jan NATURE TOTS Nature Discovery Visitor Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/events Fun in nature, organised activities and run by a friendly welcoming face. £7 per child (supervisory adult is free) 10am / 10:30am / 11am

20-22 Jan A LAD IN THE WILD WEST – PANTOMIME Hurst Village Hall, School Road, Reading, RG10 0DR, hurstpanto.org.uk A fun-filled twist on the classic Aladdin pantomime! Swapping the Arabian desert for Texan ranches, our heroes include Jasmine, a plucky cowgirl, and her trusty steed, Flying Carpet. Tickets from £7

29 Jan NICK COPE’S FAMILY MUSIC Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Join Nick Cope, star of CBeebies’ Popcast, for his interactive music sessions with songs about everything from counting to how plants grow. £10 10:30am

29 Jan READING MUM2MUM MARKET Queen Anne’s School, Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6DX Nearly new sale. Admission £2, kids’ entry free 2 Feb – 6 Mar SNOWDROP SEASON Welford Park, Welford, Newbury, RG20 8HU, welfordpark.co.uk

3 Feb BLAZE’S BUDDIES West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events This month’s session theme is dragons and will include a short action poem about Blaze followed by a story. We will discover some fun facts about dragons and make a dragon sock puppet. We’ll end with a singalong and a hunt to find the museum dragon. Free entry 11am

3-5 Feb DRAGONS AND MYTHICAL BEASTS The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com Unveil a myriad of dark secrets and come face to face with some of the most magnificent monsters and terrifying beasts ever to walk the earth. Tickets £14

5 Feb YOUNG RANGERS Nature Discovery Visitor Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/events Wildlife and seasonal themed activities for children to explore and engage in the great outdoors! Sessions last for 2 hours and are packed full of fun games and activities to teach you all about the fantastic natural world that surrounds you. £6 2-4pm

5 and 6 Feb MATILDA JR Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-onThames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Rebellion is nigh in Matilda JR., a gleefully witty ode to the the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! Tickets from £6 3:30pm / 5:30pm

6 Feb FAMILY PORTRAIT Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Join artist Simon Jardine to create your own family portrait which you can be proud of! £8 10:30am / 1pm

6 Feb NEWBURY MUM2MUM MARKET Park House School, Park House School, Andover Road, Newbury, RG14 6NQ, mum2mummarket.co.uk/newbury Nearly new sale. Admission £2, kids’ entry free

12 Feb THATCHAM ROLLER DISCO Kennet Leisure Centre, Stoney Lane, Thatcham RG19 4LJ, ticketsource.co.uk/thatcham-youth Revolution Active will be with us again to provide skates, music and help for those who are new to skating! Admission: £5.00 per skater if booked online, £6.00 on the door, including free skate hire. First session: 5:00pm- 6:15pm, second session: 6:30pm – 7:45pm

12 Feb POP DIVAS LIVE! Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk Pop Divas Live! is the UK’s number one pop concert experience featuring all your favourite female pop stars on the same stage for the first time ever! £17 6pm 14 and 17 Feb NATURE TOTS Nature Discovery Visitor Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/events Fun in nature, organised activities and run by a friendly welcoming face. £7 per child (supervisory adult is free) 10am / 10:30am / 11am

14-20 Feb JUNGLE RUMBLE Fortune Theatre, Russell Street, London, WC2B 5HH, atgtickets.com A sensational West End cast will bring the Jungle to life with thrilling choreography, uplifting songs and an inspirational message about working together to protect the Earth. Tickets from £18

16-19 Feb MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR. Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk This story of Matilda, a girl with magical powers who dreams of a better life, and the children she inspires will have audiences cheering for the “revolting children” who plan to teach the grownups a lesson. Prices from £16

19 Feb NICK COPE’S FAMILY MUSIC Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD Join Nick Cope, star of CBeebies’ Popcast, for his interactive music sessions with songs about everything from counting to how plants grow. £10 10:30am

19 Feb THE DARK South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4AU, whatsonreading.com Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark lives in the basement. It doesn't visit Laszlo in his room. Until one night it does . . . Suitable for ages 5+. Tickets £9.50 11am

21 Feb THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, booking.westberks.gov.uk/ heritage_events This is the simple story of three hungry goats and a grumpy old troll, told with a gentle ecological message. Watch out for the dance of the goats, the flying troll and loads and loads of rubbish. Suitable 3-6 years but younger and older children are welcome. Tickets £7-£9 11am / 1pm

22 Feb SMALL GROUP FAMILY ART WORKSHOP: DINOSAURS! West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events Learn to draw some prehistoric favourites from the terrifying T-Rex to the highflying Pterodactyl whilst adding character and expression to your drawings, then use your imagination and creativity to paint the dinosaur you like the most. Suitable for age 7+. £12 10am –12:30pm

22 Feb SHLOMO’S BEATBOX ADVENTURE FOR KIDS South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4AU, whatsonreading.com World record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo makes mad music with his mouth. Become one of this sonic superhero’s sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged 1 or 101! Tickets £12 2pm

22 and 23 Feb THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm This well-known and well-loved tale has been re-heeled by Theatre of Widdershins in their own inimitable style. Beautifully crafted set and puppets, sublime music, a kaleidoscope of miniature shoes and a comic mouse make this show a magical must-see. Age guidance: 3+ years. Run time: 55 mins. £12 | £10 under 16s Family and Friends (4 people) £40

23 Feb OLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS Arlington Arts Centre, Snelsmore Common, Newbury, BRK RG14 3BQ, Arlington-arts.com One winter, Oldilocks finds a teddy bear in the park and remembers a delicious bowl of porridge she tasted years ago in the woods. Something else happened but she can’t quite remember what… For ages 3-7 years.

23 Feb TWEEDY’S LOST PROPERY Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-onThames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk No matter what he does, Tweedy seems to get into a mess, but to the delight of audiences of all ages he can always find a creative way to get out of it. Tickets £13 adults, £11 concessions 2pm

24 Feb THE HUG Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm Based on the heart-warming and funny book The Hug by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar. Starring a Hedgehog and a Tortoise both in search of a restorative hug. £12 | £10 under 16s, Family and Friends (4 people) £40

23 Feb FAMILY ACTIVITY MORNING Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events Brilliant bunnies – bounce into Spring by decorating a ceramic bunny with two permanent markers (assorted colours), which you get to keep and take home along with your completed bunny. £2 10am / 11am

23 Feb PARTY South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4AU, whatsonreading.com A quirky birthday party to remember by Half Moon Theatre for ages 2-5 years £9 11:30am / 2pm

24 Feb MUSEUM FAMILY CRAFT WORKSHOP West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events Figure it out! – Make your own figure or person out of a variety of mainly recycled materials. Free entry 10am / 11am / 12pm

24 Feb SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT DINOSAURS...? Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-onThames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Get ready to go on an exciting prehistoric adventure as Dr Ben Garrod explores the biggest, deadliest and 24 Feb POP DIVAS LIVE! Arlington Arts Centre, Snelsmore Common, Newbury, BRK RG14 3BQ, Arlington-arts.com With dazzling choreography, state-ofthe-art videos and superb vocals, Pop Divas Live! is the perfect pop concert experience for the little divas in your life. 2pm / 6pm

25 Feb MESSY MUSEUM MORNING West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events Dinky Dinos - Make your own colourful mini dinosaur using modelling clay and paint, which you can take home to use as an ornament. £2 10am / 11am / 12pm

25-27 Feb THE SMARTEST GIANT IN TOWN Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it’s time for a new look: smart trousers, smart shirt, stripy tie, shiny shoes. Tickets £12.50 / £10.50 11am / 2pm

26 Feb NOISY KIDS: IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com This out-of-this-world concert for the whole family is packed full of music inspired by space, from thrilling classics to film music favourites. Get involved from your seat with songs and actions to join in with. Plus fancy dress is very much encouraged! 11:30am

26 Feb COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS: How does this politics thing work then? Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-onThames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Politics is super-important and really fun if you know how. Tiernan and Tatton will show you how, in this hilarious show jam-packed with interactive games, madcap presentations, and political cats. Tickets £15 adults / £12 concessions 2pm

26 Feb MORGAN AND WEST: UNBELIEVABLE SCIENCE! Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm Science and silliness abound for ages seven to 107! Morgan & West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family science extravaganza! £12 | £10 under 16s, £40 Family and Friends Ticket (4 people) 11:30am / 2pm

27 Feb TWIRLYWOOS LIVE Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk Join Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy, Chick and their friends as they discover the wonderful world around us! Expect mischief, music and plenty of surprises as they set sail in their big red boat. 2pm / 4:30pm