21 What's On - Exciting events are back on with a bang

Showtastic

Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts, has announced some great shows this Autumn, here are our two favourite. Molly and Bingo the dog would like you to join them for a very special ‘I Spy With My Little Eye’ party to celebrate Molly's sixth birthday. With lots of games, giggles and all your favourite sing along songs, it's going to be the best day ever. I Spy With My Little Eye is showing on 25 September. Using the classic elements of Pinocchio – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – S&N add their hallmark hilarity, cleverness, puppetry, music, fantastic staging, outstanding performers and extraordinary physical tricks, in their most ambitious production to date. Age guidance: 3+. Pinocchio is showing 2nd October. Book tickets here: lighthousepoole.co.uk

What's On

Spotlight on Entertainment

What an experience it would be to run around the spectacular, illuminated, night-time woodland trail at the Forest of Light run in Moors Valley Country Park this October. Perfect for all ages and abilities and with an epic lighting display all the way round, you can run the 2.5k magical route as many times as you’d like within the 2 hour time frame. Race time 7.45pm on the 2nd October. Book via letsdothis.con

Country Call

The ever-popular Hampshire Country Sports Day returns to Bereleigh Estate, East Meon, near Petersfi eld, on Sunday 12th September. After a two-year gap, Jonathan Marshall will be demonstrating his spectacular horseback falconry skills, Chris Green the Countryman will give talks on wildfowling and Gilly Bate & Beaky Allesch–Taylor will give a fi shing demo. Canine attractions include a gundog demo and the hugely popular terrier racing. Olympic Medal Winner and World Champion at Sporting Clays, Richard Faulds MBE and his team will be running the clay shoot for the fi rst time this year, Th e Meon Valley Airguns will also be giving advice and demos and Raven Field Archers will be providing “have a go” archery, shooting at roundels and 3D animal targets. Anyone with a dog is welcome to enter the Family Dog Show, with classes including Prettiest Bitch, Handsomest Dog, Best Child Handler, Waggiest Tail, Scruffi est Dog, Best Puppy and Best Veteran. Th e Gun Dog Scurry is open to all breeds of gundog from the general public, with Pick Up, Scurry and Steeplechase classes to enter. Th e Coursing Crew will be running the Lurcher and Terrier Show too! As ever there will be large variety of food and drink stands and many stalls selling the best wares and much more. Tickets are limited, so please book via ticketsource.co.uk/hcsd

Hatching Open

Hatch House will host the Annual Open Garden event in aid of Salisbury Hospice Charity who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. It is a great family afternoon whatever the weather! Th ere will be famous second hand and vintage clothes marquee and indulge in a cream tea whilst you take in the stunning Wardour valley views. Adults £5, Children £1 each. Two day event 11th and 12th September 2-5pm. Visit hatch-house.co.uk for tickets and more information.

Literally Great

The children’s programme has always been an integral part of Marlborough LitFest, but the past two years have, according to the Institute of Government & Public Policy, ‘been the most disrupted years for children for nearly a century’. Promoting the joy of reading and literature to young people has perhaps never been more important than it is now. As well as the public, ticketed events taking place during the festival weekend, the LitFest also gives local primary schools the opportunity to bring pupils along to free author events and the annual primary schools competition is running as usual. Here is a little more about what Marlborough LitFest 2021 has in store for youngsters: Every year, LitFest is proud to off er free events with popular authors for invited local primary schools. Since its launch in 2010 the festival has reached more than 3,500 local children with these author talks. Th is year, Tom Palmer, award-winning author of D-Day Dog and After Th e War, will be sharing valuable tips for research, planning, writing and editing, as well as introducing his new book Arctic Star to children in Marlborough Town Hall. Natasha Farrant, author of Th e Children of Castle Rock, will be talking to local primary schoolchildren from Pewsey and the surrounding area about her latest book Th e Voyage of the Sparrowhawk - a thrilling adventure story that follows an epic and perilous voyage from England to France in the aftermath of WWI.. Join Emma Carroll, renowned as the Queen of Historical Fiction and award- winning author of Letters from the Lighthouse and Secrets of a Sun King, as she shares tips for writing and introduces her enthralling new historical adventure, Th e Week at World’s End. Inspired by her mum’s account of living through the terrifying days of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s, Carroll’s hotly anticipated new thriller explores life under the threat of war. Suitable for 9+ years old. Bestselling children’s author and illustrator, Eileen Browne, has written and illustrated many books for children including Handa’s Surprise and Handa’s Hen, both of which have been translated into over 20 languages. She is a local author who champions female representation and diversity in children’s picture books. Bring your little ones along for a funfi lled hour with Eileen to hear animal sounds from Eileen’s latest book, Handa’s Noisy Night, fi nd out where Handa lives, do some drawing and take part in some music and movement activities. Th e full 2021 Marlborough LitFest programme has just been released and the box offi ce opens on 2nd September, more information: marlboroughlitfest.org