Hey Mr Spaceman – Tim Peake shares secrets of the galaxy

IF you were stuck in the cramped International Space Station you’d want to share it with UK astronaut Tim Peake who brought his show to The Hexagon, Reading.

Tim, a boyish and charming 50-year-old, described with passion and humour the story of his journey to space, as he bounded round the Hexagon stage in his bright blue overalls last Thursday (March 9).

Standing out on his left arm was the Union Flag badge, a rare sight in the world of space.

In 2016, Tim was the first British astronaut to visit the space station (ISS) to do a space walk while orbiting the earth.

Amid tales of doing somersaults in no gravity aboard the ISS and eating his ‘treat dish’ bacon sandwiches, he also described the dangers of space work.

Tim’s spacewalk tasks included repairs to a solar array power source with a colleague astronaut. The colleague had to be whisked back inside the ISS when his space helmet started filling with water. ‘Walking’ outside your craft is the most dangerous part of living and working in space.

We knew, of course, that he survived the three attempts at docking on arrival at the ISS, but he told the story clearly and with contained drama. His words were enhanced by the video pictures on the screen behind him. The third attempt was indeed successful.

The need for calm, self-control and well-trained action was clear.

And yes, he did tell us how you go to the loo in space, with a video showing the equipment needed.

He told us that most of the urine created on board was cleaned to become astronauts’ drinking water.

Working days on the ISS have enables people to support a wide range of experiences: n £25 will give a wheelchair user access to a theatre performance. n £50 can make a difference to the life of a young carer, through South Hill Park’s Wilde About Arts programme. n £100 enables the centre to deliver an inspirational arts-based workshop in a school, care home or local charity. n £150 enables the programming of a special cinema screening for residents living with dementia, and their families. n £200 will support a bursary place in the centre’s Summer School.

Development Officer Simon Ludlow says: “Over 185,000 people participate in our arts programme annually.” n For more details, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk packed schedules with tasks to perform including regular vacuuming ‘housework’. But they are allowed a lighter workload at the weekends. For science buffs at the shows there are some good facts and figures about fuel load, speeds and experiments in space.

Tim also described the emotional and wonder side of space travel well, including the 16 sunsets and 16 sunrises they saw each day.

“Each one is spectacular,” he said. He saw the Himalayas and oceans, the aurora borealis at huge and amazing scale and billions of stars.

Tim, grew up near Chichester, and says he left school with three “unexceptional A-levels”.

He went on to become an Apache helicopter test pilot in the Army.

He was later selected with five classmates from 8,000 applicants to become a European Space Agency astronaut.

He is doing 25 shows on his UK tour, the final ones at The Rose Theatre, Kingston on April 2, at 2pm and 4.30pm. It would be a great outing for older children and teens.

The adults at The Hexagon had plenty to enjoy.

Details of future shows are at: https://www.timpeake.com/

Celebrate the arrival of spring

A WOKINGHAM choir’s performance will mark the end of winter.

Wokingham Choral Society’s programme includes: Vivaldi’s Gloria, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir.

Choir chair Alison Sears says that it will be a wonderful evening of music.

“Many people will know these beautiful pieces of music.

“They are a joy to sing.” n They are available from Wokingham Town Hall Information Centre, Newbury Building Society, and Jay Design & Print, both in Wokingham, via email from: tickets@ wokingham-choral-society.org.uk or online from: www.wokingham-choralsociety.org.uk

The choir is pleased to welcome new musical director, Cathal Garvey, and Hampstead Chamber Orchestra who will accompany the singers.

George de Voil will play continuo - bass score typically written for harpsichord or cello, especially within baroque ensemble music.

“It’s going to be a wonderful experience, in an impressive venue,” says Ms Sears.

The concert takes place at Reading University Great Hall, London Road on Saturday, March 18.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £17.50, or £5 for students and under 18s.

Shakespearean

TO MARK the 425th anniversary of William Shakespeare conjuring up the magic lines from Much Ado About Nothing, Tamesis Chamber Choir will be performing a concert featuring “a gallimaufry” of songs with lyrics based on the Bard’s tales.

The choir’s musical director is Louise Rapple, and they will be welcoming accompanist Trevor Defferd.

If Music Be The Food of Love takes place from 7pm on Saturday, March 25, at St Mary’s Church, in Hart Street, Henley.

Tickets cost £12, £5 for those in education, and can be bought on the door or in advance.

n For more details, log on to: www.tamesischamberchoir.co.uk

Yateley Choral

MEMBERS of Yateley Choral Society are preparing for their spring concert, Oh Sing Joyfully.

This takes place on Saturday, March 25 at its usual performance venue, St Swithun’s Catholic Church in Firgrove Road, Yateley.

Starting at 7.45pm, the programme includes Rutter’s Gloria, Goodall’s The Lord is My Shepherd, Stanford’s Beati quorum via, and Britten’s Jubilate Deo.

Tickets cost £15, £5 for students and free for under 16s. n For more details, call the box office on: 01276 31850, or log on to: www.yateley-choral.org.uk