WHAT’S ON The best March

What’s On...

OAKHAM THURSDAY 5th MARCH DOWNTON ABBEY It wouldn’t be spring without paying a visit to see the Crawleys! This feature-length farewell for everyone’s favourite family from the roaring 20s sees old class barriers tumbling until a visit by King George V and Queen Mary to Downton Abbey causes a stir among the Crawleys and servants alike. Look out for the gloriously waspish Maggie Smith and the return of Jim Carter’s starched upper lipped Carson, as well as the permanently pompous Lord Grantham, Hugh Bonneville. A special screening takes place at the county’s pop-up cinema, within Oakham County Museum.

n Oakham County Museum, doors 7pm, tickets £5.50. 01572 758440 or see rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk.

Good & New Clothes Sale

FOR RUTLAND IN RUTLAND’S FLAGSHIP CHARITY EVENT RETURNS TO BARNSDALE LODGE, FASHIONABLY ON TIME!

OAKHAM FRIDAY 6th MARCH THE GOOD & NEW CLOTHES SALE Each year For Rutland In Rutland opens a pop-up shop at Barnsdale Lodge providing thousands upon thousands of good quality pre-enjoyed designer clothes, plus shoes, bags and accessories. Donations welcome, VIP opening night tickets available including Champagne and canapé reception - and ‘first dibs’ on the fashions supported by Hambleton Hall.

n Barnsdale Lodge, Exton LE15 8AH. 01572 724400, forrutland.org.uk. COTTESMORE FRIDAY 13th MARCH LA BELLA AND THE LOST CHORD OF ULAANBAATA Mimes, charades, shadow puppetry, close harmony singing and musical interludes by large men on small instruments. n Cottesmore Village Hall, 7.30pm, tickets £10.

STAMFORD FRIDAY 20th MARCH FRANCIS ROSSI: I TALK TOO MUCH Discover the (pony) tale of Francis Rossi, who along with co-founder Rick Parfit created Status Quo. The singer will share the extraordinary secrets of his 50-plus years in rock’n’roll when he takes to the stage for an intimate evening of chat and music. n Stamford Corn Exchange, doors 7.30pm, tickets £30-£75. Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PX. Call 01780 766455 or see www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

OAKHAM SATURDAY 14th MARCH SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Rutland Sinfonia presents scores from Lord of the Rings, The Godfather, Star Wars and of course, more of James Bond’s 007 soundtracks than you can shake a Walther PPK at... n Oakham School Chapel, from 7.30pm, tickets £14, call 07761131180.

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LEICESTER TUESDAY 31st MARCH  SATURDAY 4th APRIL CINDERELLA BY NORTHERN BALLET Escape to an enchanting winter wonderland with Northern Ballet’s re-imagining of the classic Cinderella. Live every moment of Cinderella’s story from heartbreak to joy. In this sparkling adaptation, at Leicester’s Curve, Cinders is whisked away from her wicked step-mother to the glistening lake of ice where she first meets her Prince. You won’t believe your eyes as Northern Ballet’s remarkable dancers bring their signature magic to the ultimate feel-good fairytale. The perfect entertainment for the whole family. Tickets £10-£38, from 2.30pm and 7.30pm. n Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB. Call 0116 242 3595 or see www.curveonline.co.uk.

Comedy, where permitted. (...just keep of the grass...)

UPPINGHAM WEDNESDAY 11th MARCH  SATURDAY 14th MARCH LIONEL BART’S OLIVER! Consider yourself... invited! Uppingham School Drama & Music is hosting Oliver! See website for details. n Uppingham Theatre, LE15 6UD. Call 01572 820820 or see www.uppinghamtheatre.co.uk.

EASTON SUNDAY 1st MARCH  SUNDAY 15th MARCH BOTANICAL ART EXHIBITION Art and science combine in botanical illustration and painting, celebrated at Easton Walled Garden’s third annual Botanical Art exhibition, featuring the stunning work of three inspirational and well-respected artists.

n £7.95/adult, 11am-4pm Grantham, NG33 5AP. Call 01476 530063 or see www.visiteaston.co.uk.

STAMFORD SATURDAY 28th MARCH THE NATIONAL TRUST FAN CLUB Good old National Trust. Protector of the heritage wallpaper, preserver of the Georgian footstool, erector of the ‘keep off the grass’ and ‘no dogs’ signs. And now, join Helen Wood is on her one-woman quest to celebrate this national treasure by visiting every National Trust property and become the NT’s biggest superfan, employing along the way a combination of personal stories, historical anecdotes, PETERBOROUGH THURSDAY 5th MARCH BARNSDALE GARDENS: THE TV YEARS Come and join Nick Hamilton for a very entertaining look at the first half of the Barnsdale Story, while raising money for this incredibly worthwhile and essential charity. Nick will take you on a journey, using stunning photographs and very personal and unknown stories, from Geoff ’s 17 years presenting Gardeners’ World. Nick is giving his time and expenses for free, so all the monies raised from this event will go to the Thorpe Hall Hospice. Your ticket also entitles you to a glass of wine on arrival. n Thorpe Hall Hospice, P’Borough, PE3 6LW. Tickets £20, from 7pm. Prebook on 01572 813200.

poetry, sketches, selfies and the odd overpriced scone. Don’t miss this chance to see Helen’s new show direct from its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, following hot on the heels of sell-out hit The OS Map Fan Club. Packed to the brim with Goretex, cream teas, and a loyal canine assistant (as and when NT rules allow). Described as ‘charmingly eccentric,’ ‘warm and engaging,’ ‘daffy’ and perhaps most importantly of all, ‘funny.’

n Stamford Arts Centre, from 7.30pm, tickets £12. Call 01780 763203, stamfordartscentre.com.

Send your press releases and events to: the Features Editor via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Dancing Those Magical Moves...

ANTON & ERIN, THE NATION’S FAVOURITE BALLROOM STARS, ARE BACK WITH THEIR NEW SHOW FOR 2020: THOSE MAGICAL MOVES!

LEICESTER THURSDAY 12th MARCH ANTON & ERIN: DANCE THOSE MOVES Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag are back with their most sensational tour to date for 2020, with ‘Dance Those Magical Movies’ delighting audiences with cinema classics live on the dancefloor! Embarking on a major tour of the UK and Ireland for 2020, and featuring sensational choreography set to music that made it big on the silver screen, you can expect a Hollywood red carpet premiere performance from some of the UK’s leading dance stars. Sublime live vocals from TV favourite Lance Ellington, a spectacular dance ensemble, and a stunning 23 piece orchestra led by Richard Balcombe complete the showstopping line up for this fabulous 2020 Tour. Featuring musical classics from: Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Singin’ In The Rain, Casablanca, The Wizard Of Oz, The Greatest Showman, Titanic, Moulin Rouge... and many more besides! Professional partners since 1997, Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag are one of Britain’s most widely recognised, highly acclaimed, hard working and best loved ballroom dancing couples.

They have become household names, dance icons and national treasures. The couple encapsulate the glitz, glamour and elegance of a bygone era and truly are modern day stars of stage and screen, adding showbiz sparkle wherever they appear. From regular television appearances, headlining high profile events, to taking their class act on tour – much to the delight of their loyal and devoted fans –there is no doubt that Anton & Erin really are the modern Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers.

n Based at DeMontfort Hall, Leicester, LE1 7RU. Call 0116 233 3111 or see www.demontforthall.co.uk. OAKHAM TUESDAY 3rd MARCH GUIDED WALK WITH JEFF DAVIES Whatever your experience or motivation, Rutland Water’s Nature Reserve staff and the LRWT invite you to come along for a morning stroll to discover some amazing wildlife. Your guide, Jeff Davies, has a wealth of wildlife experience and knowledge which will make your morning’s walk both enjoyable and informative. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Binoculars are essential – if you don’t have your own they can be hired from £5/session.

n Based at Anglian Water Nature Reserve, Egleton, LE15 8BT. Call 01572 770651 or see www.rutland water.org.uk.