What’s On

EDUCATION What's On What's On OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

RSPB Birdwatching Group

Various Dates Throughout the Year

MAY

Did Lockdown bring you closer to nature? Worcester and Malvern Local RSPB group are pleased to be up and running again after lockdown stopped most activities. The group is a busy one, with monthly talks, walks, day trips to nature reserves further away, and lots of local project work for volunteers to help with such as feeding corn buntings during the winter. Covid measures are in place for all activities. Whether you are a beginner birdwatcher just starting to learn your garden birds, or you are more experienced you will be very welcome. www.rspb.org.uk/worcester or call Nick Skilbeck group leader 07540 328945

Sunday 8th

Blooming Lovely! Gardeners are hoping for a bumper crop of visitors to Putley Open Gardens on Sunday May 8th from 10am – 4pm. The annual event offers visitors an opportunity to explore seven gardens in this idyllic Herefordshire parish, with all funds raised contributing to the upkeep of both the Parish Hall and Church. There are three waymarked routes accessing some of the gardens, using footpaths through orchards and pastures, providing a chance to enjoy the apple blossom, wildflowers and wildlife, before (and after) visiting a carefully tended open garden. Walking is not mandatory (although good for us!). It is a two-and-a-half-mile route by car and all the gardens have adjacent parking (a threeminute walk at most). This year there are seven gardens adding to the variety; including one that has been tended by the same family for 30 years. Others have developed over the last 2-5 years and the newest is a work in progress, where ancient fruit trees, azaleas and much more besides has been discovered. Not to mention a beautiful quarter acre plot with themed borders, and a contemporary styled South facing garden created 4 years ago. Visitors to Putley Open Gardens are also encouraged to explore Putley Church and its lovingly cared-for churchyard. Of particular interest, an unusual oak and teak War Memorial, a very fine medieval Preaching Cross, specimen trees, the possibility of emerging wildflowers and delightful views over the adjacent duck pond. Everything starts (and finishes) at the Parish Hall, HR8 2QN, where all day refreshments will be available: Bacon Butties from 10am-midday, Soup and Rolls from 12-2.30pm, Cakes and Teas from 2.30-4pm plus Tombola and Plant Sales. Entrance ticket is £5 per person and no charge for children under 15. Tim Beaumont, who masterminded the event eight years ago, says: “Visitors are always delighted that there is so much to enjoy - seasonal interest and colour, landscape features, garden sculptures along with some lovely settings and views.” For more information visit: www. putleygardens.org.uk Please note: dogs are not allowed in the gardens.

Wednesday 11th

Spring Afternoon Racing Worcester Racecourse, Grand Stand Road Worcestershire, WR1 3EH. Give yourself a midweek treat! Join us at Worcester Racecourse to experience the thrill of watching live horse racing as thundering hooves fly past you heading towards the finish! The perfect excuse to get family and friends together to enjoy delicious food and drinks. Get ready to enjoy every roar and cheer with friends and family and don’t miss another moment together. Your safety is our priority and all events will be run in accordance with the latest government advice and guidelines.

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th

Feckenham Flower and Garden Festival This hugely successful triennial festival, which is now entering its 37th year, raises funds for

CASH IN YOUR GOLD! CASH IN YOUR GOLD!

OLD JEWELLERY, SOVEREIGNS, DAMAGED & SCRAP ITEMS, CHAINS, BRACELETS, INGOTS, RINGS, WEDDING BANDS, BANGLES, ODD EARRINGS & CUFFLINKS, WATCHES, WATCH CHAINS, CIGARETTE CASES, ETC.

Established in Worcester for 100 years

the Maintenance Fund of our historic 12th Century parish church of St. John the Baptist. As many listeners to The Archers will know Hanbury (Ambridge) is just down the road, so this is most definitely Archers’ territory, with many similar storylines! Previous Festivals have featured in the BBC’s Gardeners World Programme. In 2018, over 30 gardens were open to visitors and we hope there will be a similar number open again this year. Many of our gardens are hidden and vary enormously in size and style, from tiny courtyard gardens to those rather larger. This variety creates a huge amount of interest together with an element of surprise. There will also be a Flower Festival in the Church themed ‘Thankfulness’. On The Square there will be stands for: local nurseries selling plants; The Barn traditional and contemporary garden supplies; Feckenham Forest History Society. There will be W.I. teas in the Village Hall and a pig roast/barbeque. Our awardwinning community Village Shop and the two delightful village pubs will be open all day. The Festival will be open from 11 to 5pm, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May. Admission - £7.50 per person - children under 16 free. Visitors should follow all signs to the Festival Car Park in the village where, upon admission, they will be provided with a detailed programme together with lapel stickers for admission to the all the open gardens and the flower festival. Feckenham is located off the B4090 Alcester to Droitwich Road. For Satnav users, enter postcode B96 6QH. www.feckenham.com

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th

Eckington Open Gardens and Flower Festival Holy Trinity Church WR10 3AN. For all those who love beautiful gardens, a visit to Eckington should not be missed. Eckington boasts around four gardens in the NGS scheme which are outstanding in their design and location. There are other gardens open of varying size and designs so there’s plenty to see. Each year, our Holy Trinity church displays a beautiful flower festival reflecting a chosen theme where villagers compete to produce outstanding floral displays. To refresh you on your tour there are plenty of refreshment stops, including home-made cakes and light meals. There is also a complimentary free circular mini-bus. For those with difficulty walking, gardens are marked if they are wheelchair-friendly. We welcome coaches (please arrange beforehand for parking), gardening clubs, local groups, the elderly and anyone with an interest in gardens for a leisurely and tranquil day out. Eckington is a lively, friendly village which lies near the river Avon, nestling beneath Bredon Hill between Tewkesbury and Pershore. We have two pubs. both offering accommodation and quality food, and a shop. There are also walks down to the river where there’s a wharf and picnic area overlooking our famous medieval bridge. All proceeds go to the general upkeep of Eckington Holy Trinity Church. Plant sales. Plants for sale opposite the church.Cost £7.00 adults which covers both days, accompanied children free.

Sunday 15th

Ultimate Elton John tribute Concert The Swan theatre, The Moors, Worcester WR1 3ED. Experience the ultimate Elton John tribute Concert . Nearly Elton is a stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest showmen of our time. Starring Lee Brady as Elton and an outstanding full live band. This phenomenal production is an exciting, heartfelt concert that has been described as “a powerhouse performance that delivers on every level…” Taking audiences on a magical

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Eckington Open Gardens and Flower Festival

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May

ride through five decades of hits that include: Rocketman, Your Song, I’m Still Standing, Candle In The Wind, Sacrifice, I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues and many more. worcestertheatres.co.uk/whats-on/nearly-elton-the-ultimate-tribute-show-to-elton-john

Tuesday 17th

Shelsley Walsh Driving School The main aim of the Shelsley Walsh Driving School is to provide the highest level of instruction on the world’s oldest racetrack, in a controlled, safe manner, to give an enjoyable and exciting day. Whatever your level of speed eventing experience, the school will give you a great day out! Our instructors are all highly experienced competitors and know how to enjoy their sport. Let us pass some of that enjoyment on to you! All you need to do is bring your own road legal car and wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. Do use overalls and gloves if you have them, but they are not compulsory for the driving school. Crash helmets are required but will be provided free of charge to those who do not have their own. If you choose to bring your own helmet, it must be to the current Motorsport UK specifications. The cost is just £250 (which includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and refreshments throughout the day), plus an extra £50 if you require the licence upgrade option. MAC members can claim a £30 discount per driving school. www.shelsleywalsh.com/events

Thursday 19th

Spring Diesel Festival 1 Comberton Place, Kidderminster, DY10 1QX. The Severn Valley Railway gets LOUD in May for our Spring Diesel Festival with a variety of classes and traction types roaring through Shropshire and Worcestershire.Ride behind the best of the diesel home fleet alongside VIP special guests and clock up those all important miles behind your favourite traction – featuring guest traction Class 44 ‘Great Gable’ 44004 (D4) and Class 46 46046 (D182) with more to announce very soon. You can plan your day and follow the timetable as you wish – swap trains and visit a variety of stations at your leisure in heritage carriages behind an unrivalled selection of diesel locomotives.Pre-booked tickets SAVE against the price of on-the-day tickets. Multi-day rovers save further against the price of individual day tickets.

Sunday 22nd

Two Can do Artisan Market Crown Lane, Hallow Worcester, WR2 6PP. Access to the parish hall by the road by the side of the Pub The Crown Inn Hallow. Two Can Do Markets are Run by two Textiles designer makers. The markets will be held at Hallow Parish Hall in Worcester. We are running two markets this year. Sunday 22rd May 2022 and Sunday 23rd October 2022. These Artisan Markets are from 11:00am til 3:00pm. The Markets will offer a wide variety of gifts, foods, drinks, designer products and jewellery. A lovely family day out.

Friday 27th – Sunday 5th June

Wye Valley River Festival returns in style Popular free community festival the Wye Valley River Festival is to returns this month to help audiences re-connect after the tribulations of the pandemic. The well-loved open access festival will make a triumphant comeback in the Wye Valley on 27th May after a four year absence, with a trademark programme of vibrant and innovative shows, workshops, performances, installations and public debates running at venues from Hereford to Chepstow until 5th June. After life was disrupted by the challenging Covid-19 pandemic and successive lockdowns, the team behind the festival have planned events which will tackle big questions for

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Mello Festivla Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Thursday 2nd - Monday 6th June

society such: What is our relationship with nature? What is our own human nature? Where does one end and the other begin? How do we want to re-connect as people and communities? Inspired by the theme of Human Nature, the organisers say audiences will be entertained, moved, engaged and inspired by an “interactive celebration and exploration” of the region’s landscape and wildlife. The highlights include a sound installation at Tintern Abbey, which will feature interactive sound making experiences including an immersive soundscape designed by Sir David Attenborough’s sound recordist Chris Watson and recordings by actors including Dame Emma Thompson. On May 28, Monmouth will host a Merry Mischief Day which will see creativity, performance and play taking over the streets with circus acts, street theatre, music and parades, all with the emphasis on audience interaction. Cycling performers the Bikesplorers will tour the region throughout the festival along a 65-mile route, putting on pop-up performances. Interactive outdoor performers Red Herring will appear as the Whistler Conservation Society at Symonds Yat Rock on June 3. Appearing as “the elusive Whistlers in their adopted habitat”, a whistling community who live far away from the modern world, audiences will hear their “extraordinary whistling language” up close. The Streets of Ross on June 4 will see the streets host quirky street theatre, wild circus, and local celebration, alongside artists and performers will be making and presenting work around Ross-on-Wye and in the Prospect Gardens of St Mary’s Church. The festival is organised by Wye Valley River Festival CIC, an innovative arts organisation, led by artists and communities creating work on environmental themes. The WVRF has been held every two years since 2014 but the 2022 event will be the first live festival to be staged since 2018. The festival moved to a digital version in 2020 due to Covid-19. www.wyevalleyriverfest.com

Saturday 28th May – Sunday 5th June

Malvern Walking Festival Malvern Hills Malvern, WRI4 4DG. Malvern Walking Festival involves 9 days of themed and guided walks on and around the Malvern Hills. This year the walks will incorporate the extra bank holiday celebrating the Jubilee, giving us six ”week end” days for the Festival instead of the usual five. The multi-day walks will return, as will other walks involving the use of public or our own transport. Themed walks are popular and we aim to include as many as we can. www.malvernwalking.uk

JUNE

Thursday 2nd – Monday 6th

Mello Festival Platinum Jubilee Four Day Celebration Hanley Swan WR8 0DP. Set in the beautiful Severn End Country Estate Mello is a chilled family safe four day weekend, together with the coolest world class live acts and entertainers for all to see. Our brand new location gives opportunity for comfort and space for to enjoy with four stages, shopping and food villages, out of this world entertainment all weekend. www.mellofestival.co.uk

Monday 4th

Ladies Day at Worcester Racecourse Grand Stand Road Worcestershire, WR1 3EH. Ladies Day returns to Worcester Racecourse on Saturday 4th June 2022! Join us at Worcester Racecourse to experience the thrill of watching live horse racing as thundering hooves fly past you heading towards the finish! The perfect excuse to get family and friends together to enjoy delicious food and drinks. Further details and packages to follow soon. Get ready to enjoy every roar and cheer with friends and family and don’t miss another moment together.

Nozstock Returns!

One of the country’s longest running events, Nozstock is nestled in the rolling Herefordshire countryside on the fully working Nosworthy family farm. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle and boasting outstanding views of the surrounding county, the Nosworthy family have created an intimate, eccentric and family-friendly event unlike anything else in the UK. Boasting music, comedy and family entertainment, the team is delighted to be sharing the next wave of artists and performers joining the line-up for 2022.

Creative Director Ella Nosworthy said: “The past two years have been so difficult for everyone, and what better way to shake off the cobwebs and celebrate the summer safely than by joining us for a proper good old dance at the farm. We absolutely cannot wait to welcome both returning and new Nozgoers to what we hope will be our best year yet. We’ve absolutely packed our line-up with big tunes, big laughs and big entertainment. I can’t wait to see you all there!”

Iconic dancefloor fillers Sister Sledge have been soundtracking parties, festivals and your stay at home playlists since the 70s. The multilead vocal group hailing from Philadelphia are responsible for some of the biggest dance anthems of all time. Joining them on the Orchard stage is the indomitable Andy C ft. Tonn Piper. An underground phenomenon, Andy C has made himself a household name with his infectious brand of drum and bass.

Comedy is always a vital part of Nozstock, and in 2022 Bill Bailey will make history as the first comedian to take a headline slot on the Orchard stage. Be prepared for endless belly laughs and boogies. Speaking of belly laughs, making her Noz debut this year is Rosie Jones, armed with her uniquely dark, cheeky sense of humour. Over on the Garden stage is the unprecedented force of drum and bass Calyx & Teebee w/ LX One. Calyx & Teebee have certainly forged their own path, swooping up numerous awards along the way. One of the UK’s biggest producers Flava D will be bringing her best tunes to get your limbs shaking and grooving. Shaking the rafters of the Cubicles this year is the myth, the legend that is Break - one of the drum and bass scene’s most prolific producers and wavemakers.

Don’t forget that the weekend is full to the brim with family-friendly activities, including theatre, games, workshops and opportunities to learn funky new skills. To see the full line-up and find out more about the amazing artists and activities for 2022, visit www.nozstock.com. n