Saturday 10 May
7.30pm
John Barker in Concert
John is a renowned trumpeter who began a professional career at the age of twenty two. In 1996 he played on the film sound track ‘The Full Monty’, having also worked in the past with artists such as Dina Carroll, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, and The New Bert Kaempfert Orchestra
• Trinity Methodist Church, Barn Hill, Stamford
Tickets £8/£6 in advance from The Well in the Church Foyer or on the door with all proceeds towards church funds and church aid projects in Sierra Leone.
Saturday 10 May
sessions 11am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 3.30pm
Tudor Music brought to Life
Richard York will demonstrate a range of musical instruments which were popular in the Tudor era.
• Oundle Museum, The courthouse, Mill Road, Oundle PE8 4BW. Suitable for children aged 7 – 11 years, further information from John Hadman on 01832 272741 £1 per child with free parking in Drill Hall car park, Benefield Road
Sunday 11 May
3pm
Musical Concert
Local children perform on a programme featuring song, piano and flute.
• St Margaret’s Church, Braceborough
Tickets on 01778 561153 and are priced £3.50 adult and £1.50 child including refreshments.
Thursday 15 May
10.30am to 4pm
Watercolour Painting Day
Tutored by well known local artist Sandra Peck, the theme of the day is ‘Flowers Close Up’. Everyone welcome from novices to experienced artists.
• Barnsdale Gardens, The Avenue, Exton
£60 per person including buffet lunch
Booking essential on 01572 813200
Saturday 17 May
7.30pm
The Kingdom by Elgar
In Musical Director Paul White’s final year, Stamford Choral Society will perform this magical work featuring the Chameleon Arts Orchestra led by Andrew Smith.
• Peterborough Cathedral
Tickets from £8 on 01780 763203 or Peterborough TIC on 01733 452336
Wed 21 May
8pm
Patrick Street
Patrick Street is considered an Irish super group whose musical heritage dates straight back to The Bothy Band (Kevin Burke) and Planxty (Andy Irvine). Many of the band’s new tunes are rooted in the rolling rural music of County Sligo on which both Carty and Kevin Burke were raised. Now considered two of the finest fiddlers of their generations, they team up for some thrilling sets of tunes.
• Stamford Arts Centre, St Mary’s Street, Stamford. Tickets £14 (£12) on 01780 763203 or book on line at www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk
Also at the Stamford Arts Centre, book early for…
The Stamford Guitar Festival
This increasingly popular festival is taking place this year between Friday 6 and Sunday 8 June. For the best in classical, folk and blues guitar performances.
• Book tickets on 01780 763203 or find out more at www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk
Saturday 31 May
7.30pm
Music and Dinner
Celebrate the 60th birthday of Marie Curie Cancer Care with the Stamford Lions. A very special three course dinner has been arranged with entertainment by local jazz singer Claire Colton and the Jimmy Graham Swing Band plus guests
• Stamford High School. Tickets £20 from Stamford Endowed Schools Shop, St Paul’s Street, Stamford. Further information from Peter Walker on 01572 813657
Throughout May
(until 14 June)
The Making of Georgian Stamford
This exhibition takes a fresh look at Stamford Museum’s permanent displays on the 18th and 19th centuries, and gives the public a chance to give their view on how they might be re-displayed. The highlight of the exhibition is the well-known watercolour of Stamford by JMW Turner which is in Stamford on loan. Painted in 1828 from a sketch he did in 1797, it shows a coach stopping opposite the Bull and Swan in High Street St Martin’s on a day of showers and sunshine.
• Stamford Museum, Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PJ. Admission is free
Saturday 3 May - Monday 5 May
10am to 6pm daily
Burghley Game and Country Show
Living Heritage bring their Game and Country Show to Burghley for the first time over the bank holiday. Plenty to do for all the family, with crafts, animals and country pursuits.
• Burghley House, Stamford PE9 3JY
Tickets £8.50/£7.50 adult/concession, children £4 on 01780 752451 or visit www.burghley.co.uk More information on 01283 820548
Also at Burghley in May…
Race for Life
Sunday 18 May, 11am
Race for Life is Cancer Research UK’s flagship event that has grown to become the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. Support those running, jogging or walking around the estate.
Sunday 4 May - Monday 5 May
12-4pm & 10am-4pm
Uffington Scarecrow Fair
Uffington will be turned into a scarecrow gallery to raise money for Uffington village charities. One of the best scarecrow events around, follow the village trail and enjoy stalls, refreshments and traction engine rides.
• Sunday 4 May - Monday 5 May 12-4pm & 10am-4pm Uffington Village
Further information on 01780 765908
Saturday 10 May - Sunday 11 May
10am-4pm
Rutland Cycling Bike Festival
The weekend will be packed with all the major bike and accessory brands, guided rides around the water, a skills school plus exclusive deals on new bikes!
• Whitwell Car Park, Rutland Water. For more information see the website: www.rutlandcycling.co.uk or Tel: 01780 460705
Sunday 1 June
Rutland Agricultural Show
The Rutland Show is an all round county show with all the usual ingredients - animals, people, produce, displays, vehicles and entertainment. Main ring attractions this year include moto cross displays, falconry, terrier racing, vintage and classic cars with abundant family entertainment including trade and agricultural stands.
• Burley on the Hill. Entry is £7 adult, £3 children under 16 and free parking
Further information on the line up, entry to the showing classes or advance tickets can be found at www.rutlandcountyshow.co.uk
Saturday 7 June
10am to 5pm
Five Rhythms Dance Workshop
The five rhythms is part of a series of workshops this year and is a simple movement practice designed to release the dancer in everybody regardless of shape, size, age,
limitations and experience. There are no steps to learn - just a willingness to turn up and move.
• The Community Centre, North Luffenham
Places are £35 with booking and further information from Anne Harvey on 01780 721406
Wednesday 28 May
2.30pm
The Secret Garden
This magical children’s story is one of the finest ever written and concerns Mary, who finding herself alone and unwanted in a bleak Yorkshire manor house is fundamentally changed by the simple joy of two moorland children. In turn, when she shares the secret of her hidden garden, the entire household is brought back to life and the sad ghosts of the past are laid to rest. Fully interactive, some children are chosen and rehearsed into their parts while the rest of the audience is taught four chorus songs. The show runs for one hour with everyone taking part. Suitable for ages 5years and upwards – Sorry no under 2s in the theatre
• Stamford Theatre, Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford. Tickets £7.50/£6 or £24 for a family of four on 01780 763203 or www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk
Friday 13 June - Sunday 29 June
Preview - Oakham Festival and the Uppingham Fringe
Zoe Stephens of the Festival Committee tells us “This year the Oakham Festival and Uppingham Fringe Festival will fill two whole fun-packed weeks. The County will be alive with a wealth of music, dance, drama, poetry, visual art, comedy and film. There really is something for everyone so enjoy a night of comedy with Jeremy Hardy, of BBC Radio 4 fame, or an evening with Prunella Scales; or why not bring the whole family along to our fun, free street theatre in Oakham and the Uppingham Feast events. Fulfil your dreams of being a ‘rock god’ by entering the Battle of the Bands or prove your worth in our ‘Rutland’s got Talent’ competition. Bring a picnic and sing along to the Rutland Proms night in the Castle Grounds or jive the night away to the music of the ‘One Eyed Cats’. With all this on offer and so much more, blank out your diaries for the 13 – 29 June and prepare your friends and family to make the most of what is certain to be a fantastic Festival.
• Oakham Festival
Box Office: 01572 771222 Helpline: 01572 723393
www.oakhamfestival.co.uk contact@oakhamfestival.co.uk
Uppingham Fringe. Box Office: 01572 820820 www.uppthearts.co.uk