Amander Meade selects the best entertainment in the Stamford region this month.
To promote your event on these pages, please email all details to amander@rutlandliving.com
Weekends from now
until the end of September
11am-4pm Sat and Bank Holidays,
2pm-4.30pm Sun
Browne’s Hospital, Broad St, Stamford
Browne’s Hospital is Stamford’s most notable mediaeval building. On view is the 15th century Common Room in which the bedesmen lived. Beyond this room is the Chantry Chapel with its beautiful 15th century stained glass and misericord seats. Upstairs is the Audit Room, again with 15th century glass, and the Confrater’s Sitting Room, both with original furniture.
The special exhibition this year is of work by the Rutland & Stamford branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild and this will remain in place throughout the season.
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 June
10am to 5pm
Antiques and Collector’s Fair
One hundred and fifty dealers with an abundance of antiques and collectables from furniture and jewellery to porcelain and art. For serious collectors or just for fun. Stamford Meadows
• Admission is £3.50 for adults, £3 concessions and accompanied children are free. Further information from Field Dog Fairs Tel: 01780 410286
Sunday 15 June
Bourne Classic Car & Bike Show
Specialist exhibitors, craft stalls, a jazz band, Punch and Judy and a wide range of refreshments. Bourne’s Heritage Museum will be open throughout the day, and the show will close with the judging of vehicles and a flypast of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – usually the most popular part of the afternoon.
• The Well Head Field, Bourne. Further information on 07885 152478 or visit www.bourneclassiccarshow.co.uk
Sunday 22 June
From 10am
Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival
Celebrate the tenth annual festival with teams from across the region hoping to settle old scores and bring home the glory. Lots of peripheral family fun for supporters, a great atmosphere and races every ten minutes. Raising money for the Peterborough Sports Aid Foundation, supporting local sports men and women.
• The River Nene (adjacent to the Key Theatre) Further information on www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/peterborough
Sun 22 June
11am-6pm
NGS Rosebriar Garden Open
• £3 entrance, children free, proceeds to Cancer Charities & Hearing Dogs 80 Main rd, Collyweston
Sunday 29 June
6pm
Cambridge Touring Theatre
Cambridge Touring Theatre present King Arthur & The Sword in the Stone
Synonymous with interactive, energetic theatre, the actors also seek to find creative ways of spraying water on unsuspecting picnickers – be warned. This production provides a theatrical experience for the whole family so bring warm clothing, a folding chair or rug and a dose of insect repellent – but no glassware please.
• Lyveden New Bield, Brigstock, near Oundle. Tickets £8.50/£5.50 concession from the Box Office on 01909 511061
Friday 13 June
7.30pm
Concert
This popular concert returns featuring Rachel Gilmore, Timothy Ochala-Greenough and the prodigiously talented Becky Taylor, plus the Stamford Singers.
• Stamford United Reformed Church. Admission is free with donations very welcome.
Saturday 14 June
8pm
Stamford Chamber Orchestra Summer Concert
Under conductor Christopher Brown, the orchestra presents an attractive programme of early twentieth century French music for a summer evening, including works by Debussy, Fauré, Poulenc and Françaix, and featuring local musicians Eleanor Turner and George Brown.
• Stamford Arts Centre Ballroom. Tickets £10/£5 on 01780 763203 or www.stamfordartscentre.com
All concerts start at 8pm
Music in Quiet Places
This series offers a huge diversity of programming from the serenity of the harp and cello to the vibrant mix of Eastern European rhythms and jazz improvisations. Thurning, Pilton and Titchmarsh churches provide the venues for three of the seven concerts, together with some old favourites including Fotheringhay and Kings Cliffe.
• Tickets are priced from £8 (under 21 years £2) from Oundle Tourist Information Centre on 01832 274333 or Oundle Music Shop on 01832 273669. Full details at www.oundlefestival.org.uk with a free brochure and further information on 01780 4702997
Friday 11 to Sunday 20 July
Oundle International Festival
Booking is already underway for Oundle International Festival’s spectacular programme of lively music and arts events including the popular ‘Picnic in the Park’ concert on 12 July, which sold out in record time last year. The ten day festival this year includes jazz events, some of the finest chamber music around, plus open-air theatre, exhibitions, children’s events, tours and film. Highlights include the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Fascinating Aida, Gwilym Simcock the sensational young jazz pianist, Yevgeny Sudbin, the superb Russian pianist, and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain return by popular demand. Performances for younger festival goers include ‘The King, the Jester and the Moaning Minstrels’ by the Kings Chamber Orchestra plus much more.
• For a free brochure with full details of all performances and venues, call the Oundle Tourist Information Centre on 01780 470297. Tickets are priced from £5 and are available on 01832 275109 or at www.oundlefestival.org.uk
Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June
Stamford Guitar Festival
Now ten years old, the festival has its roots embedded in the country blues tradition of the nineteen twenties and thirties. It should be no surprise then that the revivalists from the sixties are themselves in their sixties and feature alongside new names, styles and techniques. A unique opportunity to learn from the artists, many of whom will be leading workshops and generally be available for a chat. Highlights include: Blues veteran Andy Fairweather Low, award winning Martin Simpson, Guy Buttery and slide player Kevin Brown.
• Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford. Weekend ticket including all gigs and workshops £50 (£45) Tickets and further information on 01780 763203 or at www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk
Sunday 8 June
The Great Ouse Kite Festival
The twelfth annual festival organised by the Great Ouse Kite Flyers. Main arena events, competitions, children’s events and kite making workshops, stunt kite displays and lots of fun for flyers and spectators. Expert and highly recommended kite traders will be selling kites from £5 to £500 and can provide all the advice you need. Highlights include: Expert teams performing stunt, power, traction and novelty displays.
For two weeks beginning
on Friday 13 June
Oakham Festival & The Uppingham Fringe
Will it be cinema at the castle with West Side Story, Bridget Hardy at Oakham School Chapel
or jazz with Blue Juice at Nick’s Restaurant? Saturday sees an all day event starting on Mill Street packed full of street theatre, artists, arts and crafts stalls, music, dancing, food and drink. Look out for dinner offers to go along with the ‘Westenders’ show in the Castle Grounds. On the Fringe in Uppingham, families, art fans, theatre and film buffs and musicians are all catered for with an Italian theme hotter than the Amalfi coast including The Italian Job….An open-air showing of the classic film and a Mile of Minis between Oakham and Uppingham for charity.
• Oakham Festival Box Office: 01572 771222 www.oakhamfestival.co.uk
Uppingham Fringe Box Office: 01572 820820 www.uppthearts.co.uk
28 June to 6 July
Peterborough Festival
Peterborough’s annual festival featuring celebrations of the arts across the city. Events will take place in assorted venues and will cater for fans of film, visual art, literature, music, dance and theatre. This year the festival hosts jazz legend Acker Bilk and his band and the Sunday concert is confirmed as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Highlights: The Lord Mayor’s Festival Parade (28 June, 11am) and family fun at the Central Park Weekend.
• Booking and further information at Peterborough Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01733 452336 or at www.peterboroughfestival.co.uk
Throughout June, July & August
The Stamford Shakespeare Festival
Taking place annually throughout the summer in the grounds of the historic Tolethorpe Hall, this year, the Stamford Shakespeare Company will present The Wind in the Willows, Romeo and Juliet and Richard III. Performances include matinees – a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy open air theatre.
• Booking details from the Box Office at Stamford Arts Centre. Call 01780 756133
boxoffice@stamfordartscentre.com