Stockfest 17 is now over
Here are the details of events that took place
Tour of Benham Estate with Coffee at Richens Lodge
Wednesday 16 August 9.30am – 12 noon
Venue: Richens Lodge, Board Lane, Newbury, RG20 8NF
A tour of Sutton Estates’ operations in and around Stockcross, by tractor and (covered) trailer. The morning will begin with tea and coffee at Richens Lodge, the Estate’s events venue on the bank of the River Kennet. The Estate Manager and team will then lead the tour around the Estate, outlining the challenges and opportunities associated with running a substantial and diverse rural business. The tour will include the topics of river management, arable and livestock farming, and commercial forestry.
Festival Pub Quiz
Wednesday 16 August 8pm
Venue: The Rising Sun Pub, Ermin St, Stockcross, RG20 8LG
Pop your thinking caps on and join us for the always popular festival fun quiz.
Maximum 6 in a team.
An Introduction to Origami with Stevie Franklin
Thursday 17 August 10.30am – 12 noon
Venue: The Pavilion, Stockcross House, Church Road, Stockcross, RG20 8LP
Learn about the ancient art of paper folding to make interesting models. Make some simple shapes to decorate three greeting cards: butterfly, bird and kimono. All materials supplied. Suitable for ages 8 to 80 and beyond.
FREE EVENT
Picnics on the Lawn with Wessex Harpers
Thursday 17 12.30 – 1.30pm
Venue: The Croquet lawn, Stockcross House, Church Road, Stockcross, RG20 8LP
Bring your picnics, chairs & rugs and enjoy a lunchtime concert from Wessex Harpers on the croquet lawn at Stockcross House. Teas & coffees will be available for a small donation.
Ample free parking on The Glebe Field
FREE EVENT
Mozart’s Last Year – with soloists and chorus of Kennet Opera
Thursday 17 August 7.30pm Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross, RG20 8LN 
Mozart died aged 35 in December 1791 and Kennet Opera’s “celebration in song and words” features his opera and choral works from that year, when his creativity was as astonishing as ever. The show won’t just be music – some items will be staged and acted. Be prepared for the comic, and the sacred – and the magical! A lively commentary will come from Emanuel Schikaneder (1751–1812), actor-manager, singer and composer, and an associate of Mozart. Seating is at tables, so bring along your own drinks and make believe you’re at a Vienna cafe!
Visit Kennet Opera website at www.kennetopera.co.uk
Wild Writing Workshop
Friday 18 August 10.30am – 1.30pm
Venue:The Stockfest Marquee on The Glebe Field, Church Road, Stockcross, RG20 8LP
Explore the craft of Nature Writing with RSPB & Wildlife Trust Author, and Nature Notes Columnist, Nicola Chester.
Learn to engage and use all your senses to tune in to the wild world around you, before honing your skills to produce an atmospheric, memorable piece of writing around the beautiful village of Stockcross.
The Workshop will include an introduction to Nature Writing, an exploratory, sensory walk around the village, writing exercises to loosen up and stretch our imaginations and feedback – all in a relaxing, friendly and encouraging environment.
Suitable and tailored to all ages and abilities, families included.
Bring: writing materials – pen or pencils and a notepad (you will need to write notes ‘on foot’) Packed Lunch, water
Wear: clothing suitable for walking in: comfortable boots or similar, consider long trousers (in case of nettles and thistles) and sunglasses/ hats/ suncream if the weather is sunny, waterproofs if not! We will go ahead unless the weather is really poor. The walk will be a pleasant ramble with frequent pauses.
You may want to bring: simple ID guides/ binoculars and magnifying glasses/ hand lenses, BUT only if you have them!
About Nicola:
Writing in an accessible, literary and lyrical style, Nicola aims to engage, move and reconnect people with wildlife and landscape in the hope that they will then care enough to help stem its catastrophic loss.
Nicola has delivered creative writing workshops to Primary and Secondary Schools, to adults and families, and at Literary Festivals. She has also delivered poetry residencies and developed roving “Story Steal Mash Ups” – fun ways to inspire stories or poems and bring different venues together, from Libraries and Museums, to Bookshops, Bus Stops and Antiques Arcades!
‘I’m All Right Jack’ (1959)
Classic British Film Night with Andy Coleby
Friday 18 August 7.30
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LN
Andy Coleby, author of ‘British Films 1944-1973- Another World’ and film reviewer, will be introducing ‘I’m All Right Jack’, the award winning Boulting Brothers satire with a great Peter Sellers performance.
The film is a merciless and hilarious dagger thrown at both Labour and Management, two opposing factions each rotten with exclusive self-interest
Refreshments included
Cartoons & Caricatures
Saturday 19 August 10.30 – 12 Noon
Venue: Stockcross Village Post Office & Store
Stockfest welcomes back Simon Jardine of Armadillo Images, professional illustrator and local artist. Come and have a go at creating your own cartoon character. All materials provided. Suitable for all Ages.
Simon might also be persuaded to provide you with your own caricature for a donation.
Whilst you’re there take a look in the telephone box at the ‘Postcard Portraits’ created by local school children.
No Ticket Required This is a ‘drop-in’ event with teas, coffees and cakes available from our delightful village shop.
Geocaching at Stockfest
Join the world’s largest treasure hunt.
Saturday 19 August 1pm
Venue: The Stockfest Marquee, The Glebe Field, Church Road, Stockcross, RG20 8LP
There are millions of geocaches around the world, just waiting for you to find them. Make a start with our introduction to geocaching with Adam Redshaw, “The Geocaching Guy, editor of UKcachemag http://www.ukcachemag.com/
Bring your smart phone if you have one, everything else will be provided.
Suitable for all ages and abilities. Families welcome. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
About Adam Redshaw: Adam got started with geocaching back in 2008. After a number of years he wanted to read up on the hobby and went to the newsagent to get a magazine.
No magazine existed so he decided to create his own and now travels around the UK discovering places of interest and sharing his passion for geocaching with others through the magazine, and public speaking.
This is a Free event. No ticket required
Rock ‘n’ Blues with Chicago 9
Saturday 19 August doors open 8pm
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LN
Last year’s headliners are back! Roots American meets Canvey Island chaos somewhere down the Itchen Delta. Killer guitar licks, screaming harmonica, a thumping back beat & savage vocals. This is good time Rhythm & Blues, Rock’n’Roll and Soulful Country, blended in the musical cooking pot with just a dash of Ska to season & excite.
These guys have opened/supported Nine Below Zero, Dr Feelgood, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo ,Pentangle, Stan Webb’s Chicken Shack, Otis Grand, Mud Morganfield ,Eric Sardinas & Big Motor to name a few.
Their New album “Sugar Your Own” made the top 40 of the IBBA charts
Described as a “Good Time Band” these boys are revved up & ready to go….Let The Good Times Roll 🙂
Full bar available provided by Goldbars
Stockfest Classic Car Show with Vintage & Craft Fair & Live Bands
RARE BREEDS TOUR FOR CLASSIC CAR OWNERS WHO WANT TO EXERCISE THEIR CARS BEFORE THE SHOW
Sunday 20 August 12 noon – 5pm
Venue: The Glebe Field & The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LN
A fantastic afternoon and evening of entertainment in Stockcross for all the family.
In the morning Classic Car owners who want to exercise their cars can join the third running of the Rare Breeds Tour, an MSA Exemption Certificate event, over 60 miles of local countryside calling at the Whitchurch Silk Mill for coffee (and shopping) which will return at lunchtime to join the show. Booking essential, places are limited, details at http://www.rarebreedstour.co.uk
Free Entry to all areas.
On The Glebe Field a display of Classic Cars from all eras, Beer Tent, hot food & and live music. Bring and show your own Classic – pre-booking not required just turn up from 11am. Free parking for Classic cars .
For more information on the Classic Car Show visit http://www.stockfestcarshow.co.uk/
The Sutton Hall plays host to a Vintage & Crafts Fair .Beautiful craft and vintage stalls, tea & cakes and vintage fashions. If you would like to run a stall at the Fair full details and the booking form can be found HERE
Visit Stockcross House Garden and then walk through to St John’s Church to see the superb architectural features designed by Sir Ninian Comper and for an exhibition of local artists work.
Also in St John’s Church between 2pm and 4pm children can drop in and take part in a childrens’ creative workshop, run by Sarah Moorcroft, designed to encourage your child’s imagination. Have some fun exploring, making and being creative and have something unusual to take home and display.
Live music all afternoon on The Glebe
12.30 – 1.30pm Newbury Ukulele Town Strummers
A local group of enthusiasts who all sing and play either ukulele, guitar, mandolin, squeezebox, harmonica, banjolele plus percussionist. They play a large range of songs from vintage to current day and meeting at the Bacon Arms, Newbury Fortnightly for a Jam and a Jar!
State of Undress 2pm – 3pm
We all loved these guys at Stockfest 2013 so it seemed about time to invite them back. State of Undress is a feisty fiddle-fuelled five –piece based in Dorset. Described as ‘a terrific band’with a compelling energy and a lung-bustin’ joie de vivre’. With a set of rootsy foot stompin’ original tunes, some thought provoking and evocative mellow songs and some traditional tracks done in their own very untraditional way, the fiddlesome five promise you a roller coaster of a set.
http://stateofundress.com/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/StateofUndress/?ref=br_rs
Finisterre 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Contemporary accoustic music from an experienced group of local musicians. Original covers of music from artists such as Joni Mitchell, The Staves, 10cc, Beatles and much more.
https://www.facebook.com/finmusic/
Acoustic Music Night at The Rising Sun
Sunday 20 August 8.30pm
Venue: The Rising Sun, Ermin St, Stockcross, RG20 8LG
Come and join in or just listen to our regular musicians over a pint or two of real ale. The pub opens at 7pm with music starting around 8.30pm
Free Entry no ticket required
Discover Chocolate with Tilly’s Treats
Monday 21 August 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LN
Sam, owner of Tillly’s Treats, will be sharing her passion with a talk on chocolate and a demonstration. As well as the opportunity to taste her delicious chocolate, there will be an opportunity for you to have a go yourself! Suitable for all the family… chocolate making is great to do with the kids too.
Tilly’s Treats Handcrafted Chocolates is run and owned by Sam, mum to Tilly (who at the age of 5 thinks she is the boss!). Having always loved creating in the kitchen, she left the corporate world and started her chocolate business in 2013. Now selling online and supplying a number of local businesses with her delicious chocolate bars and beautifully presented filled chocolates, she has also launched a range of make your own kits to share her passion for chocolate making
Pop Pirates of the 1960s – a Talk by Tony Hadland
Monday 21 August 7.30pm
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LN
A week after the 50th anniversary of the implementation of the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act, which outlawed the radio pirates, Stockcross & Surroundings History Association invites you to trace the story of the offshore pirate radio stations of the 1960s, including ‘Big L’ and Radio Caroline. Tony explains how restrictions on broadcasting light entertainment existed in the UK from the earliest days of public broadcasting and shows how, between the two world wars, the first generation of offshore stations were land-based, in Normandy, Luxembourg and elsewhere. Offshore ship-based broadcasting developed first in Scandinavia in the 1950s, then in Belgium and the Netherlands, before the first British stations went live in the 1960s. The talk is brought to life with numerous audio clips.
We are also delighted that directly after his talk Tony will chat with Pete Brady who was one of the original five DJs on Radio London and went on to Luxembourg, Radios 1 & 2 and to host the children’s TV show Magpie. A chance to get an insider’s view of the days when pirates ruled the airwaves! Here is Pete with Paul McCartney and Mary Hopkins
E0X3G3 Paul McCartney rehearsing with folk singer Mary Hopkin
Tony Hadland is a writer and broadcaster living in Oxfordshire https://hadland.wordpress.com/
Summer Ramble
Tuesday 22 August 10.30am
Venue: Meet at The Red House, Marsh Benham
A morning walk along local paths returning in time for an optional lunch at The Red House.
Dogs on leads welcome on the walk and in the pub garden.
Free Event
Phil Beer in Concert
Tuesday 22 August Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm
Venue: St John’s Church, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LP
Phil is the multi instumental half of the west countries award winning duo, Show of Hands, described as a true craftsman, a master musician and consummate performer. with a professional career of over 36 years, Phil has a great deal of material to draw on for his solo appearances. All are songs and music of memory and significance sung in the subtle and melodic Phil Beer style and interjected with musings and amusings to an almost personal audience. It is a treat of past and current favourites from one of the most popular musicians on the acoustic circuit.
Those in the know will love this intimate solo gig and if you have never seen Phil Beer than do yourselves a favour and book a ticket, you won’t be disappointed.
Come and Try Pilates
Wednesday 23 August 10.15
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross, RG20 8LN
Gillian Frost is a qualified instructor of pure Pilates and been teaching classes in West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire for the past 16 years. Men and women of all ages are welcome. Pilates is practised by many sportsmen, dancers and singers.
The benefits include: Improved sleep: Better posture and balance: Leaner stronger muscles: A flatter tummy:Increased flexibility and mobility
The Hills are Alive An illustrated talk by James Saddler & Nicola Chester
Wednesday 23 August 2pm-4pm
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LN
StockcrossTwo O’Clock Crowd invites you to a traditional cream tea and to join James and Nicola for a talk on the wildlife that brings the nearby downs of Inkpen & Combe alive. James has been Head Gamekeeper on the Kirby Estate, owned by the Astor Family, for over 25 years. During this time he has built up one of the most highly regarded pheasant and partridge shoots in the country and has also been on a mission to bring back the wildlife to the Estate. Nicola is a published author and Nature Writer (RSPB, Seasons Anthologies & NWN) and writes regularly about the wildlife on the Estate, where she is also a tenant. James and Nicola both blog about their beloved hills and will talk about their shared passion for the birds and other wildlife they see as well as some of the trials and tribulations they have in trying to protect it.
Nicola Chester: Website & Blog: nicolachester.wordpress.com
Picnics on the Glebe with Wheelbarrow Racing
Wednesday 23 August 6.30pm
Venue: The Stockfest Marquee on The Glebe Field, Church Road, Stockcross, RG20 8LP
Come along for a fun evening for all the family. All welcome with or without wheelbarrow.
Bring your own picnic, drinks and chairs.
Races include: The Wheelbarrow Derby, obstacle race and relays.
Teams of two with their wheelbarrow. One to push and one in the wheelbarrow to navigate the course.
It sounds strange but it’s something you need to see to believe.
Free Event no ticket required
Watercolour workshop with Claire Warner
Thursday 24 August 10am -4pm
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8JT
Our subject will be ‘Summer Storm in Cornwall’. This involves lots of edgy textures, loose and exciting colours and movement. Good for practising paint/water control, it has proved very popular. Each stage will be demonstrated by Claire, so suitable for all abilities. You will have a finished painting by end of the session. All paper and painting materials are included in cost.
Sing for Joy! Singing Workshop
Thursday 24 August 7.30pm until 9.00pm.
Venue: The Sutton Hall, Church Road, Stockcross RG20 8LN
Join Tessa Hall for an evening of harmony singing, a capella style. We will sing a selection of easy songs from different parts of the globe. The evening is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Everyone is welcome; you don’t need to read music as the songs will be taught by ear.
Tessa leads the Sing the World community choir in Newbury and is also a member of the Natural Voice Network whose belief is that singing is everyone’s birthright, regardless of musical experience or ability.
FREE EVENT no ticket required
Festival Finale
Friday 25 August 8pm
Venue: The Rising Sun, Ermin St, Stockcross RG20
Live music in our local pub. The Stockfest Raffle will be drawn during the evening. Have you won a prize? Tickets are on sale before and during the festival.
FREE EVENT Pub opens 7pm