Out & About Autumn 2019

GERALDINE GARDNER

EDITOR

O n September 22, 2018, I became parkrunner number A4958165 and walked and ‘ran’ my way round the 5km course at Greenham. A year later and I have completed more than 30 runs and can now ‘ run’ the whole course – trust me, I am not a runner and if you had told me 18 months ago I would even be attempting such a thing, I would have laughed. The parkrun phenomenon is truly remarkable. A free run for all ages and abilities, it is a great way to kickstart your Saturday morning. Yes, there are the serious runners at the front who complete the course before I’m a third of the way round, but nobody cares how fast or slow you are and it’s a joy to trundle round watching the family groups and people out with their dogs all pounding round the common. And the shouts of encouragement from volunteers and other runners as I puff my way towards the finish line is uplifting. Liam Headd talked to some of the people who are among the 500-plus who turn up at Greenham Common every Saturday, in all weathers, to run this most-friendly of events (p24). We are very lucky to have Greenham Common as an area to stroll around and to now take in the views from the recently-opened control tower, which hosts exhibitions and talks and where you can stop for a welcome cup of tea.

In Greenham Business Park too, the newly-opend arts centre The Base has been running some fascinating exhibitions and I am of an age where The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists , which opens this week, will evoke many memories. I spoke to the curator of the travelling exhibition, Helen Day, about her interest in the prolific series of books and the artists who illustrated them and can’t wait to go and visit the exhibition – for the record my favourite Ladybird book was The Elves and the Shoemaker (p34) . The Ladybird books exhibition is a reminder of a bygone age and residents of Highclere village are very lucky that doyenne of the arts, the late Dorothy Rose Gribble, has bequeated to them a building specifically for the continuation of performance and creative arts activities. Trish Lee recalls the redoubtable Ms Gribble and discovers more about how her legacy is being honoured and the work that is now under way to open up the new Westridge Centre (p54). There’s a bit of a wedding theme going on in this issue too, with some fashion suggestions (p8), a look at some of the venues in the area (p28) and some celebratory wine suggestions from Romain Bourger (p46). There are some tasty autumn recipes from Mrs B’s Kitchen and Lonely Lentil (p50) and all the usual lifestyle features, plus a round-up of what’s on over the coming months. Enjoy.

Editor’s picks

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cover picture

Celebrations

Westridge Studio

24 PARKRUN NEWBURY A worldwide phenomenon, the free inclusive 5km run is a popular Saturday morning pastime on Greenham Common

30 WEDDING VENUES

54 ARTS FOR ALL

A round up of places where you can celebrate your special day in and around Newbury

One woman’s legacy has provided a centre for creativity

and mindfulness in a Hampshire village

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O&A AUTUMN 2019