THIS WEEK
MON 19 - SUN 25 JUNE 2017
Salvo, Architectural Salvage Fair, Henley, Fri 23 – Sun 25 June
Salvo Fair, the biggest and best architectural salvage and garden antiques show in the UK returns to Henley this weekend. Anything goes – previous years they sold a box from Royal Ascot and a 50ft church steeple but you can also buy upcycled furniture, garden salvage, baskets, fruit boxes, tin baths and all that kind of thing. This year there’s the addition of a Green Living fest with eco-friendly products, sustainable fashion, craftspeople and a zero waste pop-up restaurant by Silo, winner of The Observer Food award for Britain’s best ethical restaurant. It’s all set in a deer park on Sir William McAlpine’s Fawley Hill estate.
Icehouse Lane, Henley on Thames, salvofair.com
Rick Stein’s Sunset Cinema, Cliveden House, 21 June – 11 July
Lose the remote, quit the Netflix bingeathon, because Rick Stein’s Sunset Cinema is almost her. No soggy nachos here just Ricks Stein’s amaaaazing nosh and a classic movie watched in the Spa Garden at Cliveden House. It will be a night to remember. Many nights are sold out, but there are still tickets available on Thurs 22 June (Almost Famous); Fri 23 June (La La Land); Wed 28 June (Forrest Gump); Thurs 29 June (About Time), Fri 7 July (The Great Gatsby).
Rick Stein’s Sunset Cinema, The Pop Up Picture Company, Cliveden House Hotel, Taplow, Berks, popuppicturecompany.co.uk

The last week to catch 500 artists and makers in 200 working studios, galleries and other venues across Buckinghamshire. Loads of brilliant artists – we’re loving the work of the Green Dragon artists (above) near Quainton, which includes silverwork, print, ceramics and sculpture among others, but there are literally hundreds of awesomely talented designers on our doorsteps so look out for the bright yellow signs. Go drop in and check it out.bucksopenstudios.org.uk




Royal Ascot has come around again, so grab your hat, keep the hemlines long, the fake tan light and enjoy a day of sunshine and celeb spotting. It’s the perfect place to people watch, just don’t overdo the bubbles for fear of making it onto the front page of the Daily Mail. Tickets are still available from £37.
The Little Welly Goes Wild, Henley, Sat 24 – Sun 25 June
Persil at the ready? Then I’ll begin. Bigger, better and muddier than ever, the UK’s biggest children’s obstacle course returns for the fourth year to the Culden Faw Estate in Henley. We’re talking 30 obstacles over a 3km course for kids 4+ (and their parents – sorry about that!) braving The Big Slide, Tyre Mangle, mud and water pits, Spider’s Web and bouncing round the foam pit. Away from the race’s there’s Laser Tag, Parkour demonstrations & workshops, pony rides, den building and bungee trampolining. Seriously good fun.
Dr Zeiffal and the Hippo Can Never Be Caught, The Old Fire Station, Oxford, Sat 24 June
Camino Del Flamenco – Spanish Night, Cornerstone Arts, Dicot, Sat 24 June
Giffords Circus – Any Port in a Storm, Oxford University Parks, until Mon 26 June
This year the inimitable Giffords Circus is recreating a 17th-century Spanish court and putting on a candle-lit international gymnastic show with dancing horses, a live band and everyone’s favourite clown Tweedy.
I sit writing this in my garden, having just pruned my roses – holy crap it’s happening, I’ve hit middle age! If you, like me, enjoy flowers more than you care to admit in public, this three day gardening show is for you. The Grand Floral Pavilion promises to provide UK’s finest nurseries and growers giving expert garden advice and ideas, plus there are 250 stalls selling everything from gazebos to flowers. One word of warning – remember to lock your M&S chastity belt before you go – the show is being opened by pensionable gardening hottie Alan Titchmarsh (*swoon*).
Flywheel Festival, Bicester Heritage, Sat 24 – Sun 25 June
Love your vintage aeroplanes? Of course you do *cough*. It’s the third year for this Flywheel Festival at Bicester Heritage, capturing the spirit of all things great and British in the world of historic motoring, aviation and military endeavour. We’re talking demos by historic road and racing cars, military vehicles and iconic classic aircraft. Chocs away chaps!
Bicester Heritage, Buckingham Road, A4421, Launton, Bicester, bicesterheritage.co.uk
Daniel Lebhardt: Sunday Morning Coffee Concert, Holywell Music Rooms, Oxford, Sun 25 June
This is my son, just before he took his Grade 3 piano exam. Only joking, he never made it to Grade 3. In fact this is Daniel Lebhardt winner of the Young Concert Artists auditions in Paris and New York in 2015. In the same year he recorded solo piano works for the recent release of the complete Bartók for Decca and in 2016 won the Most Promising Pianist prize at the Sydney International Piano Competition. He’s playing a programme of Schubert, Rachnomanov and Bartók for your delectation at Holywell Music Rooms just before he’s hoiked back to tidy his bedroom by his mum.
11:15 – 12:15pm. Holywell Music Rooms, Holywell St, Oxford, coffeeconcerts.com