The year marches on. This month there are Easter events for the children, flowers for gardeners and dragons for St George’s Day. Read on to discover things to do in Didcot in April 2019.
1. Didcot: from village to garden town
A talk about Didcot’s past, its future and its impact on surrounding villages. Organised by CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Oxfordshire, guest speakers are from South Oxfordshire District Council and Didcot Historical Society. It takes place at Didcot Baptist Church, Wantage Road from 7.30 pm Tuesday 9 April. Admission is free, no booking required.
2. Eggsplorers at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre
Enjoy craft activities and an egg themed trail around the reserve. There’s a wildlife friendly chocolate reward for those who complete the challenge.
A family event for accompanied children age 4-11. Held on Tuesday 16 April 2019 from 10 am-3 pm. Advance booking essential, via the BBOWT website.
3. West Hagbourne dragons
From Sunday 14-Sunday 28 April there’ll be dragons adorning gardens in West Hagbourne. The main dragon has appeared at the old telephone box rather than the pond for the last couple of years. Where will it be this time?
Entrance is free, there’ll also be a spring village walk and teas event on Sunday 28 April.
4. Open garden at Ashbrook House, Blewbury
Visit the garden where Kenneth Graeme read Wind in the Willows to local children. This is a 3.5 acre chalk and water garden, full of daffodils in spring. Open as part of the National Garden Scheme on Sunday 7 April from 2-5.30 pm. Adults £5, children free. Refreshments available.
5. Earth, Moon and Sun: family science day at Cornerstone
A family space themed event organised by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Hands-on activities and exhibitions, including planetarium shows and astronaut training. Held at Cornerstone between 10am-3pm on Thursday 18 April, for ages 3+. Free event, workshops bookable on day (from previous experience I’d suggest arriving early).
6. Night safari at Mowbray Fields
Join a night time expedition to discover Mowbray Fields Nature Reserve on Tuesday 16 April from 7.30-9.30 pm. Use bat detectors, moth and small mammal traps to find the local wildlife. Adult tickets cost £10, children £5. Book in advance through the Earth Trust website.
7. The King and I at Cornerstone
Local theatre group, Jigsaw Stage Productions, are performing the musical, The King and I, at Cornerstone Theatre from Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 April. Evening performances at 7.45 pm, matinee on the Saturday at 2.30 pm. Tickets are £15 and available from the Cornerstone booking office and website.
8. Easter Egg hunt at the Marlborough Club
Join the egg hunt at the Marlborough Club on Sunday 21 April from 2-5pm. Afternoon entertainment also includes face painting, a bouncy castle and prize for the best Easter hat. Open to members and non-members. £2 per child.
9. C U Tuesday at Didcot Civic Hall
This indie cover band is playing at Didcot Civic Hall on Friday 12 April from 7 pm. Tickets are £10 each and all proceeds go to Kidney Research UK. Purchase tickets here.
10. Sustainable Didcot freecycle, scoop and vegcycle
Held on Sunday 14 April between 2-4 pm at King Alfred Drive Community Centre. Your chance to donate or pick up (for free) unwanted items, veg and fruit. There’s also the opportunity to buy a variety of unpackaged dry goods to help reduce the amount of packaging we use (so bring your own container).
If you have anything you’d like me to include in next month’s round up of things to do in Didcot please message or email me via indidcot@gmail.com before the 25th of the month.