Family events

Science-y Seeds
Find out more about Roald Dahl’s love of growing plants from seed as we investigate together how seeds travel and where to find them. We’ll plant our own bean seed for you to take home too. Cost: £2 per participant. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Call 01494 892192 to book.
11 August, 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Clay Frumpkins
Roald Dahl loved to garden. Find out more about the vegetables (frumpkins), fruit and flowers that he loved to grow before making your own clay ones to take home. Cost: £3 per participant. Adults are welcome to pay to make their own. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Call 01494 892192 to book.
12 August, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Discover Dahl’s archives
A unique behind-the-scenes peek into the archive store, which houses Roald Dahl’s original letters and manuscripts. The collections team will introduce you to the highlights of the archive. Cost: £1 per participant, adults and children. Age: recommended for 8 years to adult. Call 01494 892192 to book.
12 August, 12pm and 2pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Swishwiffling Storytelling Walk
Join Chip Colquhoun on a family storytelling walk around Roald Dahl’s home village, and up to Angling Spring Wood. There will be plenty of swashboggling stories including local folklore and stories told to Roald Dahl by his mother when he was a chiddler. Cost: £3 per person, adults and children. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Under 16s will need to be accompanied by a paying adult. Call 01494 892192 to book.
13 August, 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Pottery painting
Pottery painting sessions for children - part of a range of summer holiday activities. Call 01628290505 or email robyn@visittheperch.co.uk for information. Tickets £5 studio fee plus cost of item.
Until 21 August, 2:30pm, The Perch, 91 High Street, Marlow.

Summer Cookery Camps – Teens
A fun-filled week of cookery this summer. The course will equip budding foodies with the essentials required for a life of culinary expertise. Over the week long courses they will explore recipes from around the world. Children will learn a variety of different skills with different themed days including Italian day Spanish day and Mexican day. Sibling discounts available on request. For early starters or for late pickup they can accommodate an extra hour at the start or end of the course, by prior arrangement, for an extra charge. Call 08452692665 or email info@smartraspberry.com for information. Tickets £225.
14 August until 18 August, 10am, Holmer Green Senior School, Parish Piece, Holmer Green.

Gloriumptious Guided Trails
Join a guided walks around the village that Roald Dahl lived and wrote his stories in. Cost: £1.50 per person, per walk, adults and children. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Both walks last approximately one hour. The countryside trail at 2pm is along country paths which can be uneven. Call 01494 892192 to book.
15 August, 11:30am and 2pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Paw Print Plates
Hear more from Roald Dahl on the different types of tracks that you can find in the woods and then turn an ordinary plate into a map of prints and tracks. Cost: £3 per participant. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Call 01494 892192 to book.
15 August, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Hipster Holidays at Eden Shopping Centre
Join High Wycombe’s Eden Shopping Centre for Hipster Holidays this Summer, every Wednesday in August from 11am-4pm. Eden Shopping Centre is planning a series of alternative summer camps to keep hipster kids connected during the holidays. From recycled robots and funky fashion to matchbox makers and baseball cap capers, there’s so much for kids to do every Wednesday throughout August – and it’s all free. Find out more at www.edenshopping.co.uk.
Until 30 August, 11am, Eden Shopping Centre, Oxford Street, High Wycombe.

Be Our Guest Children's House Tour
Children can experience the house as if a guest of Baron Ferdinand in this special house tour. Discover what life was like at a 19th-century house party and watch the special musical elephant wound up. This tour is for children aged eight to twelve. No adults allowed! Please meet at the main door at 10.45am. The tour will end at 12pm back at the main door. Call 01296 820414 or email google@waddesdon.org.uk for information. Tickets £5, normal admission applies.
16 August, 10:45am, Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury.

Buzzwangling Bird Feeders
Roald Dahl loved to watch nature around him and included many birds in his stories. Find out more and make a bird feeder of your own. Cost: £3 per participant. Adults are welcome to pay to make their own. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Call 01494 892192 to book.
16 August, 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Tree-mendous Trees
Trees were part of Roald Dahl’s life and featured in his stories. Join a junk modelling workshop to make one of your own – will it be the Giraffe’s tinkle-tinkle tree or the great tree hiding Mr Fox’s den? Cost: £3 per participant. Adults are welcome to pay to make their own. Age: recommended for 4+ years. Call 01494 892192 to book.
17 August, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Discover Dahl’s archives
A unique behind-the-scenes peek into our archive store, which houses Roald Dahl’s original letters and manuscripts. The collections team will introduce you to the highlights of the archive. Cost: £1 per participant, adults and children. Age: recommended for 8 years to adult. Call 01494 892192 to book.
17 August, 12pm and 2pm, The Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden.

Pizza and pud
This fun session is timed so that the mini chefs can proudly eat their creations for dinner. Each child will make a pizza and fruity pudding. Call 01628290505 or email robyn@visittheperch.co.uk for more information. Tickets £10 per child.
17 August, 4pm, The Perch, 91 High Street, Marlow.

Walking Wycombe with Willie
Join Walking Willie for a walking history tour around Wycombe, departing from and returning to Wycombe Museum. Come along for a 2.5 hour walk around sites on the Rye, Temple End, and All Saints Church. The museum will be open at 10am for a 10:15am departure, so pick up your take away drinks before you go. This event is FREE but Wycombe Museum is welcoming donations to their partner organisation streetkidsdirect.org.uk. No need to book, just turn up.
12 August, 10:15am, Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.

Saxon Clay Pots
Find out about some of the cookery equipment of the past with the museum’s collection of pots, and make your own traditional style coil pot. Drop in sessions throughout the day – buy timed tickets on the day.
15 and 17 August, 10:30am, 11:30am, 2:15pm and 3:15pm, Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.

Theatre

Joe McElderry Saturday Night at the Movies Live
To celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, Joe McElderry will embark on a national tour of spectacular one night concerts, Saturday Night at the Movies Live. This not-to-be-missed concert will see Joe McElderry joined live on stage by X-Factor's Lloyd Daniels and Any Dream Will Do runners up Keith Jack and Ben James-Ellis, who have all, like Joe, featured in the musical phenomenon Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Full of classic songs you'll be singing along to as well as brand new tracks to fall in love with - Saturday Night at the Movies Live is sure to give you an unforgettable night. Tickets range from £31 to £42, available online at www.wycombeswan.co.uk or by calling 01494 512 000.
14 August, 7:30pm, Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

Stage Experience – Oliver!
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s first ever Stage Experience for young people aged 7 – 23 is taking place this August with a production of the ever-popular Oliver! In partnership with Vivo D’Arte and Aylesbury Vale District Council, this exciting production of one of the most beloved and well-known British musicals will vividly bring to life Charles Dickens’ story of the boy who asked for more. The cast of local performers will get their time to shine on our prestigious stage as one of the many wonderful characters in this classic tale. With great songs, choreography and a live orchestra, this summer spectacular is bound to leave audiences wanting more. Tickets £16.90, available online at www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury.
16 to 19 August, 7pm and 2pm showings, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury.

The Comedy of Errors
The Lord Chamberlain's Men, the UK's premier all male theatre company, invite you to join them this summer for Shakespeare's most hilarious farce, The Comedy of Errors. A magical and comically entwined tale of mistaken identity follows merchants, masters, parents, servants and a long-suffering wife as it plays itself out over the course of one hectic day. This riotous rollercoaster of a comedy will keep you guessing and laughing until its joyous conclusion. Booking essential. Phone 0344 2491895.
16 August, gates open 6:30pm,  West Wycombe Park, Village and Hill, West Wycombe.

Music

Wycombe Pride Warm-Up
with Wycombe Pride only two weeks away, get in the spirit with a Wycombe Pride warm up at the Phoenix Bar. They will be taking donations on the night for Terrance Higgins Trust. The night will include a huge range of pop, dance and R&B tunes. Free entry but donations welcome.
12 August, 8pm, Phoenix Bar, Bridge Street, High Wycombe.

Northern Soul and Tamla Motown Evening
An evening of Northern Soul and Tamla Motown played on vinyl with guest DJs. There will be a collection for Rennie Grove Hospice Care. Tickets are £4 on the door.
11 August, 7:30pm, Chesham Utd FC, Amy Lane, Chesham.

Anthony Kerr at Marlow Jazz Club
Marlow Jazz Club’s August gig will feature Great Britain’s number one exponent of that beautiful and relatively rare instrument – the vibraphone. Anthony Kerr will join the resident Frank Toms Trio at the Royal British Legion Hall at 8.30pm. Belfast born Anthony made his name as a member of Georgie Fame’s Blue Flames, but now is a big solo star in his own right, although he still occasionally appears with Georgie. His quite brilliant and melodic technique uses four mallets and he has become a regular favourite at the Jazz Club. Admission at the door is £8. Call 01628 486571 or email michael@jazzfans.co for more information.
15 August, 8:30pm, Marlow Jazz Club at Royal British Legion Hall, Station Approach, Marlow.

Exhibitions and workshops

High Wycombe Cage Bird Society
Canary and video night – new members very welcome. Further details can be found at www.hwbbs.co.uk. Alternatively, call 07811321328 or email birdmanhw@gmail.com.
16 August, 7:45pm, Hazlemere Community Centre, Rose Avenue, Hazlemere.

Bricks Britannia: Thursday Museum Lates Evening Opening
Experience the fantastic Bricks Britannia LEGO® brick exhibition in a relaxed evening opening after work. Only £3 entry. Enjoy over 30 amazing LEGO models in the exhibition  and make your own LEGO model (additional charge). Bar serving wine and soft drinks. Just drop in – no need to book. Use Church Lane entrance opposite St Mary’s Church. Email museum@buckscountymuseum.org for more information.
24 August, 5:30pm, Bucks County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury.

Encaustic Wax – Abstraction
An exciting and fun filled day awaits. Phil will teach you how to paint in encaustic wax using an iron and hot stylus. This workshop is suitable for all artists and ideal for the curious beginner or as a refresher for those who have practised before and didn't realise they could be so creative, gain knowledge with this must try medium and achieve some great ideas! Can be booked as a two-day workshop with Encaustic Wax - Flowers & Cityscapes. Cost is £75 including lunch.
12 August, 10am to 5pm, artsmart studio, Marlborough House, 45 Wycombe End, Beaconsfield.

Summer School Holiday Workshops
Queens Park Arts Centre is offering a wide variety of fantastic creative workshops for children during the summer holidays. Classes will explore arts and crafts, pottery and textiles – with topics such as ‘Creatures from the Deep’, ‘Funky and Fun Bookends’, ‘Seahorse and Sea Sprite’ and ‘Garden Guardians’ to spark students’ imaginations. In each class students will create a beautiful work of art to take home and treasure. Pottery students will have their work fired in the kiln, and can even pop along to our weekly Saturday Maker’s Club to add glazes for added effect. Our classes are led by skilled tutors, including professional artist Pippa North and experienced ceramicists Elizabeth Browning, Charlie Butters and Helen Neighbour. These one-day classes are ideal for all ability levels aged 7+. Be sure to wear old clothes and/or an apron, and don’t forget your packed lunch. Tickets £20, email info@qpc.org or call 01296 424332.
Until 11 August, 10am, Queens Park Arts Centre, Queens Park, Aylesbury.

All That Glitters Is Not Gold – 20 Years of Treasure
This temporary exhibition celebrates 20 years of the Treasure Act and the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. On display will be items of treasure acquired by Bucks County Museum through the Treasure Act, alongside treasured archaeological items which have been generously loaned by local finders and detectorists. This will also be the first chance to view part of the Anglo-Saxon Lenborough Hoard since it was acquired by the museum. The Portable Antiquities Scheme database is a voluntary national program that records objects found by the public that are over 300 years old. The database can be seen at www.finds.org.uk. The exhibition is free.
12 July until 9 September, 10am, Bucks County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury.

The Lion and Unicorn Display
What is the link between Disraeli and Lewis Carroll's Alice? Find out in this display inside Hughenden Manor. Booking not needed. Assistance dogs only are welcome.
Until 3 September, 11am, Hughenden Manor, Valley Road, High Wycombe.

Top five things to do this weekend:

Ragged Victorians Living History Event
This is a unique opportunity to learn about the less savoury aspects of Victorian life in a fun, family-friendly environment with the ‘Ragged Victorians’. Meet costumed re-enactors in their buildings and around the museum site. Look out for shady characters including the rat catcher and his rats; street urchins; doctor (with real leeches), rogues and vagabonds. This Ragged Victorians event is great for kids who are learning about the Victorians at school. Watch out for pickpockets. Call 01494 871 117 or email enquiries@coam.org.uk for more information. See www.coam.org.uk for admission prices. 
12 August until 13 August, 10am, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles.

The Railway Children
E. Nesbit’s classic novel The Railway Children is brought thrillingly to life in a stunning new stage production. This best-loved tale, made famous by the iconic 1970 movie starring Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins, delivers a thrilling coming of age story and a fascinating insight into Edwardian rural life. Tickets range from £20 to £27, available online at www.wycombeswan.co.uk or by calling 01494 512 000. 
Until 13 August, 7pm and 2pm, Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. 

All day barbecue
Great food and great music at an all-day barbecue in High Wycombe. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to go along. 
12 August, 12pm until 6pm, Polish Club, Forest Way, High Wycombe. 

Poetry in the Pub: Spoken Word
Join Dane Cobain and friends for spoken word open mic night at the Rose and Crown. Take part in the monthly challenge by writing something based on August’s prompt: “He had waited 20 years to return it”. Arrive by 7:30pm to join in with the meet and greet. All types of spoken word are welcome, from poetry to fiction and non-fiction readings or stand-up poetry. The only rule is that it’s just you and your voice. 
13 August, 7:30pm, The Rose and Crown Pub, Desborough Road, High Wycombe.

The Quo Experience
The Quo Experience is a band with an impressively experienced line-up including Shaun Michaels (as Francis Rossi) and Dave Crawte (as Rick Parfitt), who have both featured in quality Quo tribute acts in the past. Shaun and Dave have spent years studying every detail of Rossi and Parfitt’s looks, playing styles and stage performances to make sure they are both as close to the real thing on stage as is possible, without actually being the legendary rock duo themselves. With an impressive line-up of seriously experienced musicians and passionate Quo fans, along with a stage show that includes a wall of white Marshalls, Mark Bass cabs, Bose PA and a quality light show, The Quo Experience is fully armed to take the act as far as is possibly achievable in the tribute band industry. Tickets are £20, available online at www.elgiva.com or by calling 01494 582 900.
12 August, 8pm, The Elgiva, St Mary’s Way, Chesham.