Your Guide to What's On in Ampthill
The next Gala Day, which will next take place
on Sunday 6th July 2008, but in the meantime look for fundraising events throughout
the year. The Gala Day celebrations will be centred on Ampthill
Park and commences at 1pm. This is proceeded by a procession of
floats, which begins at 1pm from Station Road.
The picture, from the 2001 Festival, shows the Medieval Combat Society performing during Gala Day.
The 2008 Festival promises to be the biggest and best yet.
If you are interested in helping with this years festival, or wish to provide sponsorship, or simply require more information, contact me at Mark.A.Smith@ampthill.org.uk or click here for more details
ARAGON DAY
Originally intended as a commemoration of the 470th anniversary of Katherine of Aragon’s stay in Ampthill castle, Aragon Day is now a regular celebration of Ampthill’s rich history.
Many hands make light work and volunteers will be needed to set up, ‘man’ and dismantle the stalls and activities in 2008, so If you can spare some time on Aragon Day, or in the days leading up to the event, please contact Barry Dackombe on 01525 402085. There is a commitment to keep the festival fresh, so if you or someone you know has a suitable new idea for an activity, please let them know. Aragon Day is a charitable organisation and relies on sponsorship and fundraising. Please get in touch if you are a local business who would benefit from associating with the Aragon Day name, or if you are an individual with fundraising ideas. Please remember that by participating in this festival, residents and visitors are supporting what Ampthill has to offer today as well as learning about bygone days.
AMPTHILL & DISTRICT CHORAL SOCIETY
The Choral Society begins rehearsals for
their 62ndt season in September 2008.
The rehearsals take place every Monday at the Music room at Redborne School at 7.45pm to 9.45pm (excluding school holidays). Prospective members are invited to attend two rehearsals without obligation before joining.
The Choral Society welcomes new members to this very friendly society. All types of voice are required and no auditions are necessary.
Should you wish to join, the Cost is £45 Adults, £37 Senior Citizens & £2 Students.
Celebrating the 60th Year of Ampthill & District Choral Society
The Society celebrated its 60th season during 2007. To mark the occasion the choir sang Handel's Messiah on 12th May 2007 to an audience of over 150 in St. Andrew's Church.
60 Years ago the Choir started rehearsals in the Old Entertainment (which used to stand behind the 'Clobba' Shop, along Dunstable Street). Their first Concert took place in the Methodist School Room when they sang Edward Germans 'Merry England'. Over the years they have performed many works. A few years ago the Society nearly folded due to lack of members, but today they now have a thriving choir, thanks in no small part to their current conductor Angela Doughty, who has now been with the choir for over 10 years.
For more information ring Penny Stimson on 01234 357750 or email i.stimson@tesco,net .
Ampthill & District Choral Society gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance given to them by Ampthill Town Council & Ampthill Community Liaison Forum over the past year.
Ampthill Singers
Do you enjoy singing? Can you hold a tune? If the answer is 'Yes' to both questions, then you are invited to come along to rehearsals on Tuesday Nights from 7.30pm at Ampthill Methodist Church. Throughout the year the group rehearses songs to perform at a concert in the Autumn. The material for the concert is collated from popular songs from the last 100 years. The proceeds of the concert are donated to a chosen charity.
AMPTHILL & FLITWICK DRAMATIC SOCIETY
The next production of Ampthill & Flitwick Dramatic Society will be ‘Burning Bridges’ by Colin Calvert on 17 - 19 April 2008. For more details contact Robert Calvert at cal.cal@ntlworld.com or visit their website at www.afds.co.uk.
DIARY OF FUTURE EVENTS INCLUDE:-
Ampthill Festival 2008
Sunday 6th July 2008
Fun for all the Family in Ampthill Park
Find out more by visiting the Festival Page
Cambridge to Ampthill Cycle Challenge
6th July 2007
Raising Funds for Leukaemia Research, the Anthony Nolan Trust & the Willow Trust
Bone Marrow Recruitment Clinic
Find out more at www.giveatomarrow.org.uk
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Also raising funds for Anthony Nolan. Check out http://www.justgiving.com/clarefleming. Clare Fleming is running the London Marathon & hoping to raise £1300 for the Trust.
Ampthill Festival Art Exhibition & Digital Photo Competition 2008
Saturday, July 12 - Tuesday, July 15 - The Old Court House, Church Street, Ampthill
WHETHER you have a fine eye for colourful canvases or fancy trying your hand at photography this year’s Ampthill Festival Art Exhibition has something for everyone.
Local artists working in a range of media will be displaying and selling their work, helping to raise money for charity.
Pupils from Redborne Upper School and Alameda Middle School will also be contributing artworks to the exhibition, which has been successfully running for 16 years.
Last year more than 240 pieces were displayed at the exhibition, which raised more than £1,000 for local charities.
The art exhibition starts on Saturday, July 12, at The Old Court House, Church Street, Ampthill and runs until Tuesday, July 15.
Local artist Jill Wynch will be demonstrating painting in watercolour on the Saturday and for the first time the event has been expanded to include a digital photographic competition where budding snappers are invited to submit photos of Ampthill.
The competition has two categories, under and over 16s and the winners will get their photo printed onto canvas using high quality digital printing courtesy of Picture Corner, Ampthill. Peter Cleevely GCF of Picture Corner will also be helping to judge the competition.
The exhibition is open between 11am and 7pm each day, apart from July 15, when doors close at 1pm. Entrance is free. The deadline for submitting paintings to the exhibition is June 30, and digital photos must be submitted by July 6.
If you would like to exhibit, contact Ampthill Festival Art Exhibition organiser Gary Wood on 01525 750396. To take part in the digital photo competition, email ampthill.photo@hotmail.com for further information.Ampthill Community Forum
Come & quiz the powers that be on 14th July at Ampthill Baptist Church from 7.30pm
Find out more by visiting the Community Forum Page, where you can download the agenda & minutes of the last meeting
Ladies Who Lunch
Charity lunch in aid of Survival International
Tuesday 15th July 2008, with special celebrity guest Tamara Beckwith at
Earl’s of Ampthill, 119 Dunstable St, Ampthill MK45 2NG
Tickets £30 (Gentlemen welcome). For tickets and more information, please contact
Tel: 01525 404024
Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers - Ampthill Trophy 8K Race
Sunday 19 October 2008
Bedfordshire's premier cross country race has a big tradition and in the 1990's was fondly called the "Beefeater Trophy" and used to attract fields of 2000+. In 1989 and '90 the Ampthill Trophy doubled as the British Veteran Championships. Historic Ampthill Park provides the backdrop for this memorable 8K race which has opportunities to stretch the legs as well as plenty of twists and turns. A cross country season opener in October that includes Junior races - a fantastic spectator course.
Ampthill Charter Market
Every Thursday - 8.30am to 2.00pm
Town Centre Car Park, off Church Street.
2hr max. stay parking available in town centre shoppers car park.
Weekly market with a variety of goods inc. fresh fruit & vegetables, fish, cheese, extensive range of plants & shrubs, home-baked goods, preserves, cakes, crisps, sweets, chocolate, household wares, greeting cards & wrapping paper, watch batteries, bicycles & repairs, wild bird seed, pet foods & accessories, jewellery & handbags and the Pasque charity stall offering a varied range of bric-a-brac with new items every week.
Ampthill Farmers' Market
Last Saturday each month - 9.00am to 1.00pm (No market in December 2006)
New market site! ARAGON HOUSING ASSOCIATION CAR PARK (by the Zebra crossing in Dunstable Street)
2hr max. stay parking available in town centre shoppers car park.
Monthly market of fresh goods, plants and crafts by local producers
| Every Thursday | Ampthill Charter Market | Bedford Street, Car Park | 8.30am - 2pm |
| Last Saturday Every Month | Ampthill Farmers Market | Car Park Behind Aragon Housing Association | 9am - 1pm |
| Every Monday | Jazz at the White Hart | White Hart | 8pm |
| Every Thursday | Acoustic Avenue - Evenings of live acoustic music by local artists | Albion Arms | 8pm |
| 3 July 2008 | Ampthill Festival: Boule Competition | Rugby Club, Woburn Street | 6.30pm |
| 5 July 2008 | Ampthill Festival: Proms in the Park by Ampthill Orchestra (Postponed) | Ampthill Park | 7.30pm |
| 6 July 2008 | Cambridge to Ampthill Cycle Challenge - more details | Culminates in Ampthill Park | All Day |
| 6 July 2008 | Ampthill Festival Gala Day | Ampthill Park | 1pm - 7pm |
| 9 - 15 July 2008 | Ampthill Art Festival (see above) | Masonic Rooms, Church Street | Times Vary |
| 14 July 2008 | Ampthill Community Forum - Come & quiz the powers that be! | Baptist Church | 7.30pm |
| 15 July 2008 |
Ladies Who Lunch - Charity lunch in aid of Survival International, with With special celebrity guest Tamara Beckwith. Tickets £30. Tel: 01525 404024 |
Earls of Ampthill | 7pm |
| 11 July 2008 | Parkside Hall Fundraising General Knowledge Quiz (teams of up to 4. £2.50 per person. To Register: 404355) | Parkside Hall, Woburn Street | 7.30pm |
| 14 July 2008 | Ampthill Community Forum - Come & quiz the powers that be!! - find out more | Ampthill Baptist Church | 7.30pm |
| 24 August 2008 | 2012 Olympic Handover Ceremony Celebrations - www.london2012.com | Throughout the UK | tba |
| 2 September 2008 | Ampthill Community Safety Forum | Clophill Village Hall | 7.30pm |
| 4/5 September 2008 | Girl Guiding Jamboree/Rally to Celebrate Bedfordshire Centenary (provisional) | Ampthill Park | tba |
| 13 September 2008 | Leonard Cheshire Disability - Gala & Fun Day | Agate House, Woburn Street | 12 - 4pm |
| 17 September 2008 | 2012 Paralympics Handover Ceremony Celebrations - www.london2012.com | Throughout the UK | tba |
| 19 September 2008 | Parkside Hall Fundraising General Knowledge Quiz (teams of up to 4. £2.50 per person. To Register: 404355) | Parkside Hall, Woburn Street | 7.30pm |
| 4 October 2008 | Ampthill Christmas Lights: Race Night (Tickets £7.50 inc. supper fro 404355 - No bar so bring your own drinks) | Parkside Hall | 7.30pm |
| 19 October 2008 | Indoor Boot Sale in aid of Parkside Hall - to book a stall at £5 per stall contact 01525 751629. Free Admission. Refreshments available. Stallholders set up from 8.30am - parking on site. | Parkside Hall | 10am - 1pm |
| 19 October 2008 | Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers: Ampthill Trophy - 8km Race - www.ampthilltrophy.org.uk | Ampthill Park | tba |
| 20 - 22 October 2008 | J Miller's Circus - Parking in the central car park and west car park of Ampthill Park - Monday 6.00pm, Tuesday 4.30pm & 7.00pm, Wednesday 4.30pm. | Ampthill Park | Times Vary |
| 14 November 2008 | Parkside Hall Fundraising General Knowledge Quiz (teams of up to 4. £2.50 per person. To Register: 404355) | Parkside Hall, Woburn Street | 7.30pm |
| 20 - 22 November 2008 | Ampthill & Flitwick Dramatic Society: Perform 'When we were Married' by J.B. Priestley | Parkside Hall | 7.45pm |
| 6 - 7 December 2008 | St Andrews Christmas Tree Festival - ampthilltrees.com | St Andrews Church | All Day |
If you want to publicize upcoming events on this web site, please contact me at the address below
Contact E-mail Address:- info@ampthill.org.uk
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