JUNE NEWSLETTER

We’ve been busy bees this June and very excited to share with you some of the incredible community moments we’ve been part of. Take a look below.

FESTIVAL OF FOOD & MUSIC
Sat 21 – Sun 22 June
An enjoyable weekend packed to the brim with live music, delicious food, fun for all ages, and community spirit. Our stages were buzzing with 22 brilliant artists who kept the music flowing, including: 9 from Bracknell, 17 from Berkshire, and 10 performing their own original tracks. Our food vendors served up everything from global street eats to sweet treats and local favourites. To all who came, danced, sang, and supported us – thank you.

WILDE YOUNG PRODUCERS SHOWCASE
Sat 5 July, 7.45pm
Our Wilde Young Producers programme is for 15–20 year olds aiming for careers in the arts. Over several months, they gain hands-on experience producing and promoting events, including our annual Wilde Week for local primary schools. This year, they’ve gone even further by planning their own fundraising live music and cabaret event, Through the Decades, on Sat 5 July. Every ticket you purchase and donation you make, creates these opportunities. That’s why you are South Hill Park. Book your tickets here to show your support.

BRACKNELL PRIDE
Sat 7 June
We really enjoyed supporting the recent Pride event run by Bracknell Forest Council and The Lexicon. You visited our stand for free games, took part in £1 raffles, saw performances including the Artemis Singers and our cast from Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical. The host, Fonda, had us laughing in between sets and the weather was glorious, for the most part. To see fantastic photos of the event, check out Bracknell Forest Council’s Facebook page.

BUZZES IN THE AIR
Our mansion has been home to buzzing colonies of honeybees for many years and we’ve recently found out that these bees are naturally resistant to the Varroa mite, a deadly parasite threatening bee populations worldwide. Knowing how vital bees are to our ecosystem, Clare Klesal, from our Heritage Parks Gardening team and an experienced beekeeper, has teamed up with the Wokingham & District Beekeepers Association to safely collect and rehome the swarms. Now our resilient colony has a new sheltered hive on our rooftop. Here, we hope they’ll thrive and do what bees do best. Read more about our bee project here.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES PROJECT
Free Exhibition until Sun 13 July
In partnership with the NHS and Bracknell Forest Public Health, we’ve launched a creative new project to tackle childhood obesity. Pupils from Birch Hill and Great Hollands Primary Schools took part in fun, hands-on art workshops with artist Areej Abdi, exploring healthy eating and active living. Their colourful creations are now on display in a free exhibition at South Hill Park. Alongside the exhibition, you’ll find films and creative resources here, helping families build healthy habits together. We hope this work will spark important conversations in your homes and classrooms.

TAKE A BREAK
Young carers arts exhibition
Wilde About Arts is a free creative course for young carers aged 7–17, offering a supportive space to relax and explore visual art. To mark Young Carers Week, participants created miniature canvases on the theme Take a Break, which explored rest and reflection through art. Using masked-out ‘pause’ symbols and vibrant designs, young carers were able to express their emotions and aspirations. The artwork was exhibited at the council offices on 9th-16th June.

FOYLE FOUNDATION GRANT
We’re thrilled to announce a £20,000 grant from the Foyle Foundation has helped our technical team upgrade vital equipment in the Wilde Theatre, including a brand-new lighting control desk and state-of-the-art digital microphones. The Foyle Foundation has supported arts and education across the UK since 2000, awarding over £180 million in funding. As they prepare to close in December 2025, we’re honoured to be one of their final grant recipients. What does this mean for you? Crisper sound, sharper lighting, and a more immersive experience every time you visit.

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF BRACKNELL FOREST
Whether you are part of a neighbourhood group, charity, faith group or just passionate about your area – The Bracknell Forest Communities Partnership, which includes us, wants to hear from you. Please take this short survey to have your say and help shape the future of the borough. Keep a look out for the Stronger Together stand at events this summer. Those of you that completed this at Bracknell Pride and our Festival of Food and Music, thank you. Your feedback is very appreciated.

PRINTMAKING SUCCESS
Congratulations to Helen Anderson and Lee Allen, as their printmaking pieces have been selected for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, London. Running from Tue 17 June to Sun 17 August 2025, this year’s theme, ‘Dialogues,’ explores art’s response to urgent global issues like environmental sustainability, survival, and human connection. Both artists regularly attend our Linoprinting for Beginners course. Their success showcases the high-quality teaching and facilities at South Hill Park. We’re proud to see our students grow in confidence and creativity – Nicola Lightfoot, Learning and Participation Manager.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS
July – Sept 2025
We know how challenging it can be during the summer holidays to find affordable activities. That’s where we step in with a line-up of fun that won’t break the bank for families and young people. Many workshops are low-cost, and some are totally free. Check out all the workshop details in our leaflet and book your spots here. We’re grateful for the generous support of the Abri Community Fund and our local Town and Parish Council, which helps make these activities possible.

IPAD REQUEST
Got a spare iPad gathering dust? Our Learning, Participation, and Community Outreach team would greatly appreciate one so that they can gather feedback from courses and workshops. This would enable them to better support our local community and their needs. If you have a fully working iPad with a good battery and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. Please email fundraising@nullsouthhillpark.org.uk.

CRAFTY CINEMA – THE SALT PATH (12A)
Sun 20 July, 1pm
Raynor and Moth Winn lose their home and then later discover that Moth has a terminal illness. They embark on a year-long coastal trek in hope of finding solace and acceptance. A Crafty Cinema screening where you can bring your own crafting project whilst enjoying a film. Book tickets here.

VACANCY – DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
(14hrs per week)
We’re looking for a Development Officer to join our small but dynamic Development team, to help us deliver our fundraising and development strategy. You’ll help generate income through campaigns, events, membership fees, donations, trusts, and statutory grants. This role is vital in helping us meet our annual income targets and supporting the continued growth of our charity. Click here to find out more and apply.

EASY WAYS TO HELP US FUNDRAISE
You can always support us (at no extra cost to you) as you shop online via the easyfundraising scheme. The Bracknell Forest Lottery Scheme continues supporting our work while allowing players to win up to £25,000. Tickets are just £1 per week, and we receive fifty per cent of the profit from all tickets sold on our page, while ten per cent goes to other local good causes. To win a Nintendo Switch 2, please visit this link.

MEMBERS SHOW EXCLUSIVE
We’re excited to offer our Best Friends an exclusive invite to the first read-through of this autumn’s production from Blackeyed Theatre: Sherlock Holmes – The Hunt for Moriarty. Good Friends and Best Friends will also be invited to a Q&A with Writer/Director Nick Lane and Creative Director Adrian McDougall. Keep an eye on your inbox for your invitation, and Friends, don’t forget to book your show tickets here.