For two days in early September, after the summer tourists have gone home and before the students…read moreget back, the people of Oxford celebrate. I'm not quite sure what we celebrate but it is great fun. I no longer go on rides that swing you high in the air or turn you upside down but if you are young enough to enjoy that sort of thing then there is something special about catching glimpses of secret court-yards, quadrangles and lawns behind the yellow walls of the colleges just before you are flung upside down again or hurled towards the ground. For the more sedentary of us there are more traditional rides such as the wonderful merry-go-round and helter skelter. Or you can just wander around enjoying the sights, sounds (and it can be very noisy), smells and tastes (sugar cane as well as candy floss last year) Rumour has it that the rides are longer in the afternoon before it gets busy. If you aren't going to the fair then be warned that all the buses that normally go along St Giles are diverted for 2 days and the road is closed to traffic.

Evolved from a 17th-century parish wake, St Giles fair is a yearly spectacle in the centre of…read moreOxford. Every September excitement grows as bigger and better rides are added to the substantial collection of fairground attractions. Our Oxford teams love this annual event.

This is an annual event. We went yesterday and it was a lovely atmosphere. It is held on actual…read moreallotments. Very reminiscent of country fetes that used to be held in someone's (huge) village garden. Was worth being stuck in traffic forever on our 1 1/2 hour journey there. Huw Lloyd-Langton (formerly of Hawkwind) kindly donated his time again, and this was who we went to see really. The Assassins of Science also did a 40 min set with Huw joining them in some numbers. The Elder Stubbs Festival is a highlight of the Cowley calendar, bringing together allotment holders, members of the Elder Stubbs Garden Group, artists, musicians craftspeople and the public at large from all over the local area in a celebration of work and talents. Two stages allow for musical and poetic expression, and many stalls throughout the site represent local organisations involved in social and environmental work. Fresh vegetables, plants and homemade jams and pickles are available if you get there fast enough, and refreshments are also sold on site. Book stalls, plants, face painting, organic produce amongst others. Hot veggie food and meat stuff. Families. Twisted tree sculptures. Arts, crafts, poetry. The Elder Stubbs Festival began as a small event (2000+ visitors each year now) thirteen years ago as a joint venture between Elder Stubbs and RESTORE as an attempt to generate community support for projects. This proved a great success, and the large amounts of publicity generated have meant it has become a fixture in local life, raising money for RESTORE and the profile of both organisations. There is now strong competition to play on both stages! One of a funniest highlights was the fly past by The RED BARROWS! Team members running round the site in a line pushing red wheelbarrows. Elder Stubbs Festival is special: animals for petting, magicians, belly dancers, bagpipers, weavers, martial artists, poets and rock stars standing shoulder to shoulder amongst flowers, sculptures and vegetables. Set on the Elder Stubbs allotment site, there was a diverse array of attractions from performing arts and workshops to stalls, speakers, children's activities and the vegetable show, as well as a wide choice of foods. Around 50 different stallholders use the festival as a forum to share information about local groups and organisations, sell home-made goods, run an activity or vend an assortment of world cuisines. All proceeds are to charity (£1 entrance fee. Bit of info/history: Elder Stubbs Charity is the proud owner and manager of Elder Stubbs Allotments, at Rymers Lane in Cowley, Oxford. The site is a leading example of the successful reinvention of allotment management, and provides a working model for the involvement of disparate members of the local community in city land use. It provides over 100 allotments for local residents. In addition it has diversified by letting tenancies to other charities with similar aims to itself. Notable amongst these are The Porch Steppin' Stone project which cultivates an area of land to grow the organic vegetables used at its day-centre to provide meals for the long-term unemployed, and the Elder Stubbs Garden Group, part of RESTORE, which cultivates 2 acres as an organic market-garden and orchard run as an horticultural therapy project for people recovering from mental illness. Elder Stubbs Allotments were an award to the poor of Cowley under the Inclosure Act of 1852 in compensation for the enclosure and subsequent loss of their Common on Shotover. 150 years later the charity still provides over 100 allotments for local residents. In addition it has diversified by letting tenancies to other charities with similar aims to itself. Really worth a look next year for something different.

I wish Id known about this earlier definately would have gone,will check it out for next year,thanxread more

Well, lawks. We visited the Chiltern Open Air Museum last April and, as I assume it's still there,…read moreit's about time this review got finished. So here goes. Bottom line: This is a great place for kids and families, or simply for a stroll around the many buildings very interesting buildings that are reconstructed here. The museum takes old buildings of all sorts -- agricultural, industrial, pre-war, post-war, etc. -- and rebuilds them on this one site. Walking through the streets is like stepping back in time, as you pass a toll house to find a dairy farm and then, around the corner, a prefabricated war-era bungalow with an air force hut (replete with gas mask and war-time air navigation maps!). There are activities for kids of all ages, various little stalls selling home-made this-and-that, and a (slightly pricey) little cafe for tea, cakes, and sandwiches. Highlights for us included the prefab house (with outdoor bomb shelter), toll house (where the kids learned how to knit), and the lambs and shire horse ponies. This is a gem of a museum where families can wile away a few hours in the sunshine. Certainly worth visiting if you're in the area.

A great way to spend a few hours!…read more The museum has got a strange collection of buildings that have been 'collected' from the Chiltern area. There isn't really any theme to the museum other than that - the buildings date from all kind of eras. I'm not sure of the exact amount, but I'd guess there where about 20 buildings, including farm buildings, a school house, a toilet block and a church. The museum has got a small cafe if you need to get some warming soup or a cup of tea, and gift shop selling the usual souvineers (and, rather bizarrely, a Robocop postcard) One warning - as it says on the tin - the museum is 'open air' so if you go on a cold or windy day make sure you are well wrapped up!

When this was your typical flea pit cinema, it was still a wonderful place to visit. I remember…read morecoming out of seeing Return Of The Jedi pretending I was an ewok, excitedly leaving after watching Marty McFly in Back To The Future and being less than enamored with Flight Of The Navigator - well you get the picture. Then it fell into disrepair and became a place you dared your mates to break into during the late 1980s after school had finished. Now, The Rex (as all good cinemas should be called) has been restored to its former glory. When I say former, think 1930s Art Deco, plush red seating, original projector and art house matinées. The place is a treat and a MUST visit for any cineophile. Prices are reasonable (approx £7 at time of writing) but availability is tough. You need to quick on the phone as it seems every person in Berkhamsted is a paid up member. Before each performance (and they are performances!) you can relax in the lobby where there are books on film to paw over or head down stairs and grab yourself a beer or a glass of wine. It's that sort of place. Do make sure you get to your seat in time for the traditional, and I found informative, pre film introduction from the Manager, James. A proud, curious creature James embodies the character behind this most charming of movie houses.

Art Deco, Art Deco, and a bit more Art Deco, this is a more-than-faintly ridiculous, overblown…read morevenue but one of the few places I know of where you can get a meal in front of your film ( with table service) , outside of eating your food off a tray in front of a DVD at home. This is more of an experience than a simple cinema, and seems hugely popular book in advance.

Opposite Boots (the chemist) and next to Maison Blanc there is an alleyway. At the end of this…read morealleyway you will find The Barn, a hip vegetarian cafe with an active music scene in the evenings. The vibe is reminiscent of bohemian art student, the food is healthy and delicious (wraps, bagels, muffins, etc) and the coffee is great. Downstairs (ground floor) is set out cafe style with a small collection of two and four person tables in front of the kitchen and coffee bar. Upstairs seating is arranged as soft benches around long coffee tables which would seem to be a good use of space when there is a band present. I was there during the day and it was quite quiet so online radio provided the background music rather than a live band. However I understand that upcoming gigs (music and art) are listed on their website. I enjoyed my visit and shall return next time I am in there area. It was refreshing to visit a good cafe that stands apart for the normal high street effort.

This is a children's play centre in a big warehouse type building…read more I cannot say that there is anything to recommend this above any other. However, its is big and clean and children love to play. It has quite a bit of seating, though I have been here during a half term and at times like that it does get busy. They have a separate room for children's birthday parties and a party person to help oversee. With the gift bag the children recieved a cup from BigSpace filled with goodies. They have a baby/toddler play area and a big playframe for older children.

Big Space is an indoor soft play area for children up to the age of 12 years. Equipment includes…read moreFreeFall and Wavy slides and a separate area for under 3s. There is a coffee bar and plenty of lounge seating and also tabled areas. There is a microwave provided to heat baby food etc. Adults are given a credit type card on entering which they use in the coffee lounge this is then handed in at the end and the bill settled, although I do always manage to spend more than i normally would as I am not paying as I go along. Positives are that it is free for under 1s and adults don't pay either. Major negative is that parking is very limited and would be very difficult to get a space during the weekend or school holidays, or if there was a party happening. There is also only one baby changing toilet, with an additional wall mounted stand outside the toilets.

The Luton Library Theatre is now under the ownership of a new community interest company, They…read morehave done a great job in rejuvenating and bringing the theatre back to life

The Luton Library Theatre is a wonderful cornerstone of Luton's active dramatic community. With…read moreregular productions of a wide variety it provides a cheap and honest forum for budding actors. More community based theatre is always welcome, and this theatre provides an invaluable cultural addition to the local community of all ages and backgrounds.

I usually go tot he Showcase Cinemas, however, we decided to go to Cineworld as the film we wanted…read moreto see was on at a slightly better time. The first thing that put us off was the car park - which I know is probably not the cinema's fault - but it is extrememly inadequate for an 11-screen cinema, 4 restaurants, a shop, a hairdressers and a gym. We drove round for about 15 minutes just waiting for a space to become available. When we got to the cinema, there was a rubbish bin by the door, overflowing and not smelling particularly nice. The music playing in the foyer was very loud and was a heavy rock music! It was really offputting - something I'd expect to hear if I went to heavy metal night at the local pub! At the box office there was a TV screen missing (there was a large empty bracket on the wall with a mess of wires all over it,) so only half of the show times were visible. We already knew what film we wanted and at what time, which was obviously a good move as I couldn't see any film time leaflets anywhere. Anyway we had bought a drink and got to our screen and the film was just about to start only problem there was no noise! Another customer had to go inform the management, although we had missed the first couple of minutes of the sound already! About 15 minutes into the film, we heard very loud shouting, swearing, laughing, coming in to the screen, as they came to the front, we saw it was a group of about 10 young kids (about age 13/14). They were shouting at thje top of their voices 'do you like your *** film!'then they just stood at the front in the way of the film. I decided I should best go tell a member of staff as I didn't want to say anything to them myself. I told a member of staff who said she would ask someone to come up, but as I was going back into the screen 3 of the boys came right up to me saying had I grassed on them and they 'squared up' to me, swearing at me into my face. I was very scared, but they left the screen. I wasn't sure if somone was coming or not, but I wanted to tell them what those kids had done, so I waited near the door for a manager. When one came, I told him but he didn't seem bothered he then turned to the kidds who were out in the foyer and told them they could have another chance!! I couldn't believe it! They had threatened me, and scared me, not to mention ruining the film for every other customer and he just let them straight back in! The kids walked past me back into the screeen laughing about it, and (at this point I felt furious). I told the manager I couldn't believe he was not prepared to ask them to leave and that it was appalling!). He told me that I should calm down and just watch my film and said he didn't want to discuss it any more! So I went back in the screen and obviously the kids knew I had told on them so they continued to heckle at me and throw sweet wrappers/popcorn in my direction so we made the decision to leave. I thought this was absolutely appalling. I had gone with the intention of just wating a film quietly, whereas those kids had gone with the intention of distrupting the film and spoiling other people's enjoyment which, thanks to the manager, they had done. I will definitely not be going back there if this is how even the managers treat the customers. However it is normally very good. it';s clean. The kids love the arcade. Just that one time completely put me off. But the service is still bad.

Not the best cinema I've ever been to, but not horrendous. Prices are a bit high, don't bother with…read morethe snack stand as the popcorn is almost never fresh and the staff behind the counter are not generally pleased to serve you. The selection of movies is adequate, they have most of the new films out, and a large selection of bollywood - which is great if you enjoy them. If you're going to be seeing multiple movies in a month then sign up to their unlimited package, great value if you see 3 or more a month. While parking isn't great - the normal parking lot has been closed down for renovations - it is near bus and train lines and there are often taxis outside as an alternative option.

Toad Hall Adventure play is open 7 days a week and offers soft play facilities for children from…read morebabies through to juniors. There's a good under 3s section with a ball pit and 2-stage climbing frame (soft). There are some sit-on soft toys and some blocks. The floor is a bit suspect and there's a bit of an old smell to the area - nothing terrible but you do notice it. The play equipment appears safe but could be in better condition. The main soft play is a triple height affair with climbing, balls, slides and chutes. It's safe and in better condition than the toddler area. At weekends and after school this place can get packed but, during the day it's not too bad. A cafe facility is available serving teas, coffees, soft drinks and snacks. The prices are reasonable. Tables are kept away from the soft play being behind a low wall. They are OK but there's not a good view of the play area meaning that it's hard to have a coffee and take care of your child. For many parents this just seems to mean that they don't watch their child and so you do have to be careful that your child doesn't get set upon by unrully kids. It's not a particularly comfortable place but it's a good local option for a rainy day. Car parking is available.

I have worked with Richard for many years and Hollyer Projects is now developing a formidable…read morereputation for excellent execution and delivery of entertainment attraction projects. Richard and his team always deliver very creative solutions and imaginative ideas and I would happliy recommend Hollyer Projects to any entertainment attractions looking to introduce exciting new guest experiences into their product offering. Mark Phelps Director Fastsigns Kingston

Richard is someone I've worked with for years and would have no hesitation in recommending to…read moreothers. The kind of projects I've worked with Richard on have been extremely varied and often very unusual. He approaches all projects, no matter what scale or subject with a proactive enthusiasm which is infectious to the rest of the project team. His experience in delivering high quality solutions means that I am always confident the end result will meet and often exceeds the clients expectations. He also has the rare ability to think creatively while never losing sight of the practicalities and constraints of project delivery. Richard's level head and friendly manner makes him a joy to work with. Matthew Ringland, Director MCR Creative Resource