A recap of our Greenham takeover!

Over this last weekend, Greenham brimmed with creativity, community and celebration, as two remarkable events presented by our 101 Outdoor Arts programme and The Base Greenham drew crowds to experience the joy of the arts. 

On Greenham Common, history, storytelling, and spectacular performances came alive through Creative Commons, a free large-scale outdoor arts event curated as part of our 101 Outdoor Arts programme. Marking 25 years since the Common’s return to public ownership, audiences were invited to rediscover this extraordinary landscape through circus, dance, music, and immersive theatre. 

Families, nature-lovers, and arts enthusiasts found themselves immersed in a range of performances and experiences scattered across the Common’s landscape: from Dora Colquhoun’s Snakes Live Here, where the spirit of the Common led adventurers through encounters with quirky characters, to the breathtaking aerial displays of Gossamer Thread Circus. Nandita Shankardass fused South Asian and contemporary dance in Roots to Rise, while Tilly Ingram’s The Hide offered meditative reflections on birdwatching across the heathland. Yara + Davina’s Moral Compass inspired visitors to pause and question, while Louise Jordan and Divija Melally gave powerful voice and movement to the resilience of the Greenham women peace camp protesters. For younger audiences, storytelling walks and audio trails transformed the Common into a living fairytale forest for them to explore. 

Creative Commons opened with a special event which included a welcome speech from 101 Outdoor Arts Strategic Lead Simon Chatterton, and also from local partners including, Biddy Hayward from Greenham Trust, Greenham parish councillor Pragna Hay, Rebecca Moredon from Greenham Women Everywhere and Newbury MP Lee Dillon, highlighting the importance of the common to so many people in Newbury and further afield.

Meanwhile, over at The Base, the first weekend of the Festival of Arts & Crafts kicked off in lively style with their Arts & Crafts Fair. Stalls showcasing artisan goods surrounded the building, accompanied by live music from local musicians, mouthwatering food and drink, and family-friendly activities that kept energy high all day long. Even the rain on Sunday didn’t dampen the mood as the market moved inside to 101 Outdoor Arts and continued to welcome visitors.

Dogs even had their moment in the spotlight with ‘paw-trait’ sessions taking place up at The Berkshire Vet with artist Dogs by Jeff, while children enjoyed archery and pebble painting run by Berkshire Youth. Inside, visitors explored the curated Festival of Art exhibition, jam-packed with exceptional artwork from talented local artists. A giant doodle wall offered visitors the chance to leave their own creative mark on the event, using chalk pens to brighten up The Base’s Runway Gallery. There was also the chance to get hands-on with a number of creative taster workshops, which will continue to run throughout the duration of the Festival (until 20 September).

Together, the two events showcased the vibrant cultural life of our local area. Both reminded us of the power of shared creativity: whether reflecting on the transformation of a once-military site into a reserve for nature or celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of talented local artists and crafters.