The Guide: What's on in Berkshire

A few suggestions to help you plan your weekend (13 November to 15 November 2009)

History

Tudor and Stuart Berkshire

Henry VIII is the arguably the most famous Tudor King

Find out about meals and feasts in Tudor and Stuart Berkshire at Newbury Town Hall, Market Place on Friday 13 November 2009 at 14.30.

The talk will look back in time to a period when Newbury was at the centre of English affairs.

What sort of meal would Jack o' Newbury have served to Henry VIII and his queen?

What would Newbury's citizens eat at the time of the Battles of Newbury? Here's a chance to find out.

Members free, Non-members £2. Ring 01635 35486 for more information.

Reading's notorious characters

If you want to know more about Reading's past then come along on a fun tour at Reading Museum in Blagrave Street on Sunday 15 November 2009 from 14.00 to 15.00.

Discover some of Reading's most notorious and colourful characters - and fascinating chapters in the history of our town.

Meet in the Reading, People and Places gallery for this free drop-in event.

Ring 0118 939 9800 for more information.

Kids & Family

Victorian Street Fayre

Victorian Street Fayre, Sunninghill, on Sunday 15 November 2009

Roll up, roll up for a Victorian Street Fayre in Sunninghill on Sunday 15 November 2009 from 12.00 to 17.00.

Sunninghill High Street will be closed to traffic and instead lined with stalls featuring games and selling everything from Christmas cards and charity merchandise to festive gifts.

Many of the village businesses will open for the event and there will also be a selection of hot food stalls, many run by local restaurants.

Other attractions will include an outdoor ice-skating rink and Santa's grotto.

Ferret racing

Enjoy an evening of ferret racing at Braywick Sports Ground, Braywick Road, Maidenhead on Saturday 14 November 2009 from 19.00.

Organised by the Windsor Ascot Maidenhead District Sports Association for the Disabled (WAMDSAD), the £15 ticket includes a sausage and mash supper. There's also a raffle after the racing.

For tickets, call WAMDSAD on 01628 627690 or visit WAMDSAD's website.

All proceeds go to WAMDSAD.

Arts & Culture

Windsor Contemporary Art Fair

Cliff Wright drew the cover for Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban

Harry Potter illustrator Cliff Wright is one of the 100-plus artists coming to Windsor Contemporary Art Fair on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2009.

He is also hosting a series of workshops for parents and children.

Wright illustrated the book covers for Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

The fair is on from Friday 13 November to Sunday 15 November 2009 at the Royal Windsor Racecourse.

The fair is in its fifth year and brings together an exciting mix of over 100 artists, printmakers, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists and selected galleries.

Find out more here.

Nature

Lakeside Bird walk

Come along to the Nature Discovery Centre in Muddy Lane, Thatcham for a lakeside bird walk on Sunday 15 November at 14.00.

Take a stroll round the lake with natural history expert Graeme Stewart and discover the birds that inhabit the lake during the winter months.

Meet outside the centre for this free event.