Sarah Singleton looks at events on offer this weekend

Open-arted delight

SWINDON artists and creators will be throwing open their studio doors and welcoming visitors for the second and final weekend of Swindon Open Studios 2017.

To take advantage of this annual festival of the visual arts, pick up a leaflet, or visit the website to find out which of the many artists you would like to visit.

Scattered around Swindon and the surrounding villages, the open studios celebrate the diversity of the district’s talent. Whether your interest is in watercolour, photography or sculpture, landscape, abstract or portraiture, the open studios has plenty to offer.

With more than 40 creatives taking part, either in their own studios or in venues including the Richard Jefferies Museum, Eastcott Studios and the Beehive, this event is a chance not just to see art but to talk about the work with the artists.

Check out the open studios for September 16 and 17 at www.swindonopenstudios.org.uk.

Homecoming gig with fruity dual headliners

LOCAL ska-punk legends Slagerij will be coming home to Swindon to play at the Victoria tonight, alongside pop-punk Orange from LA.

This double-header show, presented by Crucial Talent at the pub in Victoria Road, opens its doors at 8.30pm.

Slagerij formed 10 years ago and they are a high energy three-piece ska-punk band, comprising of Martin Montier on guitar, Matt Dennehy on bass and Aidan O’Neill on drums. They released their first EP in 2008 and first album in 2010.

Their second album Swim for Shore was released in 2011 and over the last few years the band have honed their skills with plenty of touring around the UK, sharing the stage with many big-name bands such as the Dead Kennedys and the UK Subs.

Fellow headliner Orange was formed in Los Angeles by Zak Glosserman (drums) and British-born Joe Dexter (vocals and bass), blending punk-rock sensibilities with pop melodies. Later they were joined by Perry Ladish and Alec Gomez.

Tickets cost £4 in advance or £6 on the door. Visit thevicswindon.com.

Chance to harvest nature's hedgerow bounty

IT’S September, the season of mellow fruitfulness, and Wiltshire’s hedges are laden with colourful berries all ready for harvesting – but how to make the most of nature’s bounty and identify which ones are safe to eat?

Roves Farm, near Sevenhampton, has organised Hedgerow Harvest sessions, so you can learn how to distinguish rosehips, elderberries, sloes and blackberries. As well as giving information on the berries, the hedgerow experts will also have tips on how to use them in the kitchen.

The sessions run all through the day from 10am to 5pm, when groups will be taken on tractor rides into prime hedgerow harvesting locations.

Visitors to the farm will also be able to meet and feed the farm animals, visit the pets’ corner, enjoy craft activities and the adventure play areas.

Entry costs £9.50, under-threes £4 and under-twos free. Visit www.rovefarm.co.uk for more information.