1 Conservation at Coate is a new event beginning today Friday, June 1, from 10am, at Coate Water Country Park, Marlborough Road, Swindon.

Try your hand at some practical conservation work at Coate Water. Learn how to use different tools for the benefit of the park’s wildlife on a day out in the fresh air. Inside Coate there is a quiet haven for wildlife that has deer and foxes in the wildflower meadows. There is a large heronry that has become established which can be viewed from the bird hides. On conservation day meet at Coate Water Ranger Centre and bring a packed lunch and something to drink, a sun hat, and camera if you have one. Please wear clothes to suit the weather, stout shoes and some gardening gloves. The event will be led by Michael Lilley. This is a free event but it is advisable to book in advance on 01793 490150 or visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/directory_record/8466/lawns_park for more details.

2 Textile Crafts Short Break takes place from today, Friday June 1, at Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, Swindon.

A chance to immerse yourself in a tactile world of textile crafts. Learn the art of needle felting (sculpting using wool and a barbed needle) to make soft toys, pincushions, or small sculptures. You can also use this technique two dimensionally to make a picture, cushion, or bag, embellish clothes or a hat, or to make decorative repairs to holes in jumpers. You will learn embroidery stitches, which you can use creatively to make a work of art, or up-cycle a garment, or combine with the needlefelting. The warm and friendly atmosphere of a small group will be conducive to creativity. No previous experience necessary. Tools provided. £20 charge for materials. Weekend tickets are £195 - £150 from 01793 771080. The same weekend also sees a Willow Basket Making course. An opportunity to make willow baskets, garden structures, plant supports, sculptures, and decorations. Learn an eco-friendly skill using local renewable materials. There will be time to make at least two small baskets, or one larger one. Advice will be available for those wanting to grow their own willow. http://www.lowershawfarm.co.uk/

3 Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Westonbirt Arboretum? Now’s your chance to find out as tomorrow, Saturday, June 2, there is a Behind the Scenes Tour, starting from 11.30am, at Westonbirt The National Arboretum, (A433 three miles south east of Tetbury), Tetbury.

The behind the scenes guided tour gives a chance to explore behind the closed doors of the Propagation and Tree Management Centres. Learn how the arboretum source and care for trees from the seeds and saplings in propagation to the champions out in the arboretum, and see some of the machines and tools in use. Meet outside the Great Oak Hall. Please wear closed top sturdy footwear suitable for outdoor walking. Free after admission. For more details call 01842 814612. or visit https://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

4 Watchfield Village Fete 2018 kicks off at 12pm, tomorrow, Saturday, June 2, in the Watchfield Recreation Ground, Majors Road, Watchfield, Shrivenham.

It is a large village fete with fun fair, dog show, animal attractions, live music, traditional stalls, refreshments, bar, BBQs, children’s games, sheepdog display, alpacas, harnessed goats, Punch & Judy, magic show, tombola, Lacarno Beat, car boot sale and stalls. It is free entry. For more details call 01793 782234.

5 Aardman’s Early Man Half Term Quest begins on Saturday, June 2 at 9.30am at Stonehenge, Amesbury, Salisbury.

Visitors to the ancient site can follow in the footsteps of their Neolithic ancestors as they set off on a quest to solve clues and uncover the secrets of prehistory. The quests offer young time travellers the chance to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors in search of Dug, Goona, Hognob and the rest of the Early Man tribe. Follow the clues, explore Wiltshire’s greatest historic landmark, and be rewarded with a special Early Man prize. Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City to save their home. Goona (Maisie Williams) is the gallant and indomitable rebel who befriends Dug and helps the tribe in their battle to beat the Bronze Age at their own game. Tickets are £1 per child in addition to usual admission.http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

6 Visit the Brunel’s SS Great Britain from 10am tomorrow, Saturday, June 2 at the Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol.

Discover the personal possessions of Britain’s most famous engineer with the opening of Brunel’s Cabinet of Curiosities. Children and adults alike will be able to reach out and touch a piece of history. There is a chance to hear fascinating stories about Victorian life and what made Isambard Kingdom Brunel the heroic Briton and designer of Swindon’s Great Western Railway works that we celebrate today. Alongside this, young visitors can become a curator of their own museum in the Collage Curator workshop. This exciting craft activity is open throughout half-term and asks the question - if a museum was made about your life, what would you like to see in it? Tickets are £15.70 concessions £9 from https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/

7 A Children’s Arts Festival begins at 10am, tomorrow, Saturday, June 2, at Hungerford Croft Hall, Field & Activity Centre, The Croft, Hungerford.

Children can try a range of fun, hands-on activities, including drama workshops, storytelling, street dance, nature writing, mask making, junk modelling as well as enjoying some slapstick theatre, performance poetry, storytelling and art workshops. There will be a sing-along about monkeys, bears, socks and mud from singer/songwriter/illustrator/author/all-round kids entertainment guru, Nick Cope. There will be face painting, ice cream and a pizza tent (or bring a picnic). The event takes place from 10-4 tomorrow and Sunday - for a schedule of events and age suitability visit https://artsforhungerford.com/whats-on/childrens-arts-festival-programme/ Tickets are £16 weekend pass. £12 day tickets (£13 on door). 07590 555877.

8 Half-term Adventures at Steam, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon.Try the GWR Wordsearch Trail where you hunt for a snappy selection of GWR words within a collection of GWR signs and notices.

Complete the wordsearch puzzle and receive a small prize. Find the Numbers Trail (Age guide: 5+ years): as you travel around the museum, follow the fascinating trail to find numbers in some very surprising places! Track It Down Trail (Age guide: under 5 years): hunt for objects, shapes and colours and get involved with Steam’s interactive displays and hands-on exhibits. Work It Out! Trail (Age guide: 5+ years): take up the challenge and explore famous locomotives, even walk underneath 80 tonnes of metal as you work out the answers to some intriguing questions. The trails are free with standard admission. There are also play areas for young children including play tables for colouring fun and interactive rail themed toys and for mums and dads there is the Platform One Café. Free after admission. For more details call 01793 466637 or visit http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/

9 A pirate themed party is being held on Sunday, June 3 from noon to 4pm as part of The Eastcott Community Organisation’s Big Lunch and Neighbourhood Party in Savernake Street Social Hall.

Families can join the Big Lunch run by Eastcott Community Organisation, from 12pm to 1pm and enjoy children’s entertainment - fancy dress is encouraged. There will be a visit from magician Razamatazz, pirate-themed fun from Debutots, and folk music by The Bellflowers. The Big Lunch is the idea of the Eden Project, and is the biggest annual get together for neighbours, with an estimated 9.3 million people taking part in 2017. The free event aims to bring neighbours together and encourage community, friendship and fun. It’s free to attend thanks to a grant from the Midcounties Co-operative. The road will be closed between 10am to 5pm to enable the organisers to set up - residents shouldn’t park in the street during that time. For more information, check the event page on Facebook or email eastcottcommunity@yahoo.co.uk

10 International Pig Racing Festival, 12pm, The Royal Oak, Cues Lane, Bishopstone, Swindon. 01793 790481.

Expect snorts and squeals of excitement in Bishopstone as the annual Pig Race gets underway and punters place their bets on their favourite porkers. Little piggies from Eastbrook Farm will go trotter to trotter in different races at the Royal Oak, owned by Helen Browning, as part of the yearly bonanza in the heart of the Wiltshire village. There will also be all day food, drink, betting and music as well as the main event. https://helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk/royal-oak/