Friday Oct 19

1 Mushrooms and Toadstools – A Fungi Foray takes place from today in Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, Swindon. In the woods, on the downs, and in the fields of north Wiltshire, over 100 different species of mushrooms and toadstools have been found on our previous weekend courses. Fungi are neither plants, nor animals, but whatever you like to call them – mushrooms, toadstools, truffles, champignons, or bolets - they belong to the fungal kingdom. Britain boasts more than 4,000 different species, including those that are edible, poisonous, beautiful, bizarre, or just plain hallucinogenic! On this weekend, we shall explore fungal habitats, learn how to identify the big, the bad, and the edible ones while discovering their innumerable medicinal and culinary uses; the latter tested by way of fantastic fry- ups. All this and slide shows too! Allow the miracles of mycelia and the fables of fungi both to instruct and delight you. Tickets are from £175 - £195 from 01793 771080.

2 SALOS are pleased to be bringing Rogers and Hammerstein's rootin', tootin' musical, Oklahoma! to the Wyvern Theatre tonight at 7.30pm. Set on America’s Western Frontier, against a background of conflict between farmers and cattlemen, Oklahoma! tells the tale of farm girl Laurey and the two rivals for her affections, happy go-lucky cowboy Curly and the sinister farm hand Jud. This classic musical features such well known numbers as Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, I Cain’t Say No and People Will Say We’re in Love. Strap up your cowboy boots and hustle your horses, it’s time to party Oklahoma style! Tickets: £20 - £26 from 01793 524481.

3 Wiltshire falconry experience days and educational talks are run by Wings & Talons from 9am, today at Reybridge near Lacock. Set in the captive heart of rural Wiltshire and the stunning scenery of Lacock you will get an introduction to the bird's species and their background. The experience day teaches you how to handle the birds correctly, weigh and then finally fly them. For full day experiences lunch is provided in a local award winning pub. Offering schools and any variety of groups (both young & old), either half or full day educational discussions. Covering topics on all the different breeds of birds, their habitat and hunting skills. Allowing people to see them up close and then be able to recognise them in their local community. Groups of 10 or more can be held in an idyllic setting with conference room available.Techniques and perfect pictures can be captured before going out into the field. Food and refreshments can also be provided. This is a spectacular encounter of the birds doing exactly what comes natural to them. A walk through the fields and woods is a wonderful experience where you can witness the art of Falconry first hand, and learn that teamwork between falconer and bird comes only from complete trust by both. For more details call 01249 661533.

4 4FW: Kingdom Rising 2018 professional wrestling night starts at 7pm, tomorrow in MECA, Regent Circus, Swindon. Professional wrestling action and 4FW Kids Party Packages are available at £14 per child (Minimum six children) Includes: exclusive party and viewing area, Dominos pizza, unlimited squash and a meet and greet and photo opportunity with youngsters' favourite 4FW Superstars. If it is a birthday party the birthday child receives a free 4FW admission ticket to a future show. This will take place during the interval

Tickets are £12.50 - £20 from 0844 579 3322.

5 ARTeology Exhibition is unveiled from 10am, tomorrow, in the Chippenham Museum, 9 - 10 Market Place, Chippenham. This creative exhibition at Chippenham Museum showcases artworks acquired through Wiltshire based ARTeology project alongside artists’ responses including drawing, painting, written word, stained glass, collage and graphics. ARTeology has seen artists responding to the Creative Wiltshire project run by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in partnership with Swindon Museum and Art Gallery and others. The project aims to widen collections and ensure that Wiltshire’s creativity is better represented. The resulting ARTeology exhibition has been curated by artists Julie Smith and Mervyn Grist. It is free entry. For more details call 01249 705020.

6 The Close Up Show sprinkles a little bit of magic tomorrow from 7.30pm all over The Place, in the Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. An intimate evening of close-up magic, trickery and sleight of hand. Close Up Magic is one of the most popular and impressive forms of the art and showcases some of the best exponents direct from the sell-out shows at The Magic Circle. Audiences get to experience the magic in an intimate setting, often taking part themselves. The format is informal with a limited audience so they can be as close to the magic as possible. Three magicians of contrasting styles perform a 25 minute set in turn, typically with cards, coins and borrowed objects. There is a short interval between each act to help the audience catch their breath before the show resumes. Tickets are £17.50. For more details call 01793 524481.

7 Willow Sculpture Workshop, 10:00am, Westonbirt The National Arboretum, (A433 three miles south east of Tetbury),Tetbury . £85.07828 245847.Come and create a wonderful willow sculpture at Westonbirt Arboretum in a fun, relaxed and friendly environment. All materials will be provided on the day and no experience is required.

8 A Poetry Seminar with international poet and Bath Spa lecturer, Carrie Etter takes place tomorrow at the Richard Jefferies Museum, Marlborough Road, Coate, Swindon for all budding poets. Jefferies was a Victorian writer with a passion for the countryside and the richness of nature that he saw all around him. Jefferies' writing all revolves around nature, but through many different genres, including: journalism for various local newspapers (e.g. Swindon Advertiser, North Wiltshire Herald); essays and articles about nature and society for a variety of publications; children's novels, Wood Magic and Bevis; philosophical offerings; and novels, such as After London. The museum consists of a seventeenth century thatched cottage bought by the Jefferies family in 1800, a later, nineteenth century three-storied farmhouse, plus outbuildings, gardens, a copse, orchard and vegetable gardens. The site is run by the Richard Jefferies Museum Trust and is fully accredited by Arts Council England. Inside, there is an extensive collection of items relating to Jefferies, mostly on loan from the Richard Jefferies Society. For example, there are first editions of many of Richard Jefferies' writings, the manuscript of Wood Magic and photographs, paintings and memorabilia. http://www.richardjefferies.org/

Just a few minutes drive from Swindon lies Stanton Park, a beautiful local nature reserve and 74 hectare country park. The extensive woodland and large lake are ideal for exploring on the variety of footpaths and walks. Set out for the day with your picnic to make the most of this wide-open space that changes with the season. Long walks are ideal ways to blow away the cobwebs and give your children a dose of fresh-air and exercise that’ll lead them straight into the arms of a sound sleep later on in the night! Invent your own treasure trail, discovering nuggets of nature along the way! Toilet block including disabled facilities. Baby changing unit and cycle racks and car parking. Dogs are welcome.

Sunday

Coate Water Swindon t sounds obvious, but one of the nicest things to do at Coate Water is to simply take in the beautifully-kept grounds as you stroll around the lake. There's plenty of space for the kids (and the dog!) to run around - just make sure they don't fall in the water. The picturesque surroundings also provide the perfect subject matter for any budding photographers. Rumour has it, a Swindon angler once pulled a 43lb Common Carp out of the lake at Coate Water. Be warned, though, it's well known that to catch anything here you need a lot of time and patience. More information on where you can and can't fish at Coate Water is available at the Ranger's Activity Centre. If you're in any doubt about what to do at Coate Water, a firm favourite has got to be feeding the ducks. But they're not the only animals you can see at the park, with a huge number of native and non-native birds, small mammals and other animals calling the park 'home'. And if you're lucky, you might just get the chance to take a perfect photo like this! Fancy yourself as the next Rory McIlroy? The pitch & putt at Coate is the perfect place to prove your skills on the green - just don't get a double bogey and embarrass yourself. And if you don't feel like taking it all too seriously, there's also a top-notch mini-golf course to enjoy as well.